This 118.9-mile drive from Dalzell, SC to Mount Pleasant, SC takes approximately 2 hours and 18 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-26 and I-95, with a portion on Manning Road, offering a straightforward journey through the Southeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this highway-focused drive is efficient for those looking to get to their destination without much fuss. Given its relatively short duration, you won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. It's a practical option for a quick transition between locations within South Carolina.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.4 miles from Dalzell, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
42.2 mi
46m
I 95
36 mi
38m
Manning Road
12.1 mi
13m
Mark Clark Expressway
11.9 mi
14m
North Guignard Drive
3.6 mi
4m
Thomas Sumter Highway
3.5 mi
4m
Camden Highway
2.3 mi
3m
Chuck Dawley Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 42.2 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dalzell, SC and Mount Pleasant, SC.
1
Start on Camden Highway
0.5 mi·1 min·Camden Highway
2
Turn left onto Frierson Road
0.4 mi·31 sec·Frierson Road
3
Turn left onto US 521
3.5 mi·4 min·Thomas Sumter Highway
4
Continue on US 521
1.9 mi·2 min·Camden Highway
5
Turn slight left onto US 521; US 76 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·Broad Street
6
Turn slight right onto US 521
0.7 mi·1 min·Bultman Drive
7
Continue on US 521
3.6 mi·4 min·North Guignard Drive
8
Continue on US 521
1.1 mi·1 min·South Guignard Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn right onto US 521
12 mi·13 min·Manning Road
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
11
Merge onto I 95
36 mi·38 min·I 95
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 86AToward I 26 East: Charleston
13
Merge onto I 26
42 mi·46 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 211A-BToward Aviation Avenue, Remount RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 211BToward Remount Road, HanahanUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto Remount Road
0.4 mi·44 sec·Remount Road
18
Turn right onto US 52; US 78
0.8 mi·1 min·Rivers Avenue
19
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Merge onto I 526
12 mi·14 min·Mark Clark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 526 Bus
1.3 mi·2 min·Chuck Dawley Boulevard
22
Turn right onto SC 703
237 ft·12 sec·Coleman Boulevard
23
Turn left
76 ft·5 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 18-minute trip, flexibility is your best friend. You can easily depart anytime that suits your schedule, but consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour congestion if heading towards a more urban area. With only 118.9 miles and a fuel cost of around $19, you likely won't need many stops, but it's always wise to take advantage of rest areas on I-95 or I-26 when needed. Keep an eye out for signage directing you towards Manning Road as you approach your final destination, as this marks a slight shift from the interstate.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.4 miles from Dalzell, SC, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.2 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.4 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Pleasant, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dalzell, 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 Dalzell, SC
This is one driving day of about 118.9 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Dalzell, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 42.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 60.8 and 103.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
60.8 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 26 East: Charleston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 86A
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
5
61.2 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
103.4 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward Aviation Avenue, Remount Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A-B
Toward Aviation Avenue, Remount Road
6
103.6 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Remount Road, Hanahan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
9
103.9 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Remount Road, Hanahan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211B
Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.59 one way
$37.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.33
$40.66
premium
$4.70
$22.01
$44.01
diesel
$5.61
$26.25
$52.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.7
0
$12.48
$5.71
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.40
$4.76
EV Truck/SUV
47.6
0
$16.65
$7.61
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 20, 2026
Origin
Dalzell, SC
Late night
in Dalzell on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mount Pleasant, SC
Late night
in Mount Pleasant on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°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
7 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
2h 18m 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.
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 4.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 77% of the drive taking place on major interstates like I-26 and I-95. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 42.2 miles on I-26, providing a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of Manning Road offers a slight variation before you reach your destination. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, allowing you to cover ground quickly and predictably.
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: 42.2 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 60.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 118.9 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 60.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 61.2 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Dalzell, SC to Mount Pleasant, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Hanahan along the way.
Mount Pleasant is a large town in the Greater Charleston region of South Carolina. The population of the town has exploded, making it a very popular bedroom community of the city of Charleston.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 118.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m 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 42.2 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Mount Pleasant, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 60.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 61.2 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Mount Pleasant, SC before heading back.
