How Long Does It Take to Drive Across South Carolina?

Driving the length of I-26, South Carolina's longest interstate (220.9 miles, FHWA), takes at least 3 hours 9 minutes at the 70 mph limit, and I-95 (198.76 miles) at least 2 hours 50 minutes. The longest corner-to-corner line we measured, Walhalla to Myrtle Beach, is 249 miles straight line, and roads add to that. Those times are our arithmetic at the limit with no stops or traffic, not a route planner.

• Corners Measured7straight line
• Interstates6with SC miles
• CheckedOct 262026
• Sources14official pages

The Short Answer

• FHWA's Table 3 (Interstate Routes in Each of the 50 States, routes designated as of December 31, 2024; page updated 3/10/2026) lists we-26 at 220.9 miles and we-95 at 198.76 miles in South Carolina, the two longest Interstate routes in the state. source
• The same FHWA table lists we-20 at 141.51 miles, we-85 at 106.28 miles and we-77 at 91.05 miles in South Carolina; the state has 11 Interstate routes totaling 850.54 miles. source
• SC Code Section 56-5-1520(B)(1) sets a maximum of "seventy miles an hour on the interstate highway system and other freeways where official signs giving notice of this speed are posted." source
• South Carolina has nine Welcome Centers, eight on Interstates (we-26, we-85 twice, we-77, we-95 three times, we-20) and one on US 17 at Little River; they are open 361 days a year, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. source

Speed Limits

• SC Code 56-5-1520(B): "(1) seventy miles an hour on the interstate highway system and other freeways where official signs giving notice of this speed are posted; (2) sixty miles an hour on multilane divided primary highways where official signs giving notice of this speed limit are posted; (3) fifty-five miles an hour in other locations or on other sections of highways and unpaved roads are limited to the speed of forty miles an hour" source
• SC Code 56-5-1520(C): "Thirty miles an hour is the maximum speed in an urban district." source
• SC Code 56-5-1520(A) says a person shall not drive "at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions". source

How Big Is South Carolina

• U.S. Census Bureau State Area Measurements (2010 reference file): South Carolina total area 32,020 sq. mi. (82,933 sq. km); land area 30,061 sq. mi. (77,857 sq. km); water area 1,960 sq. mi. (5,076 sq. km). source
• Census internal point for South Carolina: latitude +33.8741769, longitude -080.8542699. source
• USGS Elevations and Distances (published 1995, revised 2001) gives South Carolina's approximate geographic center as Richland County, 13 miles southeast of Columbia; USGS says these centers "should be considered as approximations." source
• NOAA's 2021 shoreline tabulation lists South Carolina at 7,009 statute miles of shoreline (includes breakwaters, jetties, groins and rocks). NOAA says this new mileage calculation "is not considered official." source

Highest and Lowest Points

• SCDNR: Sassafras Mountain Overlook in northern Pickens County, owned and managed by SCDNR, "is the highest point in South Carolina at 3,553 feet." source
• USGS Elevations and Distances table lists Sassafras Mountain, Pickens County, at 3,560 feet (older survey figure) and the lowest point as the Atlantic Ocean at sea level. source

Welcome Centers on The Interstates

• SCPRT list: 1. we-26 East at SC/NC line (864-457-2228); 2. we-85 South at SC/NC line (864-839-6742); 3. we-77 South at SC/NC line (803-548-2880); 4. we-85 North at SC/GA line (864-972-3731); 5. we-95 South at SC/NC line (843-774-4711); 6. we-20 East at SC/GA line (803-279-6756); 7. we-95 South at Santee (803-854-2442); 8. Hwy. 17 South at Little River (843-249-1111); 9. we-95 North at SC/GA line (843-784-3275). source
• Names on Discover South Carolina: Landrum (we-26 East), Blacksburg (we-85 South), Fort Mill (we-77 South), Fair Play (we-85 North), Dillon (we-95 South), North Augusta (we-20 East), Santee (we-95 South), Hardeeville (we-95 North), Little River (US Highway 17 South). source
• Welcome Centers are open 361 days a year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day; rest area facilities stay open 24/7/365. source
• SCDOT: "SC has 19 Rest Areas and nine Welcome Centers throughout the state." source

Traffic and Tolls

• SCDOT points drivers to its 511 site (511sc.org) for traffic cameras and up-to-date traffic information; 511sc.org has a trip planner, regional map views and a Reach the Beach feature, plus an iPhone and Android app. source
• SCDOT: "Currently there is one toll road in South Carolina, the Southern Connector." source
• Southern Connector (Interstate 185 Toll, Greenville area) is approximately 16 miles long; SCDOT owns and maintains it. source
• Southern Connector cash and credit card rates, effective January 2, 2024, two-axle vehicle: West Plaza $2.25, SC 20 $1.50, Fork Shoals $1.50, East Plaza $2.25. source
• Southern Connector Palmetto Pass rates, effective January 2, 2024, two-axle vehicle: West Plaza $2.15, SC 20 $1.50, Fork Shoals $1.50, East Plaza $2.15. source
• No pedestrians, mopeds, scooters, tractors, farm equipment, bicycles, horses or farm animals on the Southern Connector. source
• SCDOT stopped collecting tolls on Hilton Head Island's Cross Island Parkway at 11:59:59 p.m. on June 30, 2021, when the bonds that built it were paid off. source

What We Could Not Confirm

Sources

1. FHWA Route Log and Finder List, Table 3: Interstate Routes in Each State
2. SC Code of Laws Title 56 Chapter 5 (Section 56-5-1520)
3. U.S. Census Bureau State Area Measurements and Internal Point Coordinates
4. NOAA Shoreline Mileage (2021 tabulation)
5. USGS Elevations and Distances in the United States
6. SCDNR: Road to Sassafras Mountain Overlook reopened (2022)
7. SCPRT Welcome Center Program
8. Discover South Carolina: Welcome Centers
9. SCDOT Traffic and Road Conditions
10. 511SC
11. Southern Connector FAQs
12. Southern Connector Cash Toll Rates
13. Southern Connector Palmetto Pass Toll Rates
14. SCDOT Press: Toll Collections to End on Cross Island Parkway June 30, 2021

Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.