How far is Sullivans Island, SC from North Charleston, SC?

The driving distance from Sullivans Island, SC to North Charleston, SC is about 12.9 miles (20.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 10.2 miles (16.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
12.89 mi
00h 24m
Flight
10.2 mi
16.42 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sullivans Island.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
10.2 mi
Kilometers
16.42 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
12.89 mi
Kilometers
20.74 km
Drive Time
00h 24m

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 00h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Charleston
Wed, May 6, 6:39 PM EDT
Return by in Sullivans Island
Wed, May 6, 7:03 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sullivans Island
2026-05-06T18:15
Arrive North Charleston
Wed, May 6, 6:39 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:24 AM to 7:24 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Sullivans Island
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Charleston
SC

The most populous city in South Carolina.

From Sullivans Island
6 mi
00h 12m
To North Charleston
6.9 mi
00h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 6 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph S
Destination
84°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 6 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 14 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sullivans Island and North Charleston.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sullivans Island and North Charleston.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    12 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    18 m · 9 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Station 22 1/2 Street

    859 ft · 15 sec · Station 22 1/2 Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Ben Sawyer Boulevard

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Ben Sawyer Boulevard

  5. 5

    Turn slight right onto Ben Sawyer Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · Ben Sawyer Boulevard

  6. 6

    Continue on Coleman Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Coleman Boulevard

  7. 7

    Continue on West Coleman Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 3 min · West Coleman Boulevard

  8. 8

    Take the ramp straight toward US 17 South: Charleston

    2568 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Meeting Street

    1902 ft · 49 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Meeting Street

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Meeting Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Meeting Street Road

    1065 ft · 18 sec · Meeting Street Road

  13. 13

    Continue on Meeting Street Road

    3057 ft · 52 sec · Meeting Street Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Carner Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Carner Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Rivers Avenue

    1667 ft · 30 sec · Rivers Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Rivers Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sullivans Island and North Charleston.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
124 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Ben Sawyer Boulevard
2.57 mi · 20%
Meeting Street
2.54 mi · 20%
Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge
2.12 mi · 16%
West Coleman Boulevard
1.15 mi · 9%
Coleman Boulevard
1.09 mi · 8%
Carner Avenue
0.81 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Meeting Street

Turn right onto Meeting Street

2.18 mi · 00h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 24m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.7 mi
10.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Charleston
00h 12m from Sullivans Island
Leave By
7:42 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Sullivans Island and Mostly Sunny near North Charleston.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sullivans Island to North Charleston?

The road trip is about 12.9 miles (20.7 km) and usually takes 00h 24m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Charleston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6 miles from Sullivans Island and 6.9 miles from North Charleston.

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

The direct path is about 10.2 miles (16.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.78 one way or $3.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sullivans Island and Mostly Sunny near North Charleston.

Stop Ideas Near Charleston

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 Charleston and the surrounding midpoint area.
Historic Charleston City Market
Scenic stop 1.8 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
City of North Charleston City Hall
Meeting point 7.7 mi away

City of North Charleston City Hall

North Charleston , SC
2500 City Hall Ln, North Charleston, SC 29406
Rating 4.3/5 44 reviews City Hall,City government office
North Charleston Police Department
Nearby stop 7.7 mi away

North Charleston Police Department

North Charleston , SC
2500 City Hall Ln, North Charleston, SC 29418
Rating 3.0/5 47 reviews Police department
Charleston County Parking Garage
Scenic stop 2.1 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 Charleston.

RAIL

Charleston, South Carolina

13 mi away
4565 Gaynor Avenue
RAIL

Yemassee

86 mi away
9 Main Street
RAIL

Kingstree

99 mi away
101 East Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sullivans Island and North Charleston. Straight-line distance: 10.2 mi (16.42 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Sullivans Island

Island in the United States of America

Population1,791
Coordinates32.7632300, -79.8367500
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
North Charleston

#2 North Charleston

The second most populous city in Charleston County, South Carolina.

Population118,752
Coordinates32.8546200, -79.9748100
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Start: Jasper Boulevard (-79.836858, 32.763409)
End: US 52 (-79.97488, 32.854524)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 21 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.45 gal
1.72 L · about $1.78
Round trip
$3.56
0.9 gal · 3.44 L
Estimated CO2
4 kg one way
Round trip: 8 kg / 18 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $1.78 $3.56
Mid-grade $4.43 $1.99 $3.99
Premium $4.78 $2.15 $4.30
Diesel $5.62 $2.53 $5.06

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 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Sullivans Island and North Charleston. The current time is 18:15:19.

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.