Anderson County Airport, SC to Socastee, SC is 264.8 miles and takes about 5h 29m via I 20, I 26, and US 501 Business, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a primarily highway route, so expect straightforward driving for most of the trip. Given the manageable distance and duration, this is a solid option for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
132.4 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m 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
Highway 418
9.9 mi
14m
SC 544
7.9 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 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,146 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,576
Quietest
2 AM
~168 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Socastee, 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
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
0.3 mi·41 sec·SC 544
31
Turn left onto S-26-616
1.2 mi·2 min·Dick Pond Road
32
Turn left onto SC 707
0.1 mi·19 sec·Socastee Boulevard
33
Turn left onto River Road
247 ft·10 sec·River Road
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
River Road
Trip Plan
For this 5.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Anderson County Airport to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $44, you can plan your stops efficiently. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches, like the 79.4 miles on I 20. Since this route is well within a single day's driving time, you have flexibility; however, breaking it up might be beneficial if you prefer a more relaxed pace or want to arrive later in the day.
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 132.4 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC, or about 2h 41m 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 58 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 41m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Socastee, 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 264.8 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.3 and 264.8 — 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.
6
264.8 mi into trip|~5h 29m in|River Road
Turn left onto River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.12 one way
$84.24 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$45.92
$91.85
premium
$4.78
$49.82
$99.64
diesel
$5.35
$55.77
$111.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.4
0
$27.80
$12.71
Efficient EV
66.2
0
$23.17
$10.59
EV Truck/SUV
105.9
1
$37.07
$16.95
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Anderson County Airport, SC
Afternoon
in Anderson County Airport on Wednesday
Local time
3:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Clear
NE 5 to 9 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 7:55PM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 2 at 7:14PM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Destination
Socastee, SC
Afternoon
in Socastee on Wednesday
Local time
3:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
NE 6 to 9 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 7:55PM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 2 at 7:14PM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
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
5h 29m 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...
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 127.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 82% of the route on interstates and major highways. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of highway driving for 79.4 miles on I 20. The transition to surface roads will happen after you've completed the majority of your interstate travel. Expect a significant number of exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate these busy corridors.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 26. You will hit about 18 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 264.8 miles you will encounter 18 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 29m. Total distance: 264.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). 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 16 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.
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 16 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Socastee, SC before the return drive.
