Origin
Spartanburg, SC
Evening in Spartanburg on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spartanburg, SC to Red Bank, SC
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
98.3 mi
158 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 0m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spartanburg, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Red Bank, SC
Arthur Shuraev
Trip Overview
This 98.3-mile journey from Spartanburg, SC to Red Bank, SC is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 56 minutes. With 91% of the route on highways, it’s designed for efficient travel within the Southeast region. The estimated fuel cost is around $15, making it an economical option for a day trip. Given its manageable length and duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stops. You'll find it to be a practical and uncomplicated way to get from point A to point B.
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
49.1 miles from Spartanburg, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this trip, with 91% of the drive utilizing major roadways like I-26 and I-20. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 78.4 miles on I-26, highlighting the continuous nature of this drive. While primarily a highway-focused profile, the route does incorporate segments of North Church Street, offering a brief change of pace before rejoining the interstate system. This suggests a drive characterized by consistent speed and minimal local road navigation for the majority of its length.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 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 78.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 20. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 8.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 56m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
8.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
8.6 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
87 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Augusta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 107A
Toward I 20 West: Augusta
3
87.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining
7
96 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward SC 6 West: Lexington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 55B
Toward SC 6 West: Lexington
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 78.4 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 20 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| North Church Street | 6 mi | 10m |
| Highway 221 | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| South Lake Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spartanburg, SC and Red Bank, SC.
1
Start on US 221; SC 56
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
North Church Street
2
Continue on US 221
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 221
3
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
4
Merge onto I 26
78 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 107A
Toward I 20 West: Augusta
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 20
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 20
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 55B
Toward SC 6 West: Lexington
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn slight right onto SC 6
67 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Lake Drive
9
Continue on SC 6
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Lake Drive
10
Arrive at destination
SC 6
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 56-minute drive, departing in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon traffic congestion. Since the route is just under 100 miles and has no designated stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits you. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping in mind the approximate $15 fuel cost. A good tip for this particular route is to be aware of the transition points between I-26 and I-20, as these can sometimes involve significant merges. Keep an eye on your GPS for these key interchanges to ensure a smooth continuation towards Red Bank.
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 49.1 miles from Spartanburg, SC, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.1 miles or 59m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Red Bank, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Spartanburg, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Spartanburg, SC
This is one driving day of about 98.3 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Spartanburg, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.1 mi from Spartanburg, SC · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.1 miles from Spartanburg, 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 78.4 miles.
Arriving in Red Bank, SC
The final approach into Red Bank, SC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.37 one way
$30.74 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $16.81 | $33.62 |
| premium | $4.70 | $18.19 | $36.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.70 | $43.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.32 | $4.72 |
| Efficient EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.60 | $3.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.3 | 0 | $13.76 | $6.29 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (65% 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
Red Bank, SC
Evening in Red Bank on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Clinton, SC
49 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
16 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 56m 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 Spartanburg, SC to Red Bank, SC covers 98.3 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, I 20, North Church Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.1 miles from Spartanburg, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.37 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 56m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Spartanburg, SC to Red Bank, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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