Origin
Mount Pleasant, SC
Afternoon in Mount Pleasant on Sunday
Local time
4:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Pleasant, SC to Charleston, SC
Drive Time
14m
Distance
7.3 mi
12 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 13m
★
6 AM
0h 14m
8 AM
0h 17m
10 AM
0h 15m
12 PM
0h 15m
3 PM
0h 15m
5 PM
0h 17m
8 PM
0h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Pleasant, SC
Connor Scott McManus
Trip Overview
Crossing from Mount Pleasant to Charleston is a quick 7.3-mile journey that typically takes about 14 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it functions more like a local connection than a long-haul excursion. You can expect to spend roughly $1 on fuel for this short distance, making it an incredibly budget-friendly commute. Since both locations are situated within the Southeast region, you won't experience any major shifts in scenery or climate. Whether you are heading into the city for work or a quick visit, the convenience of this drive makes it a simple, straightforward task.
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
3.6 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that requires your full attention as you navigate through Mount Pleasant toward your destination. You will spend about 7 miles of the trip on highways, transitioning from the local flow of West Coleman Boulevard and Coleman Boulevard onto the Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge. This bridge marks the longest uninterrupted stretch of your journey at 2 miles, providing a brief change of pace from the city streets. The road character shifts from local thoroughfares to a more elevated highway experience before depositing you into the heart of Charleston. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed over long-distance cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge is the longest continuous segment at about 2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 7.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.9 miles (US 52 Bus / Morrison Drive): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard
Turn left onto SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard
Navigation decision point
7
4.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward Morrison Drive, East Bay Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Morrison Drive, East Bay Street
4
4.9 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 52 Bus / Morrison Drive
Turn left onto US 52 Bus / Morrison Drive
Navigation decision point
6
6.5 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
S-10-107 / Meeting Street
Turn left onto S-10-107 / Meeting Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
7.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
Broad Street
Turn left onto Broad Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge | 2 mi | 2m |
| West Coleman Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Coleman Boulevard | 1 mi | 2m |
| East Bay Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Meeting Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Morrison Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| SC 703 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Calhoun Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge
— 2 mi, about 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pleasant, SC and Charleston, SC.
1
Start on this road
76 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto SC 703
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Coleman Boulevard
3
Continue on SC 703
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Coleman Boulevard
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp onto SC 703
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
SC 703
Toward US 17 South: Charleston
5
Merge onto US 17
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Morrison Drive, East Bay Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn left onto US 52 Bus
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Morrison Drive
8
Turn straight onto East Bay Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Bay Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Turn right onto Calhoun Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Calhoun Street
10
Turn left onto S-10-107
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Meeting Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto Broad Street
40 ft
·
1 sec
·
Broad Street
12
Arrive at destination
Broad Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 14-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time and pacing. You won't need to plan for any stops along the way, as the entire route is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that the heavy reliance on local roads means traffic patterns can fluctuate, so check your GPS for real-time updates before heading out. Because your fuel costs are minimal at only $1, you can focus your budget elsewhere during your visit. A specific tip for this drive is to remain alert during the transition from the local boulevards onto the Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge, as the navigation requirements change quickly once you hit the highway portion.
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 3.6 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 2 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 7.3 miles or 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.6 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 11m
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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, SC
This is one driving day of about 7.3 miles and 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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.
The longest stretch is on Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge for about 2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.6 mi from Mount Pleasant, SC · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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 7.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 3.6 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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
$1.17 one way
$2.34 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $1.27 | $2.55 |
| premium | $4.78 | $1.37 | $2.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.62 | $3.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.2 | 0 | $0.77 | $0.35 |
| Efficient EV | 1.8 | 0 | $0.64 | $0.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.02 | $0.47 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in Charleston on Sunday
Local time
4:11 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
1 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
14m 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 Mount Pleasant, SC to Charleston, SC covers 7.3 miles and takes about 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge, West Coleman Boulevard, Coleman Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.6 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.17 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 7.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.9 miles (US 52 Bus / Morrison Drive): Navigation decision point.
The route from Mount Pleasant, SC to Charleston, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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