Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
136.4 mi
Route Type
Turn-heavy local drive
Same-day tripSame Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
The drive from Florence, SC to Charleston, SC covers 136.4 miles and takes about 2h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Cheves Street, Warley Street, West Evans Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.27 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
68.2 miles from Florence, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 5m drive with frequent turns across 136.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Cheves Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Warley Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Evans Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West David H McLeod Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| J Strom Thurmond Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 95 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 26 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Meeting Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, SC and Charleston, SC.
Start on the route
Turn left
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Cheves Street
Turn right onto Warley Street
Turn left onto West Evans Street
Turn right onto West David H McLeod Boulevard
Continue on J Strom Thurmond Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Savannah
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East: Charleston
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight left toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
Turn right onto Meeting Street
Turn left onto Broad Street
Arrive 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.
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 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.2 miles or 1h 2m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Florence, 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 Florence, SC
This is one driving day of about 136.4 miles and 2h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.2 mi from Florence, SC · 1h 2m into the drive
Late stop town
Meal stop
68 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 68.2 miles from Florence, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$21.27 one way
$42.54 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $23.78 | $47.57 |
| premium | $4.78 | $25.66 | $51.32 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $30.20 | $60.40 |
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals (1 day)
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.7 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Florence on Saturday
Local time
4:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Charleston on Saturday
Local time
4:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from Florence, SC or browse trips ending in Charleston, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.
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