Origin
Spartanburg, SC
Late night in Spartanburg on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spartanburg, SC to Clemson, 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 27m
Distance
62.1 mi
100 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 21m
★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 41m
10 AM
1h 32m
12 PM
1h 31m
3 PM
1h 33m
5 PM
1h 41m
8 PM
1h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spartanburg, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Clemson, SC
R9 Media Photo Collective
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Spartanburg to Clemson, you are looking at a manageable 62.1-mile journey through the Southeast. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 27 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will navigate a combination of I-85, Highway 153, and Calhoun Memorial Highway to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $10 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since both cities are located within South Carolina, the transition between them is seamless and straightforward. This route offers a practical, efficient connection between these two hubs, allowing you to maximize your time once you arrive.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 25.3 mi | 31m |
| Calhoun Memorial Highway | 18.5 mi | 24m |
| Highway 153 | 5.6 mi | 8m |
| Warren H Abernathy Highway | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| Tiger Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| W O Ezell Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| West Saint John Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| College Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 25.3 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spartanburg, SC and Clemson, SC.
1
Start on US 221; SC 56
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Church Street
2
Turn left onto US 29
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Saint John Street
3
Turn right onto US 29
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on US 29
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
W O Ezell Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 29
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Warren H Abernathy Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 85 South: Greenville, GSP International Airport
7
Merge onto I 85
25 mi
·
31 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 40
Toward SC 153: Easley
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto SC 153
5.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Highway 153
10
Enter roundabout
26 ft
·
0 sec
11
Continue
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
12
Merge onto US 123
19 mi
·
24 min
·
Calhoun Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 123
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Tiger Boulevard
14
Turn left onto SC 133
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
College Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
SC 133
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.1 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 61.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 29 / West Main Street
Turn right onto US 29 / West Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
8.9 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 85
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
34.3 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward SC 153: Easley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 40
Toward SC 153: Easley
5
40.3 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
US 123 / Calhoun Memorial Highway
Merge onto US 123 / Calhoun Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
61.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
SC 133 / College Avenue
Turn left onto SC 133 / College Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.71 one way
$19.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $10.62 | $21.24 |
| premium | $4.70 | $11.49 | $22.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.71 | $27.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.7 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 | 18.6 | 0 | $6.52 | $2.98 |
| Efficient EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.43 | $2.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.69 | $3.97 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Clemson, SC
Late night in Clemson on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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 27m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This 62.1-mile trek features a mixed drive profile that keeps the journey engaging. You will spend about 50% of your time on highways, transitioning from the faster pace of the interstate to more localized roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 25.3 miles you spend on I-85, providing a steady rhythm before you shift toward the Calhoun Memorial Highway. As the drive progresses, you will feel the road evolve from high-speed transit to the more varied conditions of state highways. Be prepared for this shift in pace as you move away from the interstate and navigate the final segments of your trip.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.3 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near US 29 / West Main Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 62.1 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.9 miles (US 29 / West Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Spartanburg, SC to Clemson, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Gsp International Airport along the way.
Gsp International Airport
8.7 mi in
|
~15m
About the Cities
Starting in Spartanburg, SC
Full guide →Spartanburg is both a county and city in Upcountry South Carolina.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 27m. Total distance: 62.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 25.3 miles on I 85. 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 Clemson, SC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 0.9 miles (US 29 / West Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Clemson, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Clemson, SC
More trips to Clemson, SC
Explore more options from Spartanburg, SC or browse trips ending in Clemson, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.