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Trip from Anderson, SC to Five Forks, SC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

55m

Distance

37.7 mi

61 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min
4 AM
0h 51m ★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 58m
12 PM
0h 57m
3 PM
0h 59m
5 PM
1h 4m
8 PM
0h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Anderson, SC, SC

Anderson, SC

Junior Bastos

Downtown Five Forks, SC, SC

Five Forks, SC

Wilawan Pantukang

Trip Overview

If you are looking to travel from Anderson to Five Forks, South Carolina, this 37.7-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Southeast. Expect to spend about 55 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a quick day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-85, Highway 81 North, and Woodruff Road to navigate the route. With a fuel cost estimate of just $6, it is an incredibly budget-friendly commute or weekend excursion. Because both locations sit within the same state, the cultural transition is minimal, allowing you to focus entirely on the efficiency of your drive. This path is designed for those who prioritize a direct, highway-focused connection between these two South Carolina points.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 85 22.3 mi 27m
Highway 81 North 4.8 mi 7m
Woodruff Road 4.7 mi 8m
East Greenville Street 3.2 mi 6m
State Highway 81 1.1 mi 1m
North Main Street 0.4 mi <1m
Highway 81 0.1 mi <1m
Scuffletown Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 85 — 22.3 mi, about 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anderson, SC and Five Forks, SC.

1

Start on East Whitner Street

31 ft · 5 sec · East Whitner Street
2

Turn right onto SC 28 Business

0.4 mi · 46 sec · North Main Street
3

Turn right onto US 29 Business; SC 81

3.2 mi · 6 min · East Greenville Street
4

Continue on SC 81

4.8 mi · 7 min · Highway 81 North
5

Continue on SC 81

1.1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 81
6

Continue on SC 81

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Highway 81
7

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec
8

Merge onto I 85

22 mi · 27 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

523 ft · 12 sec
Toward I 385, SC 146: Columbia, Greenville, Woodruff Road Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 43 sec · this road
Toward I 385, SC 146: Columbia, Greenville, Woodruff Road Use the straight lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Exit 51A Toward SC 146: Woodruff Road Use the slight right lane.
12

Turn straight onto SC 146

4.7 mi · 8 min · Woodruff Road
Use the straight lane.
13

Turn right onto Scuffletown Road

166 ft · 4 sec · Scuffletown Road
Use the right lane.
14

Turn right

264 ft · 19 sec
15

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Gantt, SC, SC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gantt, SC

19 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

Simpsonville, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gantt, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 18.8 miles from Anderson, 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 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 10 and 37.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
10 mi into trip | ~17m in | I 85

Merge onto I 85

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
32.3 mi into trip | ~44m in

Take the exit toward I 385, SC 146: Columbia, Greenville, Woodruff Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 385, SC 146: Columbia, Greenville, Woo...
4
32.4 mi into trip | ~45m in

Continue toward I 385, SC 146: Columbia, Greenville, Woodruff Road

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 385, SC 146: Columbia, Greenville, Woo...
8
32.8 mi into trip | ~45m in

Keep slight right at fork toward SC 146: Woodruff Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 51A Toward SC 146: Woodruff Road
5
37.6 mi into trip | ~54m in | Scuffletown Road

Turn right onto Scuffletown Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$5.90 one way

$11.79 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 13 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $6.45 $12.89
premium $4.70 $6.98 $13.95
diesel $5.61 $8.32 $16.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$6

Estimated CO2 emission: 13.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 11.3 0 $3.96 $1.81
Efficient EV 9.4 0 $3.30 $1.51
EV Truck/SUV 15.1 0 $5.28 $2.41

Gas CO2

13 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (69% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Anderson, SC

Late night in Anderson on Sunday

Local time

12:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Five Forks, SC

Late night in Five Forks on Sunday

Local time

12:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

55m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is defined by its efficiency, with 75% of the journey spent on major highways. You will experience a significant stretch of open road, including a 22.3-mile segment on I-85, which accounts for the majority of the trip's duration. The experience shifts from the initial highway pace into the more localized flow of Highway 81 North and Woodruff Road as you approach your destination. While the interstate portion allows for steady, consistent speeds, the transition to local roads requires a bit more attention to traffic flow. It is a functional, highway-focused drive that moves you quickly through the region without the need for complex navigation or winding rural detours.

75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.3 mi on I 85.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Highway 81 North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in near I 85.

Driving Effort 7/10

Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 37.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 10 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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, SC to Five Forks, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Greenville along the way.

Greenville

32.3 mi in | ~44m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 55m. Total distance: 37.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 22.3 miles on I 85. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Five Forks, SC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 10 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Five Forks, SC before heading back.

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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Explore More

Return Trip

Five Forks, SC to Anderson, SC

Plan the drive back the other way.

37.8 mi 56m

Explore more options from Anderson, SC or browse trips ending in Five Forks, SC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.