Origin
Anderson County Airport, SC
Night in Anderson County Airport on Saturday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Anderson County Airport, SC to Garden City, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 43m
Distance
272.9 mi
439 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 30m
★
6 AM
5h 43m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 52m
12 PM
5h 50m
3 PM
5h 54m
5 PM
6h 8m
8 PM
5h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Anderson County Airport, SC
Jimmy Liao
Garden City, SC
Jerson Martins
Trip Overview
Anderson County Airport, SC to Garden City, SC is 272.9 miles and takes about 5h 43m via I 20 and I 26, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive primarily traverses South Carolina, taking you from the upstate region towards the coast. Expect a straightforward journey with most of your travel on interstates, making it an efficient option for getting from point A to point B. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal if you're looking for a direct connection and can be completed with a single stop. It's a practical choice for those prioritizing time over a leisurely exploration.
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
136.4 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 79.4 mi | 1h 29m |
| I 26 | 55.2 mi | 1h |
| US 501 Business | 32.7 mi | 41m |
| Golden Strip Freeway | 22.9 mi | 24m |
| West Palmetto Street | 22.6 mi | 32m |
| SC 544 | 11.5 mi | 20m |
| Highway 418 | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| Cooley Bridge Road | 5.6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anderson County Airport, SC and Garden City, SC.
1
Start on this road
293 ft
·
21 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Airport Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Airport Road
3
Turn right onto SC 24
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 24
4
Continue on SC 24
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Whitner Street
5
Turn right onto SC 28
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 28 Bypass
6
Continue on SC 28
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
Pearman Dairy Road
7
Turn left onto US 29
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Murray Avenue
8
Turn right onto US 29
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Shockley Ferry Road
9
Turn right onto US 29; US 76; US 178
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East River Street
10
Continue on US 76; US 178
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Belton Highway
11
Continue on US 76; US 178
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Anderson Street
12
Turn left onto SC 20
374 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Main Street
13
Turn right onto SC 247
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
River Street
14
Continue on SC 247
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 247
15
Continue on SC 247
5.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Cooley Bridge Road
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 25
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Augusta Road
17
Turn right onto SC 418
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
Highway 418
18
Continue on SC 418
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Milacron Drive
19
Continue on SC 418
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
McCarter Road
20
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
21
Merge onto I 385
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Golden Strip Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 26
55 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 26
Use the slight right lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 107B
Toward I 20 East: Florence
Use the right lane.
24
Merge onto I 20
79 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi
·
32 min
·
West Palmetto Street
26
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
SC 576
27
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
33 mi
·
41 min
·
US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto SC 544
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
SC 544
Use the right lane.
29
Continue on SC 544
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
SC 544
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn straight onto SC 544
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
SC 544
31
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward US 17 South: Georgetown
32
Merge onto US 17
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 17
Use the straight lane.
33
Turn left onto Garden City Connector
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Garden City Connector
34
Enter roundabout onto Garden City Connector
74 ft
·
2 sec
·
Garden City Connector
35
Continue on Garden City Connector
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Garden City Connector
36
Turn left onto US 17 Business
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 17 Business
37
Continue on US 17 Business
185 ft
·
11 sec
·
US 17 Business
38
Turn right onto Garden Lake Drive
0.2 mi
·
55 sec
·
Garden Lake Drive
39
Turn right onto Hidden Lakes Drive
268 ft
·
11 sec
·
Hidden Lakes Drive
40
Arrive at destination
Hidden Lakes Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 43m duration, consider an early morning departure from Anderson County Airport to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. Plan for one convenient stop along the way, perhaps around the halfway point, to refuel and stretch your legs. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 79.4 miles on I 20, so be sure to top off your tank before entering that segment. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but sticking to the main highways like I 20 and I 26 will ensure the most direct path to Garden City.
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 136.4 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.4 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 60 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.4 miles or 2h 46m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garden City, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anderson County Airport, 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 Anderson County Airport, SC
This is one driving day of about 272.9 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Anderson County Airport, 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 20 for about 79.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 136.4 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.4 miles.
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 215 decision points cluster between mile 39.3 and 255.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
39.3 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Merge onto I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
62.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
117.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 107B
Toward I 20 East: Florence
5
117.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
255.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 12m in
|
SC 544
Turn right onto SC 544
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.68 one way
$85.35 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $46.66 | $93.32 |
| premium | $4.70 | $50.51 | $101.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.25 | $120.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.9 | 1 | $28.65 | $13.10 |
| Efficient EV | 68.2 | 0 | $23.88 | $10.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.2 | 1 | $38.21 | $17.47 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Garden City, SC
Night in Garden City on Saturday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°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
5 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
5h 43m 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.
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 131.7
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 83% of your mileage on major roadways like I 20 and I 26. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a significant 79.4-mile segment on I 20 without needing to exit. While the majority is interstate, you will transition to US 501 Business closer to your destination, offering a slight change in pace. The drive maintains a consistent, efficient character for most of its duration, making it predictable and easy to navigate.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.4 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 26. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 39.3 miles in near I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 272.9 miles you will encounter 21 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 39.3 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.2 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 43m. Total distance: 272.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.4 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Garden City, SC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.3 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.2 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Garden City, SC before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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