How far is Charleston, SC from Clearwater, SC?
The driving distance from Charleston, SC to Clearwater, SC is about 146.2 miles (235.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.9 miles (199.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 29m 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 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, California
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Clearwater.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Clearwater.
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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
-
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
Continue on Richland Avenue West
3.5 mi · 6 min · Richland Avenue West
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21
Continue on Jefferson Davis Highway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Jefferson Davis Highway
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22
Turn left onto Belvedere Road
1 km · 1 min · Belvedere Road
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23
Turn left onto Augusta Road
11 m · 1 sec · Augusta Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Augusta Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Clearwater.
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 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.
Sunny leaving Charleston and Sunny near Clearwater.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Clearwater?
The road trip is about 146.2 miles (235.3 km) and usually takes 03h 14m 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?
Brookdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.1 miles from Charleston and 73.1 miles from Clearwater.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.9 miles (199.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.3 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 10:30 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.41 one way or $36.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charleston and Sunny near Clearwater.
Stop Ideas Near Brookdale
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 Brookdale.
Denmark
Columbia
Camden
Yemassee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Clearwater. Straight-line distance: 123.9 mi (199.39 km).
#1 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Clearwater
Clearwater is a place in South Carolina, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.4968000, -81.8920600 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clearwater (-81.89206, 33.4968)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 235 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $18.41 | $36.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.01 | $20.71 | $41.42 |
| Premium | $4.42 | $22.82 | $45.64 |
| Diesel | $5.69 | $29.38 | $58.75 |
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 07, 2026