How far is Charleston, SC from Aiken, SC?
The driving distance from Charleston, SC to Aiken, SC is about 133.5 miles (214.8 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.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Aiken.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Aiken.
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1
Start on Broad Street
12 m · 5 sec · Broad Street
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2
Turn right onto Meeting Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Meeting Street
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3
Turn left onto Calhoun Street
689 ft · 15 sec · Calhoun Street
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4
Turn right onto King Street
3052 ft · 1 min · King Street
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5
Turn left onto Spring Street
853 ft · 30 sec · Spring Street
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6
Turn right onto Coming Street
1144 ft · 31 sec · Coming Street
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7
Turn right onto Septima Clark Expressway
3078 ft · 1 min · Septima Clark Expressway
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8
Keep slight left
66.1 mi · 1 hr 14 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 301 South: Orangeburg
1530 ft · 37 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Five Chop Road
6.4 mi · 8 min · Five Chop Road
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11
Turn right onto Whittaker Parkway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Whittaker Parkway
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12
Continue on Chestnut Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · Chestnut Street
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13
Continue on North Road
16.3 mi · 24 min · North Road
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14
Turn left onto Salley Road
7 mi · 10 min · Salley Road
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
45 m · 2 sec
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16
Exit the roundabout
15.2 mi · 25 min
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Salley Road
3158 ft · 1 min · Salley Road
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18
Continue on Wagener Road
12.8 mi · 19 min · Wagener Road
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19
Continue on Richland Avenue East
2.4 mi · 4 min · Richland Avenue East
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20
Turn left onto Chesterfield Street South
72 m · 13 sec · Chesterfield Street South
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Chesterfield Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Aiken.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Septima Clark Expressway
Keep slight left
66.1 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.
Partly Sunny leaving Charleston and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Aiken.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Aiken?
The road trip is about 133.5 miles (214.8 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 66.9 miles from Charleston and 66.6 miles from Aiken.
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 16.7 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 Partly Sunny around Charleston and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Aiken.
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 Charleston and Aiken. Straight-line distance: 116.76 mi (187.91 km).
#1 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Aiken
City in South Carolina, United States
| Population | 31,121 |
| Coordinates | 33.5604200, -81.7195500 |
| Altitude | 157 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chesterfield Street South (-81.719543, 33.560418)
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.