How far is Charleston, SC from Clinton, SC?
The driving distance from Charleston, SC to Clinton, SC is about 172.1 miles (277 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162.2 miles (261.1 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 EDT.
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.
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 Calhoun County, South Carolina
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 Clinton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Clinton.
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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
-
3
Turn left onto Calhoun Street
689 ft · 15 sec · Calhoun Street
-
4
Turn right onto King Street
3052 ft · 1 min · King Street
-
5
Turn left onto Spring Street
853 ft · 30 sec · Spring Street
-
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
166.5 mi · 3 hr 4 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward SC 72: Clinton
1317 ft · 39 sec
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10
Turn left
1.4 mi · 2 min
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11
Turn straight onto North Adair Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North Adair Street
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Carolina Avenue
2076 ft · 35 sec · East Carolina Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Carolina Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Clinton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Septima Clark Expressway
Keep slight left
166 mi · 03h 04m
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 Clinton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Clinton?
The road trip is about 172.1 miles (277 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?
Saint Matthews is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.1 miles from Charleston and 86 miles from Clinton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162.2 miles (261.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.04 one way or $48.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charleston and Sunny near Clinton.
Stop Ideas Near Saint Matthews
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 Saint Matthews.
Columbia
Denmark
Camden
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Clinton. Straight-line distance: 162.22 mi (261.06 km).
#1 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Clinton
City in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 8,304 |
| Coordinates | 34.4726300, -81.8806600 |
| Altitude | 206 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clinton (-81.88066, 34.47263)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.04 | $48.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.88 | $53.77 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.00 | $58.00 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.14 | $68.28 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.