Traveling from Conway to Anderson covers 247.1 miles of South Carolina terrain, typically requiring about 5 hours and 1 minute of drive time. Because this route is a straightforward, highway-focused journey, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $40 for fuel as you traverse the state from the Southeast region toward the Upstate. Since the path relies heavily on major thoroughfares like I-26 and the J Strom Thurmond Freeway, it is a practical choice for those prioritizing efficiency over backroad exploration. While you will spend most of your time on interstates, the transit across the state offers a reliable way to connect these two distinct regions.
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
123.5 miles from Conway, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Conway, SC and Anderson, SC.
1
Start on SC 905
461 ft·19 sec·4th Avenue
2
Turn right onto Elm Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Elm Street
3
Turn left onto S-26-29
314 ft·9 sec·9th Avenue
4
Turn right onto Pine Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Pine Street
5
Merge onto US 501; US 701
29 mi·34 min·Church Street
6
Turn straight onto SC 576
3.2 mi·3 min·SC 576
7
Continue on US 76
6.7 mi·7 min·US 76
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 76; US 301
12 mi·16 min·US 76; US 301
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn slight right onto East Cheves Street
1.7 mi·3 min·East Cheves Street
10
Turn right onto Warley Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Warley Street
11
Turn left onto S-21-31
2.4 mi·4 min·West Evans Street
12
Turn right onto I 20 Bus
1.5 mi·2 min·West David H McLeod Boulevard
13
Continue on I 20 Bus
76 mi·1 hr 25 min·J Strom Thurmond Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.7 mi·3 min
Exit 64BToward I 26 West
15
Merge onto I 26; US 76
55 mi·1 hr·I 26; US 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward SC 418: Fountain Inn, Pelzer
18
Turn left onto SC 418
0.4 mi·42 sec·McCarter Road
19
Continue on SC 418
1.3 mi·2 min·Milacron Drive
20
Continue on SC 418
9.9 mi·14 min·Highway 418
21
Turn left onto US 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·Augusta Road
22
Turn right onto SC 247
5.6 mi·8 min·Cooley Bridge Road
23
Continue on SC 247
3.6 mi·4 min·Highway 247
24
Continue on SC 247
1.3 mi·2 min·River Street
25
Turn left onto SC 20
374 ft·12 sec·North Main Street
26
Turn right onto US 76; US 178; SC 20
2.3 mi·3 min·Anderson Street
27
Continue on US 76; US 178
4.7 mi·6 min·Belton Highway
28
Continue on US 76; US 178
3.6 mi·5 min·East River Street
29
Turn right onto South Fant Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·South Fant Street
30
Turn left onto East Whitner Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·East Whitner Street
31
Arrive at destination
East Whitner Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour journey, plan to leave early in the morning to beat potential traffic clusters along your main transit corridors. Since the route only requires a single stop to comfortably reach Anderson, you have the flexibility to choose a location that fits your personal pace. Keep an eye on your fuel levels before hitting the longer stretches, as the 76.4-mile segment on the J Strom Thurmond Freeway is your longest uninterrupted push. If you find yourself needing a break, look for services near the major interchanges where I-26 connects with other primary roads. Staying mindful of these logistical details will ensure your trip remains a simple, stress-free transit across South Carolina.
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 123.5 miles from Conway, SC, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.4 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 54 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.5 miles or 2h 30m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anderson, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Conway, 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 Conway, SC
This is one driving day of about 247.1 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Conway, 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 J Strom Thurmond Freeway for about 76.4 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 134 and 246.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
134 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 26 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 64B
Toward I 26 West
5
135.7 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 26; US 76
Merge onto I 26; US 76
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
190.6 mi into trip|~3h 46m 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
213.4 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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
5
246.8 mi into trip|~5h in|East Whitner Street
Turn left onto East Whitner Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.64 one way
$77.28 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$42.25
$84.50
premium
$4.70
$45.73
$91.47
diesel
$5.61
$54.56
$109.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.1
0
$25.95
$11.86
Efficient EV
61.8
0
$21.62
$9.88
EV Truck/SUV
98.8
1
$34.59
$15.81
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Conway, SC
Night
in Conway on Saturday
Local time
9:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Anderson, SC
Night
in Anderson on Saturday
Local time
9:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°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
12 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
5h 1m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 77% of this 247.1-mile trek is spent on highways. The road's personality is defined by fast-paced interstate travel, featuring a significant 76.4-mile stretch along the J Strom Thurmond Freeway that allows for steady, uninterrupted cruising. You will navigate a mix of major arteries, including I-26 and Church Street, which transition you smoothly between regional landscapes. Because the route is so highway-heavy, it lacks the technical curves of rural two-lane roads, making it a predictable and straightforward drive. You can anticipate a consistent driving rhythm that keeps you moving toward your destination with minimal stops required.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.4 mi on J Strom Thurmond Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on J Strom Thurmond Freeway and I 26. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 134 miles in.
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 247.1 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 134 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 135.7 miles (I 26; US 76): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.6 miles (I 385): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Conway, SC and Anderson, SC, road signs point toward Greenville and Pelzer.
Greenville
190.6 mi in|~3h 46m|via I 385
Pelzer
213.4 mi in|~4h 10m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 247.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m 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 76.4 miles on J Strom Thurmond Freeway. 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.
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 134 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 135.7 miles (I 26; US 76): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.6 miles (I 385): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Anderson, SC before the return drive.
