Hanahan, SC to Anderson, SC is 215.7 miles and takes about 4h 12m via I 26 and I 385, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day excursion. Expect a smooth ride with minimal fuss, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground 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
107.9 miles from Hanahan, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
155.8 mi
2h 49m
I 385
22.9 mi
24m
Highway 418
9.9 mi
14m
Cooley Bridge Road
5.6 mi
8m
Belton Highway
4.7 mi
6m
East River Street
3.6 mi
5m
Highway 247
3.6 mi
4m
Anderson Street
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 155.8 mi, about 2h 49m
Traffic on I-26
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 142 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,705 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,369
Quietest
2 AM
~220 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hanahan, SC and Anderson, SC.
1
Start on S-10-405
0.3 mi·49 sec·Murray Drive
2
Turn slight right
181 ft·6 sec
3
Turn slight right onto US 52; US 78
1.7 mi·2 min·Rivers Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto S-10-75
0.4 mi·43 sec·Ashley Phosphate Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 26 West: ColumbiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 26
156 mi·2 hr 49 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385
23 mi·24 min·I 385
Exit 51Toward I 385 North: Laurens, GreenvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward SC 418: Fountain Inn, Pelzer
10
Turn left onto SC 418
0.4 mi·42 sec·McCarter Road
11
Continue on SC 418
1.3 mi·2 min·Milacron Drive
12
Continue on SC 418
9.9 mi·14 min·Highway 418
13
Turn left onto US 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·Augusta Road
14
Turn right onto SC 247
5.6 mi·8 min·Cooley Bridge Road
15
Continue on SC 247
3.6 mi·4 min·Highway 247
16
Continue on SC 247
1.3 mi·2 min·River Street
17
Turn left onto SC 20
374 ft·12 sec·North Main Street
18
Turn right onto US 76; US 178; SC 20
2.3 mi·3 min·Anderson Street
19
Continue on US 76; US 178
4.7 mi·6 min·Belton Highway
20
Continue on US 76; US 178
3.6 mi·5 min·East River Street
21
Turn right onto South Fant Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·South Fant Street
22
Turn left onto East Whitner Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·East Whitner Street
23
Arrive at destination
East Whitner Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 12m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet, allowing ample daylight to complete the 215.7 miles. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility; consider breaking up the 155.8-mile stretch on I 26 around the halfway point for a quick stretch. The fuel cost is estimated at $33, so ensure your tank is full before departing Hanahan. Pay attention to exit signs as you approach your destination, as the final approach involves a switch from interstate to Highway 418.
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 107.9 miles from Hanahan, SC, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.8 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.9 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anderson, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hanahan, 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 Hanahan, SC
This is one driving day of about 215.7 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Hanahan, 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 155.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 159.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.1 mi into trip|~3m in|S-10-75 / Ashley Phosphate Road
Turn left onto S-10-75 / Ashley Phosphate Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.4 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
2.9 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 26 West: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 26 West: Columbia
5
3.4 mi into trip|~6m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
159.2 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
$34.27 one way
$68.53 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$37.37
$74.73
premium
$4.78
$40.59
$81.18
diesel
$6.18
$52.47
$104.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.7
0
$22.65
$10.35
Efficient EV
53.9
0
$18.87
$8.63
EV Truck/SUV
86.3
1
$30.20
$13.80
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Hanahan, SC
Morning
in Hanahan on Tuesday
Local time
8:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
N 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 2:20AM EDT until October 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:15AM EDT until October 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Destination
Anderson, SC
Morning
in Anderson on Tuesday
Local time
8:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
NE 7 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued October 19 at 2:20AM EDT until October 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:15AM EDT until October 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
71°F
Rock Hill, SC
108 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
1 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
4h 12m 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.
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 74.4
Caution: Being Prepared for Excessive Heat & Humidity
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 89% of the 215.7 miles on interstates. You'll spend most of your time on I 26, which forms the longest stretch of continuous road at 155.8 miles. After that, you'll transition to I 385 and Highway 418. Keep an eye out for the dense exit patterns as you navigate these interstate sections, particularly around major junctions.
89% 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: 155.8 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 385. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near S-10-75 / Ashley Phosphate Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 215.7 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (S-10-75 / Ashley Phosphate Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
797 ft38 ft
Total Climb
1,084 ft
Total Descent
330 ft
Highest Point
797 ft
~185.6 mi in
Elevation Range
759 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hanahan, SC and Anderson, SC, road signs point toward Greenville and Pelzer.
Anderson is a county and city in the Upcountry of South Carolina.
The city of Anderson had a population of 27,545 in 2016 with an urban area population of 75,702. Anderson County had a population of 194,692 in 2016. The city of Anderson serves as one of the three primary cities in the Upcountry of South Carolina, the others being Spartanburg and Greenville.
Top landmarks
•Anderson Downtown Historic District — historic district in Anderson, South Carolina
•Anderson Historic District — historic district in Anderson, South Carolina
•North Anderson Historic District — historic district in Anderson, South Carolina
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 215.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 155.8 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.
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, 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. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (S-10-75 / Ashley Phosphate Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Anderson, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
