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...
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Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
158.6 mi
255 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Greenwood, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Summerville, SC
Wikimedia Commons
This 158.6-mile drive from Greenwood, SC, to Summerville, SC, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend around 3 hours and 23 minutes on the road, with an estimated fuel cost of $25. The route primarily utilizes I-26, US-178, and Highway 378, offering a highway-focused experience for most of the trip. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is well-suited as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entire journey.
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 Greenwood, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Loading map...
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 80% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter an 87.3-mile stretch on I-26, which forms the backbone of this journey. While the majority of the travel is on higher-speed roads, expect some transitions as you navigate between I-26, US-178, and Highway 378. The character of the drive will be characterized by efficient travel on these main arteries, making for a generally direct and uncomplicated trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and US 178. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street North.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 25 Business; US 178 Business / Ivy Hall Lane): Navigation decision point; at 69 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Main Street North
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 25 Business; US 178 Business / Ivy Hall Lane
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Greenwood, SC to Summerville, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.
Charleston
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 87.3 mi | 1h 34m |
| US 178 | 22 mi | 32m |
| Highway 378 | 14.3 mi | 20m |
| Travis Avenue | 14.1 mi | 21m |
| Augusta Road | 6.9 mi | 10m |
| Main Street North | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Columbia Highway | 3 mi | 4m |
| Highway 25 South | 2.8 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Greenwood, SC and Summerville, SC.
Start on SC 72 Business
Turn right onto Main Street North
Turn slight right onto Beaudrot Avenue
Turn left onto US 25 Business; US 178 Business
Continue on US 25 Business; US 178 Business
Continue on US 25; US 178
Continue on US 25; US 178
Turn left onto US 178
Continue on US 378
Enter roundabout onto US 378
Continue on US 378
Continue on US 378
Turn left onto US 1; US 378
Continue on US 1
Continue on US 1
Turn straight onto US 1
Take the exit
Merge onto I 26
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 17 Alternate
Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue
Turn right
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 3 hour and 23 minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Summerville. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace your journey. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 87.3 miles on I-26, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before embarking on this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25 for the 158.6 miles.
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.
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 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.3 miles or 1h 55m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Summerville, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Greenwood, 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 Greenwood, SC
This is one driving day of about 158.6 miles and 3h 23m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.3 mi from Greenwood, SC · 1h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 79.3 miles from Greenwood, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.3 miles.
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$24.80 one way
$49.60 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Greenwood on Tuesday
Local time
11:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Summerville on Tuesday
Local time
11:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
64°F
Belmont, NC
79 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
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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