Trip from Timmonsville, SC to Charleston, SC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

124.4 mi

200 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

2h 12m ★

6 AM

2h 22m

8 AM

2h 41m

10 AM

2h 29m

12 PM

2h 27m

3 PM

2h 30m

5 PM

2h 40m

8 PM

2h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Timmonsville, SC

Kelly

Trip Overview

This 124.4-mile drive from Timmonsville, SC, to Charleston, SC, can comfortably be completed in about 2 hours and 21 minutes, making it an ideal one-day trip. You'll be spending most of your time on major highways, with 96% of the journey on interstates. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $19, which is quite budget-friendly for a trip of this length. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward highway focus, an overnight stop isn't necessary, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule. This trip stays within the Southeast region, connecting two points in South Carolina.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

62.2 miles from Timmonsville, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 95	67.4 mi	1h 12m
I 26	51.9 mi	58m
Honda Way	1.9 mi	3m
Meeting Street	1.6 mi	3m
South Brockington Street	0.2 mi	<1m
East Smith Street	0.2 mi	<1m
Honda Street	0.2 mi	<1m
East Main Street	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 95 — 67.4 mi, about 1h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Timmonsville, SC and Charleston, SC.

Start on East Main Street

175 ft · 13 sec · East Main Street

Turn left onto SC 403

0.2 mi · 27 sec · South Brockington Street

Turn left onto US 76

0.2 mi · 18 sec · East Smith Street

Turn right onto Honda Street

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Honda Street

Continue on Honda Way

1.9 mi · 3 min · Honda Way

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Merge onto I 95

67 mi · 1 hr 12 min · I 95

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 51 sec

Exit 86A Toward I 26 East: Charleston

Merge onto I 26

52 mi · 58 min · I 26

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Exit 221B Toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown

Turn right onto US 52

1.6 mi · 3 min · Meeting Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Broad Street

40 ft · 1 sec · Broad Street

Arrive at destination

Broad Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 2 hour and 21 minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic as you approach Charleston. Since this is a relatively short, highway-centric trip, you won't need to worry about splitting it into multiple days. You'll cover 124.4 miles with a fuel cost estimated at $19, so plan for one fuel stop if needed, but it's unlikely to be essential. Keep an eye out for the transition onto Honda Way as you get closer to Charleston, as this marks the final segment of your journey.

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 62.2 miles from Timmonsville, SC, or about 1h 9m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.4 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 27 miles or 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 62.2 miles or 1h 9m 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 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charleston, SC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Timmonsville, 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 Timmonsville, SC

This is one driving day of about 124.4 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Timmonsville, SC.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 67.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Holly Hill, SC

62 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

Manning, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Holly Hill, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.2 miles from Timmonsville, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Prophet Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

North Charleston, South Carolina

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 115.6

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Muddy Waters Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charleston, South Carolina

2.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Bitty and Beau’s Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charleston, South Carolina

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.4

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18436090455

Visit website

The Black Door Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Charleston, South Carolina

0.1 mi

Mellow & Play Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ladson, South Carolina

0.8 mi

Prophet Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 115.6

North Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Muddy Waters Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.4

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+18433438937

Visit website

Second State Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 124.4

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

The Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 106.7

North Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 8:30 am–2 pm

+18433679070

Bitty and Beau’s Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.4

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18436090455

Visit website

The Black Door Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 124.4

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+18435772400

Visit website

Mellow & Play Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 106.7

Ladson, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+18437894743

Visit website

Kudu - Coffee, Craft Beer & Wine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.4

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

Visit website

Bad Bunnies Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 124.4

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+18434147777

Visit website

Sightsee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.4

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+18432126538

Visit website

The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 124.4

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18436373410

Visit website

Highfalutin Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.4

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+18432254580

Visit website

Time Traveler Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 124.4

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+18435017924

Visit website

Charleston Sole Walking Tours

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 124.4

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18433648272

Visit website

Gullah Tours

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 124.4

Charleston, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18437637551

Visit website

Adventure Harbour Tours

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 124.4

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18434429455

Visit website

Shem Creek Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 124.4

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+18438844440

Visit website

On Purpose Adventures

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 124.4

Mt Pleasant, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18548889893

Visit website

James Island County Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 124.4

Charleston, South Carolina

+18434066990

Visit website

The Serpent Center

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 62.2

Vance, South Carolina

+18034921500

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 122.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | SC 403 / South Brockington Street

Turn left onto SC 403 / South Brockington Street

Navigation decision point

0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | Honda Street

Turn right onto Honda Street

Navigation decision point

70.3 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Take the exit toward I 26 East: Charleston

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 86A Toward I 26 East: Charleston

122.5 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Take the exit toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 221B Toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown

122.9 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in | US 52 / Meeting Street

Turn right onto US 52 / Meeting Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.45 one way

$38.91 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$21.27	$42.54
premium	$4.70	$23.02	$46.05
diesel	$5.61	$27.47	$54.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	37.3	$13.06	$5.97
Efficient EV	31.1	$10.89	$4.98
EV Truck/SUV	49.8	$17.42	$7.96

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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 14, 2026

Origin

Timmonsville, SC

Morning in Timmonsville on Sunday

Local time

6:03 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Charleston, SC

Morning in Charleston on Sunday

Local time

6:03 AM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Sunny

S 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

77°F

Holly Hill, SC

62 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

32 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

2h 21m on the road

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.

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 near mile 124.4

View on nps.gov

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...

26 mi from route ~64 min detour Free near mile 51.5

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for the vast majority of this drive. With 96% of the route on interstates, this trip is designed for efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 67.4 miles on I 95, offering a significant period of consistent speed. While primarily interstate driving, the route does incorporate Honda Way, suggesting a brief transition before reaching your destination. The overall profile leans towards a steady, predictable pace rather than winding scenic byways.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 67.4 mi on I 95.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 26. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 403 / South Brockington Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 403 / South Brockington Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Honda Street): Navigation decision point; at 70.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

About the Cities

Arriving in Charleston, SC

Full guide →

Charleston is the largest and oldest city in the state of South Carolina in the United States of America. Its historic downtown is on a peninsula formed by two rivers, the Ashley and the Cooper, flowing into the Atlantic, and protected from the open ocean by surrounding islands. Charleston was captured in the American Civil War without much property damage, so the historic part of town has buildings that are hundreds of years old. The current downtown skyline, with practically no tall buildings due to the city's height restriction ordinance, is dominated by church steeples and the stunning Arthur Ravenel cable-stay bridge over the Cooper River. The city is a major port on the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and a popular destination for domestic and international tourists.

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 2h 21m. Total distance: 124.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 67.4 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

Yes — Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Congaree National 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 Charleston, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Timmonsville, SC or browse trips ending in Charleston, SC.

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Trip from Timmonsville, SC to Charleston, SC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Prophet Coffee

Bitty and Beau’s Coffee

Prophet Coffee

Muddy Waters Coffee Bar

Second State Coffee

The Coffee House

Bitty and Beau’s Coffee

The Black Door Cafe

Mellow & Play Cafe

Kudu - Coffee, Craft Beer & Wine

Bad Bunnies Coffee

Sightsee Shop

The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

Highfalutin Coffee Roasters

Time Traveler Adventures

Charleston Sole Walking Tours

Gullah Tours

Adventure Harbour Tours

Shem Creek Park

On Purpose Adventures

James Island County Park

The Serpent Center

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Timmonsville, SC

Charleston, SC

Same local time

32 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 21m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

Congaree National Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Charleston, SC

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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