How far is Union, SC from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance from Union, SC to Charleston, SC is about 172 miles (276.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139.7 miles (224.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 15m 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 03h 07m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in South Carolina, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Union and Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union and Charleston.
-
1
Start on the route
69 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn sharp left
76 m · 8 sec
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
4 m · 1 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout
57 m · 4 sec
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5
Continue on Rocky River Road
7.7 mi · 14 min · Rocky River Road
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6
Merge slight right onto Kershaw Camden Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Kershaw Camden Highway
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7
Continue on North Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · North Main Street
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8
Turn left onto Spring Street
1.3 km · 55 sec · Spring Street
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9
Continue on Kershaw Camden Highway
4.8 mi · 5 min · Kershaw Camden Highway
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10
Turn slight right onto North Matson Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Matson Street
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11
Continue on South Hampton Street
1.1 km · 47 sec · South Hampton Street
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12
Continue on Kershaw Camden Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Kershaw Camden Highway
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13
Continue on Kershaw Highway
14.4 mi · 16 min · Kershaw Highway
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14
Continue on North Broad Street
4.2 mi · 9 min · North Broad Street
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15
Continue on Sumter Highway
8.4 mi · 10 min · Sumter Highway
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16
Continue on Camden Highway
6.2 mi · 7 min · Camden Highway
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17
Continue on Thomas Sumter Highway
7.6 mi · 9 min · Thomas Sumter Highway
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18
Continue on Camden Highway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Camden Highway
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19
Turn slight left onto Broad Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Broad Street
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20
Turn slight right onto Bultman Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · Bultman Drive
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21
Continue on North Guignard Drive
3.6 mi · 4 min · North Guignard Drive
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22
Continue on South Guignard Parkway
1.1 mi · 1 min · South Guignard Parkway
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23
Turn right onto Manning Road
12.1 mi · 14 min · Manning Road
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Savannah
1962 ft · 48 sec
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25
Merge slight left
36 mi · 39 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East: Charleston
1806 ft · 51 sec
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27
Merge slight left
51.9 mi · 59 min
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28
Take the exit slight left toward Meeting Street, Visitor Center, Downtown
1994 ft · 53 sec
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29
Turn right onto Meeting Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Meeting Street
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30
Turn left onto Broad Street
12 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Union 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 26 East
Merge slight left
51.9 mi · 00h 59m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Union 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 Union to Charleston?
The road trip is about 172 miles (276.8 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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?
Manning is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.1 miles from Union and 85.9 miles from Charleston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 139.7 miles (224.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.3 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 10:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.04 one way or $48.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Union and Showers And Thunderstorms near Charleston.
Stop Ideas Near Manning
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 Manning.
Kingstree
Florence
Camden
Columbia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Union and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 139.73 mi (224.87 km).
#1 Union
County seat of Union County, South Carolina
| Population | 7,535 |
| Coordinates | 34.7157100, -80.6211800 |
| Altitude | 195 |
| 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: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.04 | $48.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.88 | $53.77 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.00 | $58.00 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.14 | $68.28 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.