How far is Charleston, SC from Surfside Beach, SC?
The driving distance from Charleston, SC to Surfside Beach, SC is about 87.9 miles (141.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 79.7 miles (128.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 07m 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 03m.
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.
Town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Surfside Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Surfside Beach.
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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 right onto Calhoun Street
1653 ft · 41 sec · Calhoun Street
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4
Turn left onto East Bay Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Bay Street
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5
Take the ramp straight toward US 17 North
2705 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge
2.3 mi · 3 min · Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge
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7
Continue on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard
6.6 mi · 11 min · Johnnie Dodds Boulevard
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8
Continue straight
49.4 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on North Fraser Street
136 m · 6 sec · North Fraser Street
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10
Merge slight left onto Church Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · Church Street
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11
Continue on L. H. Siau Bridge
1340 ft · 25 sec · L. H. Siau Bridge
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12
Continue on Ocean Highway
17.4 mi · 25 min · Ocean Highway
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13
Continue on Highway 17
3.6 mi · 4 min · Highway 17
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14
Turn straight onto US 17 Business: Garden City Beach, Surfside Beach
3.9 mi · 7 min
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15
Turn slight right
73 m · 9 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Surfside Drive
3249 ft · 1 min · Surfside Drive
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Surfside Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Surfside Beach.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Johnnie Dodds Boulevard
Continue straight
49.4 mi · 01h 03m
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.
Sunny leaving Charleston and Clear near Surfside Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Surfside Beach?
The road trip is about 87.9 miles (141.4 km) and usually takes 02h 03m 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?
McClellanville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.9 miles from Charleston and 43.9 miles from Surfside Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 79.7 miles (128.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.2 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 2:22 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.28 one way or $24.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Charleston and Clear near Surfside Beach.
Stop Ideas Near McClellanville
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 McClellanville.
Charleston, South Carolina
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Surfside Beach. Straight-line distance: 79.7 mi (128.26 km).
#1 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Surfside Beach
City in Horry County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 4,580 |
| Coordinates | 33.6060000, -78.9730900 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Surfside Beach (-78.97309, 33.606)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 141 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.28 | $24.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $13.73 | $27.46 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $14.81 | $29.62 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $17.43 | $34.87 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.