Traveling from Summerville to Cherryvale covers 93.2 miles across the South Carolina landscape. You can expect a drive time of roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes, making this a straightforward journey that is easily manageable within a single day. Since the route is entirely contained within the Southeast, you will notice a consistent regional atmosphere throughout the trip. Budgeting approximately $15 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way transit. Because the trip is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay, allowing for maximum flexibility in your travel schedule. This trip serves as a efficient connection between the two points, prioritizing speed and direct access over leisurely wandering.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.6 miles from Summerville, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
35.4 mi
37m
I 26
29.8 mi
31m
US 521
12.4 mi
14m
South Guignard Drive
3.6 mi
4m
Broad Street
3.3 mi
5m
North Main Street
2.2 mi
3m
US 76
1.5 mi
2m
South Guignard Parkway
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 35.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Summerville, SC and Cherryvale, SC.
1
Start on this road
92 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto East Richardson Avenue
116 ft·7 sec·East Richardson Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 17 Alternate
2.2 mi·3 min·North Main Street
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I-26 West
5
Merge onto I 26
30 mi·31 min·I 26
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 169BToward I 95 North: Florence
7
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·37 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
9
Keep slight left at fork
289 ft·7 sec
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
10
Turn left onto US 521
12 mi·14 min·US 521
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto US 521
1.1 mi·1 min·South Guignard Parkway
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 521
3.6 mi·4 min·South Guignard Drive
13
Continue on US 521
0.7 mi·1 min·Bultman Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto US 521; US 76 Business
3.3 mi·5 min·Broad Street
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 76; US 378
1.5 mi·2 min·US 76; US 378
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto North St Pauls Church Road
1.0 mi·1 min·North St Pauls Church Road
17
Turn right onto Dorsey Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Dorsey Drive
18
Arrive at destination
Dorsey Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 50 minute duration, you have the benefit of timing your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on the interstate sections. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the 93.2-mile distance in one go. However, keeping a buffer in your $15 fuel budget is always a smart move in case of unexpected idling or traffic delays. Be particularly mindful of the transition points when exiting the interstate system onto US-521, as road speeds change significantly. Because the drive is short, use this advantage to plan your arrival time precisely rather than worrying about mid-trip rest stops.
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 46.6 miles from Summerville, SC, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.4 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 21 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.6 miles or 52m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cherryvale, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Summerville, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Summerville, SC
This is one driving day of about 93.2 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Summerville, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 35.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 69 — 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|US 17 Alternate / North Main Street
Turn right onto US 17 Alternate / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
32.4 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 169B
Toward I 95 North: Florence
5
33.2 mi into trip|~38m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
68.7 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
6
69 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.57 one way
$29.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$15.94
$31.87
premium
$4.70
$17.25
$34.50
diesel
$5.61
$20.58
$41.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28
0
$9.79
$4.47
Efficient EV
23.3
0
$8.16
$3.73
EV Truck/SUV
37.3
0
$13.05
$5.96
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 20, 2026
Origin
Summerville, SC
Late night
in Summerville on Tuesday
Local time
4:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cherryvale, SC
Late night
in Cherryvale on Tuesday
Local time
4:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°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
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 50m 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.
Congaree National Park
National Park
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 93.2
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 86% of your commute is spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of I-26, I-95, and US-521 to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 35.4-mile segment on I-95, which demands steady focus during your time behind the wheel. While the route transitions from interstate corridors to the more localized flow of US-521, the drive maintains a consistent, utilitarian pace. It is a no-nonsense path designed for getting you from point A to point B without unnecessary deviations.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.4 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 17 Alternate / North Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 93.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 (US 17 Alternate / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 33.2 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
On the drive from Summerville, SC to Cherryvale, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter along the way.
Sumter
68.7 mi in|~1h 16m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 93.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.4 miles on I 95. 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 Cherryvale, 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: near the start (US 17 Alternate / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 33.2 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park and Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cherryvale, SC before heading back.
