Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
46m
Distance
35.5 mi
57 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
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
Clinton, SC
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick trip through the Southeast, the 35.5-mile journey from Spartanburg to Clinton, SC, is an efficient drive that typically takes about 46 minutes. Because the route is so brief, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to easily complete the round trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $6 for fuel, making this a very budget-friendly transit. By utilizing a combination of North Church Street, Highway 221, and I-26, you can navigate between these two South Carolina hubs with minimal logistical effort. This route is designed for those who prioritize speed and straightforward navigation over a meandering scenic tour.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 23.9 mi | 25m |
| North Church Street | 6 mi | 10m |
| Highway 221 | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Highway 56 North | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North Broad Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Willard Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Carolina Avenue | <0.1 mi | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Spartanburg, SC and Clinton, SC.
Start on US 221; SC 56
Continue on US 221
Turn left
Merge onto I 26
Take the exit
Turn right onto SC 56
Turn right onto SC 72 Business
Turn straight onto SC 72 Business
Turn left onto US 76
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.8 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 8.5 and 35.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining
Take the exit toward SC 56: Clinton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto SC 56 / Highway 56 North
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 76 / East Carolina Avenue
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$5.55 one way
$11.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $6.07 | $12.14 |
| premium | $4.70 | $6.57 | $13.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.84 | $15.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.73 | $1.70 |
| Efficient EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.11 | $1.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.97 | $2.27 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Late night in Spartanburg on Tuesday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Clinton on Tuesday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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.
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 79% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your journey on I-26, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 23.9 miles. Expect a transition from the local arterial roads of Spartanburg onto the more consistent pace of the interstate before arriving in Clinton. The experience behind the wheel is functional and direct, providing a steady flow of traffic that keeps the drive moving along at a predictable clip. It is a no-nonsense transit that prioritizes efficiency, getting you from city to city with very little deviation.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and North Church Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 8.5 miles in.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Spartanburg, SC to Clinton, SC is easy. At 46m with 79% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 32.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
231 ft
Total Descent
358 ft
Highest Point
803 ft
Elevation Range
311 ft
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 46m. Total distance: 35.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Straightforward navigation.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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