Driving to Charleston, SC: Interstate or other? (map inside)

[Fausto]

So I'll be driving to Charleston in the near future and this is the route suggested by yahoo maps.

Can anyone tell me from personal experience if taking 78 will save me time or actually be slower thanks to speed limits, towns, speed traps, etc?

Columbia looks way the hell out of the way, but I'll go that route if it means less aggravation.

 

[300MDemon]

Just take the interstate...

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: 300MDemon
Just take the interstate...

Are you telling me this from experience?

 

[fredtam]

I am.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: fredtam
I am.

I figured as much but thought I'd ask. I'd like the trip to be as smooth as possible since I'll have a potentially cranky baby in the car.

 

[fredtam]

I understand

 

[NuclearNed]

Highway 78 sure looks tempting.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
Highway 78 sure looks tempting.

I know, but sometimes the smaller roads aren't worth it when you factor in lower speed limits, local cops trying to meet quotas, etc.

 

[fredtam]

Although it wouldn't save you any time (actually add some). I usually get off the interstate in Augusta and come down through the bomb plant, then take 68 to 21 and go up to Charleston but I usually stop in Beaufort. It is two lane though and the potential to get behind a slow ass ruins a relaxing drive.

 

[NuclearNed]

Fausto,

Since you like cycling, you might be the type that likes to do a little hiking as well...

Columbia, SC is the home town of America's newest National Park - Congaree. It might be worth a quick stop since you will already be there. It became a national park in November, 2003.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: fredtam
Although it wouldn't save you any time. I usually get off the interstate in Augusta and come down through the bomb plant, then take 68 to 21 and go up to Charleston but I usually stop in Beaufort. It is two lane though and the potential to get behind a slow ass ruins a relaxing drive.

Sounds nice, but I'm just looking to get to the beach ASAP. I've got a whole week to relax once I'm there.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
Fausto,

Since you like cycling, you might be the type that likes to do a little hiking as well...

Columbia, SC is the home town of America's newest National Park - Congaree. It might be worth a quick stop since you will already be there.

I do like hiking, but I'm not going to prolong the car trip any more than I have to since I'll have the kidlet with me. She's old enough now that she pretty much hates being stuck in the car seat for more than a couple hours.

 

[fredtam]

From MSN

26:

Start: 3221 McKown Rd, Douglasville, GA 30134
End: 1 S Market St, Charleston, SC 29401
Total Distance: 323.4 Miles
Estimated Total Time: 5 hours, 40 minutes

78

Start: 3221 McKown Rd, Douglasville, GA 30134
End: 1 S Market St, Charleston, SC 29401
Total Distance: 321.9 Miles
Estimated Total Time: 6 hours, 7 minutes

 

[minendo]

Take 78.

 

[blackdogdeek]

why don't you drive at night? that's what we're planning on doing when we go to cape cod. that way she'll be really tired and it will be her bed time anyway.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
why don't you drive at night? that's what we're planning on doing when we go to cape cod. that way she'll be really tired and it will be her bed time anyway.

We wouldn't arrive until at least 1am or so. I hate driving that late. I'd rather just get up early the next day and get on the road before everyone else does.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
why don't you drive at night? that's what we're planning on doing when we go to cape cod. that way she'll be really tired and it will be her bed time anyway.

I suggest this as well. When we head back up to civilization(the North ) we always try to head out around 8 at night. It takes 11 hours to go over 750 miles at night, or if we go during the day hours the same amount would take 14 hours.

KK

Edit: this is just as much for dealing with kids as it is with the wife.

KK

 

[300MDemon]

no...not from experience. i just assumed that there's too much hassle on the back roads like someone posted earlier (i.e. cops trying to meet quotas, etc).

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: KK

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
why don't you drive at night? that's what we're planning on doing when we go to cape cod. that way she'll be really tired and it will be her bed time anyway.

I suggest this as well. When we head back up to civilization(the North ) we always try to head out around 8 at night. It takes 11 hours to go over 750 miles at night, or if we go during the day hours the same amount would take 14 hours.

KK

The drive is pretty painless during the day and is only 5 hours.

 

[Fausto]

In case anyone cares, I took 78 on the way there and interstate on the way home. Interstate is faster even though it's a longer total distance. 78 was scenic in an extremely rural kinda way tho.

 

[Supermercado]

Columbia isn't that bad if you hit it at the right time. Just don't hit malfunction junction (20-26 junction) at rush hour and you'll be fine. I live in Columbia and just finished school in Clemson, near Greenville; I always took the interstate and always timed it so that I never left nor arrived in Columbia during rush hour. I'd always get home at like 4 or 7:15 or so.

I know you're already done with the trip but I figured I'd chime in anyway

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: SuperCommando
Columbia isn't that bad if you hit it at the right time. Just don't hit malfunction junction (20-26 junction) at rush hour and you'll be fine. I live in Columbia and just finished school in Clemson, near Greenville; I always took the interstate and always timed it so that I never left nor arrived in Columbia during rush hour. I'd always get home at like 4 or 7:15 or so.

I know you're already done with the trip but I figured I'd chime in anyway

I hit Columbia at about 2pm on a Saturday, so it was fine. The stretch from there to Augusta was almost deserted, so I was able to do 80-ish the whole way.