Origin
Surfside Beach, SC
Afternoon in Surfside Beach on Thursday
Local time
4:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Surfside Beach, SC to Spartanburg, SC
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
241.3 mi
388 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 45m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 8m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Surfside Beach, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Spartanburg, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Surfside Beach, SC to Spartanburg, SC covers 241.3 miles and takes about 4h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 26, J Strom Thurmond Freeway, Church Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.3 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.73 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
120.6 miles from Surfside Beach, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 241.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 58m highway drive covering 241.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and J Strom Thurmond Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 78.3 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 23 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 78.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and J Strom Thurmond Freeway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 15.6 miles in near SC 544 / West Cox Ferry Road.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 241.3 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 15.6 miles (SC 544 / West Cox Ferry Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 15.7 miles (SC 544): Navigation decision point; at 152.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
15.6 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
SC 544 / West Cox Ferry Road
Turn sharp left onto SC 544 / West Cox Ferry Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
15.7 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
SC 544
Turn right onto SC 544
Navigation decision point
5
152.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 26 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 64B
Toward I 26 West
7
209.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m in
|
I 26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Spartanburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Spartanburg
8
232.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, Moore
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 28
Toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, Moore
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 78.3 mi | 1h 25m |
| J Strom Thurmond Freeway | 76.4 mi | 1h 25m |
| Church Street | 31.2 mi | 39m |
| US 76 | 18.8 mi | 24m |
| Dick Pond Road | 13.3 mi | 23m |
| South Church Street | 6 mi | 10m |
| SC 576 | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| West Evans Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 78.3 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surfside Beach, SC and Spartanburg, SC.
1
Start on Surfside Drive
72 ft
·
7 sec
·
Surfside Drive
2
Continue on Surfside Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Surfside Drive
3
Turn right onto US 17 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 17 Business
4
Turn left onto SC 544
13 mi
·
23 min
·
Dick Pond Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn sharp left onto SC 544
440 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Cox Ferry Road
6
Turn right onto SC 544
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
SC 544
7
Turn left onto US 501
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 501 East
8
Continue on US 501
31 mi
·
39 min
·
Church Street
9
Turn straight onto SC 576
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
SC 576
10
Continue on US 76
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US 76
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 76; US 301
12 mi
·
16 min
·
US 76; US 301
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn slight right onto East Cheves Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East Cheves Street
13
Turn right onto Warley Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Warley Street
14
Turn left onto S-21-31
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Evans Street
15
Turn right onto I 20 Bus
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West David H McLeod Boulevard
16
Continue on I 20 Bus
76 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
J Strom Thurmond Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.7 mi
·
3 min
Exit 64B
Toward I 26 West
18
Merge onto I 26; US 76
55 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 26; US 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 26
Toward Spartanburg
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 28
Toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, Moore
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto US 221
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 221
22
Continue on US 221
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
South Church Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 221; SC 56
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 120.6 miles from Surfside Beach, SC, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.3 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 53 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.6 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spartanburg, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Surfside Beach, 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 Surfside Beach, SC
This is one driving day of about 241.3 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Surfside Beach, 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 78.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120.6 mi from Surfside Beach, SC · 2h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 120.6 miles from Surfside Beach, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.3 miles.
Arriving in Spartanburg, SC
The final approach into Spartanburg, 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 Spartanburg, 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
$37.73 one way
$75.47 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $41.26 | $82.52 |
| premium | $4.70 | $44.66 | $89.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.28 | $106.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.4 | 0 | $25.34 | $11.58 |
| Efficient EV | 60.3 | 0 | $21.11 | $9.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.5 | 1 | $33.78 | $15.44 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Spartanburg, SC
Afternoon in Spartanburg on Thursday
Local time
4:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
17 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
4h 58m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Surfside Beach, SC to Spartanburg, SC covers 241.3 miles and takes about 4h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, J Strom Thurmond Freeway, Church Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120.6 miles from Surfside Beach, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.73 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 241.3 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 15.6 miles (SC 544 / West Cox Ferry Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 15.7 miles (SC 544): Navigation decision point; at 152.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Surfside Beach, SC to Spartanburg, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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