Traveling from Conway to Five Forks covers 226.7 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes. Since this is a straightforward trek across South Carolina, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $36 for fuel to navigate the route, which relies heavily on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the J Strom Thurmond Freeway, I-26, and I-385. Because the trip is entirely contained within the Southeast region, the landscape transitions remain relatively consistent throughout your time behind the wheel.
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
113.4 miles from Conway, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Conway, SC and Five Forks, 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
30 mi·32 min·I 385
Exit 51Toward I 385 North: Laurens, GreenvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385
1.2 mi·1 min·Golden Strip Freeway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 31Toward SC 417: Laurens RoadUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto SC 417
0.8 mi·1 min·Northeast Main Street
20
Turn left onto SC 14
1.5 mi·2 min·Highway 14
21
Turn right onto Adams Mill Road
2.8 mi·5 min·Adams Mill Road
22
Turn left onto Scuffletown Road
324 ft·11 sec·Scuffletown Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Turn slight left
203 ft·20 sec
24
At end of road, turn left
164 ft·12 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For the best experience, plan your departure to avoid peak congestion times on the interstate segments of I-26 and I-385. With a total duration of 4 hours and 30 minutes, you have the flexibility to power through or schedule one well-timed stop to break up the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 76.4-mile stretch on the J Strom Thurmond Freeway, as this is your longest uninterrupted period on the road. Since the trip is manageable in a single day, consider leaving early in the morning to maximize your time once you arrive in Five Forks. Prioritize a quick rest break around the midpoint to ensure you stay alert for the final leg of your journey.
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 113.4 miles from Conway, SC, or about 2h 19m 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 50 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.4 miles or 2h 19m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Five Forks, 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 226.7 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 226.7 — 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
7
221.4 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward SC 417: Laurens Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 31
Toward SC 417: Laurens Road
6
226.7 mi into trip|~4h 30m in
At end of road, turn left
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.45 one way
$70.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$38.76
$77.52
premium
$4.70
$41.96
$83.91
diesel
$5.61
$50.05
$100.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68
0
$23.80
$10.88
Efficient EV
56.7
0
$19.84
$9.07
EV Truck/SUV
90.7
1
$31.74
$14.51
Gas CO2
79 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Conway, SC
Late night
in Conway on Sunday
Local time
12:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Five Forks, SC
Late night
in Five Forks on Sunday
Local time
12:34 AM
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
4h 30m 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.
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 117.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 82% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, especially during the longest stretch of 76.4 miles on the J Strom Thurmond Freeway. While the route is efficient for point-to-point travel, be prepared for a consistent interstate experience rather than a winding backroad adventure. The transition between the J Strom Thurmond Freeway and the interstate system keeps the pace fast and predictable. Navigating these major arteries allows you to cover the distance effectively, though you should anticipate the typical flow of traffic associated with these primary South Carolina corridors.
82% 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: 76.4 mi on J Strom Thurmond Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on J Strom Thurmond Freeway and I 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 134 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 226.7 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 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.
On the drive from Conway, SC to Five Forks, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Greenville along the way.
Greenville
190.6 mi in|~3h 46m|via I 385
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 226.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). 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.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Five Forks, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — 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 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Five Forks, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
