How far is Folly Beach, SC from North Charleston, SC?

The driving distance from Folly Beach, SC to North Charleston, SC is about 16.8 miles (27.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 13.9 miles (22.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
16.82 mi
00h 29m
Flight
13.92 mi
22.41 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Folly Beach.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
13.92 mi
Kilometers
22.41 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
16.82 mi
Kilometers
27.07 km
Drive Time
00h 29m

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 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Charleston
Tue, Jun 2, 11:20 AM EDT
Return by in Folly Beach
Tue, Jun 2, 11:50 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Folly Beach
2026-06-02T10:50
Arrive North Charleston
Tue, Jun 2, 11:20 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:30 AM to 7:30 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:30 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Folly Beach
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Charleston
SC

The most populous city in South Carolina.

From Folly Beach
7.8 mi
00h 14m
To North Charleston
9 mi
00h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 23 mph NE
Destination
80°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 14 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Folly Beach and North Charleston.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Folly Beach and North Charleston.

  1. 1

    Start on East Arctic Avenue

    65 m · 12 sec · East Arctic Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left

    61 m · 20 sec

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Ashley Avenue

    83 m · 12 sec · East Ashley Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Center Street

    1805 ft · 52 sec · Center Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Folly Road

    8.7 mi · 17 min · Folly Road

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Folly Road Boulevard

    48 m · 5 sec · Folly Road Boulevard

  7. 7

    Continue on Wesley Drive

    1453 ft · 33 sec · Wesley Drive

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Saint Andrews Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Saint Andrews Boulevard

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Saint Andrews Boulevard

    720 ft · 12 sec · Saint Andrews Boulevard

  10. 10

    Continue on Old Towne Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Old Towne Road

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Sam Rittenberg Boulevard

    1.3 km · 1 min · Sam Rittenberg Boulevard

  12. 12

    Continue on Cosgrove Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Cosgrove Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Rivers Avenue

    704 ft · 12 sec · Rivers Avenue

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Rivers Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Folly Beach and North Charleston.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
83.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Folly Road
8.65 mi · 51%
Cosgrove Avenue
1.98 mi · 12%
Saint Andrews Boulevard
1.73 mi · 10%
Old Towne Road
1.47 mi · 9%
Sam Rittenberg Boulevard
0.79 mi · 5%
Center Street
0.34 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Folly Road

Continue on Folly Road

8.65 mi · 00h 17m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 29m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.9 mi
13.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Charleston
00h 14m from Folly Beach
Leave By
7:30 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Folly Beach and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near North Charleston.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Folly Beach to North Charleston?

The road trip is about 16.8 miles (27.1 km) and usually takes 00h 29m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Charleston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.8 miles from Folly Beach and 9 miles from North Charleston.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 13.9 miles (22.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.34 one way or $4.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Folly Beach and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near North Charleston.

Stop Ideas Near Charleston

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Charleston and the surrounding midpoint area.
Historic Charleston City Market
Scenic stop 3 mi away

Historic Charleston City Market

Charleston , SC
188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
Rating 4.5/5 18,143 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical landmark,Market
City of North Charleston City Hall
Meeting point 8.5 mi away

City of North Charleston City Hall

North Charleston , SC
2500 City Hall Ln, North Charleston, SC 29406
Rating 4.3/5 44 reviews City Hall,City government office
North Charleston Police Department
Nearby stop 8.6 mi away

North Charleston Police Department

North Charleston , SC
2500 City Hall Ln, North Charleston, SC 29418
Rating 3.0/5 47 reviews Police department
Charleston County Parking Garage
Scenic stop 2.8 mi away

Charleston County Parking Garage

Charleston , SC
85 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
Rating 4.3/5 78 reviews Parking garage

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Charleston.

RAIL

Charleston, South Carolina

13 mi away
4565 Gaynor Avenue
RAIL

Yemassee

86 mi away
9 Main Street
RAIL

Kingstree

99 mi away
101 East Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Folly Beach and North Charleston. Straight-line distance: 13.92 mi (22.41 km).

Folly Beach

#1 Folly Beach

City in South Carolina, United States

Population2,682
Coordinates32.6551800, -79.9403700
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
North Charleston

#2 North Charleston

The second most populous city in Charleston County, South Carolina.

Population118,752
Coordinates32.8546200, -79.9748100
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Start: East Arctic Avenue (-79.940295, 32.655055)
End: US 52 (-79.97488, 32.854524)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 27 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.59 gal
2.25 L · about $2.34
Round trip
$4.67
1.18 gal · 4.5 L
Estimated CO2
5.2 kg one way
Round trip: 10.5 kg / 23 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $2.34 $4.67
Mid-grade $4.43 $2.61 $5.23
Premium $4.78 $2.82 $5.64
Diesel $5.62 $3.32 $6.64

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 · Jun 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Folly Beach and North Charleston. The current time is 10:50:49.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.