Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
115.7 mi
186 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
Photo: Connor Scott McManus
The drive from Marion, SC to Charleston, SC covers 115.7 miles and takes about 2h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Main Street, Highway 41, Highway 378 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.04 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
57.9 miles from Marion, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 25m drive with frequent turns across 115.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 41 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 378 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Myrtle Beach Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kingsburg Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Georgetown Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Line Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, SC and Charleston, SC.
Start on West Godbold Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Take the exit slight right
Turn right onto State Highway 41
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 41 (Alt)
Turn right onto Highway 378
Continue on East Myrtle Beach Highway
Turn left onto Kingsburg Highway
Continue on North Georgetown Highway
Continue on North Main Street
Continue on State Highway 41
Continue on County Line Road
Turn slight right
At the end of the road, turn left
Continue straight
Take the ramp slight right
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward Morrison Drive, East Bay Street
Turn left onto Morrison Drive
Turn straight onto East Bay Street
Turn right onto Calhoun Street
Turn left onto Meeting Street
Turn left onto Broad Street
Arrive at your 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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.9 miles or 1h 12m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Marion, 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 Marion, SC
This is one driving day of about 115.7 miles and 2h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.9 mi from Marion, SC · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 57.9 miles from Marion, 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
$18.04 one way
$36.09 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $20.17 | $40.35 |
| premium | $4.78 | $21.76 | $43.53 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $25.62 | $51.24 |
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: 40.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.15 | $5.55 |
| Efficient EV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.12 | $4.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.20 | $7.40 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Marion on Saturday
Local time
9:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Charleston on Saturday
Local time
9:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
64°F
Fayetteville, NC
58 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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