Traveling from Anderson to Port Royal covers approximately 251.9 miles across the heart of South Carolina. You can expect a drive time of about 4 hours and 58 minutes, making this a manageable single-day trip if you prefer to reach the coast without an overnight split. Your route relies heavily on the Golden Strip Freeway, I-26, and I-95, keeping you on major thoroughfares for most of the journey. Budgeting around $40 for fuel should comfortably cover your transit between these two Southeast locations. Whether you are heading toward the coast for a quick getaway or a longer stay, this straightforward path provides a reliable connection across the state.
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
126 miles from Anderson, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
116 mi
2h 7m
I 95
46.9 mi
50m
Golden Strip Freeway
22.9 mi
24m
Trask Parkway
18.1 mi
22m
Highway 418
9.9 mi
14m
Cooley Bridge Road
5.6 mi
8m
Parris Island Gateway
5.5 mi
7m
Belton Highway
4.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 116 mi, about 2h 7m
Traffic on I-26
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 43 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,073 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,675
Quietest
2 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
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, SC and Port Royal, SC.
1
Start on East Whitner Street
31 ft·8 sec·East Whitner Street
2
Turn left onto SC 28 Business
0.2 mi·34 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 76; US 178
3.9 mi·5 min·East River Street
4
Continue on US 76; US 178
4.7 mi·6 min·Belton Highway
5
Continue on US 76; US 178
2.3 mi·3 min·Anderson Street
6
Turn left onto SC 20
374 ft·14 sec·North Main Street
7
Turn right onto SC 247
1.3 mi·2 min·River Street
8
Continue on SC 247
3.6 mi·4 min·Highway 247
9
Continue on SC 247
5.6 mi·8 min·Cooley Bridge Road
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 25
0.1 mi·13 sec·Augusta Road
11
Turn right onto SC 418
9.9 mi·14 min·Highway 418
12
Continue on SC 418
1.3 mi·2 min·Milacron Drive
13
Continue on SC 418
0.2 mi·19 sec·McCarter Road
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
15
Merge onto I 385
23 mi·24 min·Golden Strip Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 26
56 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 26
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26
60 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 26
Toward CharlestonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 169AToward I 95 South: Savannah
19
Merge onto I 95
47 mi·50 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward SC 68: Hampton, Yemassee
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward SC 68 East: Yemassee
22
Turn straight onto SC 68
1.4 mi·2 min·Yemassee Highway
23
Turn slight right onto SC 68
0.2 mi·25 sec·Connelly Street
24
Turn right onto US 17 Alt; US 21
3.9 mi·5 min·US 17 Alt; US 21
25
Merge onto US 17; US 21
6.2 mi·7 min·Trask Parkway
26
Take the exit onto US 21
0.3 mi·44 sec·US 21
27
Merge onto US 21
12 mi·14 min·Trask Parkway
28
Turn right onto US 21
5.5 mi·7 min·Parris Island Gateway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on US 21
0.6 mi·1 min·Russell Bell Bridge
30
Continue on US 21
1.1 mi·1 min·Ribaut Road
31
Turn right onto Paris Avenue
0.4 mi·40 sec·Paris Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
Paris Avenue
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is key to navigating the roughly five-hour duration efficiently. Since this is a single-day trip, try to leave early to avoid potential traffic bottlenecks on the busier interstate segments. You should factor in at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the long, uninterrupted stretches can become fatiguing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the 116-mile segment on I-26 to ensure you stay within your $40 budget. Given the flexibility of a sub-five-hour drive, you have the advantage of choosing your pace, so don't hesitate to take a breather whenever you feel your focus waning.
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 126 miles from Anderson, SC, or about 2h 31m 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 55 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126 miles or 2h 31m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Royal, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anderson, 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, SC
This is one driving day of about 251.9 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Anderson, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 220.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SC 28 Business / South Main Street
Turn left onto SC 28 Business / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
33.5 mi into trip|~50m 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
56.4 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
112.2 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
6
220.4 mi into trip|~4h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SC 68 East: Yemassee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward SC 68 East: Yemassee
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.07 one way
$80.13 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$43.69
$87.37
premium
$4.78
$47.39
$94.79
diesel
$5.35
$53.06
$106.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.6
0
$26.45
$12.09
Efficient EV
63
0
$22.04
$10.08
EV Truck/SUV
100.8
1
$35.27
$16.12
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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 1, 2026
Origin
Anderson, SC
Afternoon
in Anderson on Wednesday
Local time
3:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Rain Showers
0 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Port Royal, SC
Afternoon
in Port Royal on Wednesday
Local time
3:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 3 mph52% chanceLive forecast
68°F
Saint Andrews, SC
126 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
9 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 58m 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.
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 251.9
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 139
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is a highway-focused drive, with 88% of your time spent on major interstates. You will face a significant stretch of 116 miles on I-26, which serves as the backbone of your trip before transitioning toward the coast. While the route is highly efficient, be prepared for the steady, high-speed pace typical of interstate travel. It is a functional, direct path that prioritizes speed over local backroads, so expect a consistent rhythm behind the wheel. As you move from the Upstate region toward the Lowcountry, the road layout remains focused on connectivity and steady progress.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 28 Business / South Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 251.9 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: near the start (SC 28 Business / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.5 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.4 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
816 ft23 ft
Total Climb
100 ft
Total Descent
869 ft
Highest Point
816 ft
~36 mi in
Elevation Range
794 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Anderson, SC and Port Royal, SC, road signs point toward Charleston and Yemassee.
Anderson is a county and city in the Upcountry of South Carolina.
The city of Anderson had a population of 27,545 in 2016 with an urban area population of 75,702. Anderson County had a population of 194,692 in 2016. The city of Anderson serves as one of the three primary cities in the Upcountry of South Carolina, the others being Spartanburg and Greenville.
Top landmarks
•Anderson Downtown Historic District — historic district in Anderson, South Carolina
•Anderson Historic District — historic district in Anderson, South Carolina
•North Anderson Historic District — historic district in Anderson, South Carolina
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 251.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). 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.
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 Port Royal, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 28 Business / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.5 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.4 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Port Royal, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
