Ravenel, SC to South Santee, SC is 63.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 32 minutes via US 17, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive, primarily along a major highway, making it a convenient option for a quick hop. Consider this route if you're looking for a simple, direct journey between these two South Carolina locations without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
31.8 miles from Ravenel, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 63.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
This drive is largely highway-focused, with 70% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a significant 42.8-mile segment on US 17. While the profile suggests a highway-focused experience, remember that US 17 and Savannah Highway are often busy with local traffic, so it’s not a pure interstate feel. Expect a steady pace for most of the 1 hour and 32 minutes, making it an efficient transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 42.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Savannah Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near SC 165.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 32m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SC 165): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (SC 165 / State Highway 165): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 17 / Savannah Highway): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
4 of 4 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|SC 165
Turn left onto SC 165
Navigation decision point
3
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|SC 165 / State Highway 165
Turn left onto SC 165 / State Highway 165
Navigation decision point
4
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in|US 17 / Savannah Highway
Turn right onto US 17 / Savannah Highway
Navigation decision point
8
20.9 mi into trip|~34m in|US 17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 toward US 17 North: Mount Pleasant, Georgetown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 17 North: Mount Pleasant, Georgetown
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 Ravenel, SC to South Santee, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Georgetown along the way.
Georgetown
20.9 mi in|~34m|via US 17
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
42.8 mi
57m
Savannah Highway
18 mi
28m
State Highway 165
0.9 mi
1m
Septima Clark Expressway
0.6 mi
1m
Crosstown
0.5 mi
1m
SC 165
0.3 mi
<1m
Septima P. Clark Parkway
0.2 mi
<1m
Cannon Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 42.8 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ravenel, SC and South Santee, SC.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi·44 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto SC 165
0.3 mi·37 sec·SC 165
3
Turn left onto SC 165
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 165
4
Turn right onto US 17
18 mi·28 min·Savannah Highway
5
Continue on US 17
0.2 mi·23 sec·Cannon Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn straight onto US 17
0.2 mi·28 sec·Septima P. Clark Parkway
7
Continue on US 17
0.5 mi·1 min·Crosstown
8
Continue on US 17
0.6 mi·1 min·Septima Clark Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
9.8 mi·15 min·US 17
Toward US 17 North: Mount Pleasant, GeorgetownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 17
33 mi·41 min·US 17
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 17
192 ft·11 sec·US 17
12
Arrive at destination
US 17
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 32-minute duration, this route offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart Ravenel, SC at your leisure, aiming to arrive in South Santee, SC well before sunset. With a fuel cost estimated at $10, you won't need to worry too much about frequent stops for gas. The longest stretch without interruption is 42.8 miles on US 17, so plan any necessary breaks before you embark on that segment to ensure a comfortable drive.
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 31.8 miles from Ravenel, SC, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.8 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 14 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.8 miles or 52m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Santee, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ravenel, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ravenel, SC
This is one driving day of about 63.7 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Ravenel, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 17 for about 42.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.8 mi from Ravenel, SC
· 52m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.96 one way
$19.92 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg22 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$10.89
$21.78
premium
$4.70
$11.79
$23.58
diesel
$5.61
$14.06
$28.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
19.1
0
$6.69
$3.06
Efficient EV
15.9
0
$5.57
$2.55
EV Truck/SUV
25.5
0
$8.92
$4.08
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Ravenel, SC
Evening
in Ravenel on Friday
Local time
8:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
South Santee, SC
Evening
in South Santee on Friday
Local time
8:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°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
28 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
1h 32m 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 Ravenel, SC to South Santee, SC covers 63.7 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 17, Savannah Highway, State Highway 165. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.8 miles from Ravenel, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.96 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 1h 32m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (SC 165): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (SC 165 / State Highway 165): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (US 17 / Savannah Highway): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Ravenel, SC to South Santee, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Georgetown along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
