Traveling from Hartsville to Spartanburg covers 138.3 miles across the Southeast, making this a manageable journey that fits perfectly into a single day. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 59 minutes behind the wheel, allowing for a straightforward transition between these two South Carolina hubs. With a fuel budget of approximately $22, this trip is quite economical for solo travelers or small groups. While the route is simple enough to complete in one go, planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the drive. Overall, this mixed-drive route offers a reliable way to navigate the state without the stress of an overnight stay.
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
69.1 miles from Hartsville, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lancaster Highway
19.9 mi
25m
US 601
19.3 mi
21m
Pine Avenue
18.2 mi
20m
US 321
14.6 mi
16m
Jonesville Lockhart Highway
13.8 mi
16m
State Highway 151
9.7 mi
11m
South Pine Street
7 mi
10m
Furman L Fendley Highway
5.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Lancaster Highway
— 19.9 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hartsville, SC and Spartanburg, SC.
1
Start on US 15 Business
64 ft·9 sec·South 5th Street
2
Turn left onto SC 151 Business
1.6 mi·3 min·West Carolina Avenue
3
Enter roundabout onto SC 151BU
192 ft·4 sec·West Carolina Avenue
4
Continue on SC 151BU
1.7 mi·3 min·West Carolina Avenue
5
Continue on West Carolina Avenue
0.1 mi·14 sec·West Carolina Avenue
6
Merge onto SC 151
5.0 mi·7 min·West Bobo Newsome Highway
7
Continue on SC 151
4.9 mi·5 min·State Highway 151
8
Continue on SC 151
18 mi·20 min·Pine Avenue
9
Continue on SC 151
4.8 mi·5 min·State Highway 151
10
Turn left onto SC 151 Business
451 ft·14 sec·Pearl Street
11
Turn left onto Tory Road
2.0 mi·4 min·Tory Road
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 601; SC 9
19 mi·21 min·US 601; SC 9
13
Take the exit onto SC 9
0.3 mi·42 sec·SC 9
14
Merge onto US 521; SC 9
4.7 mi·6 min·Lancaster Bypass
15
Continue on SC 9
4.0 mi·4 min·Chester Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto SC 9
20 mi·25 min·Lancaster Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto SC 9; SC 72; SC 121; SC 97
3.9 mi·4 min·J A Cochran Bypass
18
Continue on US 321; SC 9
15 mi·16 min·US 321; SC 9
19
Continue on SC 9; SC 49
0.1 mi·15 sec·SC 9; SC 49
20
Continue on SC 9, SC 49
14 mi·16 min·Jonesville Lockhart Highway
21
Merge onto SC 9; SC 18
0.6 mi·41 sec·Jonesville Highway
22
Continue on SC 9; SC 18
0.6 mi·40 sec·South Main Street
23
Turn left onto S-44-12
1.1 mi·2 min·Forest Street
24
Turn right onto US 176
5.3 mi·7 min·Furman L Fendley Highway
25
Continue on US 176
2.4 mi·3 min·Highway 176 Bypass
26
Continue on US 176
7.0 mi·10 min·South Pine Street
27
Turn left onto Forest Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·Forest Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto SC 56
1.3 mi·2 min·Union Street
29
Turn left onto SC 56
0.4 mi·1 min·East Henry Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
30
Turn right onto US 221; SC 56
0.2 mi·41 sec·South Church Street
31
Arrive at destination
US 221; SC 56
Trip Plan
Since this 138.3-mile trip is well-suited for a single day, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. Aiming to leave during off-peak hours will help you maintain your estimated 2-hour and 59-minute transit time. Because you only have one planned stop, utilize it wisely to refuel or stretch your legs, especially since you’ll be spending about $22 on gas total. Keep a close eye on your navigation when moving between Lancaster Highway, US 601, and Pine Avenue to ensure you stay on track through the transitions. Prioritizing a steady pace will make the drive feel shorter and much more relaxed.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.1 miles from Hartsville, SC, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.9 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 30 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.1 miles or 1h 28m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spartanburg, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hartsville, 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 Hartsville, SC
This is one driving day of about 138.3 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Hartsville, 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 Lancaster Highway for about 19.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 136.2 — 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|SC 151 Business / West Carolina Avenue
Turn left onto SC 151 Business / West Carolina Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|SC 151BU / West Carolina Avenue
Enter roundabout onto SC 151BU / West Carolina Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
38.5 mi into trip|~52m in|US 601; SC 9
At end of road, turn left onto US 601; SC 9
Navigation decision point
6
66.9 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|SC 9 / Lancaster Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto SC 9 / Lancaster Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
136.2 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|Forest Avenue
Turn left onto Forest Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.63 one way
$43.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$23.65
$47.29
premium
$4.70
$25.60
$51.19
diesel
$5.61
$30.53
$61.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.5
0
$14.52
$6.64
Efficient EV
34.6
0
$12.10
$5.53
EV Truck/SUV
55.3
0
$19.36
$8.85
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hartsville, SC
Morning
in Hartsville on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spartanburg, SC
Morning
in Spartanburg on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
87°F
Chester, SC
69 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
11 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
2h 59m 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.
Cowpens National Battlefield
National Battlefield
A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic mili...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 138.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience that shifts between different types of infrastructure as you head toward Spartanburg. The journey relies on a blend of Lancaster Highway, US 601, and Pine Avenue, resulting in a route where only 34% of the path is on highways. You will navigate a mix of local roads and faster stretches, with the longest uninterrupted segment spanning 19.9 miles on Lancaster Highway. This creates a balanced pace that avoids the monotony of a purely interstate commute. By combining these different road types, the trip keeps you engaged while transitioning through the regional landscape.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 19.9 mi on Lancaster Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 151 Business / West Carolina Avenue.
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 138.3 miles you will encounter 17 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: near the start (SC 151 Business / West Carolina Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (SC 151BU / West Carolina Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 38.5 miles (US 601; SC 9): Navigation decision point.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 138.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 19.9 miles on Lancaster Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Spartanburg, 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 (SC 151 Business / West Carolina Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (SC 151BU / West Carolina Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 38.5 miles (US 601; SC 9): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Cowpens National Battlefield. 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 Spartanburg, SC before heading back.
