Spanning 189.4 miles across South Carolina, this trip from Five Forks to Goose Creek is a straightforward journey typically taking 3 hours and 37 minutes. Because the route is compact, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $30 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick change of scenery. The drive moves entirely within the Southeast region, transitioning you from the Upstate area down toward the coast. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage the travel time without feeling rushed. It is a practical, efficient path for travelers who prefer a direct connection between these two points.
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
94.7 miles from Five Forks, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
152.9 mi
2h 47m
SC 14
21.2 mi
22m
Scuffletown Road
7 mi
12m
State Highway 418
2 mi
3m
University Boulevard
1.5 mi
2m
South Main Street
1.1 mi
2m
Goose Creek Road
1.1 mi
1m
Laurens Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 152.9 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Five Forks, SC and Goose Creek, SC.
1
Start on this road
264 ft·22 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Scuffletown Road
7.0 mi·12 min·Scuffletown Road
3
Turn right onto SC 418
2.0 mi·3 min·State Highway 418
4
Continue on Gulliver Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Gulliver Street
5
Continue on SC 418
0.4 mi·37 sec·Knight Street
6
Turn left onto SC 14
1.1 mi·2 min·South Main Street
7
Continue on SC 14
0.9 mi·1 min·Laurens Road
8
Take the ramp onto SC 14
21 mi·22 min·SC 14
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 26
56 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 26
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26
97 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 26
Toward CharlestonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 205BToward US 78 East: Goose CreekUse the right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 78
1.5 mi·2 min·University Boulevard
13
Continue on Goose Creek Road
0.5 mi·43 sec·Goose Creek Road
14
Continue on Goose Creek Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Goose Creek Road
15
Continue on Old State Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·Old State Road
16
Continue on Old State Road
237 ft·14 sec·Old State Road
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto The Oaks Avenue
38 ft·1 sec·The Oaks Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
The Oaks Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 37 minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid peak congestion on the interstate. Since you have a long, 152.9-mile stretch on I-26, plan your single recommended stop strategically to break up the monotony of the highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the interstate to ensure you don't have to hunt for a station during the longest segment of the trip. The flexibility of this route allows you to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference rather than strict logistical constraints. Pack enough snacks and water for the full duration, as the high percentage of highway travel means you will likely spend most of your time moving steadily toward your destination.
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 94.7 miles from Five Forks, SC, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.9 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 42 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.7 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Goose Creek, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Five Forks, 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 Five Forks, SC
This is one driving day of about 189.4 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Five Forks, 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 152.9 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 189.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Scuffletown Road
At end of road, turn right onto Scuffletown Road
Navigation decision point
5
33.4 mi into trip|~43m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
89.2 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|I 26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Charleston
7
186.3 mi into trip|~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 78 East: Goose Creek
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 205B
Toward US 78 East: Goose Creek
5
189.4 mi into trip|~3h 36m in|Old State Road
Continue onto Old State Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.62 one way
$59.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$32.38
$64.77
premium
$4.70
$35.05
$70.11
diesel
$5.61
$41.82
$83.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.8
0
$19.89
$9.09
Efficient EV
47.4
0
$16.57
$7.58
EV Truck/SUV
75.8
0
$26.52
$12.12
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Five Forks, SC
Late night
in Five Forks on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Goose Creek, SC
Late night
in Goose Creek on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
84°F
Rock Hill, SC
95 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 37m 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.
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 111
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$10
near mile 189.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 93% of your travel time will be spent on major roads. Your journey relies on a combination of SC 14 and Scuffletown Road initially, but the vast majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent on I-26. You should prepare for a significant 152.9-mile stretch of uninterrupted interstate driving, which defines the core personality of this route. While the local roads provide a brief transition, the interstate dominates the landscape, offering a consistent and fast-paced environment. This is a utilitarian drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding, technical backroads.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152.9 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and SC 14. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Scuffletown Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 37m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Scuffletown Road): Navigation decision point; at 33.4 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.2 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
874 ft31 ft
Total Climb
151 ft
Total Descent
995 ft
Highest Point
874 ft
Elevation Range
844 ft
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 Five Forks, SC to Goose Creek, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.
Charleston
89.2 mi in|~1h 45m|via I 26
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 37m. Total distance: 189.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 152.9 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Scuffletown Road): Navigation decision point; at 33.4 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.2 miles (I 26): 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 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Goose Creek, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
