Mount Pleasant to Five Forks is 210.2 miles and takes about 3h 58m via I 26 and I 385, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. You'll find it's a mostly highway route, making for efficient travel. With a drive time under four hours, it’s well-suited for a single-day excursion, offering a straightforward path between these two locations.
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
105.1 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
158.7 mi
2h 53m
I 385
29.6 mi
32m
Mark Clark Expressway
12 mi
14m
Adams Mill Road
2.8 mi
5m
Highway 14
1.5 mi
2m
Chuck Dawley Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
Golden Strip Freeway
1.2 mi
1m
Rivers Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 158.7 mi, about 2h 53m
Traffic on I-26
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 71 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,735 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,276
Quietest
2 AM
~221 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Mount Pleasant, SC and Five Forks, SC.
1
Start on this road
76 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto SC 703
237 ft·9 sec·Coleman Boulevard
3
Turn left onto I 526 Bus
1.3 mi·2 min·Chuck Dawley Boulevard
4
Turn straight onto I 526
12 mi·14 min·Mark Clark Expressway
Toward North CharlestonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 18BToward US 52 West, US 78 West: Rivers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
6
Turn slight right onto US 52; US 78
1.1 mi·1 min·Rivers Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn straight
0.1 mi·20 sec
8
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward I 26 North: Columbia
9
Merge onto I 26
159 mi·2 hr 53 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385
30 mi·32 min·I 385
Exit 51Toward I 385 North: Laurens, GreenvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385
1.2 mi·1 min·Golden Strip Freeway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 31Toward SC 417: Laurens RoadUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto SC 417
0.8 mi·1 min·Northeast Main Street
14
Turn left onto SC 14
1.5 mi·2 min·Highway 14
15
Turn right onto Adams Mill Road
2.8 mi·5 min·Adams Mill Road
16
Turn left onto Scuffletown Road
324 ft·11 sec·Scuffletown Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn slight left
203 ft·20 sec
18
At end of road, turn left
164 ft·12 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 58m estimated drive time, leaving Mount Pleasant in the morning allows ample time to reach Five Forks well before evening. With a total distance of 210.2 miles, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day without needing an overnight stay. The longest stretch is 158.7 miles on I 26, so plan for a fuel stop before or during that segment to stay within your $35 budget. There's only one indicated stop, suggesting minimal need for extended breaks, but always be mindful of traffic as you approach the Columbia and Greenville areas.
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 105.1 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.7 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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.1 miles or 1h 58m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Five Forks, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, SC
This is one driving day of about 210.2 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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 158.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 210.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard
Turn right onto SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard
Navigation decision point
8
13.3 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward US 52 West, US 78 West: Rivers Avenue
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 18B
Toward US 52 West, US 78 West: Rivers Avenue
9
174 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
7
204.8 mi into trip|~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward SC 417: Laurens Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 31
Toward SC 417: Laurens Road
6
210.1 mi into trip|~3h 58m in
At end of road, turn left
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.03 one way
$62.07 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$34.10
$68.21
premium
$4.49
$37.17
$74.35
diesel
$4.80
$39.69
$79.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.1
0
$22.07
$10.09
Efficient EV
52.6
0
$18.39
$8.41
EV Truck/SUV
84.1
1
$29.43
$13.45
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Mount Pleasant, SC
Late night
in Mount Pleasant on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Clear
SW 10 to 15 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 8:05PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 8:04PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Five Forks, SC
Late night
in Five Forks on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
WSW 2 to 6 mph34% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 8:05PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 8:04PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 58m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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 94.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with 97% of the 210.2 miles being on major roads like I 26 and I 385. You'll experience a long stretch of 158.7 miles on I 26, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. Expect to see a high density of exits and merges as you navigate these interstates. The transition to surface roads will occur near the end of your trip, closer to Five Forks.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.7 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 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard.
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 210.2 miles you will encounter 16 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 703 / Coleman Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174 miles (I 385): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
874 ft21 ft
Total Climb
903 ft
Total Descent
49 ft
Highest Point
874 ft
~210.2 mi in
Elevation Range
854 ft
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 Mount Pleasant, SC to Five Forks, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Greenville along the way.
Mount Pleasant is a large town in the Greater Charleston region of South Carolina. The population of the town has exploded, making it a very popular bedroom community of the city of Charleston.
Top landmarks
•USS Yorktown — 1943 Essex-class aircraft carrier
•USS Laffey — 1943 Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer
•Charles Pinckney National Historic Site — human settlement in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, United States of America
Five Forks is a community and major suburb of the city of Greenville in the Upcountry of South Carolina. Five Forks is southeast of Greenville with a population of around 15,000.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 210.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.7 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 Five Forks, 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174 miles (I 385): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Five Forks, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
