Origin
Hartsville, SC
Evening in Hartsville on Sunday
Local time
5:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hartsville, SC to Charleston, SC
Drive Time
2h 26m
Distance
142.5 mi
229 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 17m
★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hartsville, SC
Zachary Andre
Trip Overview
Traveling from Hartsville to Charleston covers 142.5 miles of South Carolina terrain, typically requiring about 2 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays entirely within the Southeast region, you will notice a consistent landscape as you head toward the coast. With no planned stops required, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $22 for fuel to complete the transit. It is a straightforward drive that prioritizes efficiency, making it an easy choice if you are looking to reach the Holy City without needing an overnight split.
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
71.2 miles from Hartsville, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate through Oates Highway, North Brockington Street, and East Smith Street to reach your destination. Because the longest stretch on Oates Highway is 0 miles, you will find yourself frequently transitioning between local roads. This technical, winding profile demands more focus than a typical high-speed corridor. Be prepared for a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged as you transition from the inland plains toward the coast.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Oates Highway 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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Hartsville, SC to Charleston, SC is easy. At 2h 26m 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 Hartsville, SC to Charleston, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Oates Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Brockington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Smith Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Honda Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Honda Way | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 26 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Meeting Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Broad Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Oates Highway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hartsville, SC and Charleston, SC.
1
Start on South 5th Street
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
South 5th Street
2
Continue on Oates Highway
13 mi
·
21 min
·
Oates Highway
3
Continue on North Brockington Street
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
North Brockington Street
4
Turn left onto East Smith Street
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
East Smith Street
5
Turn right onto Honda Street
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Honda Street
6
Continue on Honda Way
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Honda Way
7
Take the ramp right
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
8
Merge slight left
67 mi
·
1 hr 12 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East: Charleston
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
I 26 East: Charleston
10
Merge slight left
52 mi
·
58 min
11
Take the exit slight left toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
12
Turn right onto Meeting Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Meeting Street
13
Turn left onto Broad Street
39 ft
·
1 sec
·
Broad Street
14
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. While the drive takes under two and a half hours, the lack of highway segments means your pace may be dictated by local traffic and turn sequences. Keep your $22 fuel budget in mind before you head out, as finding convenient refueling points on local surface streets can be less predictable than on major interstates. Because there are no designated stops, ensure your vehicle is ready for the full 142.5-mile stretch before you leave Hartsville. Focus on staying alert through the numerous turns, as the lack of long highway stretches means you will be actively maneuvering for the duration of the trip.
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 71.2 miles from Hartsville, SC, or about 1h 13m 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 80 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.2 miles or 1h 13m 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
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 Hartsville, 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 Hartsville, SC
This is one driving day of about 142.5 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hartsville, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.2 mi from Hartsville, SC · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.2 miles from Hartsville, 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
$22.81 one way
$45.61 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $24.85 | $49.70 |
| premium | $4.78 | $26.81 | $53.61 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $31.66 | $63.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.96 | $6.84 |
| Efficient EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.47 | $5.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57 | 0 | $19.95 | $9.12 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Evening in Charleston on Sunday
Local time
5:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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 26m 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 Hartsville, SC to Charleston, SC covers 142.5 miles and takes about 2h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Oates Highway, North Brockington Street, East Smith Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.2 miles from Hartsville, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.81 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.
The drive from Hartsville, SC to Charleston, SC is easy. At 2h 26m 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 Hartsville, SC to Charleston, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Hartsville, SC to Charleston, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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