Sullivans Island, SC to Spartanburg, SC is 208.6 miles and takes about 3 hours 58 minutes via I 26 and Mark Clark Expressway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, moving from the coast inland toward the Upstate region. With nearly all of it on the highway, expect a straightforward drive focused on covering ground efficiently. It's a solid choice for a single-day trip, especially if you're looking for a simple transit rather than an exploration-focused excursion.
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
104.3 miles from Sullivans Island, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
182.2 mi
3h 18m
Mark Clark Expressway
12 mi
14m
South Church Street
6 mi
10m
Highway 221
2.3 mi
3m
Ben Sawyer Boulevard
2.2 mi
3m
Rivers Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
Chuck Dawley Boulevard
0.9 mi
1m
Myrick Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 182.2 mi, about 3h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sullivans Island, SC and Spartanburg, SC.
1
Start on this road
39 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right
57 ft·9 sec
3
Turn left onto SC 703
0.2 mi·14 sec·Station 22 1/2 Street
4
Continue on SC 703
1.7 mi·2 min·Ben Sawyer Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Turn slight right onto SC 703
0.5 mi·53 sec·Ben Sawyer Boulevard
6
Turn right onto Rifle Range Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Rifle Range Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto Myrick Road
0.3 mi·52 sec·Myrick Road
8
Turn right onto I 526 Bus
0.9 mi·1 min·Chuck Dawley Boulevard
9
Turn straight onto I 526
12 mi·14 min·Mark Clark Expressway
Toward North CharlestonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 18BToward US 52 West, US 78 West: Rivers AvenueUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn slight right onto US 52; US 78
1.1 mi·1 min·Rivers Avenue
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn straight
0.1 mi·20 sec
13
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward I 26 North: Columbia
14
Merge onto I 26
159 mi·2 hr 53 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26
24 mi·25 min·I 26
Toward SpartanburgUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 28Toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, MooreUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto US 221
2.3 mi·3 min·Highway 221
18
Continue on US 221
6.0 mi·10 min·South Church Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 221; SC 56
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3 hour 58 minute drive, consider leaving Sullivans Island in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but planning for one stop around the halfway point is a good idea. The majority of your travel will be on I 26, so keep an eye on your fuel level, especially as you approach the 182.2-mile mark. The estimated fuel cost is around $33, so factor that into your budget.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 104.3 miles from Sullivans Island, SC, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.2 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 46 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.3 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spartanburg, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sullivans Island, 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 Sullivans Island, SC
This is one driving day of about 208.6 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Sullivans Island, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 182.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 200 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
6
2.4 mi into trip|~3m in|Rifle Range Road
Turn right onto Rifle Range Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
15.8 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward US 52 West, US 78 West: Rivers Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 18B
Toward US 52 West, US 78 West: Rivers Avenue
7
176.5 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|I 26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Spartanburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Spartanburg
8
200 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, Moore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 28
Toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, Moore
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.62 one way
$65.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$35.67
$71.33
premium
$4.70
$38.61
$77.21
diesel
$5.61
$46.06
$92.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.6
0
$21.90
$10.01
Efficient EV
52.2
0
$18.25
$8.34
EV Truck/SUV
83.4
1
$29.20
$13.35
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Sullivans Island, SC
Morning
in Sullivans Island on Sunday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Spartanburg, SC
Morning
in Spartanburg on Sunday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
12 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
3h 58m 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.
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 93.5
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 208.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 94% of the 208.6 miles on major roads like I 26. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 182.2 miles on I 26. The transition to surface roads, like South Church Street, will likely occur near your destination in Spartanburg. Expect a high volume of exits and merges as you navigate this predominantly highway profile.
94% 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: 182.2 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Mark Clark Expressway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort5/10
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 208.6 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (Rifle Range Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 208.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 182.2 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (Rifle Range Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 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, Congaree National Park and Cowpens National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Spartanburg, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
