Traveling from Ridgeland to Summerville is a straightforward 68.5-mile journey across the South Carolina Lowcountry. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 32 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budget roughly $11 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Because both towns are located within the Southeast region, the trip feels like a cohesive local transition rather than a cross-country trek. You will primarily utilize US 17 and US 17 Alt, eventually transitioning onto South Main Street as you near your destination. It is a practical, efficient route that keeps you moving toward your goal without the need for complex detours or multi-day planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.2 miles from Ridgeland, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
30.7 mi
33m
US 17 Alt
26.2 mi
38m
South Main Street
4.2 mi
7m
Sniders Highway
3.2 mi
6m
North Jacob Smart Boulevard
1.7 mi
2m
Hampton Street
1.2 mi
2m
Robertson Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 30.7 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ridgeland, SC and Summerville, SC.
1
Start on US 17; US 278
1.7 mi·2 min·North Jacob Smart Boulevard
2
Take the ramp onto US 17
31 mi·33 min·US 17
Toward I 95 North, US 17: Florence
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward SC 63: Walterboro
4
Turn straight onto SC 63
3.2 mi·6 min·Sniders Highway
5
Turn right onto SC 63
1.2 mi·2 min·Hampton Street
6
Turn left onto SC 64
0.8 mi·1 min·Robertson Boulevard
7
Turn right onto US 17 Alt
26 mi·38 min·US 17 Alt
8
Turn left onto US 17 Alt
3.0 mi·4 min·South Main Street
9
Continue on US 17 Alternate
1.2 mi·3 min·South Main Street
10
Turn right
163 ft·11 sec
11
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on US 17 is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any formal stops given the manageable 1 hour and 32-minute duration, but it is always good practice to ensure you have a full tank of gas before heading out. Keep in mind that since 83% of your route is highway-based, your fuel efficiency will likely remain consistent throughout the 68.5-mile trip. As you transition from the highway onto South Main Street, be prepared for a change in speed and road density. Use your travel time to enjoy the ease of a direct, single-day route that gets you from point A to point B without any unnecessary complexity.
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 34.2 miles from Ridgeland, SC, or about 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.7 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 15 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.2 miles or 39m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Summerville, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ridgeland, SC
This is one driving day of about 68.5 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Ridgeland, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 17 for about 30.7 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 64.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.7 mi into trip|~2m in|US 17
Take the ramp onto US 17 toward I 95 North, US 17: Florence
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, US 17: Florence
4
32.4 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward SC 63: Walterboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward SC 63: Walterboro
4
36 mi into trip|~42m in|SC 63 / Hampton Street
Turn right onto SC 63 / Hampton Street
Navigation decision point
3
37.2 mi into trip|~44m in|SC 64 / Robertson Boulevard
Turn left onto SC 64 / Robertson Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
64.2 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|US 17 Alt / South Main Street
Turn left onto US 17 Alt / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.71 one way
$21.42 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$11.71
$23.42
premium
$4.70
$12.68
$25.36
diesel
$5.61
$15.12
$30.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.6
0
$7.19
$3.29
Efficient EV
17.1
0
$5.99
$2.74
EV Truck/SUV
27.4
0
$9.59
$4.38
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Ridgeland, SC
Late night
in Ridgeland on Tuesday
Local time
4:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Summerville, SC
Late night
in Summerville on Tuesday
Local time
4:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph0% 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 32m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive relies on major thoroughfares for 83% of the trip, ensuring a consistent pace throughout your transit. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 17, which features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 30.7 miles. The road’s personality is defined by these fast, open highway segments that gradually give way to local roads as you approach Summerville. Because you are spending the vast majority of your time on highways, the drive is functional and predictable. Expect to maintain steady speeds, allowing you to settle into a rhythm before transitioning to the final local streets of your journey.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.7 mi on US 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and US 17 Alt. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near US 17.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Ridgeland, SC to Summerville, SC is easy. At 1h 32m with 83% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (US 17): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 36 miles (SC 63 / Hampton Street): Navigation decision point.
The longest stretch is about 30.7 miles on US 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1.7 miles (US 17): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 36 miles (SC 63 / Hampton Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Summerville, SC before heading back.
