How far is Charleston, SC from Lake City, SC?
The driving distance from Charleston, SC to Lake City, SC is about 89.4 miles (143.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.3 miles (122.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 02m 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 01m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Lake City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Lake City.
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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
11.3 mi · 14 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 52: Ashley Phosphate Road, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner
1890 ft · 46 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks Corner
2510 ft · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks Corner
1.1 km · 55 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Moncks Corner Kingstree
2516 ft · 44 sec
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13
Continue on Rivers Avenue
135 m · 8 sec · Rivers Avenue
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14
Continue on Goose Creek Boulevard North
17.1 mi · 20 min · Goose Creek Boulevard North
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15
Turn left
3 mi · 5 min
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16
Turn slight left
37.7 mi · 50 min
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17
Turn left onto Longstreet Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · Longstreet Street
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18
Continue on North Williamsburg County Highway
11 mi · 14 min · North Williamsburg County Highway
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19
Continue on South Ron McNair Boulevard
2.5 mi · 5 min · South Ron McNair Boulevard
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20
Turn right onto West Thomas Street
1826 ft · 50 sec · West Thomas Street
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21
Turn left onto South Acline Avenue
146 m · 12 sec · South Acline Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Acline Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Lake City.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Longest stretch
Turn slight left
37.7 mi · 00h 50m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Charleston and Mostly Sunny near Lake City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Lake City?
The road trip is about 89.4 miles (143.9 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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?
Bonneau is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.8 miles from Charleston and 44.7 miles from Lake City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.3 miles (122.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.1 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 2:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.52 one way or $25.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Charleston and Mostly Sunny near Lake City.
Stop Ideas Near Bonneau
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 Bonneau.
Kingstree
Charleston, South Carolina
Florence
Yemassee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Lake City. Straight-line distance: 76.29 mi (122.78 km).
#1 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake City
City in South Carolina, USA
| Population | 6,497 |
| Coordinates | 33.8710000, -79.7553500 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake City (-79.75535, 33.871)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 144 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.52 | $25.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $14.00 | $27.99 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $15.10 | $30.20 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $17.77 | $35.54 |
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.