Traveling from Mount Pleasant to Saint Andrews covers 120.4 miles across South Carolina, typically taking about 2 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel. This direct journey is designed as a single-day trip, making it an efficient option if you need to transit between these two locations without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $19 on fuel for the trek, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Because the route is entirely contained within the Southeast, you will notice a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. It is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that prioritizes speed and reliability over scenic detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.2 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
104 mi
1h 53m
Mark Clark Expressway
12 mi
14m
Chuck Dawley Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
Rivers Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
Saint Andrews Road
0.7 mi
1m
Broad River Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Whiteford Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Coleman Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 104 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pleasant, SC and Saint Andrews, 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
104 mi·1 hr 53 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 106BToward Saint Andrews Road EastUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto Saint Andrews Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint Andrews Road
12
Turn right onto US 176
0.1 mi·19 sec·Broad River Road
13
Turn left onto Whiteford Road
276 ft·12 sec·Whiteford Road
14
Arrive at destination
Whiteford Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak traffic hours. Although the drive takes just over two hours, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto I-26 is a smart move to ensure you don't need to make unnecessary stops. Because the route is continuous and lacks planned stops, consider packing refreshments in the car so you can stay focused on the road. If you are sensitive to interstate congestion, aim to leave mid-morning or early afternoon to keep your drive time closer to the estimated 2 hours and 16 minutes. Prioritize getting comfortable before that long 104-mile stretch on I-26, as it will be your main thoroughfare for the majority of the trip.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60.2 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.2 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Andrews, 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 120.4 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 104 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 119.3 — 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
4
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in|I 526 / Mark Clark Expressway
Turn straight onto I 526 / Mark Clark Expressway toward North Charleston
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward North Charleston
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
5
15.3 mi into trip|~20m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
119.3 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward Saint Andrews Road East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 106B
Toward Saint Andrews Road East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.83 one way
$37.66 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.59
$41.17
premium
$4.70
$22.28
$44.57
diesel
$5.61
$26.58
$53.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.1
0
$12.64
$5.78
Efficient EV
30.1
0
$10.54
$4.82
EV Truck/SUV
48.2
0
$16.86
$7.71
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 20, 2026
Origin
Mount Pleasant, SC
Late night
in Mount Pleasant on Tuesday
Local time
4:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Andrews, SC
Late night
in Saint Andrews on Tuesday
Local time
4:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
87°F
Holly Hill, SC
60 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
8 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 16m 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.
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 95.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 96% of this route consists of highway driving. You will navigate via the Mark Clark Expressway and Chuck Dawley Boulevard before settling into the primary leg of the trip. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 104-mile stretch along I-26, which serves as the backbone of your travel. This interstate-heavy profile means the drive is characterized by steady pacing rather than technical turns or winding local roads. Be prepared for a consistent flow of traffic as you transition from the coastal area toward Saint Andrews.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Mark Clark Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 16m drive. You will face about 10 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 (SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 526 / Mark Clark Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
The longest stretch is about 104 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 (SC 703 / Coleman Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 526 / Mark Clark Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Saint Andrews, SC before heading back.
