How far is North Charleston, SC from Clearwater, SC?
The driving distance from North Charleston, SC to Clearwater, SC is about 139.8 miles (225 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 119.4 miles (192.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 10m 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 05m.
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.
Census-designated place in Orangeburg County, South Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Charleston and Clearwater.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Charleston and Clearwater.
-
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
61 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward US 301 South: Orangeburg
1530 ft · 37 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Five Chop Road
6.4 mi · 8 min · Five Chop Road
-
7
Turn right onto Whittaker Parkway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Whittaker Parkway
-
8
Continue on Chestnut Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · Chestnut Street
-
9
Continue on North Road
16.3 mi · 24 min · North Road
-
10
Turn left onto Salley Road
7 mi · 10 min · Salley Road
-
11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
45 m · 2 sec
-
12
Exit the roundabout
15.2 mi · 25 min
-
13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Salley Road
3158 ft · 1 min · Salley Road
-
14
Continue on Wagener Road
12.8 mi · 19 min · Wagener Road
-
15
Continue on Richland Avenue East
2.4 mi · 4 min · Richland Avenue East
-
16
Continue on Richland Avenue West
3.5 mi · 6 min · Richland Avenue West
-
17
Continue on Jefferson Davis Highway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Jefferson Davis Highway
-
18
Turn left onto Belvedere Road
1 km · 1 min · Belvedere Road
-
19
Turn left onto Augusta Road
11 m · 1 sec · Augusta Road
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Augusta Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Charleston and Clearwater.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 26 West
Merge slight left
61 mi · 01h 08m
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.
Sunny leaving North Charleston and Sunny near Clearwater.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Charleston to Clearwater?
The road trip is about 139.8 miles (225 km) and usually takes 03h 05m 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?
Wilkinson Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.9 miles from North Charleston and 70 miles from Clearwater.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 119.4 miles (192.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.4 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:50 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.59 one way or $35.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around North Charleston and Sunny near Clearwater.
Stop Ideas Near Wilkinson Heights
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 Wilkinson Heights.
Denmark
Columbia
Camden
Yemassee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Charleston and Clearwater. Straight-line distance: 119.42 mi (192.19 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 Clearwater
Clearwater is a place in South Carolina, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.4968000, -81.8920600 |
| Altitude | 45 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clearwater (-81.89206, 33.4968)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 225 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $17.59 | $35.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.01 | $19.79 | $39.58 |
| Premium | $4.42 | $21.80 | $43.60 |
| Diesel | $5.69 | $28.07 | $56.13 |
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 07, 2026