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Trip from Spartanburg, SC to Allendale, SC

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 14m

Distance

164.9 mi

265 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 3m ★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Spartanburg, SC, SC

Spartanburg, SC

Wikimedia Commons

town in South Carolina, United States

Allendale, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Spartanburg, SC to Allendale, SC covers 164.9 miles and takes about 3h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 26, Savannah Highway, Carolina Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.5 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.79 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

82.5 miles from Spartanburg, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 26 86.5 mi 1h 35m
Savannah Highway 23.7 mi 26m
Carolina Highway 19.7 mi 22m
Burtons Ferry Highway 8.7 mi 11m
North Church Street 7.3 mi 13m
Highway 321 4.8 mi 5m
Southbound Road 4.1 mi 5m
Charleston Highway 2.7 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 26 — 86.5 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Spartanburg, SC and Allendale, 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

79 mi · 1 hr 26 min · I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 26

7.1 mi · 8 min · I 26
Toward Charleston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 115 Toward US 21, US 176, US 321: Gaston, Cayce Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork

302 ft · 7 sec
Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto US 21; US 176; US 321

2.7 mi · 3 min · Charleston Highway
9

Turn slight right onto US 321

4.8 mi · 5 min · Highway 321
10

Continue on US 321

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
11

Continue on US 321

4.1 mi · 5 min · Southbound Road
12

Continue on US 321

1.3 mi · 2 min · North Church Street
13

Continue on US 321

24 mi · 26 min · Savannah Highway
14

Continue on US 321

20 mi · 22 min · Carolina Highway
15

Merge onto US 301; US 321

1.9 mi · 2 min · Main Highway
16

Continue on US 301

8.7 mi · 11 min · Burtons Ferry Highway
17

Continue on US 278; US 301

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Main Street North
18

Arrive at destination

US 301

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 82.5 miles from Spartanburg, SC, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.5 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 36 miles or 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 82.5 miles or 1h 35m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Allendale, 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.

+

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 164.9 miles and 3h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Spartanburg, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 86.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Lexington and Richland counties in South Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cayce, SC

82 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

Fountain Inn, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Saint Andrews, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.5 miles from Spartanburg, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Frankie's of Columbia

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Columbia, South Carolina

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 82.5

Hours: 12–10 pm

+18037812342

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Habit Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Drayton, South Carolina

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18647641014

Visit website

Frankie's of Columbia

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 82.5

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 12–10 pm

+18037812342

Visit website

Habit Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Drayton, South Carolina

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18647641014

Visit website

Piecewise Coffee Co. - Cayce

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94.2

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18037641044

Visit website

Possum's Coffee Shack

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 70.7

Little Mountain, South Carolina

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18038164196

Visit website

Craft Axe Throwing

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18647278277

Visit website

Cleveland Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm

+18645624150

Visit website

Granby Gardens Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 94.2

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

The Final Door Escape Room Columbia

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 94.2

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+18036022433

Visit website

Leo’s Landing

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 82.5

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Visit website

West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 94.2

West Columbia, South Carolina

+18037911880

Visit website

Riverbanks Botanical Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 94.2

West Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

Waterfall Junction

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 94.2

West Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18037798717

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 8.5 and 95.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
88 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | I 26

Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Charleston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Charleston
8
95.1 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Take the exit toward US 21, US 176, US 321: Gaston, Cayce

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 115 Toward US 21, US 176, US 321: Gaston, Cayce
6
95.4 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.79 one way

$51.57 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $28.20 $56.39
premium $4.70 $30.52 $61.04
diesel $5.61 $36.41 $72.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.5 0 $17.31 $7.92
Efficient EV 41.2 0 $14.43 $6.60
EV Truck/SUV 66 0 $23.09 $10.55

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Spartanburg, SC

Afternoon in Spartanburg on Saturday

Local time

2:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Allendale, SC

Afternoon in Allendale on Saturday

Local time

2:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

84°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

2 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

3h 14m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Cowpens National Battlefield

Cowpens National Battlefield

National Battlefield

A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic mili...

14 mi from route ~36 min detour Free
Caution: Hazardous Conditions on Trails
View on nps.gov
Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park

National Park

Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free near mile 102.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

164.9 mi in 3h 14m — 57% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: I 26.

57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.5 mi on I 26.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 164.9 miles you will encounter 7 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 8.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 88 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Spartanburg, SC and Allendale, SC, road signs point toward Charleston and Cayce.

Charleston

88 mi in | ~1h 41m | via I 26

Cayce

95.1 mi in | ~1h 50m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 164.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 86.5 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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 88 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Cowpens National Battlefield and Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Allendale, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

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