How far is Saint Matthews, SC from Charleston, SC?

The driving distance from Saint Matthews, SC to Charleston, SC is about 85.5 miles (137.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 78.5 miles (126.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 54m 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
85.49 mi
01h 27m
Flight
78.51 mi
126.35 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint Matthews.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
78.51 mi
Kilometers
126.35 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
85.49 mi
Kilometers
137.59 km
Drive Time
01h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Charleston
Sat, May 2, 1:24 PM EDT
Return by in Saint Matthews
Sat, May 2, 2:51 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Matthews
2026-05-02T11:57
Arrive Charleston
Sat, May 2, 1:24 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint Matthews
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
Harleyville
SC

Town in South Carolina

From Saint Matthews
42.7 mi
00h 43m
To Charleston
42.8 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Saturday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph N
Destination
67°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Matthews and Charleston.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Matthews and Charleston.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    9 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Bridge Street

    89 m · 12 sec · Bridge Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Harry C Raysor Drive

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Harry C Raysor Drive

  4. 4

    Continue on Saint Matthews Road

    6.6 mi · 10 min · Saint Matthews Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Saint Matthews Road

    1652 ft · 27 sec · Saint Matthews Road

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East: Charleston

    1303 ft · 32 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    75 mi · 1 hr 24 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown

    1994 ft · 53 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Meeting Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Meeting Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Broad Street

    12 m · 1 sec · Broad Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Broad Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Matthews and Charleston.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
11 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 26 East
75.3 mi · 88%
Saint Matthews Road
6.88 mi · 8%
Meeting Street
1.95 mi · 2%
Harry C Raysor Drive
1.16 mi · 1%
Bridge Street
0.06 mi
Broad Street
0.01 mi
Longest Stretch

I 26 East

Merge slight left

75 mi · 01h 24m

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 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7 mi
78.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Harleyville
00h 43m from Saint Matthews
Leave By
3:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Saint Matthews and 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 Saint Matthews to Charleston?

The road trip is about 85.5 miles (137.6 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?

Harleyville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.7 miles from Saint Matthews and 42.8 miles from Charleston.

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

The direct path is about 78.5 miles (126.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 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 3:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.96 one way or $23.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Saint Matthews and Showers And Thunderstorms near Charleston.

Stop Ideas Near Harleyville

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Harleyville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Harleyville.

RAIL

Charleston, South Carolina

56 mi away
4565 Gaynor Avenue
RAIL

Denmark

66 mi away
200 West Baruch Street
RAIL

Yemassee

69 mi away
9 Main Street
RAIL

Kingstree

76 mi away
101 East Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Matthews and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 78.51 mi (126.35 km).

Saint Matthews

#1 Saint Matthews

Town in Calhoun County, South Carolina

Population1,903
Coordinates33.6648800, -80.7778700
Altitude84
CountryUnited States
Charleston

#2 Charleston

The most populous city in South Carolina.

Population139,714
Coordinates32.7765700, -79.9309200
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Start: Bridge Street (-80.77792, 33.664814)
End: Broad Street (-79.930909, 32.776494)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 138 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.02 gal
11.42 L · about $11.96
Round trip
$23.92
6.04 gal · 22.84 L
Estimated CO2
26.8 kg one way
Round trip: 53.7 kg / 118 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $11.96 $23.92
Mid-grade $4.43 $13.38 $26.75
Premium $4.78 $14.43 $28.86
Diesel $5.62 $16.98 $33.97

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Matthews and Charleston. The current time is 11:57:14.

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.