Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 50m
Distance
242.3 mi
390 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bluffton, SC
Connor Scott McManus
Gaffney, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 242.3 miles from the Lowcountry to the Upstate, this trip typically takes about 4 hours and 50 minutes to complete. You will primarily navigate via I-95, I-26, and the Whitmire Highway as you transition across South Carolina. Given the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach Gaffney without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting roughly $39 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire trip. Since the drive stays within the Southeast, you can expect a consistent regional feel, though the geography shifts as you head inland. It is a straightforward, practical transit that connects two distinct corners of the state efficiently.
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
121.2 miles from Bluffton, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 96.7 mi | 1h 45m |
| I 95 | 57.2 mi | 1h 1m |
| Whitmire Highway | 13.6 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 121 | 13.3 mi | 19m |
| Union Highway | 12.6 mi | 18m |
| Coosaw Scenic Drive | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| Lowcountry Drive | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| Jonesville Highway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bluffton, SC and Gaffney, SC.
Start on Bruin Road
Turn right onto SC 46
Enter roundabout onto SC 46
Continue on SC 46
Turn left onto US 278
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto SC 170
Take the exit
Continue on SC 462
Continue on SC 462
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95; US 17
Take the exit
Merge onto I 26
Take the exit
Turn right onto SC 121
Merge onto US 176; SC 72; SC 121
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 176
Continue on SC 18
Turn slight left onto SC 18
Continue on SC 18
Merge onto SC 9
Merge onto SC 9; SC 18
Continue on SC 9; SC 18
Turn right onto SC 18
Continue on SC 18
Continue on SC 18
Continue on SC 18
Turn left onto SC 105
Turn right onto SC 105; S-11-172
Turn slight left onto SC 105
Turn right onto SC 150
Arrive at destination
To maximize your efficiency, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential congestion on the main interstates. While the trip only requires one planned stop to stay refreshed, having the flexibility to pull over on the longer stretches is a smart way to manage fatigue. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 96.7-mile stint on I-26, as finding a convenient exit for a quick refill is easier if you plan ahead. Since this is a sub-five-hour drive, you have the luxury of adjusting your pace to suit your comfort level without feeling rushed. Always verify your route through the Whitmire Highway segment before you leave to ensure you are prepared for the change in road type from the interstate.
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.
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 53 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.2 miles or 2h 20m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gaffney, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Bluffton, 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 Bluffton, SC
This is one driving day of about 242.3 miles and 4h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 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.
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 121.2 miles from Bluffton, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 183.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto SC 46 / Bluffton Road
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto SC 46 / Bluffton Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SC 121: Whitmire, Union
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$37.89 one way
$75.78 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $41.43 | $82.86 |
| premium | $4.70 | $44.84 | $89.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.50 | $106.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.7 | 0 | $25.44 | $11.63 |
| Efficient EV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.20 | $9.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.9 | 1 | $33.92 | $15.51 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Bluffton on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Clear
Destination
Night in Gaffney on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Expect a highway-focused experience, as 70% of your travel takes place on high-speed thoroughfares. You will face a significant stretch of 96.7 miles along I-26, which serves as the backbone of your journey and demands steady focus. While the interstate segments provide a fast pace, the inclusion of the Whitmire Highway adds a different rhythm to your time behind the wheel. The transition from coastal plains to the rolling terrain of the Upstate keeps the drive from feeling entirely monotonous. You should anticipate a mix of heavy-duty highway transit and secondary road driving that requires you to stay alert through the varying speed limits.
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 46 / Bluffton Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 242.3 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 46 / Bluffton Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (SC 46 / Bluffton Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,050 ft
Total Descent
292 ft
Highest Point
783 ft
~242.3 mi in
Elevation Range
774 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bluffton, SC to Gaffney, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Union along the way.
Union
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 242.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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