How far is Buffalo, SC from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance from Buffalo, SC to Charleston, SC is about 185 miles (297.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 06m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Lexington County, South Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buffalo and Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo and Charleston.
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1
Start on Main Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · Main Street
-
2
Continue on Buffalo-West Springs Highway
1.1 km · 1 min · Buffalo-West Springs Highway
-
3
Continue on Harwood Heights
2161 ft · 43 sec · Harwood Heights
-
4
Turn straight onto Thompson Boulevard
1.5 km · 1 min · Thompson Boulevard
-
5
Continue on North Pinckney Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Pinckney Street
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6
Continue on Whitmire Highway
15.2 mi · 17 min · Whitmire Highway
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7
Turn slight left onto Watson Street
7.4 mi · 11 min · Watson Street
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on State Highway 121
6.1 mi · 9 min · State Highway 121
-
9
Take the ramp slight right
1191 ft · 29 sec
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10
Merge slight left
36.2 mi · 40 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Charleston
112.5 mi · 2 hr 6 min
-
12
Take the exit slight left toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
1994 ft · 53 sec
-
13
Turn right onto Meeting Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Meeting Street
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14
Turn left onto Broad Street
12 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo and Charleston.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 121
Keep slight right to continue on Charleston
113 mi · 02h 06m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Buffalo and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Charleston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buffalo to Charleston?
The road trip is about 185 miles (297.8 km) and usually takes 03h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Swansea is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.5 miles from Buffalo and 92.5 miles from Charleston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:46 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.86 one way or $45.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Buffalo and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Charleston.
Stop Ideas Near Swansea
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 Swansea.
Columbia
Denmark
Camden
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buffalo and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 168.14 mi (270.59 km).
#1 Buffalo
Buffalo is a place in South Carolina, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.7256900, -81.6834300 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| 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: 298 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.50 | $22.86 | $45.71 |
| Mid-grade | $3.93 | $25.68 | $51.35 |
| Premium | $4.34 | $28.35 | $56.71 |
| Diesel | $5.63 | $36.79 | $73.58 |
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 · Nov 10, 2026