How far is South Santee, SC from Folly Beach, SC?

The driving distance from South Santee, SC to Folly Beach, SC is about 54.4 miles (87.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 46.9 miles (75.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 21m 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
54.44 mi
01h 10m
Flight
46.93 mi
75.52 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Santee.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
46.93 mi
Kilometers
75.52 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
54.44 mi
Kilometers
87.61 km
Drive Time
01h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Folly Beach
Sat, Apr 18, 4:57 AM EDT
Return by in South Santee
Sat, Apr 18, 6:08 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Santee
2026-04-18T03:46
Arrive Folly Beach
Sat, Apr 18, 4:57 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:11 AM to 11:11 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:08 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Santee
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
Isle of Palms
SC

City in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States

From South Santee
27.2 mi
00h 35m
To Folly Beach
27.3 mi
00h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph S
Destination
73°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 16 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between South Santee and Folly Beach.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Santee and Folly Beach.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    44 mi · 1 hr

  2. 2

    Continue on Spring Street

    1116 ft · 21 sec · Spring Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Lockwood Drive

    653 ft · 26 sec · Lockwood Drive

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward SC 30: James Island, Folly Beach

    1689 ft · 41 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto James Island Expressway

    2.6 mi · 4 min · James Island Expressway

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Folly Road

    6.7 mi · 13 min · Folly Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Center Street

    2010 ft · 1 min · Center Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto East Arctic Avenue

    20 m · 2 sec · East Arctic Avenue

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Arctic Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South Santee and Folly Beach.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
9 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Folly Road
6.73 mi · 12%
James Island Expressway
2.57 mi · 5%
Center Street
0.38 mi · 1%
SC 30
0.32 mi · 1%
Spring Street
0.21 mi
Lockwood Drive
0.12 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Start on the route

44 mi · 01h 00m

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 10m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.5 mi
46.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Isle of Palms
00h 35m from South Santee
Leave By
4:08 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving South Santee and Mostly Sunny near Folly Beach.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from South Santee to Folly Beach?

The road trip is about 54.4 miles (87.6 km) and usually takes 01h 10m 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?

Isle of Palms is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.2 miles from South Santee and 27.3 miles from Folly Beach.

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

The direct path is about 46.9 miles (75.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 4:08 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.61 one way or $15.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Santee and Mostly Sunny near Folly Beach.

Stop Ideas Near Isle of Palms

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 Isle of Palms and the surrounding midpoint area.
Historic Charleston City Market
Scenic stop 14.6 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
Sullivan's Island Town Hall
Meeting point 11.9 mi away

Sullivan's Island Town Hall

Isle of Palms
2056 Middle St, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482
Rating 1.7/5 12 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 14.6 mi away

Olde Village Community Building

North Charleston , SC
4820 Jenkins Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
Rating 4.7/5 12 reviews Community center
Charleston County Parking Garage
Scenic stop 14.8 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 Isle of Palms.

RAIL

Charleston, South Carolina

21 mi away
4565 Gaynor Avenue
RAIL

Kingstree

98 mi away
101 East Main St.
RAIL

Yemassee

99 mi away
9 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Santee and Folly Beach. Straight-line distance: 46.93 mi (75.52 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 South Santee

South Santee is a place in South Carolina, United States.

Population0
Coordinates33.1735000, -79.4175600
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Folly Beach

#2 Folly Beach

City in South Carolina, United States

Population2,682
Coordinates32.6551800, -79.9403700
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Start: US 17 (-79.417606, 33.173522)
End: East Arctic Avenue (-79.940295, 32.655055)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 88 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.92 gal
7.27 L · about $7.61
Round trip
$15.21
3.84 gal · 14.54 L
Estimated CO2
17.1 kg one way
Round trip: 34.1 kg / 75 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $7.61 $15.21
Mid-grade $4.43 $8.50 $17.01
Premium $4.78 $9.17 $18.35
Diesel $5.62 $10.80 $21.60

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between South Santee and Folly Beach. The current time is 03:46:51.

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.