Origin
Anderson County Airport, SC
Late night in Anderson County Airport on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Anderson County Airport, SC to Lake City, 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
4h 17m
Distance
202.1 mi
325 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 4m
★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 44m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 24m
3 PM
4h 28m
5 PM
4h 43m
8 PM
4h 10m
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
Lake City, SC
Connor Scott McManus
Trip Overview
Anderson County Airport, SC to Lake City, SC is 202.1 miles and takes about 4h 17m via I 26 and Garners Ferry Road, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, moving from the western part of the state towards the east. The route offers a mixed driving experience, with a significant portion on highways but also time on surface roads. It's a straightforward drive suitable for a single day, especially if you prefer to arrive at your destination before evening.
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
101 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 55.8 mi | 1h 1m |
| Garners Ferry Road | 36.2 mi | 45m |
| Golden Strip Freeway | 22.9 mi | 24m |
| Myrtle Beach Highway | 13 mi | 16m |
| Turbeville Highway | 12.9 mi | 16m |
| Highway 418 | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| Robert E Graham Freeway | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Cooley Bridge Road | 5.6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 55.8 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anderson County Airport, SC and Lake 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
56 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
I 26
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 126; US 76
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
I 126; US 76
Toward I 126, US 76: Columbia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Huger Street
Use the slight right lane.
25
Continue on US 21; US 176; US 321
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Huger Street
26
Turn left onto Gervais Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Gervais Street
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto US 76; US 378
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Millwood Avenue
28
Continue on US 76; US 378
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Devine Street
29
Continue on US 76; US 378
36 mi
·
45 min
·
Garners Ferry Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 76; US 378
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Robert E Graham Freeway
31
Continue on US 378
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Myrtle Beach Highway
32
Continue on US 378
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Clarence Coker Highway
33
Continue on US 301; US 378
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
34
Continue on US 301; US 378
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Turbeville Highway
35
Turn right onto US 378 Business; SC 341
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
36
Turn right onto South Acline Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Acline Avenue
37
Arrive at destination
South Acline Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility on when and where to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $32, so plan your fill-up accordingly, perhaps before leaving the main highway stretches. Since this is a single-day trip, you can afford to be a bit spontaneous with your timing, but be aware that the transition from highway to surface roads around the 50-mile mark might slow your pace.
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 101 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.8 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 44 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake 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 202.1 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 26 for about 55.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101 miles from Anderson County Airport, 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 16.8 and 121.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
16.8 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
SC 20 / North Main Street
Turn left onto SC 20 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
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.
8
117.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
I 126; US 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 126; US 76 toward I 126, US 76: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 126, US 76: Columbia
6
121.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward Huger Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Huger Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.60 one way
$63.21 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $34.56 | $69.11 |
| premium | $4.70 | $37.40 | $74.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.62 | $89.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.22 | $9.70 |
| Efficient EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.68 | $8.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.8 | 1 | $28.29 | $12.93 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Destination
Lake City, SC
Late night in Lake City on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
81°F
Saint Andrews, SC
101 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
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
4h 17m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This 202.1-mile trip features a 52% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good amount of time on interstates like I 26. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 55.8 miles on I 26. After the highway segments, you'll transition to surface roads, including portions of Garners Ferry Road. Expect to encounter a mix of cruising speeds, with more frequent exits and potentially slower traffic as you move off the interstate.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.8 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.8 miles in near SC 20 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 202.1 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 16.8 miles (SC 20 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 202.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.8 miles on I 26. 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 Lake 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 16.8 miles (SC 20 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake City, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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