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Trip from Dalzell, SC to Charleston, SC

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 13m

Distance

115 mi

185 km

Drive Score

9/10

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 4m ★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 32m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 31m
8 PM
2h 8m

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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Downtown Dalzell, SC, SC

Dalzell, SC

Erik Karits

Trip Overview

This 115-mile drive from Dalzell, SC to Charleston, SC is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 13 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with about 77% of the journey on major interstates like I-26 and I-95, plus Manning Road. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, this is an economical option for exploring within South Carolina. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward path, it's ideal for a spontaneous road trip or a planned day excursion without needing an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

57.5 miles from Dalzell, 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 13m. Total distance: 115 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 115-mile journey, with 77% of the route utilizing major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 51.9 miles on I-26, so be prepared for consistent highway speeds. While the profile suggests a focus on faster roads, there are segments on Manning Road and other connecting routes that offer a change of pace. Overall, this drive is characterized by its efficiency and directness, making it a practical choice for covering ground quickly between Dalzell and Charleston.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 51.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Frierson Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 115 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 0.5 miles (Frierson Road): Navigation decision point; at 60.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 61.2 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | Frierson Road

Turn left onto Frierson Road

Navigation decision point

5
60.8 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Take the exit toward I 26 East: Charleston

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 86A Toward I 26 East: Charleston
5
61.2 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
113 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in

Take the exit toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown

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

Exit 221B Toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
6
113.4 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in | US 52 / Meeting Street

Turn right onto US 52 / Meeting Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 26 51.9 mi 58m
I 95 36 mi 38m
Manning Road 12.1 mi 13m
North Guignard Drive 3.6 mi 4m
Thomas Sumter Highway 3.5 mi 4m
Camden Highway 2.3 mi 3m
Meeting Street 1.6 mi 3m
South Guignard Parkway 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 26 — 51.9 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dalzell, SC and Charleston, SC.

1

Start on Camden Highway

0.5 mi · 1 min · Camden Highway
2

Turn left onto Frierson Road

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Frierson Road
3

Turn left onto US 521

3.5 mi · 4 min · Thomas Sumter Highway
4

Continue on US 521

1.9 mi · 2 min · Camden Highway
5

Turn slight left onto US 521; US 76 Business

0.8 mi · 1 min · Broad Street
6

Turn slight right onto US 521

0.7 mi · 1 min · Bultman Drive
7

Continue on US 521

3.6 mi · 4 min · North Guignard Drive
8

Continue on US 521

1.1 mi · 1 min · South Guignard Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Turn right onto US 521

12 mi · 13 min · Manning Road
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
11

Merge onto I 95

36 mi · 38 min · I 95
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 51 sec
Exit 86A Toward I 26 East: Charleston
13

Merge onto I 26

52 mi · 58 min · I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 221B Toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
15

Turn right onto US 52

1.6 mi · 3 min · Meeting Street
Use the right lane.
16

Turn left onto Broad Street

40 ft · 1 sec · Broad Street
17

Arrive at destination

Broad Street

Trip Plan

Since this 2-hour, 13-minute drive is well within day-trip territory, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. Aiming for an early morning departure can help you avoid any potential midday traffic, especially as you approach Charleston. The longest stretch without a major break is 51.9 miles on I-26, so plan your fuel and restroom stops accordingly before you hit that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at just $18, you won't need to worry too much about budget for gas on this relatively short, 115-mile trip.

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 57.5 miles from Dalzell, SC, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.9 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 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 57.5 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 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, SC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Dalzell, 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 Dalzell, SC

This is one driving day of about 115 miles and 2h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Dalzell, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 51.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 57.5 mi from Dalzell, SC · 1h 5m into the drive

city in South Carolina, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Manning, SC

58 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.

Popular next leg

Manning, SC to Charleston, SC

88.6 mi · 1h 29m

Pacing Suggestions

Manning, 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 57.5 miles from Dalzell, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Charleston, SC

The final approach into Charleston, 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 Charleston, SC.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

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 near mile 115
View on nps.gov
Congaree National Park

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...

24 mi from route ~59 min detour Free near mile 4
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.98 one way

$35.97 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $19.66 $39.33
premium $4.70 $21.28 $42.57
diesel $5.61 $25.39 $50.78

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: 40.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.5 0 $12.08 $5.52
Efficient EV 28.8 0 $10.06 $4.60
EV Truck/SUV 46 0 $16.10 $7.36

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

Dalzell, SC

Late night in Dalzell on Friday

Local time

12:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Charleston, SC

Late night in Charleston on Friday

Local time

12:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

58°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

9 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 13m 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 Dalzell, SC to Charleston, SC covers 115 miles and takes about 2h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, I 95, Manning Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.5 miles from Dalzell, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.98 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 115 miles you will encounter 8 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: at 0.5 miles (Frierson Road): Navigation decision point; at 60.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 61.2 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Dalzell, SC to Charleston, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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