Spanning 244.1 miles across South Carolina, this journey from Ridgeland to the Anderson County Airport typically takes about 4 hours and 42 minutes. Because the trip is straightforward and primarily highway-focused, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $39 on fuel, making this a relatively budget-friendly transit across the state. You will traverse the Southeast region using a combination of US 17, I-26, and I-385. Whether you are traveling for business or heading to the airport for a flight, this route offers a predictable and efficient way to cross the state from the Lowcountry toward the Upstate.
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
122.1 miles from Ridgeland, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
116.6 mi
2h 6m
US 17
63.2 mi
1h 7m
I 385
22.9 mi
24m
Highway 418
9.9 mi
14m
Cooley Bridge Road
5.6 mi
8m
Belton Highway
4.7 mi
6m
Highway 247
3.6 mi
4m
East River Street
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 116.6 mi, about 2h 6m
Traffic on I-26
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 43 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,073 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,675
Quietest
2 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Ridgeland, SC and Anderson County Airport, SC.
1
Start on US 17; US 278
1.7 mi·2 min·North Jacob Smart Boulevard
2
Take the ramp onto US 17
63 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 17
Toward I 95 North, US 17: Florence
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 26 West: Columbia
4
Merge onto I 26
117 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
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.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward SC 418: Fountain Inn, Pelzer
7
Turn left onto SC 418
0.4 mi·42 sec·McCarter Road
8
Continue on SC 418
1.3 mi·2 min·Milacron Drive
9
Continue on SC 418
9.9 mi·14 min·Highway 418
10
Turn left onto US 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·Augusta Road
11
Turn right onto SC 247
5.6 mi·8 min·Cooley Bridge Road
12
Continue on SC 247
3.6 mi·4 min·Highway 247
13
Continue on SC 247
1.3 mi·2 min·River Street
14
Turn left onto SC 20
374 ft·12 sec·North Main Street
15
Turn right onto US 76; US 178; SC 20
2.3 mi·3 min·Anderson Street
16
Continue on US 76; US 178
4.7 mi·6 min·Belton Highway
17
Continue on US 76; US 178
2.6 mi·3 min·East River Street
18
Turn left onto US 29
2.0 mi·2 min·East Shockley Ferry Road
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 29
468 ft·10 sec·South Murray Avenue
20
Turn right onto SC 28
0.5 mi·34 sec·Pearman Dairy Road
21
Continue on SC 28
2.2 mi·2 min·Highway 28 Bypass
22
Turn left onto SC 24
1.0 mi·1 min·West Whitner Street
23
Continue on SC 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Highway 24
24
Turn left onto Airport Road
0.4 mi·59 sec·Airport Road
25
Continue on South Warner Road
0.4 mi·58 sec·South Warner Road
26
Turn sharp left onto Airport Road
55 ft·7 sec·Airport Road
27
Turn right
293 ft·21 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a fairly long haul for a single day, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion near major interchanges. You only need to plan for one major stop to refuel and stretch your legs, which fits perfectly into the 4-hour and 42-minute timeframe. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long 116.6-mile stretch on I-26, as spacing between services can vary. By keeping your pace steady, you can maintain your $39 fuel estimate without unnecessary idling. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; since the route is primarily interstate, you can easily adjust your departure time to bypass peak rush hour periods if needed.
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 122.1 miles from Ridgeland, SC, or about 2h 13m 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 54 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.1 miles or 2h 13m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anderson County Airport, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, SC
This is one driving day of about 244.1 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Ridgeland, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 65.3 and 244.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
65.3 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
181.9 mi into trip|~3h 18m 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
204.7 mi into trip|~3h 43m 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
244.1 mi into trip|~4h 42m in|Airport Road
Turn sharp left onto Airport Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
244.1 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.04 one way
$72.08 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$39.60
$79.21
premium
$4.49
$43.17
$86.34
diesel
$4.80
$46.09
$92.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.2
0
$25.63
$11.72
Efficient EV
61
0
$21.36
$9.76
EV Truck/SUV
97.6
1
$34.17
$15.62
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Jul 15, 2026
Origin
Ridgeland, SC
Late night
in Ridgeland on Sunday
Local time
1:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 1 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Anderson County Airport, SC
Late night
in Anderson County Airport on Sunday
Local time
1:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph6% chanceLive 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
3 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 42m 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.
Congaree National Park
National Park
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 101
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 90% of your travel occurring on major highways, this is a dedicated interstate-focused drive designed for efficiency rather than leisurely detours. You should prepare for a consistent pace as you navigate the transition from coastal plains toward the interior. The most significant segment of your journey is a 116.6-mile stretch on I-26, which serves as the backbone of your trip. While the road personality is largely defined by the steady rhythm of high-speed travel, the shift between I-26 and I-385 keeps the navigation relatively simple. Expect a functional, no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed and directness over technical or winding backroads.
90% 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?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and US 17. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 65.3 miles in near I 26.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 42m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 65.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.9 miles (I 385): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
835 ft116 ft
Total Climb
769 ft
Total Descent
128 ft
Highest Point
835 ft
~226.7 mi in
Elevation Range
719 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ridgeland, SC and Anderson County Airport, SC, road signs point toward Greenville and Pelzer.
The longest stretch is about 116.6 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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: at 65.3 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.9 miles (I 385): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Congaree National Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Anderson County Airport, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
