Trip from Summerville, SC to Blacksburg, SC

Drive Time

3h 45m

Distance

196 mi

315 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 32m ★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 10m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 51m
3 PM
3h 55m
5 PM
4h 9m
8 PM
3h 37m

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

Downtown Summerville, SC, SC

Summerville, SC

Colon Freld

Downtown Blacksburg, SC, SC

Blacksburg, SC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

Traveling from Summerville to Blacksburg covers a 196-mile stretch across South Carolina, typically taking about 3 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You can expect to spend approximately $31 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly way to move between the Southeast regions. The journey relies heavily on I-26, the Charles F. Bolden Freeway, and Black Highway to navigate your way north. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this straightforward trip offers a reliable connection through the state.

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

98 miles from Summerville, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is heavily highway-focused, with about 76% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a long, consistent stretch of 87.4 miles on I-26, which defines the bulk of the experience. The road transitions from the coastal-leaning environment of Summerville into the distinct landscape of Blacksburg, shifting from high-speed interstate travel to local highway connectivity. Expect a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed over winding secondary roads. Staying focused during that lengthy interstate segment is key, as the route maintains a steady, predictable pace for most of the 196-mile journey.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 87.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Charles F Bolden Freeway. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 17 Alternate / North Main Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 196 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (US 17 Alternate / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 90 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 17 Alternate / North Main Street

Turn right onto US 17 Alternate / North Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
2.6 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

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

Use the none lane.
7
90 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Take the exit toward US 1 North: West Columbia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 111B Toward US 1 North: West Columbia
8
157 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in

Take the exit toward SC 901: Rock Hill, York

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 73 Toward SC 901: Rock Hill, York
9
157.2 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SC 901 North: Rock Hill, York

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward SC 901 North: Rock Hill, York

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Summerville, SC to Blacksburg, SC, road signs begin pointing toward York along the way.

York

157 mi in | ~2h 54m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 26 87.4 mi 1h 33m
Charles F Bolden Freeway 53.3 mi 57m
Black Highway 9.6 mi 11m
I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway 7.6 mi 8m
York Highway 7.3 mi 8m
Alexander Love Highway 5.3 mi 6m
York Road 4.9 mi 5m
Mount Holly Road 3.3 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 26 — 87.4 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Summerville, SC and Blacksburg, SC.

1

Start on this road

92 ft · 11 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue

116 ft · 7 sec · East Richardson Avenue
3

Turn right onto US 17 Alternate

2.2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
Use the right lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I-26 West
5

Merge onto I 26

87 mi · 1 hr 33 min · I 26
Use the none lane.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 111B Toward US 1 North: West Columbia Use the slight right lane.
7

Merge onto US 1

0.6 mi · 42 sec · Augusta Road
Use the none lane.
8

Turn straight onto SC 12

2.7 mi · 3 min · Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
Use the none lane.
9

Continue on SC 12

1.4 mi · 2 min · Hampton Street
10

Turn left onto US 76

1.3 mi · 2 min · Bull Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Continue on SC 277

7.6 mi · 8 min · I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
Use the none lane.
12

Merge onto I 77

53 mi · 57 min · Charles F Bolden Freeway
Use the none lane.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 73 Toward SC 901: Rock Hill, York Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

132 ft · 3 sec
Toward SC 901 North: Rock Hill, York Use the left lane.
15

Turn left onto SC 901

3.3 mi · 5 min · Mount Holly Road
16

Continue on SC 901

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Saluda Street
Use the left / none lanes.
17

Turn left onto SC 901; SC 5

3.2 mi · 5 min · South Heckle Boulevard
Use the none lane.
18

Turn left onto SC 5

2.3 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
Use the none lane.
19

Continue on SC 5

6.5 mi · 7 min · York Highway
Use the none lane.
20

Continue on SC 5

5.3 mi · 6 min · Alexander Love Highway
Use the none lane.
21

Turn right onto SC 5

9.6 mi · 11 min · Black Highway
22

Continue on SC 5

1.7 mi · 1 min · Kings Creek Drive
23

Continue on SC 5

3.3 mi · 3 min · York Road
24

Continue on SC 5

0.7 mi · 49 sec · York Highway
25

Continue on SC 5

1.6 mi · 1 min · York Road
26

Turn left onto US 29

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Cherokee Street
27

Arrive at destination

US 29

Trip Plan

To keep your drive comfortable, aim for at least one planned stop during your 3-hour and 45-minute trip to break up the monotony of the highway. Since the longest stretch is 87.4 miles on I-26, plan your refueling or rest break to coincide with the end of that section to maximize your efficiency. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid potential traffic fluctuations on the more congested parts of the route. Because this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Summerville, as keeping your costs near the $31 estimate depends on steady highway speeds.

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 98 miles from Summerville, SC, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 80 miles or 1h 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 98 miles or 1h 50m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Summerville, 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 Summerville, SC

This is one driving day of about 196 miles and 3h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Summerville, 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 87.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 98 mi from Summerville, SC · 1h 50m into the drive

Downtown Charlotte, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlotte, NC

98 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

Belmont, 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 98 miles from Summerville, 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 87.4 miles.

Arriving in Blacksburg, SC

The final approach into Blacksburg, 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 Blacksburg, 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

$31.37 one way

$62.74 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $34.18 $68.35
premium $4.78 $36.87 $73.74
diesel $5.64 $43.54 $87.09

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.8 0 $20.58 $9.41
Efficient EV 49 0 $17.15 $7.84
EV Truck/SUV 78.4 0 $27.44 $12.54

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 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 3 days ago

Origin

Summerville, SC

Evening in Summerville on Sunday

Local time

7:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Blacksburg, SC

Evening in Blacksburg on Sunday

Local time

7:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 45m 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 Summerville, SC to Blacksburg, SC covers 196 miles and takes about 3h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, Charles F Bolden Freeway, Black Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98 miles from Summerville, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.37 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 196 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (US 17 Alternate / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 90 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Summerville, SC to Blacksburg, SC, road signs begin pointing toward York along the way.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Blacksburg, SC to Summerville, SC

Plan the drive back the other way.

196.5 mi 3h 44m

Explore more options from Summerville, SC or browse trips ending in Blacksburg, SC.

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