Port Royal, SC to Goose Creek, SC is 82.1 miles and takes about 1h 53m via US 17, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a highway-focused journey, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. The relatively short distance and direct route mean you won't spend excessive time on the road, leaving ample opportunity for other activities upon arrival.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.1 miles from Port Royal, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
43 mi
56m
Trask Parkway
11.6 mi
14m
Parris Island Gateway
5.5 mi
8m
Mark Clark Expressway
4.9 mi
5m
I 26
3.2 mi
4m
Bees Ferry Road
2.8 mi
4m
Glenn McConnell Parkway
2.5 mi
3m
Ribaut Road
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 43 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Royal, SC and Goose Creek, 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
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto US 17
43 mi·56 min·US 17
8
Turn left onto S-10-57
2.8 mi·4 min·Bees Ferry Road
9
Turn right onto SC 461
2.5 mi·3 min·Glenn McConnell Parkway
10
Continue on SC 461
0.5 mi·47 sec·Paul Cantrell Boulevard
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
12
Merge onto I 526
4.9 mi·5 min·Mark Clark Expressway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 17Toward I 26: Charleston, ColumbiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17Toward I 26 West: ColumbiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 26
3.2 mi·4 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 209B-AToward US 52: Ashley Phosphate Road, Goose Creek, Moncks CornerUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks CornerUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·55 sec
Exit 209AToward US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks CornerUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·43 sec
Toward Moncks Corner KingstreeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 52; US 78
442 ft·8 sec·Rivers Avenue
21
Continue on US 52; US 78
1.0 mi·1 min·Goose Creek Boulevard North
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
23
Turn straight onto Goose Creek Road
0.5 mi·53 sec·Goose Creek Road
24
Continue on Old State Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·Old State Road
25
Continue on Old State Road
237 ft·14 sec·Old State Road
Use the left lane.
26
Turn left onto The Oaks Avenue
38 ft·1 sec·The Oaks Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
The Oaks Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 53m duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops, though it's always wise to start with a full tank. The longest stretch on US 17 is 43 miles, so plan for a brief rest stop before or after this segment if needed.
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 41.1 miles from Port Royal, SC, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.1 miles or 55m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Goose Creek, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Port Royal, SC
This is one driving day of about 82.1 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Port Royal, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 17 for about 43 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 73.7 and 78.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
73.7 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 26: Charleston, Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17
Toward I 26: Charleston, Columbia
8
73.9 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 26 West: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17
Toward I 26 West: Columbia
8
77.8 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Take the exit toward US 52: Ashley Phosphate Road, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209B-A
Toward US 52: Ashley Phosphate Road, Goose Cree...
8
78.1 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks Corner
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks Corner
9
78.6 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks Corner
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209A
Toward US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks Corner
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.84 one way
$25.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$14.04
$28.08
premium
$4.70
$15.19
$30.39
diesel
$5.61
$18.13
$36.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.6
0
$8.62
$3.94
Efficient EV
20.5
0
$7.18
$3.28
EV Truck/SUV
32.8
0
$11.49
$5.25
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Port Royal, SC
Late night
in Port Royal on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Goose Creek, SC
Late night
in Goose Creek on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
1h 53m 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.
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...
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$10
near mile 70.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 79% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US 17, including a continuous stretch of 43 miles. The Parris Island Gateway and Trask Parkway also contribute to the highway feel. Expect a generally consistent driving experience, prioritizing efficiency over winding backroads.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43 mi on US 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Trask Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 73.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 73.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Goose Creek, SC, road signs point toward Columbia and Moncks Corner.
Columbia
73.7 mi in|~1h 39m
Moncks Corner
77.8 mi in|~1h 45m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 82.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43 miles on US 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Goose Creek, SC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 73.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical 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 Goose Creek, SC before heading back.
