How far is North Charleston, SC from Central, SC?
The driving distance from North Charleston, SC to Central, SC is about 231.9 miles (373.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 206.5 miles (332.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 04h 25m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Charleston and Central.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Charleston and Central.
-
1
Start on Rivers Avenue
1501 ft · 38 sec · Rivers Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Dorchester Road
1 km · 1 min · Dorchester Road
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 26 West: Columbia
1130 ft · 28 sec
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4
Merge slight left
163.3 mi · 2 hr 59 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
29.6 mi · 32 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderson
2748 ft · 34 sec
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 185: Atlanta, Anderson
3027 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Southern Connector
11.2 mi · 12 min · Southern Connector
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward Easley, Clemson
697 ft · 17 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Easley, Clemson
156 m · 12 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Highway 153
6.8 mi · 11 min · Highway 153
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
8 m · 1 sec
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13
Exit the roundabout
923 ft · 38 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Calhoun Memorial Highway
16.2 mi · 22 min · Calhoun Memorial Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Road 18, Central, Pendleton
1447 ft · 36 sec
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16
Turn right onto Eighteen Mile Road
2687 ft · 56 sec · Eighteen Mile Road
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17
Continue on Church Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · Church Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Church Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Charleston and Central.
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
163 mi · 02h 59m
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 then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving North Charleston and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Central.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Charleston to Central?
The road trip is about 231.9 miles (373.2 km) and usually takes 04h 25m 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?
Irmo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.9 miles from North Charleston and 115.9 miles from Central.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 206.5 miles (332.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:10 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.40 one way or $64.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around North Charleston and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Central.
Stop Ideas Near Irmo
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 Irmo.
Columbia
Camden
Denmark
Spartanburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Charleston and Central. Straight-line distance: 206.52 mi (332.36 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 Central
Town in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 5,452 |
| Coordinates | 34.7242700, -82.7812500 |
| Altitude | 278 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central (-82.78125, 34.72427)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 373 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $32.40 | $64.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $36.23 | $72.46 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $39.08 | $78.17 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $46.00 | $92.01 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.