Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
92.2 mi
148 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
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
North Charleston, SC
Wikimedia Commons
This 92.2-mile drive from Bluffton, SC, to North Charleston, SC, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking around 2 hours and 2 minutes to complete. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region. The route primarily utilizes US 17 and Okatie Highway, offering a straightforward journey. You'll spend about 68% of your time on highways, making for a largely efficient travel experience. This trip is ideal for a single day, allowing ample time to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.1 miles from Bluffton, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 48 mi | 1h 4m |
| Okatie Highway | 12.2 mi | 13m |
| Trask Parkway | 11.6 mi | 14m |
| Fording Island Road | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Sam Rittenberg Boulevard | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Robert Smalls Parkway | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| Cosgrove Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge | 1.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bluffton, SC and North Charleston, 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
Continue on SC 170
Continue on SC 170
Turn slight left onto US 21
At end of road, turn left onto US 21
Take the exit
Merge onto US 17
Turn left onto SC 7
Continue on SC 7
Turn right onto US 52; US 78
Arrive at destination
Given the 2-hour duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. Consider departing earlier in the morning to avoid potential midday traffic, especially as you approach North Charleston. With no specific stops recommended and a relatively short distance, you have the flexibility to pause for breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $14 cost suggests a straightforward fuel stop might be beneficial midway, perhaps before the longest stretch on US 17. This straightforward drive allows you to focus on reaching your destination efficiently.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 20 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.1 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Charleston, 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 92.2 miles and 2h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 46.1 miles from Bluffton, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 92.1 — 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
At end of road, turn left onto US 21 / Trask Parkway
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 52; US 78 / Rivers Avenue
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$14.42 one way
$28.84 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $15.76 | $31.53 |
| premium | $4.70 | $17.06 | $34.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.36 | $40.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.68 | $4.43 |
| Efficient EV | 23.1 | 0 | $8.07 | $3.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.9 | 0 | $12.91 | $5.90 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Bluffton on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Late night in North Charleston on Tuesday
Local time
5:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
National Historical Park
Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 68% of the journey on faster roads. You'll encounter stretches like the 48-mile segment on US 17, which will likely feel like a more continuous travel experience. While the route incorporates highways, it also includes time on roads like Okatie Highway and Trask Parkway, suggesting a mix of driving environments. Expect a profile that leans towards efficiency rather than winding scenic byways, with the majority of your travel time spent on well-established roadways.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Okatie Highway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 46 / Bluffton Road.
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 92.2 miles you will encounter 10 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: 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.
Bluffton is a fast-growing coastal city in the Low Country of South Carolina located 7 miles (12 km) west of the major southeastern United States resort town of Hilton Head Island.
North Charleston is in the Greater Charleston area. It is the third largest city in South Carolina with a lot of muscle in terms of commerce and consumerism.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 92.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Bluffton, SC or browse trips ending in North Charleston, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.
