The drive from Summerville, SC to Union, SC covers 150.9 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 I 95, I 26, Kershaw Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.4 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.60 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
75.4 miles from Summerville, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 150.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Summerville, SC to Union, SC covers 150.9 miles and takes about 3h, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 35.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 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 Effort6/10
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 150.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 32.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 33.2 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 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
32.4 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 169B
Toward I 95 North: Florence
5
33.2 mi into trip|~38m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
68.7 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
6
69 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
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 Union, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter along the way.
Sumter
68.7 mi in|~1h 16m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
35.4 mi
37m
I 26
29.8 mi
31m
Kershaw Highway
14.4 mi
16m
US 521
12.4 mi
14m
Kershaw Camden Highway
8.9 mi
10m
Sumter Highway
8.4 mi
9m
Camden Highway
8.2 mi
9m
Rocky River Road
7.7 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 35.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Summerville, SC and Union, 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
30 mi·31 min·I 26
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 169BToward I 95 North: Florence
7
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·37 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
9
Keep slight left at fork
289 ft·7 sec
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
10
Turn left onto US 521
12 mi·14 min·US 521
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto US 521
1.1 mi·1 min·South Guignard Parkway
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 521
3.6 mi·4 min·South Guignard Drive
13
Continue on US 521
0.7 mi·1 min·Bultman Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto US 521; US 76 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·Broad Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn slight right onto US 521
1.9 mi·2 min·Camden Highway
16
Continue on US 521
7.6 mi·8 min·Thomas Sumter Highway
17
Continue on US 521
6.2 mi·7 min·Camden Highway
18
Continue on US 521
8.4 mi·9 min·Sumter Highway
19
Continue on US 521
4.2 mi·8 min·Broad Street
20
Continue on US 521; US 601
14 mi·16 min·Kershaw Highway
21
Continue on US 521; US 601
2.7 mi·3 min·Kershaw Camden Highway
22
Continue on US 521; US 601
0.7 mi·48 sec·South Hampton Street
23
Turn left onto US 521; US 601
1.5 mi·1 min·South Matson Street
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 521 Business
4.8 mi·5 min·Kershaw Camden Highway
25
Continue on US 521
0.8 mi·55 sec·Spring Street
26
Turn right onto US 521
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
27
Continue on US 521; SC 522
1.4 mi·1 min·Kershaw Camden Highway
28
Turn slight right onto SC 522
7.7 mi·13 min·Rocky River Road
29
Enter roundabout
196 ft·3 sec
30
Continue
26 ft·0 sec
31
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 75.4 miles from Summerville, SC, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.4 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 33 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.4 miles or 1h 24m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union, 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 150.9 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 95 for about 35.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.4 mi from Summerville, SC
· 1h 24m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 93.7
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
$23.60 one way
$47.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$25.80
$51.60
premium
$4.70
$27.93
$55.86
diesel
$5.61
$33.32
$66.63
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: 52.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.3
0
$15.84
$7.24
Efficient EV
37.7
0
$13.20
$6.04
EV Truck/SUV
60.4
0
$21.13
$9.66
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Union, SC
Morning
in Union on Friday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
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 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 Union, SC covers 150.9 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, I 26, Kershaw Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.4 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 $23.60 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 150.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 32.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 33.2 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Summerville, SC to Union, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter 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.
