Origin
Goose Creek, SC
Morning in Goose Creek on Sunday
Local time
10:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Goose Creek, SC to South Congaree, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 51m
Distance
98.7 mi
159 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Goose Creek, SC
Wikimedia Commons
South Congaree, SC
Junior Bastos
Trip Overview
Goose Creek, SC to South Congaree, SC is 98.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 51 minutes via I 26 and Edmund Highway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on interstate highways, making it a convenient option for a quick journey. With a 92% highway share, this route is built for efficient travel. Given its short duration, this is an ideal one-day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.4 miles from Goose Creek, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 91.2 mi | 1h 38m |
| Edmund Highway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| University Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Goose Creek Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Airport Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Old State Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Commerce Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 91.2 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Goose Creek, SC and South Congaree, SC.
1
Start on The Oaks Avenue
38 ft
·
3 sec
·
The Oaks Avenue
2
Turn right onto Old State Road
237 ft
·
12 sec
·
Old State Road
3
Continue on Old State Road
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Old State Road
4
Continue on Goose Creek Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Goose Creek Road
5
Continue on US 78
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
University Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 26
91 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 113
Toward SC 302: Columbia Airport, Cayce
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on Commerce Drive
513 ft
·
17 sec
·
Commerce Drive
10
Turn left onto SC 302
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Airport Boulevard
11
Continue on SC 302
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Edmund Highway
12
Continue on SC 302
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
13
Turn right onto Ramblin Road
44 ft
·
1 sec
·
Ramblin Road
14
Arrive at destination
Ramblin Road
Trip Plan
Since this drive is under two hours and under 100 miles, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic around Charleston, if applicable. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, filling up before you leave Goose Creek is likely sufficient. There are no specific recommended stops mentioned, so you can choose to power through or pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 91.2-mile stretch on I 26, to ensure you have plenty to reach South Congaree.
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 49.4 miles from Goose Creek, SC, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.2 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 22 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.4 miles or 55m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Congaree, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Goose Creek, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Goose Creek, SC
This is one driving day of about 98.7 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Goose Creek, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 91.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.4 miles from Goose Creek, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.2 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 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 94.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Old State Road
Turn right onto Old State Road
Navigation decision point
3
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Old State Road
Continue onto Old State Road
Navigation decision point
4
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
94.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward SC 302: Columbia Airport, Cayce
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 113
Toward SC 302: Columbia Airport, Cayce
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.43 one way
$30.87 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $16.88 | $33.75 |
| premium | $4.70 | $18.27 | $36.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.79 | $43.58 |
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: 34.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.36 | $4.74 |
| Efficient EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.64 | $3.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.82 | $6.32 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
South Congaree, SC
Morning in South Congaree on Sunday
Local time
10:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brookdale, SC
49 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
8 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
1h 51m 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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 74.9
Caution: Burn Ban in Effect 4/17
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
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
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 91.2 miles on I 26, offering a consistent, fast-paced journey. For the majority of your travel, expect to be on well-maintained interstate highways, facilitating smooth progress. While the core is interstate, segments like Edmund Highway and University Boulevard will introduce you to slightly more varied, but still direct, road conditions as you approach your destination. It’s a drive designed for making good time.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.2 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Edmund Highway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Old State Road.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Goose Creek, SC to South Congaree, SC is easy. At 1h 51m with 92% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Old State Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Old State Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 98.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.2 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Old State Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Old State Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles: 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at South Congaree, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From South Congaree, SC
More trips to South Congaree, SC
Explore more options from Goose Creek, SC or browse trips ending in South Congaree, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.