Origin
Shell Point, SC
Late night in Shell Point on Sunday
Local time
12:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shell Point, SC to Charleston, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 39m
Distance
70.9 mi
114 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 32m
★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shell Point, SC
Marc Puddy
Trip Overview
This 70.9-mile drive from Shell Point, SC, to Charleston, SC, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 39 minutes to complete. With a highway share of 91%, you'll spend most of your time on efficient main roads like US 17 and Trask Parkway. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $11, making it a budget-friendly option. Both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, so you'll be experiencing consistent regional characteristics throughout. This route is primarily highway-focused, designed for straightforward travel rather than extensive sightseeing stops, though its short duration allows for flexibility.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.4 miles from Shell Point, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 52.5 mi | 1h 13m |
| Trask Parkway | 11.6 mi | 14m |
| Parris Island Gateway | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Lockwood Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Broad Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 52.5 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shell Point, SC and Charleston, SC.
1
Start on US 21
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Parris Island Gateway
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 21
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Trask Parkway
3
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
4
Merge onto US 17
53 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
US 17
5
Take the exit
441 ft
·
12 sec
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
7
Turn straight onto Lockwood Drive
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Lockwood Drive
8
Continue on Broad Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Broad Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Arrive at destination
Broad Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 39 minute duration, this trip from Shell Point to Charleston is ideal for a spontaneous day trip. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps in the morning to maximize your time in Charleston, or in the afternoon to avoid peak traffic. With only 70.9 miles, there's no need to split the journey, and the $11 fuel cost is minimal. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Charleston, as gas stations can become less frequent on certain stretches of US 17 before reaching the city's services. This route is designed for direct travel, so plan any necessary stops before or after the main drive.
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 35.4 miles from Shell Point, SC, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.4 miles or 48m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shell Point, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Shell Point, SC
This is one driving day of about 70.9 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Shell Point, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 17 for about 52.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.4 miles from Shell Point, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 55 decision points cluster between mile 4.3 and 69 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
4.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 21 / Trask Parkway
At end of road, turn left onto US 21 / Trask Parkway
Navigation decision point
3
16 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
3
16.4 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 17
Merge onto US 17
Merge point - match speed before joining
3
69 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
69 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.09 one way
$22.17 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $12.12 | $24.25 |
| premium | $4.70 | $13.12 | $26.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.65 | $31.31 |
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: 24.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.44 | $3.40 |
| Efficient EV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.20 | $2.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.93 | $4.54 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Charleston, SC
Late night in Charleston on Sunday
Local time
12:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 39m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
$10
near mile 70.9
View on nps.gov
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with a substantial 91% of the route utilizing main roads. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 52.5 miles on US 17, offering a consistent pace. The drive progresses by taking you along Trask Parkway and Parris Island Gateway before merging onto US 17, indicating a transition from potentially more localized access roads to a primary artery. This profile suggests a route optimized for efficient travel, minimizing complex intersections and maximizing steady progress.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.5 mi on US 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Trask Parkway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 4.3 miles in near US 21 / Trask Parkway.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Shell Point, SC to Charleston, SC is easy. At 1h 39m with 91% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles (US 21 / Trask Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 16 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 16.4 miles (US 17): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 70.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.5 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 4.3 miles (US 21 / Trask Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 16 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 16.4 miles (US 17): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Yes — Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Reconstruction Era 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 Charleston, SC before heading back.
How this page is built
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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