How far is North Charleston, SC from Union, SC?
The driving distance from North Charleston, SC to Union, SC is about 174.6 miles (281 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.7 miles (257 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 39m 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 19m.
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.
Town in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Charleston and Union.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Charleston and Union.
-
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
-
4
Merge slight left
143.4 mi · 2 hr 38 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward SC 121: Whitmire, Union
1436 ft · 36 sec
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6
Turn right onto State Highway 121
13.3 mi · 20 min · State Highway 121
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7
Merge slight left
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
8
Keep slight left
589 ft · 8 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Whitmire Highway
13.6 mi · 15 min · Whitmire Highway
-
10
Continue on South Pinckney Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Pinckney Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Pinckney Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Charleston and Union.
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
143 mi · 02h 38m
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 Sunny leaving North Charleston and Sunny near Union.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Charleston to Union?
The road trip is about 174.6 miles (281 km) and usually takes 03h 19m 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 87.4 miles from North Charleston and 87.2 miles from Union.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.7 miles (257 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.9 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 10:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.40 one way or $48.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North Charleston and Sunny near Union.
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 Union. Straight-line distance: 159.67 mi (256.96 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 Union
Township of Union County, New Jersey
| Population | 8,045 |
| Coordinates | 34.7154100, -81.6237100 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
End: Union (-81.62371, 34.71541)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 281 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.40 | $48.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.28 | $54.57 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.43 | $58.86 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.64 | $69.29 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.