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Create accountDrive Time
46m
Distance
35.5 mi
57 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
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.
Spartanburg, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Clinton, SC
Diego Santacruz
If you are planning a quick trip through the Southeast, the 35.5-mile journey from Spartanburg to Clinton, SC, is an efficient drive that typically takes about 46 minutes. Because the route is so brief, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to easily complete the round trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $6 for fuel, making this a very budget-friendly transit. By utilizing a combination of North Church Street, Highway 221, and I-26, you can navigate between these two South Carolina hubs with minimal logistical effort. This route is designed for those who prioritize speed and straightforward navigation over a meandering scenic tour.
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
17.8 miles from Spartanburg, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 79% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your journey on I-26, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 23.9 miles. Expect a transition from the local arterial roads of Spartanburg onto the more consistent pace of the interstate before arriving in Clinton. The experience behind the wheel is functional and direct, providing a steady flow of traffic that keeps the drive moving along at a predictable clip. It is a no-nonsense transit that prioritizes efficiency, getting you from city to city with very little deviation.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
231 ft
Total Descent
358 ft
Highest Point
803 ft
Elevation Range
311 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and North Church Street. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 221; SC 56 / North Church Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Spartanburg, SC to Clinton, SC is easy. At 46m with 79% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 221; SC 56 / North Church Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Depart onto US 221; SC 56 / North Church Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining
Take the exit toward SC 56: Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto SC 56 / Highway 56 North
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 23.9 mi | 25m |
| North Church Street | 6 mi | 10m |
| Highway 221 | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Highway 56 North | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North Broad Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Willard Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Carolina Avenue | <0.1 mi | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Spartanburg, SC and Clinton, SC.
Start on US 221; SC 56
Continue on US 221
Turn left
Merge onto I 26
Take the exit
Turn right onto SC 56
Turn right onto SC 72 Business
Turn straight onto SC 72 Business
Turn left onto US 76
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short 46-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 35.5-mile route, you can easily complete the entire leg in one go without needing to refuel or break for rest. Keep a close eye on your odometer as you merge onto I-26, as that 23.9-mile stretch is where you will cover the majority of your distance. Use the simplicity of this short drive to your advantage by planning your arrival in Clinton exactly when you need to be there, rather than worrying about complex travel logistics.
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 35.5 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.8 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Spartanburg, 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 Spartanburg, SC
This is one driving day of about 35.5 miles and 46m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.8 mi from Spartanburg, SC · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.8 miles from Spartanburg, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Clinton, 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 Clinton, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.68 one way
$11.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $6.19 | $12.38 |
| premium | $4.78 | $6.68 | $13.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.89 | $15.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.73 | $1.70 |
| Efficient EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.11 | $1.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.97 | $2.27 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Spartanburg on Sunday
Local time
9:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Night in Clinton on Sunday
Local time
9:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
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
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
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