South Carolina road trips
Best Road Trips in South Carolina
20 popular South Carolina drives with distance, driving time, EV-friendliness and gas cost at the state's estimated $2.95/gal.
Editor's picks
Top South Carolina Drives Right Now
Curated short-distance South Carolina routes — the most popular, lowest-cost picks.
Myrtle Beach, SC → Charleston, SC
103 mi · 1.7 h · ~$11 gas
Columbia, SC → Charleston, SC
125 mi · 2.0 h · ~$13 gas
Myrtle Beach, SC → Columbia, SC
147 mi · 2.4 h · ~$15 gas
Charlotte, NC → Columbia, SC
101 mi · 1.6 h · ~$11 gas
Columbia, SC → Atlanta, GA
228 mi · 3.7 h · ~$24 gas
Myrtle Beach, SC → Raleigh, NC
171 mi · 2.8 h · ~$18 gas
Our South Carolina road trip ranking method
Routes are ranked by traveler popularity between South Carolina metros and major destinations, with distance, driving time and current $2.95/gal fuel cost calculated for every drive.
- Distance: city-center to city-center with a 1.18× road-curvature factor.
- Fuel cost: 28 MPG baseline × $2.95/gal South Carolina regular.
- Popularity: traveler-intent signals between major South Carolina origins and destinations.
- EV practicality: regional DC fast-charging coverage flagged per route.
New York → Charleston
The headline South Carolina road trip — 753 miles, about 12.1 hours of driving and roughly $79 in gas at $2.95/gal.
More top South Carolina drives (19)
Buffalo → Myrtle Beach
750 mi · ~12.1 h · ~$79 gas
Open tripNewark → Charleston
750 mi · ~12.1 h · ~$79 gas
Open tripBuffalo → Columbia
738 mi · ~11.9 h · ~$78 gas
Open tripNew York → Columbia
711 mi · ~11.5 h · ~$75 gas
Open tripNewark → Columbia
706 mi · ~11.4 h · ~$74 gas
Open tripPhiladelphia → Charleston
663 mi · ~10.7 h · ~$70 gas
Open tripNew York → Myrtle Beach
654 mi · ~10.5 h · ~$69 gas
Open tripNewark → Myrtle Beach
651 mi · ~10.5 h · ~$69 gas
Open tripPittsburgh → Charleston
625 mi · ~10.1 h · ~$66 gas
Open tripPhiladelphia → Columbia
617 mi · ~10.0 h · ~$65 gas
Open tripBaltimore → Charleston
574 mi · ~9.3 h · ~$60 gas
Open tripPhiladelphia → Myrtle Beach
565 mi · ~9.1 h · ~$60 gas
Open tripPittsburgh → Myrtle Beach
555 mi · ~9.0 h · ~$58 gas
Open tripWashington → Charleston
535 mi · ~8.6 h · ~$56 gas
Open tripPittsburgh → Columbia
529 mi · ~8.5 h · ~$56 gas
Open tripBaltimore → Columbia
519 mi · ~8.4 h · ~$55 gas
Open tripBaltimore → Myrtle Beach
480 mi · ~7.7 h · ~$51 gas
Open tripWashington → Columbia
478 mi · ~7.7 h · ~$50 gas
Open tripWashington → Myrtle Beach
443 mi · ~7.1 h · ~$47 gas
Open tripBest driving cost routes in South Carolina
Top South Carolina road trips with gas, distance and driving time at the state's estimated $2.95/gal.
Cheapest South Carolina road trips
Short, low-fuel-cost drives — great for a weekend trip from South Carolina.
Long-distance road trips from South Carolina
500+ mile drives for cross-country and multi-day road trip planning.
Drives in neighboring states
Cross-state routes near South Carolina — North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia.
Gas prices in South Carolina
Estimated regular at $2.95/gal · premium $3.60 · diesel $3.50.
Best vehicles for South Carolina drivers
- Best hybridToyota Prius57 MPG
- Best EVLucid Air134 MPGe
- Best SUVNissan Rogue33 MPG
- Best truckFord Maverick26 MPG
Commute cost in South Carolina
Daily driving cost estimates for major South Carolina-area cities.
EV vs gas in South Carolina
Compare driving cost of an EV vs a gas car for South Carolina trips and commutes.
Neighboring state road trip hubs
FAQ
What's the best time of year for a South Carolina road trip?
Spring and fall typically offer the most comfortable driving weather across most of South Carolina. Coastal and southern routes are pleasant year-round; mountain routes are best between late spring and early fall.
How much does a South Carolina road trip cost in fuel?
At South Carolina's estimated $2.95/gal and 28 MPG, expect roughly $10.54 per 100 miles. Each route below includes a detailed estimate.
Is South Carolina EV-friendly for road trips?
Yes — most popular South Carolina routes have solid DC fast-charging coverage. Check our EV-friendly routes collection for the strongest picks.
How accurate are these distances?
Distances are calculated from city centers using a road-curvature factor of about 1.18 over straight-line distance. Real-world mileage varies by route choice and traffic.