Wade Hampton, SC to Bluffton, SC is 246.1 miles and takes about 4h 42m via I 26 and I 95, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. Expect a significant amount of time on major interstates, making it a straightforward trip for those prioritizing efficiency. With only one recommended stop, it's designed for a quick transit, so plan your breaks accordingly to stay comfortable over the nearly 5-hour drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
123 miles from Wade Hampton, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
116 mi
2h 7m
I 95
56.6 mi
1h
Golden Strip Freeway
31.6 mi
34m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.6 mi
13m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
I 385
7.1 mi
8m
Fording Island Road
5.8 mi
6m
Okatie Highway
4.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 116 mi, about 2h 7m
Traffic on I-26
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 43 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,073 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,675
Quietest
2 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wade Hampton, SC and Bluffton, SC.
1
Start on US 29
0.6 mi·1 min·Wade Hampton Boulevard
2
Turn left onto Cherokee Drive
0.8 mi·2 min·Cherokee Drive
Use the left lane.
3
At end of road, turn right onto Edwards Road
0.1 mi·20 sec·Edwards Road
4
Continue on Howell Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Howell Road
5
Continue on Haywood Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Haywood Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn left
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 385 South: ColumbiaUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 385
7.1 mi·8 min·I 385
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385
32 mi·34 min·Golden Strip Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 26
56 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 26
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26
60 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 26
Toward CharlestonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 169AToward I 95 South: Savannah
12
Merge onto I 95
57 mi·1 hr·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
14
Turn left onto SC 462
9.6 mi·13 min·Coosaw Scenic Drive
15
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi·10 min·Lowcountry Drive
16
Turn right onto SC 170
4.2 mi·4 min·Okatie Highway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
18
Merge onto US 278
5.8 mi·6 min·Fording Island Road
19
Turn right onto SC 46
0.8 mi·1 min·Bluffton Road
20
Enter roundabout onto SC 46
170 ft·3 sec·Bluffton Road
21
Continue on SC 46
0.9 mi·1 min·Bluffton Road
22
Turn left onto Bruin Road
87 ft·2 sec·Bruin Road
23
Arrive at destination
Bruin Road
Trip Plan
Starting in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility if you encounter any unexpected delays. Since this is a single-day drive, you can easily complete it in one go, but consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches of highway where services might be less frequent; aim to fuel up before departing Wade Hampton. With a total duration under 5 hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, but an early start ensures a relaxed arrival.
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 123 miles from Wade Hampton, SC, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123 miles or 2h 20m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bluffton, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wade Hampton, 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 Wade Hampton, SC
This is one driving day of about 246.1 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Wade Hampton, 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 116 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 98.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|Cherokee Drive
Turn left onto Cherokee Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4 mi into trip|~8m in
Turn left toward I 385 South: Columbia
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 385 South: Columbia
5
4.2 mi into trip|~9m in|I 385
Merge onto I 385
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
11.4 mi into trip|~17m in|I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
98.7 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|I 26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Charleston
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.33 one way
$72.67 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$39.93
$79.86
premium
$4.49
$43.52
$87.05
diesel
$4.80
$46.47
$92.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.8
0
$25.84
$11.81
Efficient EV
61.5
0
$21.53
$9.84
EV Truck/SUV
98.4
1
$34.45
$15.75
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Wade Hampton, SC
Night
in Wade Hampton on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 to 9 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:19AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Bluffton, SC
Night
in Bluffton on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
S 5 to 13 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:19AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
91°F
Rock Hill, SC
123 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
2 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
4h 42m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 127.3
The Reconstruction era,1861-1900 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economi...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 229.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 86% of the drive on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 116 miles on I 26 before transitioning to other interstates. Expect a high volume of exits and merges as you navigate these major arteries for most of the trip. The final portion will involve surface roads as you approach your destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Cherokee Drive.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 246.1 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: at 0.6 miles (Cherokee Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (I 385): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,023 ft20 ft
Total Climb
147 ft
Total Descent
1,145 ft
Highest Point
1,023 ft
Elevation Range
1,002 ft
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 Wade Hampton, SC to Bluffton, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.
Bluffton is a fast-growing coastal city in the Low Country of South Carolina located 7 miles (12 km) west of the major southeastern United States resort town of Hilton Head Island.
Top landmarks
•Church of the Cross — church building in Bluffton, South Carolina, U.S.A.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 42m. Total distance: 246.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 42m 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 116 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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.
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 Bluffton, 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Cherokee Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (I 385): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Bluffton, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
