Origin
Florence, SC
Morning in Florence on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Florence, SC to Kiawah Island, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
158 mi
254 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 14m
★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 50m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Florence, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Kiawah Island, SC
Colon Freld
Trip Overview
Embarking on a road trip from Florence, SC, to Kiawah Island, SC, covers a manageable 158 miles and should take approximately 3 hours and 26 minutes. This drive is easily accomplished in a single day, making it a perfect day trip or the beginning of a longer coastal adventure. With a projected fuel cost of around $25, it's an economical journey. The route is predominantly highway-focused, offering a straightforward path through the Southeast region of South Carolina. You'll find yourself on major interstates for the majority of the trip, ensuring a consistent pace.
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
79 miles from Florence, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 74.8 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 26 | 43.7 mi | 48m |
| Bohicket Road | 7.3 mi | 17m |
| Mark Clark Expressway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Main Road | 6.5 mi | 11m |
| Savannah Highway | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Kiawah Island Parkway | 4.4 mi | 9m |
| Betsy Kerrison Parkway | 3.1 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 74.8 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, SC and Kiawah Island, SC.
1
Start on this road
50 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
133 ft
·
15 sec
3
At end of road, turn left onto East Cheves Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Cheves Street
4
Turn right onto Warley Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Warley Street
5
Turn left onto S-21-31
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Evans Street
6
Turn right onto I 20 Bus
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West David H McLeod Boulevard
7
Continue on I 20 Bus
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
J Strom Thurmond Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
9
Merge onto I 95
75 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
I 95
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 86A
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
11
Merge onto I 26
44 mi
·
48 min
·
I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 212B-C
Toward I 526: Savannah, Mount Pleasant
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 212B
Toward I 526 West: Savannah
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 526
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Mark Clark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto SC 7
417 ft
·
8 sec
·
Sam Rittenberg Boulevard
16
Turn right onto US 17
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Savannah Highway
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto Main Road
6.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Main Road
18
Continue on Bohicket Road
7.3 mi
·
17 min
·
Bohicket Road
19
Continue on Betsy Kerrison Parkway
3.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Betsy Kerrison Parkway
20
Enter roundabout onto Kiawah Island Parkway
308 ft
·
8 sec
·
Kiawah Island Parkway
21
Continue on Kiawah Island Parkway
4.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Kiawah Island Parkway
22
Turn right onto Green Dolphin Way
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Green Dolphin Way
23
Turn left onto Turtle Point Lane
374 ft
·
17 sec
·
Turtle Point Lane
24
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
43 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 26-minute duration, departing Florence, SC, in the morning is ideal to maximize your time at Kiawah Island. Plan for one stop, perhaps midway, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, as the longest stretch on I-95 is nearly 75 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before heading out. As you transition to Bohicket Road, be mindful of potentially changing speed limits as you move from highway to more developed areas. This route's efficiency means you have flexibility in your departure time.
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 79 miles from Florence, SC, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.8 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79 miles or 1h 29m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kiawah Island, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Florence, 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 Florence, SC
This is one driving day of about 158 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Florence, 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 95 for about 74.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79 miles from Florence, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.8 miles.
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 195 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 124.5 — 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
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Cheves Street
At end of road, turn left onto East Cheves Street
Navigation decision point
5
80.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 26 East: Charleston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 86A
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
8
124.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 526: Savannah, Mount Pleasant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 212B-C
Toward I 526: Savannah, Mount Pleasant
8
124.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 526 West: Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 212B
Toward I 526 West: Savannah
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.71 one way
$49.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $27.02 | $54.03 |
| premium | $4.70 | $29.24 | $58.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.88 | $69.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.59 | $7.58 |
| Efficient EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.83 | $6.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.2 | 0 | $22.12 | $10.11 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Kiawah Island, SC
Morning in Kiawah Island on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
87°F
Summerville, SC
79 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
6 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
3h 26m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily weighted towards interstate travel, with 84% of the route utilizing major highways. Expect a highway-focused profile for much of the 158 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 74.8 miles, primarily on I-95, which means extended periods of consistent speed. While the majority is interstate, the final leg on Bohicket Road will transition you from high-speed travel to a more local, though still direct, approach as you near your destination on Kiawah Island.
84% 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: 74.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 158 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (East Cheves Street): Navigation decision point; at 80.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 Florence, SC to Kiawah Island, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Pleasant along the way.
Mount Pleasant
124.3 mi in
|
~2h 20m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 158 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.8 miles on I 95. 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.
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 Kiawah Island, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (East Cheves Street): Navigation decision point; at 80.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Kiawah Island, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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