How far is Raleigh, NC from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance from Raleigh, NC to Charleston, SC is about 278.6 miles (448.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 219.7 miles (353.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 25m 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 05h 12m.
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.
City in Florence County, South Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Raleigh and Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raleigh and Charleston.
-
1
Start on East South Street
154 m · 21 sec · East South Street
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2
Turn right onto South Blount Street
3167 ft · 1 min · South Blount Street
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3
Continue on Hammond Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Hammond Road
-
4
Take the ramp slight right
906 ft · 31 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
2.2 mi · 2 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Thomas Bradshaw Freeway
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7
Keep slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on SR 42: Fuquay-Varina, Cleveland Rd
1.7 mi · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto I 40 East: Benson, Wilmington
14.4 mi · 15 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I-95 South: Benson, Fayetteville
3110 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left
25.3 mi · 29 min
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12
Keep slight left
168.3 mi · 3 hr 3 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East: Charleston
1806 ft · 51 sec
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14
Merge slight left
51.9 mi · 59 min
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15
Take the exit slight left toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
1994 ft · 53 sec
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16
Turn right onto Meeting Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Meeting Street
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17
Turn left onto Broad Street
12 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Raleigh and Charleston.
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-95 South
Keep slight left
168 mi · 03h 03m
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 Raleigh and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Charleston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Raleigh to Charleston?
The road trip is about 278.6 miles (448.3 km) and usually takes 05h 12m 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?
Quinby is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.4 miles from Raleigh and 139.2 miles from Charleston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 219.7 miles (353.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.9 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 6:34 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.94 one way or $77.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Raleigh and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Charleston.
Stop Ideas Near Quinby
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Town Hall
Florence City Manager
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Quinby.
Florence
Dillon
Kingstree
Hamlet
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Raleigh and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 219.72 mi (353.61 km).
#1 Raleigh
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.
| Population | 474,414 |
| Coordinates | 35.7721000, -78.6386100 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: Charleston (-79.93092, 32.77657)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 448 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $38.94 | $77.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $43.54 | $87.07 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $46.97 | $93.94 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $55.28 | $110.57 |
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 North Carolina · Aug 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.