How far is Surfside Beach, SC from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance from Surfside Beach, SC to Charleston, SC is about 88.5 miles (142.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 79.7 miles (128.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Surfside Beach and Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surfside Beach and Charleston.
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1
Start on Surfside Drive
22 m · 8 sec · Surfside Drive
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2
Continue on Surfside Drive
1.1 km · 2 min · Surfside Drive
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3
Turn left onto US 17 Business
7.6 mi · 11 min · US 17 Business
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4
Continue on Ocean Highway
17.4 mi · 25 min · Ocean Highway
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5
Continue on L. H. Siau Bridge
1340 ft · 25 sec · L. H. Siau Bridge
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6
Continue on Church Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Church Street
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7
Turn left onto North Fraser Street
56 mi · 1 hr 14 min · North Fraser Street
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8
Continue on North Highway 17
2.4 mi · 3 min · North Highway 17
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Morrison Drive, East Bay Street
1435 ft · 44 sec
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10
Turn left onto Morrison Drive
2798 ft · 1 min · Morrison Drive
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11
Turn straight onto East Bay Street
1.3 km · 1 min · East Bay Street
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12
Turn right onto Calhoun Street
1653 ft · 43 sec · Calhoun Street
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13
Turn left onto Meeting Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Meeting Street
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14
Turn left onto Broad Street
12 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Surfside Beach and Charleston.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
North Fraser Street
Turn left onto North Fraser Street
56 mi · 01h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Surfside Beach and Mostly Sunny near Charleston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Surfside Beach to Charleston?
The road trip is about 88.5 miles (142.4 km) and usually takes 01h 53m 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?
McClellanville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.2 miles from Surfside Beach and 44.3 miles from Charleston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 79.7 miles (128.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 2:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.36 one way or $24.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Surfside Beach and Mostly Sunny near Charleston.
Stop Ideas Near McClellanville
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 McClellanville.
Charleston, South Carolina
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Surfside Beach and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 79.7 mi (128.26 km).
#1 Surfside Beach
City in Horry County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 4,580 |
| Coordinates | 33.6060000, -78.9730900 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: Broad Street (-79.930909, 32.776494)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 142 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $12.36 | $24.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $13.82 | $27.64 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $14.91 | $29.81 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $17.55 | $35.09 |
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.