Trip from Charleston, SC to South Congaree, SC

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 10m

Distance

113.8 mi

183 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

2h 1m ★

6 AM

2h 10m

8 AM

2h 29m

10 AM

2h 17m

12 PM

2h 15m

3 PM

2h 18m

5 PM

2h 28m

8 PM

2h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Download GPX

Trip Overview

The drive from Charleston, SC to South Congaree, SC covers 113.8 miles and takes about 2h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 26, Edmund Highway, Airport Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 106.9 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.75 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

56.9 miles from Charleston, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 113.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 10m highway drive covering 113.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and Edmund Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 106.9 miles on I 26.

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 106.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Edmund Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near S-10-107 / Meeting Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 10m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (S-10-107 / Meeting Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (Calhoun Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (Coming Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These 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.

3

0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in | Calhoun Street

Turn left onto Calhoun Street

Navigation decision point

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.

8

109.3 mi into trip | ~2h 3m in

Take the exit toward SC 302: Columbia Airport, Cayce

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 113 Toward SC 302: Columbia Airport, Cayce

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 26	106.9 mi	1h 58m
Edmund Highway	2.2 mi	3m
Airport Boulevard	1 mi	1m
Main Street	0.9 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

Longest stretch: I 26 — 106.9 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charleston, SC and South Congaree, 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

107 mi · 1 hr 58 min · I 26

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

9

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Exit 113 Toward SC 302: Columbia Airport, Cayce Use the slight right lane.

10

Continue on Commerce Drive

513 ft · 17 sec · Commerce Drive

11

Turn left onto SC 302

1.0 mi · 1 min · Airport Boulevard

12

Continue on SC 302

2.2 mi · 3 min · Edmund Highway

13

Continue on SC 302

0.9 mi · 1 min · Main Street

14

Turn right onto Ramblin Road

44 ft · 1 sec · Ramblin Road

15

Arrive at destination

Ramblin Road

Trip Plan

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 56.9 miles from Charleston, SC, or about 1h 5m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.9 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 25 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 56.9 miles or 1h 5m 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 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Congaree, 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.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Charleston, SC

This is one driving day of about 113.8 miles and 2h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 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 106.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56.9 mi from Charleston, SC · 1h 5m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Holly Hill, SC

57 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

North Charleston, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Holly Hill, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.9 miles from Charleston, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.9 miles.

Arriving in South Congaree, SC

The final approach into South Congaree, SC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around South Congaree, SC.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Prophet Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Charleston, South Carolina

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 8.1

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

The Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Charleston, South Carolina

2.4 mi

Muddy Waters Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charleston, South Carolina

2.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Bitty and Beau’s Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charleston, South Carolina

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18436090455

Visit website

The Black Door Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Charleston, South Carolina

0.1 mi

Kudu - Coffee, Craft Beer & Wine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charleston, South Carolina

0.8 mi

Prophet Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 8.1

North Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

The Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 16.3

North Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 8:30 am–2 pm

+18433679070

Muddy Waters Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+18433438937

Visit website

Second State Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 24.4

Summerville, South Carolina

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18438214711

Visit website

Bitty and Beau’s Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18436090455

Visit website

The Black Door Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+18435772400

Visit website

Kudu - Coffee, Craft Beer & Wine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

Visit website

Bad Bunnies Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+18434147777

Visit website

Herbert's Vintage and Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 8.1

North Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

Sightsee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+18432126538

Visit website

Mellow & Play Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 16.3

Ladson, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+18437894743

Visit website

The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18436373410

Visit website

Time Traveler Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+18435017924

Visit website

Charleston Sole Walking Tours

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18433648272

Visit website

Gullah Tours

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18437637551

Visit website

Adventure Harbour Tours

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18434429455

Visit website

Shem Creek Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+18438844440

Visit website

Audubon's Beidler Forest Sanctuary

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 40.6

Harleyville, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18434879988

Visit website

On Purpose Adventures

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18548889893

Visit website

James Island County Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Charleston, South Carolina

+18434066990

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10

View on nps.gov

Congaree National Park

National Park

Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 90.2

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.75 one way

$35.49 round trip

$3.96/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$19.84	$39.69
premium	$4.78	$21.41	$42.81
diesel	$5.62	$25.20	$50.39

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.8 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	34.1	$11.95	$5.46
Efficient EV	28.5	$9.96	$4.55
EV Truck/SUV	45.5	$15.93	$7.28

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (68% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Charleston, SC

Morning in Charleston on Saturday

Local time

9:01 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

South Congaree, SC

Morning in South Congaree on Saturday

Local time

9:01 AM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

77°F

Holly Hill, SC

57 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

31 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 10m 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 South Congaree, SC covers 113.8 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 26, Edmund Highway, Airport Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 56.9 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 $17.75 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 is a straightforward 2h 10m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (S-10-107 / Meeting Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (Calhoun Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (Coming Street): Navigation decision point.

The route from Charleston, SC to South Congaree, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Charleston, SC or browse trips ending in South Congaree, SC.

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Trip from Charleston, SC to South Congaree, SC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in South Congaree, SC

Nearby Places

Prophet Coffee

Bitty and Beau’s Coffee

Prophet Coffee

The Coffee House

Muddy Waters Coffee Bar

Second State Coffee

BIGGBY COFFEE

Bitty and Beau’s Coffee

The Black Door Cafe

Kudu - Coffee, Craft Beer & Wine

Bad Bunnies Coffee

Herbert's Vintage and Coffee

Sightsee Shop

Mellow & Play Cafe

The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

Time Traveler Adventures

Charleston Sole Walking Tours

Gullah Tours

Adventure Harbour Tours

Shem Creek Park

Audubon's Beidler Forest Sanctuary

On Purpose Adventures

James Island County Park

National Parks Near This Route

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

Congaree National Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Charleston, SC

South Congaree, SC

Same local time

31 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 10m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Charleston, SC to South Congaree, SC?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How hard is the drive from Charleston, SC to South Congaree, SC?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Charleston, SC to South Congaree, SC?

How this page is built

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