Origin
Charleston, SC
Morning in Charleston on Sunday
Local time
7:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charleston, SC to Hartsville, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
145.2 mi
234 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 45m
★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hartsville, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 145.2-mile drive from Charleston, SC to Hartsville, SC is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking around 2 hours and 56 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 82% of the journey on major roads like I-95 and I-26. You can expect to spend approximately $23 on fuel for this relatively short distance. This trip is a straightforward connection within the Southeast region, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or a connection to another destination. With only one planned stop, it's a direct path that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72.6 miles from Charleston, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 66.9 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 26 | 51.4 mi | 58m |
| Oates Highway | 13.5 mi | 21m |
| South 5th Street | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| South Brockington Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Honda Way | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Meeting Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Septima Clark Expressway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 66.9 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston, SC and Hartsville, 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 169B
Toward I 95 North: Florence
10
Merge onto I 95
67 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Timmonsville
12
Keep slight left at fork
261 ft
·
12 sec
13
Turn left onto State Road S-21-83
277 ft
·
5 sec
·
Center Road
14
Continue on State Road S-21-83
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Honda Way
15
Continue on Honda Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Honda Street
16
Turn left onto US 76
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
East Smith Street
17
Turn right onto SC 403
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Brockington Street
18
Continue on SC 403
13 mi
·
21 min
·
Oates Highway
19
Continue on US 15
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
South 5th Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 15 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 56-minute duration, this trip is perfect for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aiming for an early start can help you avoid any potential midday traffic, especially on the interstate portions. The longest stretch without a major exit is 66.9 miles on I-95, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's an economical drive. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, making the journey more comfortable.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.6 miles from Charleston, SC, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.9 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 32 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.6 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hartsville, 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 145.2 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Charleston, 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 95 for about 66.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72.6 miles from Charleston, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.9 miles.
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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 54.6 — 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
5
54.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.71 one way
$45.41 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $24.83 | $49.65 |
| premium | $4.70 | $26.87 | $53.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.06 | $64.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.6 | 0 | $15.25 | $6.97 |
| Efficient EV | 36.3 | 0 | $12.70 | $5.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.1 | 0 | $20.33 | $9.29 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Hartsville, SC
Morning in Hartsville on Sunday
Local time
7:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
17 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
2h 56m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 145.2-mile journey, with 82% of the mileage on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 66.9 miles on I-95, offering a period of consistent driving. While the majority of the route utilizes major highways like I-95 and I-26, the final leg on Oates Highway will introduce a change of pace as you approach Hartsville. This mix means you'll experience both the efficiency of high-speed travel and a slightly more local feel towards the end.
82% 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: 66.9 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 26. You will hit about 13 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 Effort
5/10
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 145.2 miles you will encounter 13 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Hartsville, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Timmonsville along the way.
Timmonsville
121.5 mi in
|
~2h 17m
About the Cities
Starting in Charleston, SC
Full guide →Charleston is the largest and oldest city in the state of South Carolina in the United States of America. Its historic downtown is on a peninsula formed by two rivers, the Ashley and the Cooper, flowing into the Atlantic, and protected from the open ocean by surrounding islands. Charleston was captured in the American Civil War without much property damage, so the historic part of town has buildings that are hundreds of years old. The current downtown skyline, with practically no tall buildings due to the city's height restriction ordinance, is dominated by church steeples and the stunning Arthur Ravenel cable-stay bridge over the Cooper River. The city is a major port on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and a popular destination for domestic and international tourists.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 145.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.9 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hartsville, 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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