Origin
North Charleston, SC
Morning in North Charleston on Wednesday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Charleston, SC to Camden, SC
Data updated 24 minutes ago
Drive Time
2h 27m
Distance
127.9 mi
206 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Charleston, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Camden, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from North Charleston, SC to Camden, SC covers 127.9 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, I 95, US 521 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.3 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.00 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
63.9 miles from North Charleston, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 2h 27m highway drive covering 127.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 46.3 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 19 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 46.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near I 26.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 127.9 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 1.1 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 48.2 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
47.4 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 169B
Toward I 95 North: Florence
5
48.2 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
83.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
6
84 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
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 North Charleston, SC to Camden, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter along the way.
Sumter
83.6 mi in
|
~1h 33m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 46.3 mi | 51m |
| I 95 | 35.4 mi | 37m |
| US 521 | 12.4 mi | 14m |
| Sumter Highway | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| Camden Highway | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Thomas Sumter Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| South Guignard Drive | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Broad Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 46.3 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Charleston, SC and Camden, SC.
1
Start on US 52; US 78
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Rivers Avenue
2
Turn left onto SC 642
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Dorchester Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 26 West: Columbia
4
Merge onto I 26
46 mi
·
51 min
·
I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 169B
Toward I 95 North: Florence
6
Merge onto I 95
35 mi
·
37 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
8
Keep slight left at fork
289 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
9
Turn left onto US 521
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 521
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto US 521
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Guignard Parkway
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 521
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
South Guignard Drive
12
Continue on US 521
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bultman Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto US 521; US 76 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn slight right onto US 521
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Camden Highway
15
Continue on US 521
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Thomas Sumter Highway
16
Continue on US 521
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Camden Highway
17
Continue on US 521
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Sumter Highway
18
Continue on US 521
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Broad Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 521; US 601
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 63.9 miles from North Charleston, SC, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.9 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 2h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Camden, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Charleston, 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 North Charleston, SC
This is one driving day of about 127.9 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from North Charleston, 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 I 26 for about 46.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.9 mi from North Charleston, SC · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.9 miles from North Charleston, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Camden, SC
The final approach into Camden, 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 Camden, 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
$20.00 one way
$40.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $21.87 | $43.74 |
| premium | $4.70 | $23.67 | $47.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.24 | $56.48 |
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: 44.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.43 | $6.14 |
| Efficient EV | 32 | 0 | $11.19 | $5.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.2 | 0 | $17.91 | $8.19 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Camden, SC
Morning in Camden on Wednesday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
23 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 27m 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 North Charleston, SC to Camden, SC covers 127.9 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, I 95, US 521. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.9 miles from North Charleston, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.00 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 127.9 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 1.1 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 48.2 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from North Charleston, SC to Camden, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Camden, SC
More trips to Camden, SC
Explore more options from North Charleston, SC or browse trips ending in Camden, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.
Explore maps for North Charleston, SC or Camden, SC on MapSof.net.