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Trip from Summerville, SC to South Congaree, SC

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

Drive Time

1h 43m

Distance

92.4 mi

149 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 36m ★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m

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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town in South Carolina, United States

Summerville, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown South Congaree, SC, SC

South Congaree, SC

Junior Bastos

Trip Overview

The drive from Summerville, SC to South Congaree, SC covers 92.4 miles and takes about 1h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 26, Edmund Highway, North Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 85.4 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.45 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.

Midpoint

46.2 miles from Summerville, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 26 85.4 mi 1h 31m
Edmund Highway 2.2 mi 3m
North Main Street 2.2 mi 3m
Airport Boulevard 1 mi 1m
Main Street 0.9 mi 1m
Commerce Drive <0.1 mi <1m
East Richardson Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Ramblin Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 26 — 85.4 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Summerville, SC and South Congaree, 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

85 mi · 1 hr 31 min · I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 113 Toward SC 302: Columbia Airport, Cayce Use the slight right lane.
7

Continue on Commerce Drive

513 ft · 17 sec · Commerce Drive
8

Turn left onto SC 302

1.0 mi · 1 min · Airport Boulevard
9

Continue on SC 302

2.2 mi · 3 min · Edmund Highway
10

Continue on SC 302

0.9 mi · 1 min · Main Street
11

Turn right onto Ramblin Road

44 ft · 1 sec · Ramblin Road
12

Arrive at destination

Ramblin Road

Trip Plan

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 46.2 miles from Summerville, SC, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.4 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 20 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 46.2 miles or 51m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Congaree, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Summerville, SC

This is one driving day of about 92.4 miles and 1h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Summerville, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 85.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Brookdale, SC, SC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brookdale, SC

46 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

Holly Hill, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brookdale, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 46.2 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 85.4 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

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Summerville, South Carolina

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18438214711

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Summerville, South Carolina

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18438214711

Visit website

Piecewise Coffee Co. - Cayce

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 85.8

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18037641044

Visit website

Audubon's Beidler Forest Sanctuary

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 19.8

Harleyville, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18434879988

Visit website

Granby Gardens Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 85.8

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

The Final Door Escape Room Columbia

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 85.8

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+18036022433

Visit website

West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 85.8

West Columbia, South Carolina

+18037911880

Visit website

South Carolina State Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 85.8

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18038984921

Visit website

EdVenture

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 85.8

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18037793100

Visit website

South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 85.8

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18037378095

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 0 and 88 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Richardson Avenue

Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue

Navigation decision point

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.
3
2.2 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I-26 West

Navigation decision point

Toward I-26 West
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.
8
88 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in

Take the exit toward SC 302: Columbia Airport, Cayce

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 113 Toward SC 302: Columbia Airport, Cayce

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.45 one way

$28.90 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $15.80 $31.60
premium $4.70 $17.10 $34.20
diesel $5.61 $20.40 $40.80

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.7 0 $9.70 $4.44
Efficient EV 23.1 0 $8.09 $3.70
EV Truck/SUV 37 0 $12.94 $5.91

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 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 18, 2026

Origin

Summerville, SC

Afternoon in Summerville on Saturday

Local time

4:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

South Congaree, SC

Afternoon in South Congaree on Saturday

Local time

4:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Brookdale, SC

46 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

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

1h 43m 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.

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...

11 mi from route ~29 min detour Free near mile 70.1
Caution: Burn Ban in Effect 4/17
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
View on nps.gov
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour $10
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

92.4 mi in 1h 43m, mostly highway — 85.4 mi of that is on I 26.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.4 mi on I 26.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Edmund Highway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Richardson Avenue.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Summerville, SC to South Congaree, SC is easy. At 1h 43m with 92% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Richardson Avenue): Navigation decision point; near the start (US 17 Alternate / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Navigation decision point.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 92.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 85.4 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Richardson Avenue): Navigation decision point; near the start (US 17 Alternate / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Navigation decision point.

Yes — Congaree National Park and Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at South Congaree, SC before heading back.

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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