How far is Laurens, SC from North Charleston, SC?

The driving distance from Laurens, SC to North Charleston, SC is about 175.7 miles (282.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 163.3 miles (262.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
175.73 mi
02h 42m
Flight
163.27 mi
262.76 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Laurens.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
163.27 mi
Kilometers
262.76 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
175.73 mi
Kilometers
282.81 km
Drive Time
02h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Charleston
Tue, May 12, 9:23 PM EDT
Return by in Laurens
Wed, May 13, 12:05 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Laurens
2026-05-12T18:41
Arrive North Charleston
Tue, May 12, 9:23 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:06 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Laurens
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Swansea
SC

Town in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States

From Laurens
87.2 mi
01h 21m
To North Charleston
88.5 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 8 mph ENE
Destination
75°F
Tuesday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 14 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Laurens and North Charleston.

  1. 1

    Start on Courthouse Public Square

    13 m · 7 sec · Courthouse Public Square

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Public Square

    91 m · 15 sec · East Public Square

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Laurens Street

    79 m · 14 sec · East Laurens Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North Harper Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · North Harper Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Lucas Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Lucas Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Yarborough Mill Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Yarborough Mill Road

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 49

    1.3 km · 1 min · State Highway 49

  8. 8

    Take the ramp right toward I 385 South

    1084 ft · 26 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    5.1 mi · 5 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    55.8 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Charleston

    107.3 mi · 1 hr 59 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward SC 642: Dorchester Road

    1270 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Dorchester Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Dorchester Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Rivers Avenue

    1501 ft · 29 sec · Rivers Avenue

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Rivers Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Charleston
107 mi · 61%
I 385 South
61.1 mi · 35%
Yarborough Mill Road
1.83 mi · 1%
North Harper Street
1.27 mi · 1%
State Highway 49
0.79 mi
Dorchester Road
0.72 mi
Longest Stretch

Charleston

Keep slight right to continue on Charleston

107 mi · 01h 59m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.4 mi
163.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Swansea
01h 21m from Laurens
Leave By
1:06 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Laurens and Mostly Cloudy near North Charleston.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Laurens to North Charleston?

The road trip is about 175.7 miles (282.8 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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?

Swansea is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.2 miles from Laurens and 88.5 miles from North Charleston.

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

The direct path is about 163.3 miles (262.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.4 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 1:06 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.56 one way or $49.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Laurens and Mostly Cloudy near North Charleston.

Stop Ideas Near Swansea

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Swansea, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Columbia

29 mi away
850 Pulaski Street
RAIL

Denmark

46 mi away
200 West Baruch Street
RAIL

Camden

71 mi away
1060 West Dekalb Street
RAIL

Kingstree

118 mi away
101 East Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Laurens and North Charleston. Straight-line distance: 163.27 mi (262.76 km).

Laurens

#1 Laurens

City in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States of America

Population8,852
Coordinates34.4990100, -82.0142600
Altitude186
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: Courthouse Public Square (-82.014258, 34.499001)
End: US 52 (-79.97488, 32.854524)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 283 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.2 gal
23.47 L · about $24.56
Round trip
$49.12
12.4 gal · 46.94 L
Estimated CO2
55.1 kg one way
Round trip: 110.2 kg / 243 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $24.56 $49.12
Mid-grade $4.43 $27.46 $54.92
Premium $4.78 $29.62 $59.25
Diesel $5.62 $34.87 $69.74

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Laurens and North Charleston. The current time is 18:41:04.

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.