How far is Aiken, SC from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance from Aiken, SC to Charleston, SC is about 133.4 miles (214.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.8 miles (187.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 34m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in South Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aiken and Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aiken and Charleston.
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1
Start on Chesterfield Street South
118 m · 13 sec · Chesterfield Street South
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2
Continue on Chesterfield Street South
532 ft · 22 sec · Chesterfield Street South
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3
Turn right onto Richland Avenue East
2.4 mi · 4 min · Richland Avenue East
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4
Continue on Wagener Road
12.8 mi · 19 min · Wagener Road
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5
Turn straight onto Salley Road
3158 ft · 1 min · Salley Road
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6
Continue on Salley Road
9.1 mi · 16 min · Salley Road
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7
Continue on Walnut Street West
1.6 km · 2 min · Walnut Street West
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8
Continue on Salley Road
5.1 mi · 7 min · Salley Road
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
39 m · 2 sec
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10
Exit the roundabout
7 mi · 10 min
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11
Turn right onto North Road
16.3 mi · 24 min · North Road
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12
Continue on Chestnut Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · Chestnut Street
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13
Continue on Whittaker Parkway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Whittaker Parkway
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14
Turn left onto Five Chop Road
6.1 mi · 8 min · Five Chop Road
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15
Take the exit slight right
2180 ft · 53 sec
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16
Merge slight left
65.9 mi · 1 hr 14 min
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17
Take the exit slight left toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
1994 ft · 53 sec
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18
Turn right onto Meeting Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Meeting Street
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19
Turn left onto Broad Street
12 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aiken and Charleston.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Five Chop Road
Merge slight left
65.9 mi · 01h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Aiken and Sunny near Charleston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aiken to Charleston?
The road trip is about 133.4 miles (214.7 km) and usually takes 02h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bowman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.5 miles from Aiken and 66.9 miles from Charleston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.8 miles (187.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.66 one way or $37.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Aiken and Sunny near Charleston.
Stop Ideas Near Bowman
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bowman.
Denmark
Yemassee
Columbia
Charleston, South Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aiken and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 116.76 mi (187.91 km).
#1 Aiken
City in South Carolina, United States
| Population | 31,121 |
| Coordinates | 33.5604200, -81.7195500 |
| Altitude | 157 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: Broad Street (-79.930909, 32.776494)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 215 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $18.66 | $37.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $20.86 | $41.72 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $22.50 | $45.01 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $26.49 | $52.98 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in South Carolina · Apr 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.