Trip from Gaffney, SC to Bluffton, SC

Drive Time

4h 51m

Distance

242.3 mi

390 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 38m ★

6 AM

4h 52m

8 AM

5h 19m

10 AM

5h 1m

12 PM

4h 58m

3 PM

5h 3m

5 PM

5h 17m

8 PM

4h 44m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Gaffney, SC

Alyssa Rose

Bluffton, SC

Connor Scott McManus

Trip Overview

The drive from Gaffney, SC to Bluffton, SC covers 242.3 miles and takes about 4h 51m 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 95, Whitmire Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 96.4 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.78 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

121.2 miles from Gaffney, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 4h 51m highway drive covering 242.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 96.4 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 31 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 96.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

783 ft 9 ft

Total Climb

350 ft

Total Descent

1,108 ft

Highest Point

783 ft

Elevation Range

774 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.3 miles in near SC 9; SC 18 / South Main Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 242.3 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 19.3 miles (SC 9; SC 18 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 58.8 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

19.3 mi into trip | ~29m in | SC 9; SC 18 / South Main Street

At end of road, turn left onto SC 9; SC 18 / South Main Street

Navigation decision point

58.8 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

95 mi into trip | ~2h 2m 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

155.2 mi into trip | ~3h 9m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 169A Toward I 95 South: Savannah

156.1 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Gaffney, SC to Bluffton, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.

Charleston

95 mi in | ~2h 2m | via I 26

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 26	96.4 mi	1h 46m
I 95	56.6 mi	1h
Whitmire Highway	15.2 mi	17m
Union Highway	12.6 mi	18m
Coosaw Scenic Drive	9.6 mi	13m
Lowcountry Drive	7.9 mi	10m
Watson Street	7.4 mi	10m
Jonesville Highway	6.8 mi	9m

Longest stretch: I 26 — 96.4 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gaffney, SC and Bluffton, SC.

Start on SC 150

111 ft · 6 sec · South Limestone Street

Turn right onto East Buford Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Buford Street

Turn right onto SC 18

1.6 mi · 2 min · East Frederick Street

Continue on SC 18

13 mi · 18 min · Union Highway

Continue on SC 18

3.8 mi · 5 min · Gaffney Highway

Continue on SC 18

0.7 mi · 1 min · Pacolet Street

At end of road, turn left onto SC 9; SC 18

0.4 mi · 29 sec · South Main Street

Continue on SC 9; SC 18

0.6 mi · 41 sec · Jonesville Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto SC 9; SC 18

141 ft · 1 sec · Jonesville Highway

Continue on SC 18

6.2 mi · 9 min · Jonesville Highway

Continue on SC 18

1.9 mi · 2 min · Thompson Boulevard

Continue on SC 18

1.5 mi · 2 min · North Pinckney Street

Continue on US 176

15 mi · 17 min · Whitmire Highway

Turn slight left onto US 176; SC 121

7.4 mi · 10 min · Watson Street

Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto SC 121

6.1 mi · 9 min · State Highway 121

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Merge onto I 26

36 mi · 40 min · I 26

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 26

60 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 26

Toward Charleston Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 169A Toward I 95 South: Savannah

Merge onto I 95

57 mi · 1 hr · I 95

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie

Turn left onto SC 462

9.6 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive

Continue on SC 462

7.9 mi · 10 min · Lowcountry Drive

Turn right onto SC 170

4.2 mi · 4 min · Okatie Highway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Merge onto US 278

5.8 mi · 6 min · Fording Island Road

Turn right onto SC 46

0.8 mi · 1 min · Bluffton Road

Enter roundabout onto SC 46

170 ft · 3 sec · Bluffton Road

Continue on SC 46

0.9 mi · 1 min · Bluffton Road

Turn left onto Bruin Road

87 ft · 2 sec · Bruin Road

Arrive at destination

Bruin Road

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 121.2 miles from Gaffney, SC, or about 2h 31m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.4 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 80 miles or 1h 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 121.2 miles or 2h 31m 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 56m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Gaffney, 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 Gaffney, SC

This is one driving day of about 242.3 miles and 4h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gaffney, 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 96.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 121.2 mi from Gaffney, SC · 2h 31m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Belmont, NC

121 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

Belmont, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Charlotte, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 121.2 miles from Gaffney, 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 96.4 miles.

Arriving in Bluffton, SC

The final approach into Bluffton, 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 Bluffton, 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

$38.78 one way

$77.56 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 85 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$42.25	$84.50
premium	$4.78	$45.58	$91.16
diesel	$5.64	$53.83	$107.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	72.7	0	$25.44	$11.63
Efficient EV	60.6	0	$21.20	$9.69
EV Truck/SUV	96.9	1	$33.92	$15.51

Gas CO2

85 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 19 hours ago

Origin

Gaffney, SC

Afternoon in Gaffney on Sunday

Local time

4:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bluffton, SC

Afternoon in Bluffton on Sunday

Local time

4:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Clear

S 3 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Along the Route

64°F

Belmont, NC

121 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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 51m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Gaffney, SC to Bluffton, SC covers 242.3 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 26, I 95, Whitmire Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 121.2 miles from Gaffney, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.78 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Gaffney, SC to Bluffton, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 9 ft to 783 ft elevation with about 350 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Bluffton, SC to Gaffney, SC

Plan the drive back the other way.

242.3 mi 4h 50m

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Trip from Gaffney, SC to Bluffton, SC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Bluffton, SC

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Gaffney, SC

Bluffton, SC

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 51m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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