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Drive Time
46m
Distance
30.4 mi
49 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Warwick, RI
Wikimedia Commons
Charlestown, RI
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick excursion through Rhode Island, the 30.4-mile journey from Warwick to Charlestown is a straightforward trip that fits perfectly into a single day. You can expect to spend about 46 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal choice for a spontaneous outing. With a modest fuel cost of approximately $5, it is an economical route that won’t break your travel budget. Since the entire drive stays within the state, you won't need to worry about crossing regional boundaries or navigating complex logistics. Whether you are heading south for the afternoon or just looking for a change of scenery, this direct path serves as a convenient connection between these two coastal communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
15.2 miles from Warwick, RI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
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Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While about 26% of your trip involves highway travel, the experience is defined by the transition between RI 4, West Shore Road, and the South County Trail. You will spend the longest stretch of your journey—16.4 miles—navigating the South County Trail, which serves as the backbone of this route. Because the road conditions shift frequently, you should be prepared for a more active driving experience than a typical highway commute. The route keeps you moving through the local landscape, offering a practical way to traverse this part of the state without relying solely on high-speed thoroughfares.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near US 1; RI 117 / Veterans Memorial Drive.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 30.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (US 1; RI 117 / Veterans Memorial Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3 miles (RI 117 / Veterans Memorial Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.3 miles (RI 115 / Centerville Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout onto US 1; RI 117 / Veterans Memorial Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto RI 117 / Veterans Memorial Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto RI 115 / Centerville Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Keep slight left at fork onto RI 4 toward RI 4 South: North Kingstown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward RI 102 North, RI 2 South: Exeter
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South County Trail | 16.4 mi | 24m |
| RI 4 | 6 mi | 8m |
| West Shore Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| I 95 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Centerville Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Ten Rod Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Veterans Memorial Drive | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Post Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Warwick, RI and Charlestown, RI.
Start on Spring Grove Avenue
Turn left onto RI 117
Turn straight onto RI 117
Enter roundabout onto US 1; RI 117
Continue on US 1; RI 117
Enter roundabout onto RI 117
Continue on RI 117
Enter roundabout onto RI 115
Continue on RI 115
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto RI 4
Take the exit
Turn straight onto RI 2; RI 102
Turn left onto RI 2
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 1
Take the exit
Merge onto US 1
Take the exit
Turn left onto RI 1A
Arrive at destination
Because this is a short 30.4-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You won't need to worry about planning for long-haul rest stops, as the entire duration is under an hour. Keep in mind that since the route is turn-heavy, it is wise to map out your navigation before you leave to stay focused on the local road changes. Since you have no scheduled stops included in this data, feel free to build in your own breaks along the South County Trail if you need to stretch your legs. Budgeting around $5 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip, but always check your levels before heading out to ensure a stress-free ride.
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.
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 30.4 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.2 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlestown, RI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Warwick, RI 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 Warwick, RI
This is one driving day of about 30.4 miles and 46m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.2 mi from Warwick, RI · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 30.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 15.2 miles from Warwick, RI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Charlestown, RI 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 Charlestown, RI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$4.89 one way
$9.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $5.38 | $10.77 |
| premium | $4.86 | $5.82 | $11.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.71 | $13.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.19 | $1.46 |
| Efficient EV | 7.6 | 0 | $2.66 | $1.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.26 | $1.95 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Warwick on Tuesday
Local time
9:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Night in Charlestown on Tuesday
Local time
9:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Sunny
49°F
Brookhaven, NY
15 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
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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