Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Greenwood, SC to Summerville, 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 23m

Distance

158.6 mi

255 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

14 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 11m ★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in and the county seat of Greenwood County, South Carolina, United States

Greenwood, SC

Wikimedia Commons

town in South Carolina, United States

Summerville, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 158.6-mile drive from Greenwood, SC, to Summerville, SC, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend around 3 hours and 23 minutes on the road, with an estimated fuel cost of $25. The route primarily utilizes I-26, US-178, and Highway 378, offering a highway-focused experience for most of the trip. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is well-suited as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entire journey.

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

79.3 miles from Greenwood, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 26 87.3 mi 1h 34m
US 178 22 mi 32m
Highway 378 14.3 mi 20m
Travis Avenue 14.1 mi 21m
Augusta Road 6.9 mi 10m
Main Street North 3.2 mi 5m
Columbia Highway 3 mi 4m
Highway 25 South 2.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 26 — 87.3 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Greenwood, SC and Summerville, SC.

1

Start on SC 72 Business

171 ft · 7 sec · West Cambridge Avenue
2

Turn right onto Main Street North

496 ft · 13 sec · Main Street North
3

Turn slight right onto Beaudrot Avenue

281 ft · 15 sec · Beaudrot Avenue
4

Turn left onto US 25 Business; US 178 Business

426 ft · 7 sec · Ivy Hall Lane
5

Continue on US 25 Business; US 178 Business

3.1 mi · 4 min · Main Street North
6

Continue on US 25; US 178

2.8 mi · 3 min · Highway 25 South
7

Continue on US 25; US 178

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Warren Road
8

Turn left onto US 178

22 mi · 32 min · US 178
9

Continue on US 378

14 mi · 21 min · Travis Avenue
10

Enter roundabout onto US 378

357 ft · 12 sec · Columbia Highway
11

Continue on US 378

3.0 mi · 4 min · Columbia Highway
12

Continue on US 378

14 mi · 20 min · Highway 378
Use the straight lane.
13

Turn left onto US 1; US 378

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
14

Continue on US 1

1.5 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
15

Continue on US 1

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Augusta Road
16

Turn straight onto US 1

6.6 mi · 10 min · Augusta Road
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward Charleston
18

Merge onto I 26

87 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 199A Toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville Use the slight right lane.
20

Turn straight onto US 17 Alternate

2.0 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue

116 ft · 5 sec · East Richardson Avenue
Use the left lane.
22

Turn right

92 ft · 6 sec
23

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 3 hour and 23 minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Summerville. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace your journey. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 87.3 miles on I-26, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before embarking on this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25 for the 158.6 miles.

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 79.3 miles from Greenwood, SC, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.3 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 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 79.3 miles or 1h 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 2h 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Summerville, SC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Greenwood, 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 Greenwood, SC

This is one driving day of about 158.6 miles and 3h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Greenwood, 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 87.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown South Congaree, SC, SC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

South Congaree, SC

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

Newberry, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cayce, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79.3 miles from Greenwood, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Summerville, South Carolina

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 158.6

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18438214711

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Bittersweet Alchemy Coffee Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lexington, South Carolina

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 56.6

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 158.6

Summerville, South Carolina

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+18438214711

Visit website

The Hangar Provisions

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 56.6

Lexington, South Carolina

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18037852662

Visit website

Bittersweet Alchemy Coffee Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 56.6

Lexington, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Piecewise Coffee Co. - Cayce

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18037641044

Visit website

Waterfall Junction

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 68

West Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18037798717

Visit website

Riverbanks Botanical Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 68

West Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

The Final Door Escape Room Columbia

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 68

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+18036022433

Visit website

Saluda Riverwalk

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 68

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18033976556

Visit website

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 68

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18037798717

Visit website

Granby Gardens Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 68

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 68

West Columbia, South Carolina

+18037911880

Visit website

Audubon's Beidler Forest Sanctuary

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 136

Harleyville, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18434879988

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 158.6 — 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 | Main Street North

Turn right onto Main Street North

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 25 Business; US 178 Business / Ivy Hall Lane

Turn left onto US 25 Business; US 178 Business / Ivy Hall Lane

Navigation decision point

5
69 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
156.3 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in

Take the exit toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 199A Toward US 17 Alternate South: Summerville
5
158.6 mi into trip | ~3h 22m in | East Richardson Avenue

Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.80 one way

$49.60 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $27.12 $54.24
premium $4.70 $29.35 $58.71
diesel $5.61 $35.02 $70.03

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: 55.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

14 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Cracker Barrel - Tesla Supercharger

Orangeburg, SC

Tesla

16 DCFC

Lexington, SC - Tesla Supercharger

Lexington, SC

Tesla

12 DCFC

Cayce Crossing - Tesla Supercharger

Cayce, SC

Tesla

12 DCFC

Spinx - Tesla Supercharger

Greenwood, SC

Tesla

8 DCFC

Cracker Barrel - Tesla Supercharger

Columbia, SC

Tesla

8 DCFC

Spinx - Tesla Supercharger

Orangeburg, SC

Tesla

8 DCFC

Pilot Travel Center 338

Cayce, SC

eVgo Network

6 DCFC

Flying J 1068

Summerville, SC

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Tesla: 6 eVgo Network: 3 EV Connect: 2 AMPUP: 2 Non-Networked: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.6 0 $16.65 $7.61
Efficient EV 39.7 0 $13.88 $6.34
EV Truck/SUV 63.4 0 $22.20 $10.15

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (65% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Greenwood, SC

Late night in Greenwood on Sunday

Local time

12:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Summerville, SC

Late night in Summerville on Sunday

Local time

12:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

87°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

1 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 23m 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

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 ~29 min detour Free near mile 87.5
Caution: Burn Ban in Effect 4/17
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
View on nps.gov
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour $10 near mile 158.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 80% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter an 87.3-mile stretch on I-26, which forms the backbone of this journey. While the majority of the travel is on higher-speed roads, expect some transitions as you navigate between I-26, US-178, and Highway 378. The character of the drive will be characterized by efficient travel on these main arteries, making for a generally direct and uncomplicated trip.

80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.3 mi on I 26.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and US 178. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street North.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 25 Business; US 178 Business / Ivy Hall Lane): Navigation decision point; at 69 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.

On the drive from Greenwood, SC to Summerville, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.

Charleston

68.8 mi in | ~1h 43m

About the Cities

Starting in Greenwood, SC

Full guide →

Greenwood is the county seat of Greenwood County in Old 96 District.

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 3h 23m. Total distance: 158.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 87.3 miles on I 26. 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.

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: near the start (Main Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 25 Business; US 178 Business / Ivy Hall Lane): Navigation decision point; at 69 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Summerville, 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, 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

Explore More

Continue From Summerville, SC

Greer, SC 195.7 mi · 3h 40m Spartanburg, SC 181.6 mi · 3h 24m Abbeville, SC 172.2 mi · 3h 43m Van Wyck, SC 171.8 mi · 3h 13m

More from Greenwood, SC

Mount Pleasant, SC 183.8 mi · 3h 54m Charleston, SC 179.9 mi · 3h 49m North Charleston, SC 174 mi · 3h 41m Rock Hill, SC 74.4 mi · 1h 37m Spartanburg, SC 64 mi · 1h 23m

More trips to Summerville, SC

Walhalla, SC 234.3 mi Blacksburg, SC 196.5 mi Gaffney, SC 188.2 mi Clover, SC 185.3 mi Pacolet, SC 176.3 mi Lancaster, SC 151.9 mi
Escape planner: Greenwood, SC Scenic drives in SC

Explore more options from Greenwood, SC or browse trips ending in Summerville, SC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.