Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
46.8 mi
75 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Charleston, SC
Wikimedia Commons
South Santee, SC
Hilary Halliwell
North Charleston, SC to South Santee, SC is 46.8 miles and takes about 1h 4m via US 17, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a straightforward trip primarily on highway roads, making it a convenient option for a short excursion. With minimal driving time and a low fuel cost, this route offers an easy way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 42.2 mi | 56m |
| Meeting Street Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Carner Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Rivers Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between North Charleston, SC and South Santee, SC.
Start on US 52; US 78
Keep slight left at fork onto US 52
Continue on US 52
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 17
Continue on US 17
Continue on US 17
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.4 miles from North Charleston, 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.
3 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 4.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto US 52 / Carner Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the ramp toward US 17 North: Mount Pleasant
Navigation decision point
Merge onto US 17
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$7.32 one way
$14.64 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $8.00 | $16.00 |
| premium | $4.70 | $8.66 | $17.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.33 | $20.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14 | 0 | $4.91 | $2.25 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.55 | $3.00 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Morning in North Charleston on Tuesday
Local time
9:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in South Santee on Tuesday
Local time
9:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
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.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the journey taking place on major roads. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 42.2 miles on US 17, indicating a consistent pace for a significant portion of your trip. The route primarily utilizes US 17, Meeting Street Road, and Carner Avenue, suggesting a mix of highway speeds and potentially some more localized road sections as you approach your destination. The overall character is geared towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Meeting Street Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 52 / Carner Avenue.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from North Charleston, SC to South Santee, SC is easy. At 1h 4m with 90% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 52 / Carner Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 4.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 4.6 miles (US 17): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
North Charleston is in the Greater Charleston area. It is the third largest city in South Carolina with a lot of muscle in terms of commerce and consumerism.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 46.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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