How far is Kiawah Island, SC from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance from Kiawah Island, SC to Charleston, SC is about 27.4 miles (44.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14.7 miles (23.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 34m 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 00h 47m.
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.
City in South Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kiawah Island and Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kiawah Island and Charleston.
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1
Start on the route
31 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn right
86 m · 21 sec
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3
Continue on Turtle Point Lane
652 ft · 31 sec · Turtle Point Lane
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4
Turn right onto Green Dolphin Way
1390 ft · 1 min · Green Dolphin Way
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Kiawah Island Parkway
4.4 mi · 10 min · Kiawah Island Parkway
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Betsy Kerrison Parkway
9 m · 1 sec · Betsy Kerrison Parkway
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Betsy Kerrison Parkway
3.1 mi · 7 min · Betsy Kerrison Parkway
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8
Continue on Bohicket Road
7.3 mi · 18 min · Bohicket Road
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9
Turn sharp right onto Maybank Highway
7.2 mi · 13 min · Maybank Highway
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10
Turn left onto Folly Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Folly Road
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Folly Road Boulevard
2334 ft · 40 sec · Folly Road Boulevard
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12
Merge slight left onto Savannah Highway
3148 ft · 1 min · Savannah Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right
135 m · 12 sec
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14
Keep slight right
570 ft · 15 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Lockwood Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · Lockwood Drive
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16
Continue on Broad Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Broad Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kiawah Island and Charleston.
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.
Bohicket Road
Continue on Bohicket Road
7.31 mi · 00h 18m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kiawah Island and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Charleston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kiawah Island to Charleston?
The road trip is about 27.4 miles (44.1 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?
Folly Beach is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.1 miles from Kiawah Island and 14.3 miles from Charleston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 14.7 miles (23.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.7 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 4:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.84 one way or $7.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Kiawah Island and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Charleston.
Stop Ideas Near Folly Beach
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic Charleston City Market
City of North Charleston City Hall
American Red Cross
Charleston County Parking Garage
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Folly Beach.
Charleston, South Carolina
Yemassee
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kiawah Island and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 14.68 mi (23.62 km).
#1 Kiawah Island
City in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States of America
| Population | 1,765 |
| Coordinates | 32.6082400, -80.0848200 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: Broad Street (-79.930909, 32.776494)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 44 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $3.84 | $7.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $4.30 | $8.59 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $4.63 | $9.27 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $5.46 | $10.91 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.