This 185.3-mile journey from Clover, SC, to Summerville, SC, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 33 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with a significant portion on I-26 and I-77, making it a highway-focused trip. With a fuel cost estimated around $29, it’s an economical option for a quick regional hop within the Southeast. The route is designed for efficient travel, with only one recommended stop, and is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You'll experience a consistent driving profile for most of the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
92.7 miles from Clover, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 185.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 77% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-26 and I-77, as well as the William Earle Berne Beltway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82.6 miles on I-26, offering a solid period of cruising. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed roads, be prepared for the typical traffic patterns associated with these arteries. The character remains consistent for much of the trip, emphasizing efficient travel over varied scenery. You’ll spend most of your time on fast-paced, multi-lane highways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 82.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24 miles in near SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 185.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 24 miles (SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.2 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
24 mi into trip|~33m in|SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street
Turn right onto SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
27.7 mi into trip|~39m in|I 77
Merge onto I 77
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
81.2 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway toward I 77: Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 77: Charleston
5
99.6 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 26 East: Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
7
183 mi into trip|~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 199A
Toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
82.6 mi
1h 28m
I 77
53.5 mi
57m
William Earle Berne Beltway
12.3 mi
14m
York Highway
6.5 mi
7m
Filbert Highway
6.1 mi
9m
Alexander Love Highway
4.4 mi
5m
Charles F Bolden Freeway
3.3 mi
4m
Heckle Boulevard
3.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 82.6 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clover, SC and Summerville, SC.
1
Start on US 321
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street West
2
Continue on US 321
4.5 mi·6 min·Filbert Highway
3
At end of road, turn right
7 ft·1 sec
4
Turn left
138 ft·4 sec
5
Continue on Filbert Highway
1.5 mi·2 min·Filbert Highway
6
Turn left onto SC 5
4.4 mi·5 min·Alexander Love Highway
7
Continue on SC 5
6.5 mi·7 min·York Highway
8
Continue on SC 5
2.3 mi·3 min·West Main Street
9
Turn right onto SC 901; SC 5
3.2 mi·5 min·Heckle Boulevard
10
Turn right onto SC 72; SC 901
0.3 mi·40 sec·Saluda Street
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on SC 901
3.1 mi·4 min·Mount Holly Road
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
13
Merge onto I 77
29 mi·31 min·I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 77
24 mi·26 min·I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
3.3 mi·4 min·Charles F Bolden Freeway
Toward I 77: CharlestonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 77
12 mi·14 min·William Earle Berne Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 77
2.8 mi·3 min·Veterans Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
19
Merge onto I 26
83 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 26
Use the right lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 199AToward US 17 Alternate South: SummervilleUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto US 17 Alternate
2.0 mi·3 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue
116 ft·5 sec·East Richardson Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right
92 ft·6 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 33-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning will allow you to arrive in Summerville with plenty of daylight remaining. The route has a fuel cost estimate of $29 and is designed with only one recommended stop, so plan your fuel and breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 82.6 miles on I-26, to ensure you don't need to pull over unexpectedly. This is a manageable drive for a single day, so you have flexibility in your departure time. A practical tip is to ensure your vehicle is in good condition before leaving Clover, as the majority of the drive is on high-speed interstates where mechanical issues can be more challenging to address.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 92.7 miles from Clover, SC, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.6 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 41 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.7 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Summerville, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clover, 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 Clover, SC
This is one driving day of about 185.3 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Clover, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 82.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.7 mi from Clover, SC
· 1h 51m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 115
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$10
near mile 185.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.98 one way
$57.95 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$31.68
$63.37
premium
$4.70
$34.30
$68.59
diesel
$5.61
$40.91
$81.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.6
0
$19.46
$8.89
Efficient EV
46.3
0
$16.21
$7.41
EV Truck/SUV
74.1
0
$25.94
$11.86
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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
Clover, SC
Late night
in Clover on Friday
Local time
4:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Summerville, SC
Late night
in Summerville on Friday
Local time
4:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°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
21 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
3h 33m 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 Clover, SC to Summerville, SC covers 185.3 miles and takes about 3h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, I 77, William Earle Berne Beltway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92.7 miles from Clover, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.98 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 185.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 24 miles (SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.2 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Clover, SC to Summerville, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Congaree National Park and Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park.
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.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
