How far is Charleston, SC from Kiawah Island, SC?
The driving distance from Charleston, SC to Kiawah Island, SC is about 26.8 miles (43.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14.7 miles (23.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 57m 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 00h 58m.
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.
City in South Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Kiawah Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Kiawah Island.
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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
1.6 km · 2 min · Calhoun Street
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4
Turn straight onto James Island Expressway
2675 ft · 38 sec · James Island Expressway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward SC 61: Summerville
1.1 km · 1 min
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6
Turn left onto Ripley Point Drive
139 m · 17 sec · Ripley Point Drive
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7
At the end of the road, turn right onto Albemarle Road
1057 ft · 33 sec · Albemarle Road
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8
Turn left onto Folly Road Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · Folly Road Boulevard
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9
Turn right onto Maybank Highway
7.2 mi · 13 min · Maybank Highway
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10
Turn sharp left onto Bohicket Road
7.3 mi · 18 min · Bohicket Road
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11
Continue on Betsy Kerrison Parkway
3.1 mi · 7 min · Betsy Kerrison Parkway
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kiawah Island Parkway
94 m · 8 sec · Kiawah Island Parkway
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Kiawah Island Parkway
4.4 mi · 10 min · Kiawah Island Parkway
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14
Turn right onto Green Dolphin Way
1390 ft · 1 min · Green Dolphin Way
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15
Turn left onto Turtle Point Lane
114 m · 17 sec · Turtle Point Lane
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16
Turn right
584 ft · 43 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Kiawah Island.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Bohicket Road
Turn sharp left onto Bohicket Road
7.31 mi · 00h 18m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Charleston and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kiawah Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Kiawah Island?
The road trip is about 26.8 miles (43.2 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?
Folly Beach is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.4 miles from Charleston and 13.4 miles from Kiawah Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 14.7 miles (23.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.1 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 4:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.76 one way or $7.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Charleston and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kiawah Island.
Stop Ideas Near Folly Beach
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic Charleston City Market
City of North Charleston City Hall
American Red Cross
Charleston County Parking Garage
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Folly Beach.
Charleston, South Carolina
Yemassee
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Kiawah Island. Straight-line distance: 14.68 mi (23.62 km).
#1 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kiawah Island
City in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,765 |
| Coordinates | 32.6082400, -80.0848200 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kiawah Island (-80.08482, 32.60824)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 43 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $3.76 | $7.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $4.21 | $8.42 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $4.54 | $9.08 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $5.34 | $10.69 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.