Traveling from the coast to the Upstate, this 254-mile journey across South Carolina connects Port Royal to Anderson in approximately 4 hours and 57 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stop. Budget about $41 for fuel to cover the distance, which primarily utilizes I-95, I-26, and I-385. Since both endpoints reside within the Southeast region, the trip offers a consistent look at the South Carolina landscape as you move inland. Whether you are headed for business or a weekend getaway, this itinerary provides a reliable path across the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
127 miles from Port Royal, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
116.6 mi
2h 6m
I 95
52.4 mi
56m
I 385
22.9 mi
24m
Trask Parkway
12 mi
14m
Highway 418
9.9 mi
14m
US 21
6.9 mi
8m
Cooley Bridge Road
5.6 mi
8m
Parris Island Gateway
5.5 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 116.6 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Royal, SC and Anderson, SC.
1
Start on Paris Avenue
0.4 mi·48 sec·Paris Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 21
1.1 mi·1 min·Ribaut Road
3
Continue on US 21
0.6 mi·1 min·Russell Bell Bridge
4
Continue on US 21
5.5 mi·8 min·Parris Island Gateway
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 21
12 mi·14 min·Trask Parkway
6
Enter roundabout onto US 21
221 ft·3 sec·US 21
7
Continue on US 21
6.8 mi·8 min·US 21
8
Continue on US 17
1.4 mi·1 min·Kings Highway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95 North: Florence
10
Merge onto I 95
52 mi·56 min·I 95
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 26 West: Columbia
12
Merge onto I 26
117 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385
23 mi·24 min·I 385
Exit 51Toward I 385 North: Laurens, GreenvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward SC 418: Fountain Inn, Pelzer
15
Turn left onto SC 418
0.4 mi·42 sec·McCarter Road
16
Continue on SC 418
1.3 mi·2 min·Milacron Drive
17
Continue on SC 418
9.9 mi·14 min·Highway 418
18
Turn left onto US 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·Augusta Road
19
Turn right onto SC 247
5.6 mi·8 min·Cooley Bridge Road
20
Continue on SC 247
3.6 mi·4 min·Highway 247
21
Continue on SC 247
1.3 mi·2 min·River Street
22
Turn left onto SC 20
374 ft·12 sec·North Main Street
23
Turn right onto US 76; US 178; SC 20
2.3 mi·3 min·Anderson Street
24
Continue on US 76; US 178
4.7 mi·6 min·Belton Highway
25
Continue on US 76; US 178
3.6 mi·5 min·East River Street
26
Turn right onto South Fant Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·South Fant Street
27
Turn left onto East Whitner Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·East Whitner Street
28
Arrive at destination
East Whitner Street
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim to complete the 254-mile trek in one go, as the itinerary only requires one planned stop to stay on schedule. Leaving early in the morning helps you avoid potential congestion on the main interstate arteries during peak afternoon hours. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey, and use your single designated stop to top off your tank to stay within your $41 fuel estimate. Since you are spending nearly five hours on the road, take advantage of the flexibility this route offers by choosing a rest area or service plaza along the I-26 corridor that best aligns with your personal fatigue levels.
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 127 miles from Port Royal, SC, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.6 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 56 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127 miles or 2h 25m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anderson, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Port Royal, 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 Port Royal, SC
This is one driving day of about 254 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Port Royal, 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 116.6 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 0.4 and 253.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|US 21 / Ribaut Road
Turn left onto US 21 / Ribaut Road
Navigation decision point
5
80.9 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
197.5 mi into trip|~3h 41m 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
5
220.4 mi into trip|~4h 6m in
Take the exit toward SC 418: Fountain Inn, Pelzer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SC 418: Fountain Inn, Pelzer
5
253.8 mi into trip|~4h 56m in|East Whitner Street
Turn left onto East Whitner Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.72 one way
$79.44 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$43.43
$86.86
premium
$4.70
$47.01
$94.02
diesel
$5.61
$56.08
$112.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.2
0
$26.67
$12.19
Efficient EV
63.5
0
$22.22
$10.16
EV Truck/SUV
101.6
1
$35.56
$16.26
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 12, 2026
Origin
Port Royal, SC
Night
in Port Royal on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
SE 1 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Anderson, SC
Night
in Anderson on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
75°F
Rock Hill, SC
127 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
4 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
4h 57m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Reconstruction era,1861-1900 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economi...
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 113.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 88% of your travel time will be spent on major interstates. You will settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel, navigating long stretches of pavement that prioritize efficiency over local meandering. The longest uninterrupted portion of the drive occurs on I-26, where you will cover 116.6 miles of roadway. While the route lacks the technical challenges of winding backroads, the transition from the coastal plains toward the interior creates a noticeable shift in the driving environment. Prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace that gets you from point A to point B with minimal deviation.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.6 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 21 / Ribaut Road.
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 254 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: at 0.4 miles (US 21 / Ribaut Road): Navigation decision point; at 80.9 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.5 miles (I 385): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
822 ft23 ft
Total Climb
807 ft
Total Descent
38 ft
Highest Point
822 ft
~217.7 mi in
Elevation Range
799 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Port Royal, SC and Anderson, SC, road signs point toward Greenville and Pelzer.
Greenville
197.5 mi in|~3h 41m|via I 385
Pelzer
220.4 mi in|~4h 6m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 254 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.6 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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: at 0.4 miles (US 21 / Ribaut Road): Navigation decision point; at 80.9 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.5 miles (I 385): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Anderson, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
