Origin
Aiken, SC
Morning in Aiken on Tuesday
Local time
11:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Aiken, SC to Summerville, SC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 29m
Distance
111.9 mi
180 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 19m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Aiken, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Summerville, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Aiken, SC to Summerville, SC is 111.9 miles and takes about 2h 29m via I 26 and North Road, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward journey between two South Carolina locations. Expect a mixed driving profile, meaning you'll encounter both highway speeds and potentially slower local roads. Given the relatively short duration and distance, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider this route for its efficiency if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56 miles from Aiken, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 44.3 mi | 47m |
| North Road | 16.3 mi | 24m |
| Salley Road | 14.8 mi | 24m |
| Wagener Road | 12.8 mi | 19m |
| SC 394 | 7.1 mi | 9m |
| Five Chop Road | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| Chestnut Street | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Richland Avenue East | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 44.3 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aiken, SC and Summerville, SC.
1
Start on SC 19
387 ft
·
13 sec
·
Chesterfield Street South
2
Continue on SC 19
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Chesterfield Street South
3
Turn right onto US 1; US 78
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Richland Avenue East
4
Continue on SC 4
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Wagener Road
5
Turn straight onto SC 4
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Salley Road
6
Continue on SC 394
9.1 mi
·
15 min
·
Salley Road
7
Continue on SC 394
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Walnut Street West
8
Continue on SC 394
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Salley Road
9
Enter roundabout onto SC 394
127 ft
·
1 sec
·
SC 394
10
Continue on SC 394
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
SC 394
11
Turn right onto US 178
16 mi
·
24 min
·
North Road
12
Continue on US 178
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Chestnut Street
13
Continue on US 21; US 178; US 601 Truck
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Whittaker Parkway
14
Turn left onto US 301
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Five Chop Road
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
16
Merge onto I 26
44 mi
·
47 min
·
I 26
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 199A
Toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto US 17 Alternate
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue
116 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Richardson Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right
92 ft
·
6 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 2.5 hours, this is a flexible, same-day trip. Leaving Aiken, SC in the morning should provide ample daylight to reach Summerville, SC, and you can adjust your departure based on your preference for avoiding traffic. The fuel cost is estimated at $18, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart, especially before heading onto the 44.3-mile stretch on I 26, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. There are no specific recommended stops, so you can decide on the fly if you need a break or if you prefer to power through.
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 56 miles from Aiken, SC, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.3 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 25 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56 miles or 1h 25m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Summerville, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Aiken, 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 Aiken, SC
This is one driving day of about 111.9 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Aiken, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 44.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56 miles from Aiken, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 111.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 1; US 78 / Richland Avenue East
Turn right onto US 1; US 78 / Richland Avenue East
Navigation decision point
4
31.2 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
SC 394
Enter roundabout onto SC 394
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
58.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
US 301 / Five Chop Road
Turn left onto US 301 / Five Chop Road
Navigation decision point
7
109.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 199A
Toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville
5
111.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
East Richardson Avenue
Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.50 one way
$35.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $19.13 | $38.27 |
| premium | $4.70 | $20.71 | $41.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.71 | $49.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.6 | 0 | $11.75 | $5.37 |
| Efficient EV | 28 | 0 | $9.79 | $4.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.67 | $7.16 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Summerville, SC
Morning in Summerville on Tuesday
Local time
11:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 29m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a mixed profile, with 47% of the journey on highways, primarily I 26. You'll experience a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 44.3 miles on I 26, offering a consistent pace. As you transition off the interstate, expect the character of the drive to change, incorporating roads like North Road and Salley Road which may have lower speed limits and more local traffic. This blend means you'll get both the efficiency of highway driving and the more grounded experience of navigating local thoroughfares.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.3 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 1; US 78 / Richland Avenue East.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 29m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 1; US 78 / Richland Avenue East): Navigation decision point; at 31.2 miles (SC 394): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 58.8 miles (US 301 / Five Chop Road): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 111.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (47%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.3 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 1; US 78 / Richland Avenue East): Navigation decision point; at 31.2 miles (SC 394): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 58.8 miles (US 301 / Five Chop Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Summerville, SC before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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