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Trip from Clover, SC to North Charleston, SC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 51m

Distance

200.7 mi

323 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 39m ★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 17m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 58m
3 PM
4h 2m
5 PM
4h 16m
8 PM
3h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in the U.S. state of South Carolina

Clover, SC

Wikimedia Commons

city in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, South Carolina, United States

North Charleston, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 200.7 miles across South Carolina, this journey from Clover to North Charleston is a straightforward transit through the Southeast. You can expect to spend approximately 3 hours and 51 minutes behind the wheel, making it a feasible day trip if you prefer to reach your destination in one go. The route relies heavily on major arteries, including I-77, I-26, and the William Earle Berne Beltway, ensuring a consistent pace throughout the drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, it is a budget-friendly option for those traveling between the Upstate and the Lowcountry. While you could easily complete this in a single day, having the flexibility to plan one stop along the way will help keep you fresh for the final leg of your trip.

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

100.3 miles from Clover, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 26 99 mi 1h 48m
I 77 53.5 mi 57m
William Earle Berne Beltway 12.3 mi 14m
York Highway 6.5 mi 7m
Filbert Highway 6.1 mi 9m
Alexander Love Highway 4.4 mi 5m
Charles F Bolden Freeway 3.3 mi 4m
Heckle Boulevard 3.2 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 26 — 99 mi, about 1h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clover, SC and North Charleston, SC.

1

Start on US 321

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Main Street West
2

Continue on US 321

4.5 mi · 6 min · Filbert Highway
3

At end of road, turn right

7 ft · 1 sec
4

Turn left

138 ft · 4 sec
5

Continue on Filbert Highway

1.5 mi · 2 min · Filbert Highway
6

Turn left onto SC 5

4.4 mi · 5 min · Alexander Love Highway
7

Continue on SC 5

6.5 mi · 7 min · York Highway
8

Continue on SC 5

2.3 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
9

Turn right onto SC 901; SC 5

3.2 mi · 5 min · Heckle Boulevard
10

Turn right onto SC 72; SC 901

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Saluda Street
Use the right lane.
11

Continue on SC 901

3.1 mi · 4 min · Mount Holly Road
Use the left lane.
12

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
13

Merge onto I 77

29 mi · 31 min · I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 77

24 mi · 26 min · I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 77

3.3 mi · 4 min · Charles F Bolden Freeway
Toward I 77: Charleston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 77

12 mi · 14 min · William Earle Berne Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 77

2.8 mi · 3 min · Veterans Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
19

Merge onto I 26

99 mi · 1 hr 48 min · I 26
Use the right lane.
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Exit 215 Toward SC 642: Dorchester Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn left onto SC 642

0.7 mi · 1 min · Dorchester Road
Use the straight lane.
22

Turn right onto US 52; US 78

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Rivers Avenue
23

Arrive at destination

US 52; US 78

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3 hour and 51 minute trek, aim to depart early in the morning to navigate any potential congestion near the interstate junctions. Since the route is manageable for a single driver, pacing your one recommended stop around the midpoint of the journey will help you maintain focus during the longer stretches. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge as you navigate the transition between I-77 and I-26, ensuring you have enough to cover the $32 estimated cost without needing to hunt for stations in high-traffic areas. Because this is a relatively quick trip, you have the advantage of scheduling your arrival time to suit your personal itinerary. Taking a brief break during your longest 99-mile stretch on I-26 is the best way to ensure you arrive in North Charleston alert and ready for your next activity.

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 100.3 miles from Clover, SC, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99 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 44 miles or 57m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 100.3 miles or 2h 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 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Charleston, SC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Clover, 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 Clover, SC

This is one driving day of about 200.7 miles and 3h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Clover, 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 99 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Blythewood, SC, SC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Blythewood, SC

100 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.

Popular next leg

Blythewood, SC to North Charleston, SC

128.5 mi · 2h 25m

Pacing Suggestions

Heath Springs, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

South Congaree, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100.3 miles from Clover, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Prophet Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Charleston, South Carolina

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 200.7

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Herbert's Vintage and Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Charleston, South Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 200.7

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

Mellow & Play Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ladson, South Carolina

2 mi

Prophet Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 200.7

North Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 186.3

Summerville, South Carolina

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18438214711

Visit website

Herbert's Vintage and Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 200.7

North Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

Mellow & Play Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 186.3

Ladson, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+18437894743

Visit website

The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 200.7

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18436373410

Visit website

Second State Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 200.7

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Piecewise Coffee Co. - Cayce

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.3

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18037641044

Visit website

Sightsee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 200.7

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+18432126538

Visit website

Bad Bunnies Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 200.7

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+18434147777

Visit website

Dutch Bros Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 86

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+18778992767

Visit website

Granby Gardens Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 100.3

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

The Final Door Escape Room Columbia

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 100.3

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+18036022433

Visit website

Mays Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 86

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18037338596

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 24 and 199.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
24 mi into trip | ~33m in | SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street

Turn right onto SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
27.7 mi into trip | ~39m in | I 77

Merge onto I 77

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
81.2 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in | I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway toward I 77: Charleston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 77: Charleston
5
99.6 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 26 East: Charleston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 26 East: Charleston
7
199.4 mi into trip | ~3h 49m in

Take the exit toward SC 642: Dorchester Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 215 Toward SC 642: Dorchester Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.39 one way

$62.77 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $34.32 $68.63
premium $4.70 $37.15 $74.29
diesel $5.61 $44.31 $88.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.2 0 $21.07 $9.63
Efficient EV 50.2 0 $17.56 $8.03
EV Truck/SUV 80.3 1 $28.10 $12.84

Gas CO2

70 kg

EV CO2

23 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 15, 2026

Origin

Clover, SC

Late night in Clover on Sunday

Local time

12:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

North Charleston, SC

Late night in North Charleston on Sunday

Local time

12:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°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

11 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

3h 51m 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?

This highway-focused drive is defined by its efficiency, with 79% of the trip spent on high-speed interstate travel. You will encounter a mix of fast-paced multi-lane roads, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 99 miles on I-26. The personality of this drive is practical and utilitarian rather than scenic or winding, prioritizing speed to get you to North Charleston efficiently. As you transition between these major interstates, the character of the road remains consistent, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm. Expect a straightforward experience that is built for reliability rather than technical maneuvering, providing a smooth transition across the state.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99 mi on I 26.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24 miles in near SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 200.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 24 miles (SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.2 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in North Charleston, SC

Full guide →

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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 51m. Total distance: 200.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 99 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 North Charleston, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 24 miles (SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.2 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at North Charleston, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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