Origin
Union, SC
Night in Union on Sunday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Union, SC to Mount Pleasant, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 31m
Distance
176 mi
283 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 19m
★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union, SC
Sebastián Casimiro
Mount Pleasant, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Union, SC to Mount Pleasant, SC covers 176 miles and takes about 3h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 26, I 95, Kershaw Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 42.2 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.52 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
88 miles from Union, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 42.2 mi | 46m |
| I 95 | 36 mi | 38m |
| Kershaw Highway | 14.4 mi | 16m |
| Manning Road | 12.1 mi | 13m |
| Mark Clark Expressway | 11.9 mi | 14m |
| Kershaw Camden Highway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| Sumter Highway | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| Camden Highway | 8.1 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 42.2 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union, SC and Mount Pleasant, SC.
1
Start on this road
225 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn sharp left
248 ft
·
7 sec
3
Enter roundabout
11 ft
·
0 sec
4
Continue
187 ft
·
3 sec
5
Continue on SC 522
7.7 mi
·
13 min
·
Rocky River Road
6
Merge onto US 521; SC 522
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Kershaw Camden Highway
7
Continue on US 521; SC 522
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
8
Turn left onto US 521
0.8 mi
·
54 sec
·
Spring Street
9
Continue on US 521
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Kershaw Camden Highway
10
Turn slight right onto US 521
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Matson Street
11
Continue on US 521; US 601
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
South Hampton Street
12
Continue on US 521; US 601
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Kershaw Camden Highway
13
Continue on US 521; US 601
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Kershaw Highway
14
Continue on US 521; US 601
4.2 mi
·
8 min
·
North Broad Street
15
Continue on US 521
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Sumter Highway
16
Continue on US 521
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Camden Highway
17
Continue on US 521
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Thomas Sumter Highway
18
Continue on US 521
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Camden Highway
19
Turn slight left onto US 521; US 76 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
20
Turn slight right onto US 521
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bultman Drive
21
Continue on US 521
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Guignard Drive
22
Continue on US 521
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Guignard Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto US 521
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Manning Road
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
25
Merge onto I 95
36 mi
·
38 min
·
I 95
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 86A
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
27
Merge onto I 26
42 mi
·
46 min
·
I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 211A-B
Toward Aviation Avenue, Remount Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 211B
Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
Use the slight right lane.
31
Turn left onto Remount Road
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Remount Road
32
Turn right onto US 52; US 78
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Rivers Avenue
33
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Use the left lane.
34
Merge onto I 526
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Mark Clark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on I 526 Bus
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Chuck Dawley Boulevard
36
Turn right onto SC 703
237 ft
·
12 sec
·
Coleman Boulevard
37
Turn left
76 ft
·
5 sec
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 88 miles from Union, SC, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.2 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 39 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Pleasant, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Union, 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 Union, SC
This is one driving day of about 176 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Union, 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 42.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88 miles from Union, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 161 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
160.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Take the exit toward Aviation Avenue, Remount Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A-B
Toward Aviation Avenue, Remount Road
6
160.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Remount Road, Hanahan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
9
161 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Remount Road, Hanahan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211B
Toward Remount Road, Hanahan
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.52 one way
$55.05 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $30.09 | $60.19 |
| premium | $4.70 | $32.57 | $65.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.86 | $77.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.48 | $8.45 |
| Efficient EV | 44 | 0 | $15.40 | $7.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.64 | $11.26 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Mount Pleasant, SC
Night in Mount Pleasant on Sunday
Local time
10:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°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
10 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 31m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
176 mi in 3h 31m — 52% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: I 26.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.2 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 176 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 160.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Union, SC to Mount Pleasant, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Hanahan along the way.
Hanahan
160.6 mi in
|
~3h 10m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 176 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.2 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Mount Pleasant, SC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.1 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 160.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Mount Pleasant, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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