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Trip from Clover, SC to Summerville, 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 33m

Distance

185.3 mi

298 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 21m ★
6 AM
3h 34m
8 AM
3h 58m
10 AM
3h 42m
12 PM
3h 40m
3 PM
3h 44m
5 PM
3h 57m
8 PM
3h 26m

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

town in South Carolina, United States

Summerville, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 185.3-mile journey from Clover, SC, to Summerville, SC, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 33 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with a significant portion on I-26 and I-77, making it a highway-focused trip. With a fuel cost estimated around $29, it’s an economical option for a quick regional hop within the Southeast. The route is designed for efficient travel, with only one recommended stop, and is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You'll experience a consistent driving profile for most of the way.

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

92.7 miles from Clover, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 26 82.6 mi 1h 28m
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 — 82.6 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clover, SC and Summerville, 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

83 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 26
Use the right lane.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 199A Toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville Use the slight right lane.
21

Turn straight onto US 17 Alternate

2.0 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue

116 ft · 5 sec · East Richardson Avenue
Use the left lane.
23

Turn right

92 ft · 6 sec
24

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 33-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning will allow you to arrive in Summerville with plenty of daylight remaining. The route has a fuel cost estimate of $29 and is designed with only one recommended stop, so plan your fuel and breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 82.6 miles on I-26, to ensure you don't need to pull over unexpectedly. This is a manageable drive for a single day, so you have flexibility in your departure time. A practical tip is to ensure your vehicle is in good condition before leaving Clover, as the majority of the drive is on high-speed interstates where mechanical issues can be more challenging to address.

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 92.7 miles from Clover, SC, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.6 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 41 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 92.7 miles or 1h 51m 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 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Summerville, 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 185.3 miles and 3h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 82.6 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

93 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

Heath Springs, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbia, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 92.7 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 82.6 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

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Summerville, South Carolina

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 185.3

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18438214711

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Dutch Bros Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Columbia, South Carolina

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 79.4

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+18778992767

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 185.3

Summerville, South Carolina

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18438214711

Visit website

Dutch Bros Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 79.4

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+18778992767

Visit website

Mays Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 92.7

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 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 24 and 183 — 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
183 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in

Take the exit toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 199A Toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.98 one way

$57.95 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $31.68 $63.37
premium $4.70 $34.30 $68.59
diesel $5.61 $40.91 $81.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 64.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 55.6 0 $19.46 $8.89
Efficient EV 46.3 0 $16.21 $7.41
EV Truck/SUV 74.1 0 $25.94 $11.86

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (66% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Clover, SC

Late night in Clover on Sunday

Local time

12:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Partly Cloudy

NW 2 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Destination

Summerville, SC

Late night in Summerville on Sunday

Local time

12:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Mostly Clear

SW 5 mph 0% chance 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 33m 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.

Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park

National Park

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...

11 mi from route ~29 min detour Free near mile 115
Caution: Burn Ban in Effect 4/17
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
View on nps.gov
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour $10 near mile 185.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 77% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-26 and I-77, as well as the William Earle Berne Beltway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82.6 miles on I-26, offering a solid period of cruising. While the majority of the drive is on high-speed roads, be prepared for the typical traffic patterns associated with these arteries. The character remains consistent for much of the trip, emphasizing efficient travel over varied scenery. You’ll spend most of your time on fast-paced, multi-lane highways.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.6 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 13 significant decision points across 185.3 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.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 185.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 82.6 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 Summerville, 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.

Yes — Congaree National Park and Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Summerville, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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