Drive Time
3h
Distance
153.8 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
The drive from Summerville, SC to Chester, SC covers 153.8 miles and takes about 3h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Richardson Avenue, North Main Street, I-26 West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.98 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
76.9 miles from Summerville, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Expect a 3h drive with frequent turns across 153.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Richardson Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-26 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 1 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Augusta Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jarvis Klapman Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hampton Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bull Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Summerville, SC and Chester, SC.
Start on the route
Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue
Turn right onto North Main Street
Take the ramp slight left toward I-26 West
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward US 1 North: West Columbia
Merge slight left onto Augusta Road
Turn straight onto Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
Continue on Hampton Street
Turn left onto Bull Street
Continue on I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
Merge slight left onto Charles F Bolden Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward SC 97: Great Falls, Chester
Keep slight left to continue on SC 97: Great Falls, Chester
Turn left onto Great Falls Highway
At the end of the road, turn right onto Columbia Road
Continue on Columbia Street
Turn left onto West End Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.9 miles or 1h 30m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chester, SC than in the middle of the route.
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 153.8 miles and 3h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.9 mi from Summerville, SC · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76.9 miles from Summerville, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Chester, 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 Chester, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$23.98 one way
$47.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $26.82 | $53.64 |
| premium | $4.78 | $28.93 | $57.86 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $34.05 | $68.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.15 | $7.38 |
| Efficient EV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.46 | $6.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.53 | $9.84 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Summerville on Saturday
Local time
5:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Chester on Saturday
Local time
5:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
63°F
Archdale, NC
77 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from Summerville, SC or browse trips ending in Chester, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.
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