How far is North Charleston, SC from Buffalo, SC?
The driving distance from North Charleston, SC to Buffalo, SC is about 178.8 miles (287.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162.3 miles (261.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 26m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Charleston and Buffalo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Charleston and Buffalo.
-
1
Start on Rivers Avenue
1501 ft · 38 sec · Rivers Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto Dorchester Road
1 km · 1 min · Dorchester Road
-
3
Take the ramp right toward I 26 West: Columbia
1130 ft · 28 sec
-
4
Merge slight left
143.4 mi · 2 hr 38 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward SC 121: Whitmire, Union
1436 ft · 36 sec
-
6
Turn right onto State Highway 121
13.3 mi · 20 min · State Highway 121
-
7
Merge slight left
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
8
Keep slight left
589 ft · 8 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Whitmire Highway
13.6 mi · 15 min · Whitmire Highway
-
10
Continue on South Pinckney Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Pinckney Street
-
11
Turn slight left onto Thompson Boulevard
1.5 km · 1 min · Thompson Boulevard
-
12
Turn slight left onto Harwood Heights
2161 ft · 45 sec · Harwood Heights
-
13
Continue on Buffalo-West Springs Highway
1.1 km · 1 min · Buffalo-West Springs Highway
-
14
Continue on Main Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · Main Street
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Charleston and Buffalo.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 26 West
Merge slight left
143 mi · 02h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny leaving North Charleston and Mostly Sunny near Buffalo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Charleston to Buffalo?
The road trip is about 178.8 miles (287.8 km) and usually takes 03h 26m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Gaston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.4 miles from North Charleston and 89.4 miles from Buffalo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162.3 miles (261.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:06 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.08 one way or $44.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around North Charleston and Mostly Sunny near Buffalo.
Stop Ideas Near Gaston
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 Gaston.
Columbia
Denmark
Camden
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Charleston and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 162.28 mi (261.17 km).
#1 North Charleston
The second most populous city in Charleston County, South Carolina.
| Population | 118,752 |
| Coordinates | 32.8546200, -79.9748100 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Buffalo
Buffalo is a place in South Carolina, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.7256900, -81.6834300 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buffalo (-81.68343, 34.72569)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.50 | $22.08 | $44.17 |
| Mid-grade | $3.93 | $24.81 | $49.62 |
| Premium | $4.34 | $27.40 | $54.80 |
| Diesel | $5.63 | $35.55 | $71.10 |
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 · Nov 10, 2026