Origin
Garden City, SC
Night in Garden City on Saturday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Garden City, SC to Anderson County Airport, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
273.1 mi
440 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 31m
★
6 AM
5h 44m
8 AM
6h 11m
10 AM
5h 54m
12 PM
5h 51m
3 PM
5h 55m
5 PM
6h 10m
8 PM
5h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Garden City, SC
Jerson Martins
Anderson County Airport, SC
Jimmy Liao
Trip Overview
Garden City, SC to Anderson County Airport, SC is 273.1 miles and takes about 5h 44m via J Strom Thurmond Freeway, I 26, and Church Street, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Given its manageable duration, you won't need to worry about extensive overnight planning, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct route between these two points.
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
136.5 miles from Garden City, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| J Strom Thurmond Freeway | 76.4 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 26 | 54.8 mi | 1h |
| Church Street | 31.2 mi | 39m |
| I 385 | 22.9 mi | 24m |
| US 76 | 18.8 mi | 24m |
| Dick Pond Road | 11.5 mi | 19m |
| Highway 418 | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| Cooley Bridge Road | 5.6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
J Strom Thurmond Freeway
— 76.4 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Garden City, SC and Anderson County Airport, SC.
1
Start on Hidden Lakes Drive
268 ft
·
17 sec
·
Hidden Lakes Drive
2
Turn left onto Garden Lake Drive
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Garden Lake Drive
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 17 Business
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
US 17 Business
4
Turn right onto Garden City Connector
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Garden City Connector
5
Enter roundabout onto Garden City Connector
142 ft
·
4 sec
·
Garden City Connector
6
Continue on Garden City Connector
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
Garden City Connector
7
Turn right onto US 17
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 17
Use the left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward SC 544: Socastee, Conway, Surfside Beach
9
Turn left onto SC 544
11 mi
·
19 min
·
Dick Pond Road
Use the left lane.
10
Turn sharp left onto SC 544
440 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Cox Ferry Road
11
Turn right onto SC 544
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
SC 544
12
Turn left onto US 501
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 501 East
13
Continue on US 501
31 mi
·
39 min
·
Church Street
14
Turn straight onto SC 576
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
SC 576
15
Continue on US 76
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US 76
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 76; US 301
12 mi
·
16 min
·
US 76; US 301
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn slight right onto East Cheves Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East Cheves Street
18
Turn right onto Warley Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Warley Street
19
Turn left onto S-21-31
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Evans Street
20
Turn right onto I 20 Bus
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West David H McLeod Boulevard
21
Continue on I 20 Bus
76 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
J Strom Thurmond Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
1.7 mi
·
3 min
Exit 64B
Toward I 26 West
23
Merge onto I 26; US 76
55 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 26; US 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385
23 mi
·
24 min
·
I 385
Exit 51
Toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Toward SC 418: Fountain Inn, Pelzer
26
Turn left onto SC 418
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
McCarter Road
27
Continue on SC 418
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Milacron Drive
28
Continue on SC 418
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
Highway 418
29
Turn left onto US 25
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Augusta Road
30
Turn right onto SC 247
5.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Cooley Bridge Road
31
Continue on SC 247
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 247
32
Continue on SC 247
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
River Street
33
Turn left onto SC 20
374 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Main Street
34
Turn right onto US 76; US 178; SC 20
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Anderson Street
35
Continue on US 76; US 178
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Belton Highway
36
Continue on US 76; US 178
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East River Street
37
Turn left onto US 29
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Shockley Ferry Road
38
At end of road, turn left onto US 29
468 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Murray Avenue
39
Turn right onto SC 28
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
Pearman Dairy Road
40
Continue on SC 28
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 28 Bypass
41
Turn left onto SC 24
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Whitner Street
42
Continue on SC 24
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 24
43
Turn left onto Airport Road
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Airport Road
44
Continue on South Warner Road
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Warner Road
45
Turn sharp left onto Airport Road
55 ft
·
7 sec
·
Airport Road
46
Turn right
293 ft
·
21 sec
47
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 44-minute drive, starting early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops; however, planning one brief stop for fuel or a stretch break might be wise, especially considering the longest stretch without a major change is over 76 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as highway services can sometimes be spaced out. A specific tip for this route is to be aware of the transition points between the J Strom Thurmond Freeway and I 26, as these can sometimes involve more complex interchanges.
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 136.5 miles from Garden City, SC, or about 2h 56m 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 60 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.5 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anderson County Airport, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Garden City, 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 Garden City, SC
This is one driving day of about 273.1 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Garden City, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 136.5 miles from Garden City, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before J Strom Thurmond Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.4 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 265 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 210.8 — 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
|
Garden Lake Drive
Turn left onto Garden Lake Drive
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 17 Business
At end of road, turn right onto US 17 Business
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 17 / Highway 17
Turn right onto US 17 / Highway 17
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
5.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward SC 544: Socastee, Conway, Surfside Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SC 544: Socastee, Conway, Surfside Beach
9
210.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.71 one way
$85.41 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $46.70 | $93.39 |
| premium | $4.70 | $50.55 | $101.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.30 | $120.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.9 | 1 | $28.68 | $13.11 |
| Efficient EV | 68.3 | 0 | $23.90 | $10.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.2 | 1 | $38.23 | $17.48 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Anderson County Airport, SC
Night in Anderson County Airport on Saturday
Local time
9:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°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
5 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
5h 44m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 73% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the J Strom Thurmond Freeway, including a continuous stretch of 76.4 miles. While the majority of the drive is on well-maintained highways, expect some transitions as you navigate through different road types, including I 26 and Church Street. The character is largely about covering distance efficiently, with the expectation of consistent speeds for most of the journey.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 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 0.1 miles in near Garden Lake 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 26 significant decision points across 273.1 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 0.1 miles (Garden Lake Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 17 Business): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.5 miles (US 17 / Highway 17): Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Between Garden City, SC and Anderson County Airport, SC, road signs point toward Greenville and Pelzer.
Greenville
210.8 mi in
|
~4h 20m
|
via I 385
Pelzer
233.7 mi in
|
~4h 44m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 273.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). 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.
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 Anderson County Airport, 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: at 0.1 miles (Garden Lake Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 17 Business): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.5 miles (US 17 / Highway 17): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Anderson County Airport, SC before the return drive.
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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Return Trip
Anderson County Airport, SC to Garden City, SCPlan the drive back the other way.
272.9 mi
5h 43m
Continue From Anderson County Airport, SC
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