Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
120.4 mi
194 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Photo: Emre Acar
The drive from Mount Pleasant, SC to Saint Andrews, SC covers 120.4 miles and takes about 2h 16m 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, Chuck Dawley Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 104 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.27 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
60.2 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
This is a 2h 16m highway drive covering 120.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and Mark Clark Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 104 miles on I 26.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
521 ft
Total Descent
233 ft
Highest Point
309 ft
~120.4 mi in
Elevation Range
299 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Mark Clark Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 16m 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 0.1 miles (I 526 Bus / Chuck Dawley Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto I 526 Bus / Chuck Dawley Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
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
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Saint Andrews Road East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 104 mi | 1h 53m |
| Mark Clark Expressway | 12 mi | 14m |
| Chuck Dawley Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Rivers Avenue | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Saint Andrews Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Broad River Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Whiteford Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Coleman Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pleasant, SC and Saint Andrews, SC.
Start on this road
Turn right onto SC 703
Turn left onto I 526 Bus
Turn straight onto I 526
Take the exit
Turn slight right onto US 52; US 78
Turn straight
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 26
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Saint Andrews Road
Turn right onto US 176
Turn left onto Whiteford Road
Arrive at 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.2 miles or 1h 9m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Andrews, SC than in the middle of the route.
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 120.4 miles and 2h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.2 mi from Mount Pleasant, SC · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 60.2 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104 miles.
The final approach into Saint Andrews, 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 Saint Andrews, SC.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$19.27 one way
$38.54 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $20.99 | $41.99 |
| premium | $4.78 | $22.65 | $45.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.75 | $53.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.1 | 0 | $12.64 | $5.78 |
| Efficient EV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.54 | $4.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.86 | $7.71 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Mount Pleasant on Saturday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Saint Andrews on Saturday
Local time
6:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
65°F
Charlotte, NC
60 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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Return Trip
Saint Andrews, SC to Mount Pleasant, SCPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Mount Pleasant, SC or browse trips ending in Saint Andrews, SC.
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