Origin
Rock Hill, SC
Morning in Rock Hill on Wednesday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
3h 17m
Distance
160 mi
257 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rock Hill, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Beaufort, SC
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Rock Hill, SC to Beaufort, SC covers 160 miles and takes about 3h 17m 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, Trask Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60.9 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.02 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80 miles from Rock Hill, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
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This is a 3h 17m highway drive covering 160 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 60.9 miles on I 26.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.2 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 160 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 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.2 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 26 East: Charleston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward SC 68 East: Yemassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rock Hill, SC and Beaufort, SC, road signs point toward Charleston and Yemassee.
Charleston
Yemassee
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 60.9 mi | 1h 7m |
| I 95 | 46.9 mi | 50m |
| Trask Parkway | 18.1 mi | 22m |
| Monticello Road | 12.6 mi | 22m |
| State Highway 215S | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| I 20 | 4 mi | 4m |
| US 17 Alt | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Boundary Street | 3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Hill, SC and Beaufort, SC.
Start on SC 215
Continue on SC 215
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20
Take the exit
Merge onto I 26; US 76
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto SC 68
Turn slight right onto SC 68
Turn right onto US 17 Alt; US 21
Merge onto US 17; US 21
Take the exit onto US 21
Merge onto US 21
Continue on US 21
Continue on US 21 Business
Turn left onto Port Republic Street
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80 miles or 1h 41m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beaufort, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Rock Hill, 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 Rock Hill, SC
This is one driving day of about 160 miles and 3h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80 mi from Rock Hill, SC · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80 miles from Rock Hill, 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 60.9 miles.
The final approach into Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.02 one way
$50.04 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $27.36 | $54.71 |
| premium | $4.70 | $29.61 | $59.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.33 | $70.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48 | 0 | $16.80 | $7.68 |
| Efficient EV | 40 | 0 | $14.00 | $6.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64 | 0 | $22.40 | $10.24 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Rock Hill on Wednesday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Beaufort on Wednesday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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