Charleston, SC to Homeland Park, SC is 229.1 miles and takes about 4h 28m via I 26 and I 385, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, connecting two points in South Carolina. With 90% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward trip focused on covering ground. This route is well-suited for a single-day drive, making it a convenient option if you're looking to get from point A to point B 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
114.5 miles from Charleston, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
168.4 mi
3h 5m
I 385
22.9 mi
24m
Highway 418
9.9 mi
14m
Cooley Bridge Road
5.6 mi
8m
Belton Highway
4.7 mi
6m
Highway 247
3.6 mi
4m
East River Street
2.6 mi
3m
Anderson Street
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 168.4 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-26
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 77 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,830 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,370
Quietest
2 AM
~220 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.9×
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 Charleston, SC and Homeland Park, 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
168 mi·3 hr 5 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385
23 mi·24 min·I 385
Exit 51Toward I 385 North: Laurens, GreenvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward SC 418: Fountain Inn, Pelzer
11
Turn left onto SC 418
0.4 mi·42 sec·McCarter Road
12
Continue on SC 418
1.3 mi·2 min·Milacron Drive
13
Continue on SC 418
9.9 mi·14 min·Highway 418
14
Turn left onto US 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·Augusta Road
15
Turn right onto SC 247
5.6 mi·8 min·Cooley Bridge Road
16
Continue on SC 247
3.6 mi·4 min·Highway 247
17
Continue on SC 247
1.3 mi·2 min·River Street
18
Turn left onto SC 20
374 ft·12 sec·North Main Street
19
Turn right onto US 76; US 178; SC 20
2.3 mi·3 min·Anderson Street
20
Continue on US 76; US 178
4.7 mi·6 min·Belton Highway
21
Continue on US 76; US 178
2.6 mi·3 min·East River Street
22
Turn left onto US 29
2.0 mi·2 min·East Shockley Ferry Road
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 29
0.2 mi·25 sec·South Murray Avenue
24
Turn right onto US 29
1.0 mi·1 min·West Shockley Ferry Road
25
Arrive at destination
US 29
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 28m estimated drive time, departing Charleston in the morning should allow you to reach Homeland Park with plenty of daylight to spare. The route has only one recommended stop, but with 90% of the drive on highways, you can easily adjust your breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach Homeland Park, as the fuel cost is estimated at $38 for the entire trip. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to linger at any point or push through if you're making good time.
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 114.5 miles from Charleston, SC, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.4 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 50 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.5 miles or 2h 8m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Homeland Park, 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 229.1 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 26 for about 168.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 193.7 — 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.
9
170.8 mi into trip|~3h 10m in|I 385
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385 toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 51
Toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
5
193.7 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Take the exit toward SC 418: Fountain Inn, Pelzer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SC 418: Fountain Inn, Pelzer
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.82 one way
$67.65 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$37.17
$74.34
premium
$4.49
$40.52
$81.03
diesel
$4.80
$43.26
$86.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.7
0
$24.06
$11.00
Efficient EV
57.3
0
$20.05
$9.16
EV Truck/SUV
91.6
1
$32.07
$14.66
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Charleston, SC
Late night
in Charleston on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
S 12 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 17 at 4:30PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:15PM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Destination
Homeland Park, SC
Late night
in Homeland Park on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 17 at 4:30PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 2:15PM EDT until July 17 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
89°F
Rock Hill, SC
115 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
3 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 28m 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.
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 86.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 90% of this 229.1-mile drive on highways, primarily I 26 and I 385. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 168.4 miles on I 26. Expect a significant portion of the drive to involve cruising on interstates before transitioning to surface roads, like Highway 418, closer to your destination. You'll notice a change in traffic patterns and exit density as you move from the interstate system to local roads.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.4 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 385. You will hit about 16 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 Effort5/10
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 229.1 miles you will encounter 16 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
787 ft11 ft
Total Climb
911 ft
Total Descent
135 ft
Highest Point
787 ft
~229.1 mi in
Elevation Range
776 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Charleston, SC and Homeland Park, SC, road signs point toward Greenville and Pelzer.
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.
Top landmarks
•Fort Sumter — fort in Charleston, South Carolina
•College of Charleston — liberal arts college in Charleston, South Carolina, USA
•Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church — church in Charleston, South Carolina
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 28m. Total distance: 229.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m 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 168.4 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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.
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 — Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Homeland Park, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
