Origin
Duncan, SC
Night in Duncan on Tuesday
Local time
11:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Duncan, SC to Charleston, SC
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
3h 59m
Distance
206.9 mi
333 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 47m
★
6 AM
4h 0m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 9m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Duncan, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a straightforward 206.9-mile journey from Duncan, SC, to Charleston, SC, a drive that can comfortably be completed in under 4 hours. This route is primarily highway-focused, making it an excellent candidate for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast. You'll spend most of your time on I-26, offering a direct path to your destination. Consider this a practical, no-fuss drive for when you want to get there efficiently.
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
103.4 miles from Duncan, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 93% of the 206.9 miles on interstate. You'll begin on local roads like Moore Duncan Highway and West Main Street before merging onto I-26. The bulk of your travel will be on this interstate, including one uninterrupted stretch of 191.9 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip, characterized by higher speeds and efficient travel as you head southeast.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 191.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Moore Duncan Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 290 / West Main Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 59m drive. You will face about 8 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 290 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 13 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.4 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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 290 / West Main Street
Turn right onto SC 290 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
13 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
92.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
I 26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Charleston
6
204.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m 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
205.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m 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 | 191.9 mi | 3h 32m |
| Moore Duncan Highway | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| West Main Street | 5.8 mi | 11m |
| Meeting Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Highway 221 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Spencer Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Broad Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 191.9 mi, about 3h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Duncan, SC and Charleston, SC.
1
Start on South Spencer Street
126 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Spencer Street
2
Turn right onto SC 290
5.8 mi
·
11 min
·
West Main Street
3
Continue on SC 290
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Moore Duncan Highway
4
Turn left onto US 221
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 221
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
6
Merge onto I 26
79 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26
113 mi
·
2 hr 5 min
·
I 26
Toward Charleston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 221B
Toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
9
Turn right onto US 52
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Meeting Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto Broad Street
40 ft
·
1 sec
·
Broad Street
11
Arrive at destination
Broad Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 59-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. You can depart Duncan, SC, in the morning and arrive in Charleston, SC, by midday, leaving ample time to explore. With only one recommended stop and a manageable 206.9 miles, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the long 191.9-mile stretch on I-26, to ensure a smooth trip.
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 103.4 miles from Duncan, SC, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191.9 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.4 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 15m
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 Duncan, 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 Duncan, SC
This is one driving day of about 206.9 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Duncan, 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 191.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 103.4 mi from Duncan, SC · 2h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 103.4 miles from Duncan, 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 191.9 miles.
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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.35 one way
$64.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $35.38 | $70.75 |
| premium | $4.70 | $38.29 | $76.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.68 | $91.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.72 | $9.93 |
| Efficient EV | 51.7 | 0 | $18.10 | $8.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.8 | 1 | $28.97 | $13.24 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Charleston, SC
Night in Charleston on Tuesday
Local time
11:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Belmont, NC
103 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
3 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
3h 59m 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 Duncan, SC to Charleston, SC covers 206.9 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, Moore Duncan Highway, West Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 103.4 miles from Duncan, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.35 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 straightforward 3h 59m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 290 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 13 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.4 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Duncan, SC to Charleston, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Charleston, SC
More trips to Charleston, SC
Explore more options from Duncan, SC or browse trips ending in Charleston, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.
Explore maps for Duncan, SC or Charleston, SC on MapSof.net.