The drive from Summerville, SC to Five Forks, SC covers 185.6 miles and takes about 3h 28m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 26, I 385, Adams Mill Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 146.8 miles on I 26.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.02 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
92.8 miles from Summerville, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 28m. Total distance: 185.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 28m highway drive covering 185.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and I 385. The longest continuous stretch is about 146.8 miles on I 26.
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 146.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 385. You will hit about 13 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.
Driving Effort5/10
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 185.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 149.5 miles (I 385): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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 straight / slight right lanes.
9
149.5 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|I 385
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385 toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 51
Toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
7
180.3 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward SC 417: Laurens Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 31
Toward SC 417: Laurens Road
6
185.6 mi into trip|~3h 28m in
At end of road, turn left
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Summerville, SC to Five Forks, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Greenville along the way.
Greenville
149.5 mi in|~2h 44m|via I 385
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
146.8 mi
2h 39m
I 385
29.6 mi
32m
Adams Mill Road
2.8 mi
5m
North Main Street
2.2 mi
3m
Highway 14
1.5 mi
2m
Golden Strip Freeway
1.2 mi
1m
Northeast Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
Scuffletown Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 146.8 mi, about 2h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Summerville, SC and Five Forks, 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
147 mi·2 hr 39 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385
30 mi·32 min·I 385
Exit 51Toward I 385 North: Laurens, GreenvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385
1.2 mi·1 min·Golden Strip Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 31Toward SC 417: Laurens RoadUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto SC 417
0.8 mi·1 min·Northeast Main Street
10
Turn left onto SC 14
1.5 mi·2 min·Highway 14
11
Turn right onto Adams Mill Road
2.8 mi·5 min·Adams Mill Road
12
Turn left onto Scuffletown Road
324 ft·11 sec·Scuffletown Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn slight left
203 ft·20 sec
14
At end of road, turn left
164 ft·12 sec
15
Arrive at destination
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 92.8 miles from Summerville, SC, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.8 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 41 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.8 miles or 1h 42m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Five Forks, 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 185.6 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 146.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.8 mi from Summerville, SC
· 1h 42m into the drive
The midpoint is around 92.8 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 146.8 miles.
Arriving in Five Forks, SC
The final approach into Five Forks, 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 Five Forks, SC.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 70.4
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.02 one way
$58.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$31.73
$63.47
premium
$4.70
$34.35
$68.70
diesel
$5.61
$40.98
$81.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.7
0
$19.49
$8.91
Efficient EV
46.4
0
$16.24
$7.42
EV Truck/SUV
74.2
0
$25.98
$11.88
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Summerville, SC
Morning
in Summerville on Friday
Local time
7:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Five Forks, SC
Morning
in Five Forks on Friday
Local time
7:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Saint Andrews, SC
93 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
3 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 28m 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 Five Forks, SC covers 185.6 miles and takes about 3h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, I 385, Adams Mill 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 92.8 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 $29.02 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 185.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 149.5 miles (I 385): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Summerville, SC to Five Forks, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Greenville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Congaree National Park and Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
