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Trip from Gadsden, SC to Mount Pleasant, SC

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 22m

Distance

112.2 mi

180 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 29 min
4 AM
2h 13m ★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 41m
8 PM
2h 17m

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

Downtown Gadsden, SC, SC

Gadsden, SC

Connor Scott McManus

town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States

Mount Pleasant, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Gadsden, SC to Mount Pleasant, SC covers 112.2 miles and takes about 2h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 26, McCords Ferry Road, Mark Clark Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 65.4 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.55 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.

Midpoint

56.1 miles from Gadsden, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 112.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 22m highway drive covering 112.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and McCords Ferry Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 65.4 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 18 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 65.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and McCords Ferry Road. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 31.3 miles in near I 26.

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 112.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 31.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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
31.3 mi into trip | ~49m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
96.6 mi into trip | ~2h in

Take the exit toward Aviation Avenue, Remount Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 211A-B Toward Aviation Avenue, Remount Road
6
96.8 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Remount Road, Hanahan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
9
97.2 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Remount Road, Hanahan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 211B Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
5
98.9 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in | I 526 / Mark Clark Expressway

Merge onto I 526 / Mark Clark Expressway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Gadsden, SC to Mount Pleasant, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Hanahan along the way.

Hanahan

96.8 mi in | ~2h 1m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 26 65.4 mi 1h 11m
McCords Ferry Road 14.3 mi 21m
Mark Clark Expressway 11.9 mi 14m
Bluff Road 7.9 mi 13m
Saint Matthews Road 6.9 mi 10m
Harry C Raysor Drive 1.9 mi 3m
Chuck Dawley Boulevard 1.3 mi 2m
Rivers Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 26 — 65.4 mi, about 1h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gadsden, SC and Mount Pleasant, SC.

1

Start on SC 48

7.9 mi · 13 min · Bluff Road
2

At end of road, turn right onto US 601

14 mi · 21 min · McCords Ferry Road
3

Continue on US 601

1.9 mi · 3 min · Harry C Raysor Drive
4

Continue on US 601

6.6 mi · 9 min · Saint Matthews Road
5

Continue on US 601

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Saint Matthews Road
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
7

Merge onto I 26

65 mi · 1 hr 11 min · I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 211A-B Toward Aviation Avenue, Remount Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 211B Toward Remount Road, Hanahan Use the slight right lane.
11

Turn left onto Remount Road

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Remount Road
12

Turn right onto US 52; US 78

0.8 mi · 1 min · Rivers Avenue
13

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Use the left lane.
14

Merge onto I 526

12 mi · 14 min · Mark Clark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 526 Bus

1.3 mi · 2 min · Chuck Dawley Boulevard
16

Turn right onto SC 703

237 ft · 12 sec · Coleman Boulevard
17

Turn left

76 ft · 5 sec
18

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 56.1 miles from Gadsden, SC, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.4 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 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 56.1 miles or 1h 16m 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 55m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Gadsden, 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 Gadsden, SC

This is one driving day of about 112.2 miles and 2h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Gadsden, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 65.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56.1 mi from Gadsden, SC · 1h 16m into the drive

Downtown Holly Hill, SC, SC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Holly Hill, SC

56 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

Brookdale, 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 56.1 miles from Gadsden, 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 65.4 miles.

Arriving in Mount Pleasant, SC

The final approach into Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, 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

Second State Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 112.2

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Second State Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.2

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Mellow & Play Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ladson, South Carolina

1.9 mi

Second State Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 112.2

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

The Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96.1

North Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 8:30 am–2 pm

+18433679070

Prophet Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 104.1

North Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Just Love Coffee Cafe- Mt Pleasant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.2

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+18432848283

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 88.1

Summerville, South Carolina

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18438214711

Visit website

Second State Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.2

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Mellow & Play Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 88.1

Ladson, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+18437894743

Visit website

Herbert's Vintage and Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 104.1

North Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

Bitty and Beau’s Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.2

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18436090455

Visit website

Kudu - Coffee, Craft Beer & Wine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.2

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

Visit website

The Black Door Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.2

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+18435772400

Visit website

Bad Bunnies Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112.2

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+18434147777

Visit website

The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 104.1

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18436373410

Visit website

Shem Creek Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 112.2

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+18438844440

Visit website

On Purpose Adventures

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 112.2

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18548889893

Visit website

Time Traveler Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 112.2

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+18435017924

Visit website

Charleston Sole Walking Tours

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 112.2

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18433648272

Visit website

Audubon's Beidler Forest Sanctuary

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 64.1

Harleyville, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18434879988

Visit website

Gullah Tours

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 112.2

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18437637551

Visit website

Palmetto Islands County Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 112.2

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

+18434066950

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.

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 near mile 112.2
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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.55 one way

$35.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $19.18 $38.37
premium $4.70 $20.77 $41.53
diesel $5.61 $24.77 $49.54

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

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.7 0 $11.78 $5.39
Efficient EV 28.1 0 $9.82 $4.49
EV Truck/SUV 44.9 0 $15.71 $7.18

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Gadsden, SC

Night in Gadsden on Friday

Local time

9:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mount Pleasant, SC

Night in Mount Pleasant on Friday

Local time

9:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

77°F

Holly Hill, SC

56 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

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

2h 22m 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 Gadsden, SC to Mount Pleasant, SC covers 112.2 miles and takes about 2h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 26, McCords Ferry Road, Mark Clark Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 56.1 miles from Gadsden, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.55 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 112.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 31.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

On the drive from Gadsden, SC to Mount Pleasant, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Hanahan along the way.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Congaree National Park.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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