If you are planning to travel from Charleston to Cane Savannah, you are looking at a straightforward 112.1-mile journey through the Southeast. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 12 minutes on the road, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You will primarily navigate via I-26, I-95, and US-521, keeping the logistics simple and efficient. Budget approximately $18 for fuel to cover the distance. Because the trip is relatively short, there is no need for an overnight stop, allowing you to easily complete the drive in one go. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of pace, this route offers a reliable connection between these two South Carolina locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56 miles from Charleston, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
51.4 mi
58m
I 95
35.4 mi
37m
US 521
12.4 mi
14m
Wedgefield Road
4.2 mi
7m
South Guignard Drive
2.4 mi
2m
West Liberty Street
1.6 mi
2m
South Guignard Parkway
1.1 mi
1m
Meeting Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 51.4 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston, SC and Cane Savannah, SC.
1
Start on Broad Street
40 ft·5 sec·Broad Street
2
Turn right onto S-10-107
0.7 mi·1 min·Meeting Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto Calhoun Street
0.1 mi·15 sec·Calhoun Street
4
Turn right onto S-10-104
0.6 mi·1 min·King Street
5
Turn left onto Spring Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·Spring Street
6
Turn right onto Coming Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·Coming Street
7
Turn right onto US 17
0.6 mi·1 min·Septima Clark Expressway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 26
51 mi·58 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 169BToward I 95 North: Florence
10
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·37 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
12
Keep slight left at fork
289 ft·7 sec
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
13
Turn left onto US 521
12 mi·14 min·US 521
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto US 521
1.1 mi·1 min·South Guignard Parkway
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 521
2.4 mi·2 min·South Guignard Drive
16
Turn left onto SC 120; SC 763
1.6 mi·2 min·West Liberty Street
17
Turn right onto SC 763
1.5 mi·2 min·Wedgefield Road
18
Enter roundabout onto SC 763
76 ft·1 sec·Wedgefield Road
19
Continue on SC 763
2.6 mi·4 min·Wedgefield Road
20
Arrive at destination
SC 763
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 12-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to plan for scheduled stops, but keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on I-26 and I-95, which can see varying traffic volumes depending on the time of day. Aim to fill your tank before you hit the interstate to avoid higher fuel prices at major highway service stations. Because the drive is short, you can easily avoid peak congestion by checking traffic reports for I-26 before you head out. Use the simplicity of this 112.1-mile run to your advantage by keeping your schedule light and avoiding the need for complex pit stops.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56 miles from Charleston, SC, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.4 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56 miles or 1h 6m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cane Savannah, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charleston, 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 Charleston, SC
This is one driving day of about 112.1 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Charleston, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 51.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 90.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|S-10-107 / Meeting Street
Turn right onto S-10-107 / Meeting Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|Coming Street
Turn right onto Coming Street
Navigation decision point
6
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in|I 26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 26
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
53.8 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 169B
Toward I 95 North: Florence
6
90.3 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.53 one way
$35.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.17
$38.33
premium
$4.70
$20.75
$41.49
diesel
$5.61
$24.75
$49.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.6
0
$11.77
$5.38
Efficient EV
28
0
$9.81
$4.48
EV Truck/SUV
44.8
0
$15.69
$7.17
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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 12, 2026
Origin
Charleston, SC
Late night
in Charleston on Sunday
Local time
4:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
E 2 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cane Savannah, SC
Late night
in Cane Savannah on Sunday
Local time
4:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Holly Hill, SC
56 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
28 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 12m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
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...
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...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
Free
near mile 112.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, with 90% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on the interstate, including a significant 51.4-mile stretch along I-26 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. The route feels like a standard interstate haul, prioritizing speed and efficiency over winding backroads. As you transition from the interstate system onto US-521, the character of the road shifts slightly, but you should still anticipate a consistent, highway-oriented experience throughout the duration of the drive. It is a practical, no-nonsense path designed for getting you to your destination as quickly as possible.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.4 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near S-10-107 / Meeting Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 112.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 (S-10-107 / Meeting Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (Coming Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
184 ft11 ft
Total Climb
298 ft
Total Descent
125 ft
Highest Point
184 ft
~112.1 mi in
Elevation Range
173 ft
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 Charleston, SC to Cane Savannah, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter along the way.
Sumter
90 mi in|~1h 43m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 112.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.4 miles on I 26. 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 Cane Savannah, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (S-10-107 / Meeting Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (Coming Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cane Savannah, SC before heading back.
