Origin
Estill, SC
Morning in Estill on Tuesday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Estill, SC to Charleston, SC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
93.4 mi
150 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Estill, SC
Just a Couple Photos
Trip Overview
This 93.4-mile journey from Estill, SC to Charleston, SC is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 18 minutes. You'll primarily navigate along Savannah Highway, Ace Basin Parkway, and Trask Parkway. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, it's an economical drive through the Southeast. This route offers a mixed driving experience, making it suitable for a relaxed day trip without the need for an overnight stop. It's a straightforward drive that connects two points within South Carolina.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.7 miles from Estill, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah Highway | 29.7 mi | 43m |
| Ace Basin Parkway | 17.1 mi | 22m |
| Trask Parkway | 12.7 mi | 16m |
| Browning Gate Road | 9.6 mi | 16m |
| Grays Highway | 5.5 mi | 8m |
| Heritage Road | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| I 95 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Morgandollar Road | 4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Savannah Highway
— 29.7 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Estill, SC and Charleston, SC.
1
Start on this road
108 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto 4th Street
284 ft
·
14 sec
·
4th Street
3
Turn right onto US 321; SC 3
457 ft
·
15 sec
·
Columbia Highway
4
Turn left onto SC 3
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Street
5
Continue on SC 3
9.6 mi
·
16 min
·
Browning Gate Road
6
Continue on SC 3
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Heritage Road
7
Turn slight right onto State Road S-27-137
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
State Road S-27-137
8
Turn right onto US 278
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Grays Highway
9
Turn left onto SC 462
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Morgandollar Road
10
Turn right onto SC 462
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Frontage Road
11
Turn left onto SC 462
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Coosaw Scenic Drive
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
13
Merge onto I 95; US 17
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
I 95; US 17
14
Take the exit onto US 17
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
US 17
Toward US 17 North: Charleston, Beaufort
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 17
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
US 17
16
Merge onto US 17
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Kings Highway
17
Continue on US 17
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Trask Parkway
18
Continue on US 17
17 mi
·
22 min
·
Ace Basin Parkway
19
Continue on US 17
30 mi
·
43 min
·
Savannah Highway
20
Take the exit
441 ft
·
12 sec
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
22
Turn straight onto Lockwood Drive
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Lockwood Drive
23
Continue on Broad Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Broad Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Arrive at destination
Broad Street
Trip Plan
Given its manageable 2-hour duration, this trip from Estill to Charleston offers great flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps in the morning to maximize your time in Charleston, or after lunch for a more relaxed start. The estimated fuel cost of $15 suggests you won't need frequent refueling stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, especially during the 29.7-mile stretch on Savannah Highway.
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 46.7 miles from Estill, SC, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.7 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 21 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.7 miles or 1h 11m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Estill, 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 Estill, SC
This is one driving day of about 93.4 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Estill, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Savannah Highway for about 29.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.7 miles from Estill, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 91.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
4th Street
At end of road, turn right onto 4th Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 321; SC 3 / Columbia Highway
Turn right onto US 321; SC 3 / Columbia Highway
Navigation decision point
5
25.7 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
5
30.1 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward US 17 North: Charleston, Beaufort
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 17 North: Charleston, Beaufort
5
91.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.61 one way
$29.21 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $15.97 | $31.94 |
| premium | $4.70 | $17.29 | $34.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.62 | $41.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28 | 0 | $9.81 | $4.48 |
| Efficient EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.17 | $3.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.4 | 0 | $13.08 | $5.98 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Charleston, SC
Morning in Charleston on Tuesday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°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
4 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
$10
near mile 93.4
View on nps.gov
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Reconstruction era,1861-1900 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economi...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 38.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive features a mixed profile, with 37% of the route utilizing highways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 29.7 miles on Savannah Highway, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. As you progress, expect a blend of faster highway sections and potentially more local road driving. This variety means the road's character will shift, keeping the driving experience engaging without being overly demanding.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.7 mi on Savannah Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 4th Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 93.4 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 321; SC 3 / Columbia Highway): Navigation decision point; at 25.7 miles: 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.
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 Estill, SC to Charleston, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Beaufort along the way.
Beaufort
30.1 mi in
|
~49m
|
via US 17
About the Cities
Arriving in Charleston, SC
Full guide →Charleston is the largest and oldest city in the state of South Carolina in the United States of America. Its historic downtown is on a peninsula formed by two rivers, the Ashley and the Cooper, flowing into the Atlantic, and protected from the open ocean by surrounding islands. Charleston was captured in the American Civil War without much property damage, so the historic part of town has buildings that are hundreds of years old. The current downtown skyline, with practically no tall buildings due to the city's height restriction ordinance, is dominated by church steeples and the stunning Arthur Ravenel cable-stay bridge over the Cooper River. The city is a major port on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and a popular destination for domestic and international tourists.
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 2h 18m. Total distance: 93.4 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 (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.7 miles on Savannah Highway. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 321; SC 3 / Columbia Highway): Navigation decision point; at 25.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical 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 Charleston, SC before heading back.
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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