How far is Lake City, SC from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance from Lake City, SC to Charleston, SC is about 89.2 miles (143.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.3 miles (122.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 31m 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 01h 45m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake City and Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City and Charleston.
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1
Start on South Acline Avenue
146 m · 14 sec · South Acline Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West Thomas Street
1826 ft · 53 sec · West Thomas Street
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3
Turn left onto South Ron McNair Boulevard
2.5 mi · 5 min · South Ron McNair Boulevard
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4
Continue on North Williamsburg County Highway
11.1 mi · 14 min · North Williamsburg County Highway
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5
Continue on Longstreet Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · Longstreet Street
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6
Turn right onto West Main Street
806 ft · 10 sec · West Main Street
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7
Continue on South Williamsburg County Highway
37.7 mi · 50 min · South Williamsburg County Highway
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8
Continue straight
2941 ft · 1 min
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9
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 2 min
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10
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 1 min
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11
Continue on Goose Creek Boulevard South
5.2 mi · 6 min · Goose Creek Boulevard South
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Goose Creek Boulevard South
12 mi · 14 min · Goose Creek Boulevard South
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13
Continue on Rivers Avenue
1231 ft · 16 sec · Rivers Avenue
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14
Take the exit straight toward I 26 East: Charleston
1.6 km · 2 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 26 East: Charleston
1294 ft · 32 sec
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16
Merge slight left
12 mi · 15 min
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17
Take the exit slight left toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
1994 ft · 53 sec
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18
Turn right onto Meeting Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Meeting Street
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19
Turn left onto Broad Street
12 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake City and Charleston.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
South Williamsburg County Highway
Continue on South Williamsburg County Highway
37.7 mi · 00h 50m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lake City and Mostly Sunny near Charleston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake City to Charleston?
The road trip is about 89.2 miles (143.5 km) and usually takes 01h 45m 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?
Bonneau is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.6 miles from Lake City and 44.6 miles from Charleston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.3 miles (122.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.48 one way or $24.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake City and Mostly Sunny near Charleston.
Stop Ideas Near Bonneau
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 Bonneau.
Kingstree
Charleston, South Carolina
Florence
Yemassee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake City and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 76.29 mi (122.78 km).
#1 Lake City
City in South Carolina, USA
| Population | 6,497 |
| Coordinates | 33.8710000, -79.7553500 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| 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: 143 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.48 | $24.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $13.95 | $27.90 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $15.05 | $30.10 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $17.72 | $35.43 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.