The drive from Mount Pleasant, SC to Hopkins, SC covers 125.3 miles and takes about 2h 27m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 26, Mark Clark Expressway, William Earle Berne Beltway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 94.3 miles on I 26.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.59 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
62.7 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 125.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 27m highway drive covering 125.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and Mark Clark Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 94.3 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 20 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 94.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Mark Clark Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 125.3 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 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 118 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
7
109.6 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 77: Charlotte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 116
Toward I 77: Charlotte
8
118 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward US 76, US 378, SC 262: Garners Ferry Road, Leesburg Road
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 9A-B
Toward US 76, US 378, SC 262: Garners Ferry Roa...
10
118.2 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 76, US 378: Garners Ferry Road, Sumter
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9 A
Toward US 76, US 378: Garners Ferry Road, Sumte...
6
118.4 mi into trip|~2h 15m in|US 76; US 378 / Garners Ferry Road
Turn right onto US 76; US 378 / Garners Ferry Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Hopkins, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter along the way.
Sumter
118.2 mi in|~2h 14m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
94.3 mi
1h 42m
Mark Clark Expressway
12 mi
14m
William Earle Berne Beltway
5 mi
6m
Garners Ferry Road
3.5 mi
4m
Old Hopkins Road
2.9 mi
6m
Veterans Memorial Freeway
2.4 mi
2m
Chuck Dawley Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
Rivers Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 94.3 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pleasant, SC and Hopkins, 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 CharlestonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 18BToward US 52 West, US 78 West: Rivers AvenueUse 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
94 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 116Toward I 77: CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 77
2.4 mi·2 min·Veterans Memorial Freeway
12
Continue on I 77
5.0 mi·6 min·William Earle Berne Beltway
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 9A-BToward US 76, US 378, SC 262: Garners Ferry Road, Leesburg RoadUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 9 AToward US 76, US 378: Garners Ferry Road, SumterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto US 76; US 378
3.5 mi·4 min·Garners Ferry Road
Use the right lane.
16
Take the exit
255 ft·7 sec
17
Turn straight onto State Highway 222
0.4 mi·55 sec·State Highway 222
18
Continue on Old Hopkins Road
2.9 mi·6 min·Old Hopkins Road
19
At end of road, turn right onto Lower Richland Boulevard
0.1 mi·16 sec·Lower Richland Boulevard
20
Arrive at destination
Lower Richland Boulevard
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 62.7 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.3 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 28 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.7 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hopkins, 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 125.3 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 94.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.7 mi from Mount Pleasant, SC
· 1h 12m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 125.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.59 one way
$39.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$21.42
$42.85
premium
$4.70
$23.19
$46.38
diesel
$5.61
$27.66
$55.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.6
0
$13.16
$6.01
Efficient EV
31.3
0
$10.96
$5.01
EV Truck/SUV
50.1
0
$17.54
$8.02
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Mount Pleasant, SC
Late night
in Mount Pleasant on Friday
Local time
1:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
SW 6 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hopkins, SC
Late night
in Hopkins on Friday
Local time
1:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Holly Hill, SC
63 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
27 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 27m 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 Hopkins, SC covers 125.3 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, Mark Clark Expressway, William Earle Berne Beltway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.7 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 $19.59 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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 125.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 118 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Mount Pleasant, SC to Hopkins, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter along the way.
