How far is Charleston, SC from Elgin, SC?
The driving distance from Charleston, SC to Elgin, SC is about 168.6 miles (271.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.6 miles (223.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 37m 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 18m.
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.
City in South Carolina, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Elgin.
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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
-
4
Turn right onto King Street
3052 ft · 1 min · King Street
-
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
51.4 mi · 58 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: Florence
1.3 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left
35.4 mi · 38 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
1660 ft · 41 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
88 m · 7 sec
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13
Turn left
12.4 mi · 14 min
-
14
Turn left onto South Guignard Parkway
1.1 mi · 1 min · South Guignard Parkway
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15
Continue on South Guignard Drive
3.6 mi · 4 min · South Guignard Drive
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16
Continue on Bultman Drive
1.1 km · 2 min · Bultman Drive
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17
Turn left onto Broad Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Broad Street
-
18
Turn slight right onto Camden Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Camden Highway
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19
Continue on Thomas Sumter Highway
7.6 mi · 9 min · Thomas Sumter Highway
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20
Continue on Camden Highway
6.2 mi · 7 min · Camden Highway
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21
Continue on Sumter Highway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Sumter Highway
-
22
Continue on Broad Street
4.2 mi · 9 min · Broad Street
-
23
Continue on Kershaw Highway
14.4 mi · 16 min · Kershaw Highway
-
24
Continue on Kershaw Camden Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Kershaw Camden Highway
-
25
Continue on South Hampton Street
1.1 km · 48 sec · South Hampton Street
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26
Turn left onto South Matson Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Matson Street
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27
At the end of the road, turn left onto Kershaw Camden Highway
4.8 mi · 5 min · Kershaw Camden Highway
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28
Continue on Spring Street
1.3 km · 56 sec · Spring Street
-
29
Turn right onto Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Main Street
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30
Continue on Kershaw Camden Highway
5.5 mi · 6 min · Kershaw Camden Highway
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Kershaw Camden Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Elgin.
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
51.4 mi · 00h 58m
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 Charleston and Sunny near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Elgin?
The road trip is about 168.6 miles (271.3 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Manning is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.3 miles from Charleston and 84.3 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.6 miles (223.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 30 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 10:22 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.43 one way or $42.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Charleston and Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Manning
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 Manning.
Kingstree
Florence
Camden
Columbia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 138.63 mi (223.1 km).
#1 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elgin
Elgin is a place in South Carolina, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.6729300, -80.7189600 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elgin (-80.71896, 34.67293)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 271 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.60 | $21.43 | $42.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.06 | $24.13 | $48.27 |
| Premium | $4.46 | $26.51 | $53.01 |
| Diesel | $5.72 | $34.00 | $68.01 |
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 06, 2026