Anderson County Airport, SC to Little River, SC is 283 miles and takes about 5h 46m via I 20 and I 26, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, moving from the upstate region towards the coast. Given its mostly highway profile and single recommended day, it's a straightforward drive that can be completed comfortably within daylight hours. Plan for a steady pace as you traverse the state, making it a practical choice for a quick transit.
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
141.5 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
79.4 mi
1h 29m
I 26
55.2 mi
1h
Veterans Highway
26.3 mi
30m
Golden Strip Freeway
22.9 mi
24m
West Palmetto Street
22.6 mi
32m
US 501 Business
21 mi
24m
Highway 418
9.9 mi
14m
Cooley Bridge Road
5.6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,135 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,621
Quietest
2 AM
~168 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anderson County Airport, SC and Little River, 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 107BToward I 20 East: FlorenceUse 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
21 mi·24 min·US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
28
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward SC 22 East: North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle BeachUse the right lane.
29
Continue on SC 22
26 mi·30 min·Veterans Highway
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward SC 31 North: Little River, Wilmington
31
Merge onto SC 31
5.1 mi·5 min·Carolina Bays Parkway
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Robert Edge Pkwy: North Myrtle Beach
33
Turn left onto Robert Edge Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Robert Edge Parkway
34
Turn right onto SC 90
3.7 mi·6 min·Highway 90
35
Turn right onto US 17
1.9 mi·3 min·US Highway 17
36
Turn right onto Ellis Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Ellis Drive
37
Arrive at destination
Ellis Drive
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 46-minute drive, departing in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 79.4-mile stretch on I 20, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The $43 fuel estimate is based on current averages, so check prices closer to your departure. Since this is a single-day trip, you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 141.5 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC, or about 2h 51m 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 62 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.5 miles or 2h 51m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little River, 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 283 miles and 5h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.3 and 243.8 — 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.
7
243.8 mi into trip|~4h 55m in
Take the exit toward SC 22 East: North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward SC 22 East: North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle B...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.96 one way
$89.91 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$49.02
$98.05
premium
$4.78
$53.26
$106.51
diesel
$6.18
$68.84
$137.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
32 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Anderson, SC - Tesla Supercharger
Anderson, SC
Tesla
16 DCFC
Columbia, SC - Harbison Boulevard - Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, SC
Tesla
16 DCFC
Columbia, SC - Forest Drive - Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, SC
Tesla
12 DCFC
Columbia, SC - Town Center Place - Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, SC
Tesla
12 DCFC
Cracker Barrel - Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, SC
Tesla
8 DCFC
Columbia, SC - Tesla Supercharger
Columbia, SC
Tesla
8 DCFC
Pilot Travel Center 4580
Prosperity, SC
eVgo Network
4 DCFC
Irmo, SC Rechargery Relay @ Circle K - Broad River Rd
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.9
1
$29.72
$13.58
Efficient EV
70.8
0
$24.76
$11.32
EV Truck/SUV
113.2
1
$39.62
$18.11
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Anderson County Airport, SC
Morning
in Anderson County Airport on Monday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
NE 10 to 16 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 3:00AM EDT until October 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued October 18 at 2:14AM EDT until October 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Destination
Little River, SC
Morning
in Little River on Monday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
N 13 to 16 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 18 at 3:00AM EDT until October 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued October 18 at 2:14AM EDT until October 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
71°F
Rock Hill, SC
142 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
5 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
5h 46m 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
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 136.6
Caution: Being Prepared for Excessive Heat & Humidity
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 74% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience a longest stretch of 79.4 miles on I 20 before transitioning to other major roads like I 26 and Veterans Highway. Expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip, with the shift to surface roads occurring later in the itinerary. The high highway percentage suggests fewer complex intersections and more direct cruising for most of the 283 miles.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 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 Effort6/10
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 283 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
868 ft36 ft
Total Climb
244 ft
Total Descent
965 ft
Highest Point
868 ft
~40.4 mi in
Elevation Range
832 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Anderson County Airport, SC to Little River, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Myrtle Beach along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 46m. Total distance: 283 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). 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.
Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Little River, 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Little River, SC before the return drive.
