Anderson County Airport, SC to Ridgeland, SC is 243.3 miles and takes about 4h 43m via I 26 and I 95, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, moving from the Upstate region towards the Lowcountry. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major interstates, making it a practical option for a single-day transit. You'll encounter a high percentage of highway driving, so expect efficient travel. The overall feel is one of covering ground rather than extensive sightseeing.
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
121.7 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
116 mi
2h 7m
I 95
62.5 mi
1h 7m
Golden Strip Freeway
22.9 mi
24m
Highway 418
9.9 mi
14m
Cooley Bridge Road
5.6 mi
8m
Belton Highway
4.7 mi
6m
Highway 247
3.6 mi
4m
East River Street
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 116 mi, about 2h 7m
Traffic on I-26
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 86 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,040 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,715
Quietest
2 AM
~197 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
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 Ridgeland, 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 right at fork onto I 26
60 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 26
Toward CharlestonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 169AToward I 95 South: Savannah
25
Merge onto I 95
63 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit onto US 17
1.8 mi·2 min·US 17
Toward US 17: Ridgeland
27
Arrive at destination
US 17; US 278
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 43m estimated drive time, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider leaving early in the morning to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. With a fuel cost estimate of $37, it's wise to ensure your tank is full before departing Anderson County, as the longest stretch without a major break is 116 miles on I 26. While there's only one recommended stop, plan for brief breaks as needed, especially during the longer highway segments. The high highway share suggests planning for efficient refueling and rest stops at designated service areas.
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 121.7 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116 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 54 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.7 miles or 2h 29m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ridgeland, 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 243.3 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 116 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.3 and 179 — 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
117.9 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Charleston
5
178.2 mi into trip|~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 169A
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
5
179 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.92 one way
$73.83 round trip
$3.85/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.31
$41.27
$82.55
premium
$4.71
$45.15
$90.31
diesel
$5.84
$55.98
$111.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73
0
$25.55
$11.68
Efficient EV
60.8
0
$21.29
$9.73
EV Truck/SUV
97.3
1
$34.06
$15.57
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Late night
in Anderson County Airport on Monday
Local time
5:58 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
Ridgeland, SC
Late night
in Ridgeland on Monday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
11 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
4h 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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 142.6
Caution: Being Prepared for Excessive Heat & Humidity
The Reconstruction era,1861-1900 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economi...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 243.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 90% of the drive on major interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 116 miles on I 26 before transitioning to I 95. The highway portion means you'll likely see frequent exit signs and potentially more traffic merging as you approach interchanges. Once you leave the interstate system, the remaining 10% of the drive will be on surface roads, offering a change of pace.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. You will hit about 15 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 Effort5/10
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 243.3 miles you will encounter 15 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 117.9 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
856 ft45 ft
Total Climb
119 ft
Total Descent
820 ft
Highest Point
856 ft
~17.4 mi in
Elevation Range
811 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 Ridgeland, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 243.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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.
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 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 117.9 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Ridgeland, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
