Mount Pleasant, SC to Saxon, SC is 207.8 miles and takes about 3h 54m via I 26 and Mark Clark Expressway, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. With nearly all of your driving on highways, it's a straightforward trip that should feel familiar to anyone who has driven in the US before. Plan for a smooth ride that gets you to your destination efficiently.
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
103.9 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
189.4 mi
3h 26m
Mark Clark Expressway
12 mi
14m
Powell Mill Road
1.5 mi
3m
Chuck Dawley Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
Rivers Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
W O Ezell Boulevard
0.9 mi
1m
Front Street
0.4 mi
1m
Coleman Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 189.4 mi, about 3h 26m
Traffic on I-26
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 83 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,500 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,009
Quietest
2 AM
~197 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Saxon, 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 right at fork onto I 26
31 mi·32 min·I 26
Toward SpartanburgUse the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 21BToward US 29 North: Downtown, SpartanburgUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 29
0.9 mi·1 min·W O Ezell Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto Powell Mill Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Powell Mill Road
14
Turn left onto Front Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Front Street
15
Arrive at destination
Front Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 54-minute drive, you can easily complete it in a single day, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid rush hour. The longest stretch without a major road change is 189.4 miles on I 26, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. Given the relatively short duration and highway focus, you have flexibility; however, keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the Charleston area, especially if leaving during peak commuting times. Your estimated fuel cost is around $35.
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 103.9 miles from Mount Pleasant, SC, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 189.4 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 103.9 miles or 1h 57m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saxon, 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 207.8 miles and 3h 54m.
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 189.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 204.7 — 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
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
174 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|I 26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Spartanburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Spartanburg
8
204.7 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 29 North: Downtown, Spartanburg
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 21B
Toward US 29 North: Downtown, Spartanburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.68 one way
$61.36 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$33.71
$67.43
premium
$4.49
$36.75
$73.50
diesel
$4.80
$39.24
$78.47
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: 72.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.3
0
$21.82
$9.97
Efficient EV
52
0
$18.18
$8.31
EV Truck/SUV
83.1
1
$29.09
$13.30
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Mount Pleasant, SC
Morning
in Mount Pleasant on Sunday
Local time
7:05 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 8:48PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 8:26PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Destination
Saxon, SC
Morning
in Saxon on Sunday
Local time
7:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
WSW 3 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 8:48PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 8:26PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
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 54m 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 93.1
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 207.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly highway driving, with 97% of the 207.8 miles on major roads like I 26 and the Mark Clark Expressway. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 189.4 miles on I 26 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate this primarily high-speed environment.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 189.4 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Mark Clark Expressway. You will hit about 12 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 Effort5/10
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 207.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 15.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
858 ft21 ft
Total Climb
894 ft
Total Descent
57 ft
Highest Point
858 ft
~207.8 mi in
Elevation Range
837 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 Saxon, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Spartanburg 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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 207.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m 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 189.4 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.
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 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, Congaree National Park and Cowpens National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Saxon, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
