How far is Charleston, SC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Charleston, SC to Raleigh, NC is about 277.8 miles (447.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 219.7 miles (353.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 28m 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 05h 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Florence County, South Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Raleigh.
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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
-
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
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: Florence
1.3 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left
193 mi · 3 hr 32 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 40: Raleigh, Wilmington
1480 ft · 36 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 40 West: Raleigh
1.3 km · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left
14.2 mi · 15 min
-
14
Keep slight left
12.6 mi · 14 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Rock Quarry Rd North
1718 ft · 37 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Rock Quarry Road
2190 ft · 49 sec · Rock Quarry Road
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17
Turn left onto Rock Quarry Road
1488 ft · 41 sec · Rock Quarry Road
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18
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.2 mi · 3 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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19
Turn right onto South Wilmington Street
987 ft · 41 sec · South Wilmington Street
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20
Turn left onto East South Street
7 m · 1 sec · East South Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East South Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Raleigh.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 95 North
Merge slight left
193 mi · 03h 32m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Charleston and Sunny near Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Raleigh?
The road trip is about 277.8 miles (447.1 km) and usually takes 05h 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?
Quinby is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139 miles from Charleston and 138.9 miles from Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 219.7 miles (353.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.82 one way or $77.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Charleston and Sunny near Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near Quinby
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
Florence City Manager
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Quinby.
Florence
Dillon
Kingstree
Hamlet
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 219.72 mi (353.61 km).
#1 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Raleigh
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.
| Population | 474,414 |
| Coordinates | 35.7721000, -78.6386100 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| Country | United States |
End: Raleigh (-78.63861, 35.7721)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 447 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $38.82 | $77.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $43.40 | $86.81 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $46.82 | $93.65 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $55.12 | $110.23 |
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 · Aug 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.