Origin
Charleston, SC
Morning in Charleston on Friday
Local time
9:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charleston, SC to Saint Matthews, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
85.5 mi
138 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Matthews, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 85.5-mile drive from Charleston, SC, to Saint Matthews, SC, is designed for efficiency, taking about 1 hour and 42 minutes. It's a solid choice for a day trip, easily manageable without an overnight stay. You'll primarily be on I 26, with Saint Matthews Road and Harry C Raysor Drive forming the final approach. The estimated fuel cost is around $13, making it an economical option. This highway-focused journey through the Southeast region is all about getting you to your destination smoothly and without fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.7 miles from Charleston, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 85.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience, with an impressive 88% of the drive taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 74.8 miles on I 26, meaning you'll have ample opportunity to settle into a steady pace. While the majority of the route is focused on efficient travel, the final segments on local roads like Saint Matthews Road and Harry C Raysor Drive will introduce a change of pace as you enter Saint Matthews. This highway-focused profile prioritizes directness over varied scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 26 is the longest continuous segment at about 74.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
342 ft
11 ft
Total Climb
413 ft
Total Descent
139 ft
Highest Point
342 ft
~79.4 mi in
Elevation Range
332 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Saint Matthews Road. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near S-10-107 / Meeting Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (S-10-107 / Meeting Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (Coming Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
S-10-107 / Meeting Street
Turn right onto S-10-107 / Meeting Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Coming Street
Turn right onto Coming Street
Navigation decision point
6
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 26
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
77.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 601: Orangeburg, St. Matthews
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 145
Toward US 601: Orangeburg, St. Matthews
7
77.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 601 North: St. Matthews
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 145
Toward US 601 North: St. Matthews
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Charleston, SC to Saint Matthews, SC, road signs begin pointing toward St. Matthews along the way.
St. Matthews
77.3 mi in
|
~1h 28m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 74.8 mi | 1h 23m |
| Saint Matthews Road | 7 mi | 10m |
| Harry C Raysor Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Meeting Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Septima Clark Expressway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| King Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Coming Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Spring Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 74.8 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston, SC and Saint Matthews, SC.
1
Start on Broad Street
40 ft
·
5 sec
·
Broad Street
2
Turn right onto S-10-107
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Meeting Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto Calhoun Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Calhoun Street
4
Turn right onto S-10-104
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
King Street
5
Turn left onto Spring Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Spring Street
6
Turn right onto Coming Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Coming Street
7
Turn right onto US 17
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Septima Clark Expressway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 26
75 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 145
Toward US 601: Orangeburg, St. Matthews
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 145
Toward US 601 North: St. Matthews
11
Turn straight onto US 601
7.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Saint Matthews Road
12
Continue on US 601
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Harry C Raysor Drive
13
Turn left onto SC 6
292 ft
·
11 sec
·
Bridge Street
14
Turn right
28 ft
·
2 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 42-minute duration of this 85.5-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility for departure times. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak Charleston commute and arrive in Saint Matthews with ample daylight. With no designated stops in the data, you can easily plan your own brief breaks if needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I 26 is over 70 miles, and it’s always wise to fuel up before embarking on such a segment. The estimated fuel cost of $13 suggests you won't need to budget heavily for gas.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 42.7 miles from Charleston, SC, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.7 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Matthews, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charleston, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Charleston, SC
This is one driving day of about 85.5 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Charleston, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 74.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.7 mi from Charleston, SC · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.7 miles from Charleston, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.8 miles.
Arriving in Saint Matthews, SC
The final approach into Saint Matthews, SC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.37 one way
$26.74 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $14.62 | $29.24 |
| premium | $4.70 | $15.82 | $31.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.88 | $37.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.7 | 0 | $8.98 | $4.10 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.48 | $3.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.97 | $5.47 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Saint Matthews, SC
Morning in Saint Matthews on Friday
Local time
9:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
87°F
Summerville, SC
43 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 42m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Charleston, SC to Saint Matthews, SC covers 85.5 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, Saint Matthews Road, Harry C Raysor Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.7 miles from Charleston, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.37 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (S-10-107 / Meeting Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (Coming Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Charleston, SC to Saint Matthews, SC, road signs begin pointing toward St. Matthews along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 11 ft to 342 ft elevation with about 413 ft of total climbing.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Elevation is sampled from USGS 3DEP. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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