Trip from Mount Pleasant, SC to Gadsden, SC

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

111.6 mi

180 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

2h 11m ★

6 AM

2h 21m

8 AM

2h 41m

10 AM

2h 28m

12 PM

2h 26m

3 PM

2h 29m

5 PM

2h 40m

8 PM

2h 15m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Trip Overview

The drive from Mount Pleasant, SC to Gadsden, SC covers 111.6 miles and takes about 2h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 26, Colonel Thomson Highway, Mark Clark Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 65.2 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.45 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.

Midpoint

55.8 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 111.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (69%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 21m highway drive covering 111.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and Colonel Thomson Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 65.2 miles on I 26.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 26 is the longest continuous segment at about 65.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Colonel Thomson Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 10 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 (SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard

Turn right onto SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard

Navigation decision point

8

13.3 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward US 52 West, US 78 West: Rivers Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 18B Toward US 52 West, US 78 West: Rivers Avenue

5

15.3 mi into trip | ~20m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

6

80.5 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Take the exit toward US 601: Orangeburg, St. Matthews

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 145 Toward US 601: Orangeburg, St. Matthews

7

80.7 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 601 North: St. Matthews

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 145 Toward US 601 North: St. Matthews

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Mount Pleasant, SC to Gadsden, SC, road signs begin pointing toward St. Matthews along the way.

St. Matthews

80.5 mi in | ~1h 31m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 26	65.2 mi	1h 11m
Colonel Thomson Highway	14.3 mi	21m
Mark Clark Expressway	12 mi	14m
Bluff Road	7.9 mi	13m
Saint Matthews Road	7 mi	10m
Harry C Raysor Drive	1.5 mi	2m
Chuck Dawley Boulevard	1.3 mi	2m
Rivers Avenue	1.1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 26 — 65.2 mi, about 1h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pleasant, SC and Gadsden, SC.

1

Start on this road

76 ft · 10 sec · this road

2

Turn right onto SC 703

237 ft · 9 sec · Coleman Boulevard

3

Turn left onto I 526 Bus

1.3 mi · 2 min · Chuck Dawley Boulevard

4

Turn straight onto I 526

12 mi · 14 min · Mark Clark Expressway

Toward North Charleston Use the straight / slight right lanes.

5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 18B Toward US 52 West, US 78 West: Rivers Avenue Use the slight right lane.

6

Turn slight right onto US 52; US 78

1.1 mi · 1 min · Rivers Avenue

Use the straight lane.

7

Turn straight

0.1 mi · 20 sec

8

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 45 sec

Toward I 26 North: Columbia

9

Merge onto I 26

65 mi · 1 hr 11 min · I 26

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Exit 145 Toward US 601: Orangeburg, St. Matthews

11

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Exit 145 Toward US 601 North: St. Matthews

12

Turn straight onto US 601

7.0 mi · 10 min · Saint Matthews Road

13

Continue on US 601

1.5 mi · 2 min · Harry C Raysor Drive

14

Continue on US 601

14 mi · 21 min · Colonel Thomson Highway

15

Turn left onto Bluff Road

7.9 mi · 13 min · Bluff Road

16

Arrive at destination

SC 48

Trip Plan

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 55.8 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC, or about 1h 4m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.2 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 25 miles or 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 55.8 miles or 1h 4m 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 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gadsden, 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 111.6 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 65.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 55.8 mi from Mount Pleasant, SC · 1h 4m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Holly Hill, SC

56 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

Goose Creek, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Holly Hill, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 55.8 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.2 miles.

Arriving in Gadsden, SC

The final approach into Gadsden, 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 Gadsden, SC.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10

View on nps.gov

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 111.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.45 one way

$34.90 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$19.08	$38.16
premium	$4.70	$20.65	$41.31
diesel	$5.61	$24.64	$49.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 39 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	33.5	$11.72	$5.36
Efficient EV	27.9	$9.76	$4.46
EV Truck/SUV	44.6	$15.62	$7.14

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Mount Pleasant, SC

Night in Mount Pleasant on Thursday

Local time

9:16 PM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Mostly Clear

SW 6 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Gadsden, SC

Night in Gadsden on Thursday

Local time

9:16 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

77°F

Holly Hill, SC

56 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

10 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

2h 21m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 Gadsden, SC covers 111.6 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 26, Colonel Thomson Highway, Mark Clark Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 55.8 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 $17.45 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 is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from Mount Pleasant, SC to Gadsden, SC, road signs begin pointing toward St. Matthews along the way.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Gadsden, SC to Mount Pleasant, SC

Plan the drive back the other way.

112.2 mi 2h 22m

Explore more options from Mount Pleasant, SC or browse trips ending in Gadsden, SC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.

Explore maps for Mount Pleasant, SC or Gadsden, SC on MapSof.net.

Trip from Mount Pleasant, SC to Gadsden, SC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Gadsden, SC

National Parks Near This Route

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

Congaree National Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Mount Pleasant, SC

Gadsden, SC

Same local time

10 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 21m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Gadsden, SC

More from Mount Pleasant, SC

More trips to Gadsden, SC