If you are planning a quick transit across South Carolina, the 87.8-mile journey from Spartanburg to Saint Andrews is a straightforward day trip. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 42 minutes behind the wheel, making it an efficient connection within the Southeast region. Budget roughly $14 for fuel to cover the distance, which is entirely manageable in a single stint without needing an overnight stay. Since the trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule. This route serves as a practical link for travelers looking to move between these two points with minimal fuss and no mandatory stops required.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.9 miles from Spartanburg, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
77.9 mi
1h 24m
North Church Street
6 mi
10m
Highway 221
2.5 mi
4m
Saint Andrews Road
0.9 mi
1m
Broad River Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Whiteford Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 77.9 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spartanburg, SC and Saint Andrews, SC.
1
Start on US 221; SC 56
6.0 mi·10 min·North Church Street
2
Continue on US 221
2.5 mi·4 min·Highway 221
3
Turn left
0.2 mi·22 sec
4
Merge onto I 26
78 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 106Toward Saint Andrews RoadUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
127 ft·6 sec
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Turn left onto Saint Andrews Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Saint Andrews Road
8
Turn right onto US 176
0.1 mi·19 sec·Broad River Road
9
Turn left onto Whiteford Road
276 ft·12 sec·Whiteford Road
10
Arrive at destination
Whiteford Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a concise 1-hour and 42-minute drive, you do not need to worry about complex pacing or overnight logistics. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure the smoothest transit along the 77.9-mile stretch of I-26, as interstate traffic can fluctuate. Since there are no required stops, you have the advantage of completing the entire 87.8-mile distance in one go if you prefer. Keep your $14 fuel budget in mind before you head out so you can focus on the road ahead. Given the high percentage of highway driving, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained speeds to make the most of this efficient transit.
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 43.9 miles from Spartanburg, SC, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.9 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.9 miles or 53m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Andrews, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Spartanburg, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Spartanburg, SC
This is one driving day of about 87.8 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Spartanburg, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 77.9 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.5 and 87.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
8.5 mi into trip|~14m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
8.6 mi into trip|~15m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
86.5 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward Saint Andrews Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 106
Toward Saint Andrews Road
7
86.7 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
4
87.7 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|Whiteford Road
Turn left onto Whiteford Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.73 one way
$27.46 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$15.01
$30.02
premium
$4.70
$16.25
$32.50
diesel
$5.61
$19.39
$38.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.3
0
$9.22
$4.21
Efficient EV
22
0
$7.68
$3.51
EV Truck/SUV
35.1
0
$12.29
$5.62
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Spartanburg, SC
Morning
in Spartanburg on Sunday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Andrews, SC
Morning
in Saint Andrews on Sunday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Clinton, SC
44 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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 42m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 92% of this trip takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time—specifically 77.9 miles—cruising along I-26, which defines the personality of this drive. While the transition includes short segments on North Church Street and Highway 221, the interstate grind dominates the experience. Because the road consists almost entirely of high-speed travel, you can anticipate a consistent, fast-paced rhythm from start to finish. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over winding backroads.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.9 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and North Church Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 8.5 miles in.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 42m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The longest stretch is about 77.9 miles on I 26. 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 8.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.5 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 Saint Andrews, SC before heading back.
