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Trip from Stateburg, SC to Charleston, SC

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

2h 20m

Distance

118.7 mi

191 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 11m ★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 40m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 39m
8 PM
2h 15m

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

Downtown Stateburg, SC, SC

Stateburg, SC

Ken Jacobsen

Trip Overview

This 118.7-mile drive from Stateburg, SC to Charleston, SC is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 82% of the journey utilizing major roads like I-26, I-95, and Manning Road. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this is an efficient and straightforward excursion through the Southeast region. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, you won't need an overnight stop, allowing for maximum flexibility in your travel plans.

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

59.4 miles from Stateburg, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this 118.7-mile journey. The majority of your time will be spent on interstates, making for a fast-paced drive. You'll encounter a significant 51.9-mile stretch solely on I-26, offering uninterrupted cruising. While 82% of this route is on highways, the transition between these main arteries like I-95 and Manning Road will be noticeable, but generally smooth. The character remains consistently efficient for most of the drive.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 51.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near US 76; US 378.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 118.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.1 miles (US 76; US 378): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 64.9 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
1.1 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 76; US 378

Turn left onto US 76; US 378

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
64.5 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in

Take the exit toward I 26 East: Charleston

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 86A Toward I 26 East: Charleston
5
64.9 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
116.8 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Take the exit toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown

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

Exit 221B Toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
6
117.1 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | US 52 / Meeting Street

Turn right onto US 52 / Meeting Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 26 51.9 mi 58m
I 95 36 mi 38m
Manning Road 12.1 mi 13m
US 76 8.6 mi 12m
North Guignard Drive 3.6 mi 4m
Meeting Street 1.6 mi 3m
South Guignard Parkway 1.1 mi 1m
Broad Street 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 26 — 51.9 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Stateburg, SC and Charleston, SC.

1

Start on SC 261

1.1 mi · 1 min · North Kings Highway
2

Turn left onto US 76; US 378

8.6 mi · 12 min · US 76; US 378
Use the straight lane.
3

Keep slight right at fork onto US 76 Business

1.1 mi · 1 min · Broad Street
4

Turn slight right onto US 521

0.7 mi · 1 min · Bultman Drive
5

Continue on US 521

3.6 mi · 4 min · North Guignard Drive
6

Continue on US 521

1.1 mi · 1 min · South Guignard Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Turn right onto US 521

12 mi · 13 min · Manning Road
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
9

Merge onto I 95

36 mi · 38 min · I 95
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 51 sec
Exit 86A Toward I 26 East: Charleston
11

Merge onto I 26

52 mi · 58 min · I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 221B Toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
13

Turn right onto US 52

1.6 mi · 3 min · Meeting Street
Use the right lane.
14

Turn left onto Broad Street

40 ft · 1 sec · Broad Street
15

Arrive at destination

Broad Street

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 20-minute drive, departing in the morning will help you avoid potential traffic near Charleston. Since this is a relatively short, highway-centric trip, you won't need to plan for extensive stops; however, it's wise to take advantage of rest areas along I-95 or I-26 for quick breaks. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 51.9 miles on I-26, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. This route is designed for efficiency, making it a flexible option for your schedule.

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 59.4 miles from Stateburg, SC, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.9 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 59.4 miles or 1h 11m 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 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, SC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Stateburg, 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 Stateburg, SC

This is one driving day of about 118.7 miles and 2h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Stateburg, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 51.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59.4 mi from Stateburg, SC · 1h 11m into the drive

city in and county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlotte, NC

59 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

Charlotte, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Charlotte, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.4 miles from Stateburg, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Charleston, SC

The final approach into Charleston, 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 Charleston, SC.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.56 one way

$37.12 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $20.30 $40.59
premium $4.70 $21.97 $43.94
diesel $5.61 $26.21 $52.41

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.6 0 $12.46 $5.70
Efficient EV 29.7 0 $10.39 $4.75
EV Truck/SUV 47.5 0 $16.62 $7.60

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Stateburg, SC

Late night in Stateburg on Wednesday

Local time

12:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Charleston, SC

Late night in Charleston on Wednesday

Local time

12:56 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 20m 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 Stateburg, SC to Charleston, SC covers 118.7 miles and takes about 2h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, I 95, Manning Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.4 miles from Stateburg, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.56 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 118.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (US 76; US 378): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 64.9 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Stateburg, SC to Charleston, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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