Origin
Florence, SC
Morning in Florence on Friday
Local time
7:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Florence, SC to Charleston, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 35m
Distance
134.5 mi
216 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 25m
★
6 AM
2h 35m
8 AM
2h 56m
10 AM
2h 42m
12 PM
2h 40m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 55m
8 PM
2h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Florence, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Florence to Charleston covers 134.5 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trek through the Southeast, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to budget roughly $22 for fuel to make the journey. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, primarily using I-95 and I-26 to connect these two South Carolina hubs. Whether you are heading to the coast for a quick getaway or managing business travel, this drive is efficient and easy to navigate.
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
67.2 miles from Florence, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 134.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 95% of this route consists of interstate driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-95, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 74.8 miles. While the trip begins with a brief transition through local arteries like West Evans Street, the character of the drive quickly shifts to a consistent, high-speed pace. It is a functional, no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed over technical twists or scenic backroads. Prepare for a steady, predictable rhythm behind the wheel as you transition from the inland plains toward the coastal region.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Cheves Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Florence, SC to Charleston, SC is easy. At 2h 35m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Florence, SC to Charleston, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Cheves Street | — | — |
| Warley Street | — | — |
| West Evans Street | — | — |
| West David H McLeod Boulevard | — | — |
| J Strom Thurmond Freeway | — | — |
| I 95 South | — | — |
| I 26 East | — | — |
| Meeting Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East Cheves Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, SC and Charleston, SC.
1
Start on the route
49 ft
·
9 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left
131 ft
·
15 sec
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Cheves Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Cheves Street
4
Turn right onto Warley Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Warley Street
5
Turn left onto West Evans Street
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Evans Street
6
Turn right onto West David H McLeod Boulevard
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West David H McLeod Boulevard
7
Continue on J Strom Thurmond Freeway
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
J Strom Thurmond Freeway
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Savannah
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
I 95 South: Savannah
9
Merge slight left
75 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East: Charleston
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
I 26 East: Charleston
11
Merge slight left
52 mi
·
58 min
12
Take the exit slight left toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
13
Turn right onto Meeting Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Meeting Street
14
Turn left onto Broad Street
39 ft
·
1 sec
·
Broad Street
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure schedule. You only need to plan for a single stop along the way to keep the journey comfortable. Try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, as the highway-heavy nature of the route can lead to congestion during busy periods. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer stretches, though your $22 estimate should cover the trip easily. Use that one planned stop to stretch your legs and refresh, ensuring you arrive in Charleston ready to explore.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.2 miles from Florence, SC, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
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 30 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.2 miles or 1h 17m 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 7m
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 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 134.5 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Florence, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.2 mi from Florence, SC · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.2 miles from Florence, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.03 one way
$42.07 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $23.00 | $45.99 |
| premium | $4.70 | $24.89 | $49.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.70 | $59.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.12 | $6.46 |
| Efficient EV | 33.6 | 0 | $11.77 | $5.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.8 | 0 | $18.83 | $8.61 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Charleston, SC
Morning in Charleston on Friday
Local time
7:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Holly Hill, SC
67 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
16 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
2h 35m 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 Florence, SC to Charleston, SC covers 134.5 miles and takes about 2h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Cheves Street, Warley Street, West Evans Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.2 miles from Florence, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.03 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Florence, SC to Charleston, SC is easy. At 2h 35m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Florence, SC to Charleston, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Florence, SC to Charleston, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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. 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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