Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
135.8 mi
219 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lancaster Mill, SC
Sherry
Anderson County Airport, SC
Jimmy Liao
This 135.8-mile drive from Lancaster Mill, SC to Anderson County Airport, SC will take approximately 3 hours and 3 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate on I-385, Lancaster Highway, and Highway 72, with about 43% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $21. It's a mixed drive, offering a bit of variety as you travel within the Southeast region. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this journey without needing an overnight stay, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
67.9 miles from Lancaster Mill, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 385 | 22.9 mi | 24m |
| Lancaster Highway | 19.9 mi | 25m |
| Highway 72 | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| West End Road | 13.6 mi | 20m |
| Highway 418 | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| Carlisle Whitmire Highway | 8.7 mi | 12m |
| Cooley Bridge Road | 5.6 mi | 8m |
| Belton Highway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lancaster Mill, SC and Anderson County Airport, SC.
Start on Culp Lansford Road
At end of road, turn right onto Old Landsford Road
Turn right onto SC 914
Turn left onto SC 9 Business
Take the ramp onto SC 9 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto SC 9
Turn left onto SC 9; SC 72; SC 121; SC 97
Turn left onto SC 72; SC 121
Continue on SC 72; SC 121
Continue on SC 72; SC 121
Continue on SC 72; SC 121
Merge onto US 176
Continue on SC 72
Continue on SC 72
Take the exit
Merge onto I 26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385
Take the exit
Turn left onto SC 418
Continue on SC 418
Continue on SC 418
Turn left onto US 25
Turn right onto SC 247
Continue on SC 247
Continue on SC 247
Turn left onto SC 20
Turn right onto US 76; US 178; SC 20
Continue on US 76; US 178
Continue on US 76; US 178
Turn left onto US 29
At end of road, turn left onto US 29
Turn right onto SC 28
Continue on SC 28
Turn left onto SC 24
Continue on SC 24
Turn left onto Airport Road
Continue on South Warner Road
Turn sharp left onto Airport Road
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Given the 3-hour duration and 135.8-mile distance, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic, especially as you approach more populated areas. With only one recommended stop, you have ample flexibility to decide when and where to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, with an estimated cost of $21; plan to refuel before hitting the road if your tank is low. A specific tip for this route: be mindful of the transition between I-385 and Highway 72, as this can be a point where road conditions and speed limits change.
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.
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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.9 miles or 1h 32m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anderson County Airport, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lancaster Mill, 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 Lancaster Mill, SC
This is one driving day of about 135.8 miles and 3h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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.
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 67.9 miles from Lancaster Mill, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 96.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn right onto Old Landsford Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Keep slight left at fork onto SC 9 / Lancaster Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 176 / Whitmire Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward SC 418: Fountain Inn, Pelzer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$21.24 one way
$42.47 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $23.22 | $46.44 |
| premium | $4.70 | $25.13 | $50.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.98 | $59.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.7 | 0 | $14.26 | $6.52 |
| Efficient EV | 34 | 0 | $11.88 | $5.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.3 | 0 | $19.01 | $8.69 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Lancaster Mill on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Late night in Anderson County Airport on Sunday
Local time
12:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Clear
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a mixed driving experience on this 135.8-mile route. While 43% of your journey will be on highways, you'll also encounter other road types, including Lancaster Highway and Highway 72. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 22.9 miles on I-385, offering a period of consistent travel. This blend means you'll experience both faster-paced highway sections and potentially more varied local road conditions as you progress toward Anderson County. The overall feel is one of efficient travel with moments of different road environments.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Old Landsford Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 135.8 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 0.2 miles (Old Landsford Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 6.8 miles (SC 9 / Lancaster Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.4 miles (US 176 / Whitmire Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lancaster Mill, SC and Anderson County Airport, SC, road signs point toward Greenville and Pelzer.
Greenville
Pelzer
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 135.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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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