How far is North Charleston, SC from Kiawah Island, SC?

The driving distance from North Charleston, SC to Kiawah Island, SC is about 29.8 miles (47.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18.2 miles (29.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 06m 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
29.79 mi
01h 03m
Flight
18.18 mi
29.26 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Charleston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
18.18 mi
Kilometers
29.26 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
29.79 mi
Kilometers
47.94 km
Drive Time
01h 03m

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 01h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kiawah Island
Sat, May 30, 3:23 PM EDT
Return by in North Charleston
Sat, May 30, 4:26 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Charleston
2026-05-30T14:20
Arrive Kiawah Island
Sat, May 30, 3:23 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:24 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Charleston
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
Folly Beach
SC

City in South Carolina, United States

From North Charleston
14.9 mi
00h 31m
To Kiawah Island
14.9 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 6 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Charleston and Kiawah Island.

  1. 1

    Start on Rivers Avenue

    704 ft · 14 sec · Rivers Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Cosgrove Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Cosgrove Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard

    1.3 km · 1 min · Sam Rittenberg Boulevard

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on Old Towne Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Old Towne Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Saint Andrews Boulevard

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Saint Andrews Boulevard

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Wesley Drive

    1464 ft · 31 sec · Wesley Drive

  7. 7

    Continue on Folly Road Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · Folly Road Boulevard

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Maybank Highway

    7.2 mi · 13 min · Maybank Highway

  9. 9

    Turn sharp left onto Bohicket Road

    7.3 mi · 18 min · Bohicket Road

  10. 10

    Continue on Betsy Kerrison Parkway

    3.1 mi · 7 min · Betsy Kerrison Parkway

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kiawah Island Parkway

    94 m · 8 sec · Kiawah Island Parkway

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto Kiawah Island Parkway

    4.4 mi · 10 min · Kiawah Island Parkway

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Green Dolphin Way

    1390 ft · 1 min · Green Dolphin Way

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Turtle Point Lane

    114 m · 17 sec · Turtle Point Lane

  15. 15

    Turn right

    584 ft · 43 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
53.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Bohicket Road
7.31 mi · 25%
Maybank Highway
7.17 mi · 24%
Kiawah Island Parkway
4.44 mi · 15%
Betsy Kerrison Parkway
3.08 mi · 10%
Cosgrove Avenue
1.98 mi · 7%
Saint Andrews Boulevard
1.74 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Bohicket Road

Turn sharp left onto Bohicket Road

7.31 mi · 00h 18m

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
01h 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.6 mi
18.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Folly Beach
00h 31m from North Charleston
Leave By
4:24 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving North Charleston and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kiawah Island.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Charleston to Kiawah Island?

The road trip is about 29.8 miles (47.9 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?

Folly Beach is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.9 miles from North Charleston and 14.9 miles from Kiawah Island.

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

The direct path is about 18.2 miles (29.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.6 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 4:24 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.16 one way or $8.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around North Charleston and Showers And Thunderstorms near Kiawah Island.

Stop Ideas Near Folly Beach

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Folly Beach and the surrounding midpoint area.
Historic Charleston City Market
Scenic stop 9.5 mi away

Historic Charleston City Market

Charleston , SC
188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
Rating 4.5/5 18,143 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical landmark,Market
City of North Charleston City Hall
Meeting point 11.6 mi away

City of North Charleston City Hall

North Charleston , SC
2500 City Hall Ln, North Charleston, SC 29406
Rating 4.3/5 44 reviews City Hall,City government office
American Red Cross
Nearby stop 11.5 mi away

American Red Cross

North Charleston , SC
2424- A, City Hall Ln, North Charleston, SC 29406
Rating 4.4/5 21 reviews Non-profit organization,Charity,Volunteer organization
Charleston County Parking Garage
Scenic stop 9.3 mi away

Charleston County Parking Garage

Charleston , SC
85 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
Rating 4.3/5 78 reviews Parking garage

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Folly Beach.

RAIL

Charleston, South Carolina

25 mi away
4565 Gaynor Avenue
RAIL

Yemassee

85 mi away
9 Main Street
RAIL

Kingstree

113 mi away
101 East Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Charleston and Kiawah Island. Straight-line distance: 18.18 mi (29.26 km).

North Charleston

#1 North Charleston

The second most populous city in Charleston County, South Carolina.

Population118,752
Coordinates32.8546200, -79.9748100
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Kiawah Island

#2 Kiawah Island

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

Population1,765
Coordinates32.6082400, -80.0848200
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Start: North Charleston (-79.97481, 32.85462)
End: Kiawah Island (-80.08482, 32.60824)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 48 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.05 gal
3.98 L · about $4.16
Round trip
$8.32
2.1 gal · 7.96 L
Estimated CO2
9.3 kg one way
Round trip: 18.7 kg / 41 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $4.16 $8.32
Mid-grade $4.43 $4.65 $9.30
Premium $4.78 $5.02 $10.03
Diesel $5.62 $5.91 $11.81

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between North Charleston and Kiawah Island. The current time is 14:20:08.

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.