Charleston, SC to Murphys Estates, SC is 155.6 miles and takes about 3h 18m via I 26 and I 20, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, traversing the Southeast region. The route is mostly highway, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, you can expect a relatively quick transit between these two points in the Palmetto State.
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
77.8 miles from Charleston, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
66.1 mi
1h 14m
I 20
26.5 mi
28m
North Road
16.3 mi
24m
Old Ninety Six Indian Trail
11.8 mi
16m
Salley Road
7 mi
9m
Five Chop Road
6.4 mi
8m
John Nunn Highway
4.1 mi
5m
Chestnut Street
3.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 66.1 mi, about 1h 14m
Traffic on I-26
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,305 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~236 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Murphys Estates, 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
66 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 154-AToward US 301 South: Orangeburg
10
Merge onto US 301
6.4 mi·8 min·Five Chop Road
11
Turn right onto US 21; US 178; US 601 Truck
1.1 mi·1 min·Whittaker Parkway
12
Continue on US 21; US 178; US 601 Truck
3.1 mi·4 min·Chestnut Street
13
Continue on US 178
16 mi·24 min·North Road
14
Turn left onto SC 394
7.0 mi·9 min·Salley Road
15
Enter roundabout onto SC 394
146 ft·2 sec·SC 394
16
Continue on SC 394
1.1 mi·1 min·SC 394
17
Turn right onto SC 389
4.1 mi·5 min·John Nunn Highway
18
Continue on SC 389
1.1 mi·2 min·Walker Road
19
Turn straight onto SC 39
2.3 mi·3 min·Festival Trail Road
20
Continue on SC 39
1.1 mi·2 min·Railroad Avenue East
21
Continue on SC 39
12 mi·16 min·Old Ninety Six Indian Trail
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
23
Merge onto I 20
27 mi·28 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward US 25, SC 121: Edgefield, North AugustaUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn right onto US 25; SC 121
1.4 mi·2 min·Edgefield Road
26
Turn left onto Sweetwater Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Sweetwater Road
27
Turn sharp right onto Big Oak Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Big Oak Drive
28
Turn left onto Redwood Drive
0.1 mi·34 sec·Redwood Drive
29
Turn right onto Hickory Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Hickory Drive
30
Arrive at destination
Hickory Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 18m drive time, starting your trip in Charleston, SC after morning rush hour should allow for a comfortable arrival in Murphys Estates, SC well before evening. The primary roads are I 26 and I 20, so keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the 66.1-mile stretch on I 26. While a single day is recommended, the relatively short distance offers flexibility; you could depart later or make an unplanned stop if needed. The estimated fuel cost is around $26.
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 77.8 miles from Charleston, SC, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.1 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 34 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.8 miles or 1h 31m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murphys Estates, 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 155.6 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 66.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 151.1 — 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
68.6 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward US 301 South: Orangeburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 154-A
Toward US 301 South: Orangeburg
8
151.1 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 25, SC 121: Edgefield, North Augusta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward US 25, SC 121: Edgefield, North Augusta
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.75 one way
$49.50 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$26.98
$53.97
premium
$4.78
$29.28
$58.55
diesel
$5.35
$32.77
$65.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.7
0
$16.34
$7.47
Efficient EV
38.9
0
$13.62
$6.22
EV Truck/SUV
62.2
0
$21.78
$9.96
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Charleston, SC
Evening
in Charleston on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 1 to 5 mph40% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 6:48PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 6:46PM EDT until June 1 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Destination
Murphys Estates, SC
Evening
in Murphys Estates on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NE 3 mph69% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 6:48PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 6:46PM EDT until June 1 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
67°F
Oak Grove, SC
78 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
6 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
3h 18m 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
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 85.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 61% of the distance covered on interstates. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 66.1 miles on I 26, indicating a significant period of highway cruising. The remaining portion will shift to surface roads, likely offering a change in scenery and a different driving pace. Expect a mix of high-speed travel and potentially more local traffic as you approach your destination.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.1 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 20. You will hit about 20 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 155.6 miles you will encounter 20 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.
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 3h 18m. Total distance: 155.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.1 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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.
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 Murphys Estates, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Murphys Estates, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
