Wade Hampton, SC to Conway, SC is 233.7 miles and takes about 4h 37m via I 20 and I 26, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of the trip. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is straightforward for those looking for an efficient journey between these two points.
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
116.9 miles from Wade Hampton, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
79.4 mi
1h 29m
I 26
55.2 mi
1h
Golden Strip Freeway
31.6 mi
34m
US 501 Business
28.9 mi
35m
West Palmetto Street
22.6 mi
32m
I 385
7.1 mi
8m
SC 576
3.1 mi
3m
Haywood Road
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wade Hampton, SC and Conway, 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
55 mi·1 hr·I 26
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 107BToward I 20 East: FlorenceUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 20
79 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto US 76
23 mi·32 min·West Palmetto Street
13
Continue on SC 576
3.1 mi·3 min·SC 576
14
Continue on US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
29 mi·35 min·US 501 Business; SC 41 Alternate
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 501; US 701
356 ft·19 sec·Church Street
16
Turn sharp right onto Pine Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Pine Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto S-26-29
314 ft·13 sec·9th Avenue
18
Turn right onto Elm Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Elm Street
19
Turn left onto SC 905
461 ft·15 sec·4th Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
SC 905
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 37m duration, starting early in the morning from Wade Hampton, SC, will allow you to comfortably reach Conway, SC, with plenty of daylight to spare. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 79.4 miles on I 20, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. This is a manageable drive for a single day, so you have flexibility in your departure time.
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 116.9 miles from Wade Hampton, SC, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.4 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 51 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.9 miles or 2h 13m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Conway, 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 233.7 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 20 for about 79.4 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 0.6 and 98.1 — 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
98.1 mi into trip|~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 107B
Toward I 20 East: Florence
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.55 one way
$73.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$39.96
$79.92
premium
$4.70
$43.25
$86.51
diesel
$5.61
$51.60
$103.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.1
0
$24.54
$11.22
Efficient EV
58.4
0
$20.45
$9.35
EV Truck/SUV
93.5
1
$32.72
$14.96
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Wade Hampton, SC
Night
in Wade Hampton on Saturday
Local time
9:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Conway, SC
Night
in Conway on Saturday
Local time
9:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 37m 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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 112.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 88% of the route utilizing major freeways. You'll experience an 88% highway share, meaning most of your time will be spent on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 79.4 miles on I 20, offering a substantial period of consistent travel. The overall feel is one of steady progress on well-maintained roadways, characteristic of interstates connecting cities.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.4 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 26. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Cherokee Drive.
Driving Effort6/10
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 233.7 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: 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 233.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.4 miles on I 20. 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 Conway, 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: 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Conway, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
