Origin
Clinton, SC
Night in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
9:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clinton, SC to Spartanburg, SC
Drive Time
46m
Distance
35.4 mi
57 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clinton, SC
Diego Santacruz
Spartanburg, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick connection between Clinton and Spartanburg, this 35.4-mile trip is an efficient way to traverse the South Carolina landscape. You can easily complete the drive in about 46 minutes, making it a perfect day trip that requires no overnight stay. Budgeting roughly $6 for fuel is sufficient for the journey, keeping your travel costs low. Because the route stays entirely within the Southeast region, you will find a familiar atmosphere throughout the transit. It is a straightforward, practical drive that prioritizes speed and convenience over leisurely detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
17.7 miles from Clinton, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 80% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-26, which accounts for a 23.9-mile stretch of the journey, providing the most consistent pace. As you transition from the interstate into the final leg of the trip, the route shifts to South Church Street and Highway 221 to bring you into the city. This mix creates a functional rhythm, moving you quickly through the countryside before navigating local road connections. It is a no-nonsense commute that favors steady movement over complex technical driving.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 23.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and South Church Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 72 Business / South Broad Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 46m drive. You will face about 7 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 (SC 72 Business / South Broad Street): Navigation decision point; near the start: Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SC 72 Business / South Broad Street
Turn right onto SC 72 Business / South Broad Street
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
7
3.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Spartanburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
Toward Spartanburg
8
26.8 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, Moore
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 28
Toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, Moore
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Clinton, SC to Spartanburg, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Moore along the way.
Moore
26.8 mi in
|
~31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 23.9 mi | 25m |
| South Church Street | 6 mi | 10m |
| Highway 221 | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Highway 56 North | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Musgrove Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| State Highway 56 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Broad Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Carolina Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 23.9 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, SC and Spartanburg, SC.
1
Start on US 76
37 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Carolina Avenue
2
Turn right onto SC 72 Business
105 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Broad Street
3
Turn right
146 ft
·
8 sec
4
Turn left onto Musgrove Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Musgrove Street
5
Continue on Highway 56 North
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 56 North
6
Continue on SC 56
460 ft
·
12 sec
·
State Highway 56
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
8
Merge onto I 26
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
I 26
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 26
Toward Spartanburg
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 28
Toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, Moore
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto US 221
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 221
12
Continue on US 221
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
South Church Street
Use the none lane.
13
Arrive at destination
US 221; SC 56
Trip Plan
Since the entire trip takes less than an hour, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure schedule. You won't need to worry about planning for rest stops, as the 35.4-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. If you are aiming to avoid potential congestion, check traffic reports for I-26 before you head out, as this interstate serves as the primary artery for the route. Keep your fuel tank topped off before leaving Clinton to ensure you have plenty of range for the quick 46-minute run. Because there are zero required stops, you can focus on a direct arrival at your destination.
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 17.7 miles from Clinton, SC, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.9 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 35.4 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.7 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spartanburg, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clinton, 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 Clinton, SC
This is one driving day of about 35.4 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clinton, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 23.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.7 mi from Clinton, SC · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.7 miles from Clinton, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Spartanburg, SC
The final approach into Spartanburg, 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 Spartanburg, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.67 one way
$11.33 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $6.17 | $12.35 |
| premium | $4.78 | $6.66 | $13.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.86 | $15.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.72 | $1.70 |
| Efficient EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.10 | $1.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.96 | $2.27 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Spartanburg, SC
Night in Spartanburg on Sunday
Local time
9:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
46m 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 Clinton, SC to Spartanburg, SC covers 35.4 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, South Church Street, Highway 221. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.7 miles from Clinton, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.67 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 46m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 72 Business / South Broad Street): Navigation decision point; near the start: Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles: Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Clinton, SC to Spartanburg, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Moore along the way.
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