How far is Charleston, SC from Laurens, SC?
The driving distance from Charleston, SC to Laurens, SC is about 180.9 miles (291.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 168.9 miles (271.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 52m 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 26m.
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.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Laurens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Laurens.
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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
168.4 mi · 3 hr 6 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
5.1 mi · 5 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward SC 49: Laurens, Cross Anchor, Union
1045 ft · 32 sec
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11
Turn left onto Highway 49
50 m · 3 sec · Highway 49
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12
Continue on State Highway 49
1.4 km · 1 min · State Highway 49
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13
Continue on Yarborough Mill Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Yarborough Mill Road
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14
Turn left onto Lucas Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Lucas Avenue
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15
Continue on North Harper Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Harper Street
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16
Turn right onto East Laurens Street
140 m · 26 sec · East Laurens Street
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17
Turn left onto West Public Square
87 m · 13 sec · West Public Square
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18
Turn left onto Courthouse Public Square
49 m · 7 sec · Courthouse Public Square
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Public Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Laurens.
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
168 mi · 03h 06m
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 Cloudy leaving Charleston and Mostly Sunny near Laurens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Laurens?
The road trip is about 180.9 miles (291.1 km) and usually takes 03h 26m 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 90.5 miles from Charleston and 90.4 miles from Laurens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 168.9 miles (271.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12 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 10:08 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.31 one way or $50.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Charleston and Mostly Sunny near Laurens.
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 Laurens. Straight-line distance: 168.88 mi (271.79 km).
#1 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Laurens
City in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 8,852 |
| Coordinates | 34.4990100, -82.0142600 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| Country | United States |
End: Laurens (-82.01426, 34.49901)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.31 | $50.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $28.30 | $56.60 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $30.53 | $61.06 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.94 | $71.87 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.