Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
46m
Distance
30.4 mi
49 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Warwick, RI
Wikimedia Commons
Charlestown, RI
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick excursion through Rhode Island, the 30.4-mile journey from Warwick to Charlestown is a straightforward trip that fits perfectly into a single day. You can expect to spend about 46 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal choice for a spontaneous outing. With a modest fuel cost of approximately $5, it is an economical route that won’t break your travel budget. Since the entire drive stays within the state, you won't need to worry about crossing regional boundaries or navigating complex logistics. Whether you are heading south for the afternoon or just looking for a change of scenery, this direct path serves as a convenient connection between these two coastal communities.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South County Trail | 16.4 mi | 24m |
| RI 4 | 6 mi | 8m |
| West Shore Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| I 95 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Centerville Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Ten Rod Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Veterans Memorial Drive | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Post Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Warwick, RI and Charlestown, RI.
Start on Spring Grove Avenue
Turn left onto RI 117
Turn straight onto RI 117
Enter roundabout onto US 1; RI 117
Continue on US 1; RI 117
Enter roundabout onto RI 117
Continue on RI 117
Enter roundabout onto RI 115
Continue on RI 115
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95
Keep slight left at fork onto RI 4
Take the exit
Turn straight onto RI 2; RI 102
Turn left onto RI 2
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 1
Take the exit
Merge onto US 1
Take the exit
Turn left onto RI 1A
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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.
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 15.2 miles from Warwick, RI, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 12.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Enter roundabout onto US 1; RI 117 / Veterans Memorial Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto RI 117 / Veterans Memorial Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto RI 115 / Centerville Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Keep slight left at fork onto RI 4 toward RI 4 South: North Kingstown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward RI 102 North, RI 2 South: Exeter
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$4.89 one way
$9.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.50 | $5.38 | $10.77 |
| premium | $4.86 | $5.82 | $11.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.71 | $13.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.19 | $1.46 |
| Efficient EV | 7.6 | 0 | $2.66 | $1.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.26 | $1.95 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Warwick on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Night in Charlestown on Saturday
Local time
9:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Sunny
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While about 26% of your trip involves highway travel, the experience is defined by the transition between RI 4, West Shore Road, and the South County Trail. You will spend the longest stretch of your journey—16.4 miles—navigating the South County Trail, which serves as the backbone of this route. Because the road conditions shift frequently, you should be prepared for a more active driving experience than a typical highway commute. The route keeps you moving through the local landscape, offering a practical way to traverse this part of the state without relying solely on high-speed thoroughfares.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near US 1; RI 117 / Veterans Memorial Drive.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 30.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 46m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (US 1; RI 117 / Veterans Memorial Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3 miles (RI 117 / Veterans Memorial Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.3 miles (RI 115 / Centerville Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
336 ft
Total Descent
340 ft
Highest Point
229 ft
~17.4 mi in
Elevation Range
215 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 46m. Total distance: 30.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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