Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 44m
Distance
122.2 mi
197 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spartanburg, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Clearwater, SC
Jared Lung
Spartanburg, SC to Clearwater, SC is 122.2 miles and takes about 2h 44m via I 26 and Highway 72 West, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, specifically within South Carolina. It's a manageable drive that offers a good balance between highway cruising and more local road travel. You'll find the overall experience to be a mixed drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.1 miles from Spartanburg, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 25 mi | 26m |
| Highway 72 West | 22.9 mi | 29m |
| Sleepy Creek Road | 18.1 mi | 25m |
| Edgefield Road | 14.1 mi | 20m |
| North Church Street | 6 mi | 10m |
| Augusta Road | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Bauskett Street | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| US 25 | 3.9 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Spartanburg, SC and Clearwater, SC.
Start on US 221; SC 56
Continue on US 221
Turn left
Merge onto I 26
Take the exit
Turn right onto SC 72
Turn left onto Springdale Drive
Turn left onto SC 72
Continue on SC 72
Turn left onto S-24-99
Turn right onto S-24-236
Turn left onto US 25; US 178; US 221
Turn left onto US 25; US 178
Continue on US 25; US 178
Continue on US 25
Continue on US 25
Continue on US 25
Continue on US 25
Turn right onto US 25 Truck
Continue on US 25
Turn right onto US 25; SC 121
Turn left
Take the exit
Merge onto I 520
Take the exit
Turn left onto SC 126
Continue on SC 126
Turn left onto SC 421
Arrive at destination
Given the 2h 44m duration, starting your trip in the morning will give you ample time to reach Clearwater, SC comfortably. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 25 miles on I 26, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping the $19 estimated cost in mind. With only one recommended stop and a mixed drive profile, you have flexibility in pacing. Consider making your stop around the halfway point to break up the drive, especially before you transition from the interstate to the more localized roads.
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.
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 27 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.1 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clearwater, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Spartanburg, 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 Spartanburg, SC
This is one driving day of about 122.2 miles and 2h 44m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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.
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 61.1 miles from Spartanburg, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.7 and 119 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward SC 72: Clinton, Whitmire
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto Springdale Drive
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto S-24-99 / Kateway
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 25; US 178; US 221
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward SC 126: Belvedere–Clearwater Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$19.11 one way
$38.22 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $20.89 | $41.79 |
| premium | $4.70 | $22.62 | $45.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.98 | $53.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.7 | 0 | $12.83 | $5.87 |
| Efficient EV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.69 | $4.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.9 | 0 | $17.11 | $7.82 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Spartanburg on Sunday
Local time
4:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Clearwater on Sunday
Local time
4:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
86°F
Greenwood, SC
61 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Battlefield
A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic mili...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 48% of the journey on highways. Expect to spend a good portion of your time on I 26, including a continuous stretch of 25 miles. As you transition off the main interstate onto Highway 72 West and then Sleepy Creek Road, the character of the drive will change, offering a different feel as you approach your destination. The varied road types mean you'll experience both efficient highway travel and more localized driving.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 33.7 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.2 miles you will encounter 18 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 33.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35 miles (Springdale Drive): Navigation decision point; at 61.7 miles (S-24-99 / Kateway): Navigation decision point.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Spartanburg, SC to Clearwater, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Whitmire along the way.
Whitmire
Spartanburg is both a county and city in Upcountry South Carolina.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 122.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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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