Drive Time
2h
Distance
90.2 mi
145 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Photo: Connor Scott McManus
The drive from Hardeeville, SC to Charleston, SC covers 90.2 miles and takes about 2h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Savannah Highway, I 95, Ace Basin Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 29.7 miles on Savannah Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.44 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
45.1 miles from Hardeeville, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
The drive from Hardeeville, SC to Charleston, SC covers 90.2 miles and takes about 2h, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near US 278 / Independence Boulevard.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 90.2 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 2 miles (US 278 / Independence Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 27 miles (US 17): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 278 / Independence Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit onto US 17 toward US 17 North: Charleston, Beaufort
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
On the drive from Hardeeville, SC to Charleston, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Beaufort along the way.
Beaufort
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah Highway | 29.7 mi | 43m |
| I 95 | 24.2 mi | 25m |
| Ace Basin Parkway | 17.1 mi | 22m |
| Trask Parkway | 12.7 mi | 16m |
| Whyte Hardee Boulevard | 2 mi | 2m |
| Kings Highway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Lockwood Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Broad Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hardeeville, SC and Charleston, SC.
Start on SC 46
Turn right onto US 17
Turn right onto US 278
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit onto US 17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17
Merge onto US 17
Continue on US 17
Continue on US 17
Continue on US 17
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Lockwood Drive
Continue on Broad Street
Arrive at 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 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.1 miles or 54m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hardeeville, 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 Hardeeville, SC
This is one driving day of about 90.2 miles and 2h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.1 mi from Hardeeville, SC · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 45.1 miles from Hardeeville, 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
$14.44 one way
$28.87 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $15.73 | $31.46 |
| premium | $4.78 | $16.97 | $33.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.04 | $40.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.47 | $4.33 |
| Efficient EV | 22.6 | 0 | $7.89 | $3.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.1 | 0 | $12.63 | $5.77 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Hardeeville on Saturday
Local time
7:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Charleston on Saturday
Local time
7:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
66°F
Mount Pleasant, SC
45 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.
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