How far is North Charleston, SC from Lancaster, SC?
The driving distance from North Charleston, SC to Lancaster, SC is about 166.8 miles (268.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.8 miles (220.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 31m 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 15m.
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.
City in South Carolina, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Charleston and Lancaster.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Charleston and Lancaster.
-
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
46.3 mi · 52 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 North: Florence
1.3 km · 2 min
-
6
Merge slight left
35.4 mi · 38 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
1660 ft · 41 sec
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
88 m · 7 sec
-
9
Turn left
12.4 mi · 14 min
-
10
Turn left onto South Guignard Parkway
1.1 mi · 1 min · South Guignard Parkway
-
11
Continue on South Guignard Drive
3.6 mi · 4 min · South Guignard Drive
-
12
Continue on Bultman Drive
1.1 km · 2 min · Bultman Drive
-
13
Turn left onto Broad Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Broad Street
-
14
Turn slight right onto Camden Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Camden Highway
-
15
Continue on Thomas Sumter Highway
7.6 mi · 9 min · Thomas Sumter Highway
-
16
Continue on Camden Highway
6.2 mi · 7 min · Camden Highway
-
17
Continue on Sumter Highway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Sumter Highway
-
18
Continue on Broad Street
4.2 mi · 9 min · Broad Street
-
19
Continue on Kershaw Highway
14.4 mi · 16 min · Kershaw Highway
-
20
Continue on Kershaw Camden Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Kershaw Camden Highway
-
21
Continue on South Hampton Street
1.1 km · 48 sec · South Hampton Street
-
22
Turn left onto South Matson Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Matson Street
-
23
At the end of the road, turn left onto Kershaw Camden Highway
4.8 mi · 5 min · Kershaw Camden Highway
-
24
Continue on Spring Street
1.3 km · 56 sec · Spring Street
-
25
Turn right onto Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Main Street
-
26
Continue on Kershaw Camden Highway
7.4 mi · 8 min · Kershaw Camden Highway
-
27
Continue on Kershaw Camden Highway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Kershaw Camden Highway
-
28
Continue on Kershaw Highway
2354 ft · 40 sec · Kershaw Highway
-
29
Continue on South Market Street
1.3 km · 1 min · South Market Street
-
30
Turn left onto East Gay Street
804 ft · 24 sec · East Gay Street
-
31
Turn right onto South Main Street
624 ft · 17 sec · South Main Street
-
32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Charleston and Lancaster.
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
46.3 mi · 00h 52m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving North Charleston and Chance Rain Showers near Lancaster.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Charleston to Lancaster?
The road trip is about 166.8 miles (268.5 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?
Manning is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.5 miles from North Charleston and 83.3 miles from Lancaster.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.8 miles (220.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 30 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 10:28 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.33 one way or $46.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around North Charleston and Chance Rain Showers near Lancaster.
Stop Ideas Near Manning
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Sumter City Hall
Summerton Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Manning.
Kingstree
Florence
Camden
Columbia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Charleston and Lancaster. Straight-line distance: 136.78 mi (220.12 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 Lancaster
City in central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 9,156 |
| Coordinates | 34.7204300, -80.7709000 |
| Altitude | 173 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lancaster (-80.7709, 34.72043)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 269 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.33 | $46.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.09 | $52.17 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.14 | $56.28 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.13 | $66.25 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.