If you are planning to travel from South Sumter to Mount Pleasant, you are looking at a 109.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to complete without needing an overnight stay. You should expect to budget approximately $17 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Southeast, the route remains entirely within the state of South Carolina. Because there are no designated stops, it serves as a straightforward, direct connection between these two locations. This drive is ideal for those who prefer local roads over major highway systems, offering a more grounded experience of the regional landscape.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.4 miles from South Sumter, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
42.2 mi
46m
I 95
36 mi
38m
Manning Road
13.1 mi
15m
Mark Clark Expressway
11.9 mi
14m
Chuck Dawley Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
Manning Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
Rivers Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Remount Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 42.2 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Sumter, SC and Mount Pleasant, SC.
1
Start on Branch Street
115 ft·10 sec·Branch Street
2
Turn left onto Atlantic Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·Atlantic Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto Manning Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Manning Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 521
13 mi·15 min·Manning Road
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
6
Merge onto I 95
36 mi·38 min·I 95
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 86AToward I 26 East: Charleston
8
Merge onto I 26
42 mi·46 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 211A-BToward Aviation Avenue, Remount RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 211BToward Remount Road, HanahanUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto Remount Road
0.4 mi·44 sec·Remount Road
13
Turn right onto US 52; US 78
0.8 mi·1 min·Rivers Avenue
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto I 526
12 mi·14 min·Mark Clark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 526 Bus
1.3 mi·2 min·Chuck Dawley Boulevard
17
Turn right onto SC 703
237 ft·12 sec·Coleman Boulevard
18
Turn left
76 ft·5 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though hitting the road early can help you avoid potential local traffic. Because you will be navigating local roads for the entire 109.8 miles, keep a close watch on your navigation to handle the frequent turns required by the Manning Avenue and Manning Road segments. With no planned stops, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave South Sumter to avoid unnecessary detours. Budgeting $17 for gas is a good baseline, but keep a little extra on hand for the unexpected. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert at intersections and remain patient as you navigate the local thoroughfares to reach Mount Pleasant.
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 54.4 miles from South Sumter, SC, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.2 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 24 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.4 miles or 1h 1m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Pleasant, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Sumter, 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 South Sumter, SC
This is one driving day of about 108.8 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from South Sumter, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 42.2 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 0.4 and 93.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Manning Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Manning Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
50.7 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the exit toward I 26 East: Charleston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 86A
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
8
93.3 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward Aviation Avenue, Remount Road
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 211A-B
Toward Aviation Avenue, Remount Road
6
93.5 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Remount Road, Hanahan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
9
93.9 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Remount Road, Hanahan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211B
Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.01 one way
$34.03 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$18.60
$37.21
premium
$4.70
$20.14
$40.27
diesel
$5.61
$24.02
$48.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.6
0
$11.42
$5.22
Efficient EV
27.2
0
$9.52
$4.35
EV Truck/SUV
43.5
0
$15.23
$6.96
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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 16, 2026
Origin
South Sumter, SC
Late night
in South Sumter on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
SW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mount Pleasant, SC
Late night
in Mount Pleasant on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Saint George, SC
54 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
31 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
2h 6m 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.
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating via Atlantic Street, Manning Avenue, and Manning Road, which requires your full attention behind the wheel. Since the longest stretch on Atlantic Street is 0 miles, you should be prepared for frequent transitions and adjustments as you navigate the local road network. The personality of this drive is distinctly non-highway, focusing on surface streets that keep you engaged with the changing surroundings. It is a practical, hands-on driving experience that avoids the high-speed, repetitive nature of typical long-distance interstate travel.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.2 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Manning Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 108.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Manning Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 93.3 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.
On the drive from South Sumter, SC to Mount Pleasant, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Hanahan along the way.
Hanahan
93.5 mi in|~1h 45m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 108.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.2 miles on I 26. 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 Mount Pleasant, SC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Manning Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 93.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Congaree National 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 Mount Pleasant, SC before heading back.
