How far is North Charleston, SC from Chester, SC?
The driving distance from North Charleston, SC to Chester, SC is about 168.7 miles (271.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 146.3 miles (235.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 35m 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 03h 17m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Charleston and Chester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Charleston and Chester.
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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
103.8 mi · 1 hr 54 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward US 1 North: West Columbia
1062 ft · 26 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Augusta Road
2930 ft · 42 sec · Augusta Road
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7
Turn straight onto Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
2.7 mi · 3 min · Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
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8
Continue on Hampton Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · Hampton Street
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9
Turn left onto Bull Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · Bull Street
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10
Continue on I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
7.6 mi · 9 min · I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
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11
Merge slight left onto Charles F Bolden Freeway
35.7 mi · 38 min · Charles F Bolden Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward SC 97: Great Falls, Chester
1587 ft · 39 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on SC 97: Great Falls, Chester
26 m · 6 sec
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14
Turn left onto Great Falls Highway
12.2 mi · 21 min · Great Falls Highway
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto Columbia Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Columbia Road
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16
Continue on Columbia Street
1 mi · 2 min · Columbia Street
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17
Turn left onto West End Street
6 m · 1 sec · West End Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West End Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Charleston and Chester.
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
104 mi · 01h 54m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving North Charleston and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Chester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Charleston to Chester?
The road trip is about 168.7 miles (271.5 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?
Swansea is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.4 miles from North Charleston and 84.3 miles from Chester.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 146.3 miles (235.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.4 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 10:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.57 one way or $47.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around North Charleston and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Chester.
Stop Ideas Near Swansea
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 Swansea.
Columbia
Denmark
Camden
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Charleston and Chester. Straight-line distance: 146.31 mi (235.47 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 Chester
Small rural city in Chester County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 5,363 |
| Coordinates | 34.7048600, -81.2142600 |
| Altitude | 163 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chester (-81.21426, 34.70486)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 272 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.57 | $47.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.35 | $52.71 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.43 | $56.86 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.46 | $66.93 |
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 27, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.