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Trip from Eureka Mill, SC to Summerville, SC

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h

Distance

158.6 mi

255 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 49m ★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m

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

Downtown Eureka Mill, SC, SC

Eureka Mill, SC

Ryan Klaus

town in South Carolina, United States

Summerville, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Eureka Mill, SC to Summerville, SC covers 158.6 miles and takes about 3h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 26, I 77, William Earle Berne Beltway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 82.6 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.80 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

79.3 miles from Eureka Mill, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 158.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h highway drive covering 158.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and I 77. The longest continuous stretch is about 82.6 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 20 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 0.2 miles in near 2nd Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 158.6 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 0.2 miles (2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.4 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.5 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | 2nd Street

At end of road, turn right onto 2nd Street

Navigation decision point

5
11.4 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 77

Merge onto I 77

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
54.5 mi into trip | ~1h 4m 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
72.9 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 26 East: Charleston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 26 East: Charleston
7
156.3 mi into trip | ~2h 56m 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 43.1 mi 46m
William Earle Berne Beltway 12.3 mi 14m
Old Richburg Road 6.7 mi 10m
Charles F Bolden Freeway 3.3 mi 4m
Lancaster Highway 2.8 mi 3m
Veterans Memorial Freeway 2.8 mi 3m
North Main Street 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 26 — 82.6 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Eureka Mill, SC and Summerville, SC.

1

Start on 5th Street

0.2 mi · 48 sec · 5th Street
2

At end of road, turn right onto 2nd Street

38 ft · 3 sec · 2nd Street
3

Turn right onto Saluda Road

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Saluda Road
4

Turn slight right

250 ft · 9 sec
5

Turn straight onto SC 121

1.0 mi · 1 min · J A Cochran (Bypass)
6

Turn left onto SC 9

2.8 mi · 3 min · Lancaster Highway
7

Turn right onto Old Richburg Road

6.7 mi · 10 min · Old Richburg Road
8

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 48 sec
9

Merge onto I 77

19 mi · 19 min · I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 77

24 mi · 26 min · I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 77

3.3 mi · 4 min · Charles F Bolden Freeway
Toward I 77: Charleston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 77

12 mi · 14 min · William Earle Berne Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 77

2.8 mi · 3 min · Veterans Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
15

Merge onto I 26

83 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 26
Use the right lane.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 199A Toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville Use the slight right lane.
17

Turn straight onto US 17 Alternate

2.0 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue

116 ft · 5 sec · East Richardson Avenue
Use the left lane.
19

Turn right

92 ft · 6 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 79.3 miles from Eureka Mill, SC, or about 1h 33m 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 35 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 79.3 miles or 1h 33m 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 28m

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 Eureka Mill, 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 Eureka Mill, SC

This is one driving day of about 158.6 miles and 3h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Eureka Mill, 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 79.3 mi from Eureka Mill, SC · 1h 33m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbia, SC

79 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

Blythewood, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cayce, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79.3 miles from Eureka Mill, 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 82.6 miles.

Arriving in Summerville, SC

The final approach into Summerville, 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 Summerville, SC.

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

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Summerville, South Carolina

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 158.6

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18438214711

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Dutch Bros Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Columbia, South Carolina

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 56.6

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+18778992767

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 158.6

Summerville, South Carolina

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18438214711

Visit website

Poindexter Coffee

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 68

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+18037797779

Visit website

Dutch Bros Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 56.6

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+18778992767

Visit website

Piecewise Coffee Co. - Cayce

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18037641044

Visit website

The Game Show Challenge - Columbia

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 68

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18034701112

Visit website

Audubon's Beidler Forest Sanctuary

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 136

Harleyville, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18434879988

Visit website

Craft Axe Throwing

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 68

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18032813803

Visit website

Escapology Escape Rooms Columbia (Vista)

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 68

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18039004144

Visit website

The Final Door Escape Room Columbia

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 68

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+18036022433

Visit website

Mays Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 68

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18037338596

Visit website

Columbia Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 68

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+18037992810

Visit website

South Carolina State Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 68

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18038984921

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.

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...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free near mile 87.5
Caution: Burn Ban in Effect 4/17
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
View on nps.gov
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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour $10 near mile 158.6
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.80 one way

$49.60 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $27.12 $54.24
premium $4.70 $29.35 $58.71
diesel $5.61 $35.02 $70.03

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.6 0 $16.65 $7.61
Efficient EV 39.7 0 $13.88 $6.34
EV Truck/SUV 63.4 0 $22.20 $10.15

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (65% 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

Eureka Mill, SC

Morning in Eureka Mill on Friday

Local time

7:11 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Summerville, SC

Morning in Summerville on Friday

Local time

7:11 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

4 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 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 Eureka Mill, SC to Summerville, SC covers 158.6 miles and takes about 3h 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 79.3 miles from Eureka Mill, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.80 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 12 significant decision points across 158.6 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 0.2 miles (2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.4 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 54.5 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Eureka Mill, 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.

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