Charleston, South Carolina to Washington DC: Road Trip Guide & Distance

453.5 miles 729.8 km · straight line
535.6 miles actual route 862 km · driving distance
9h 58min estimated drive time
$52 - $63 estimated fuel cost
~1h 25min flight time
20° NNE bearing direction

How far is Charleston, South Carolina from Washington DC?

The distance from Charleston, South Carolina to Washington DC is 453.5 miles (729.8 km) as the crow flies. Washington DC is located NNE of Charleston, South Carolina. By car, the driving distance is approximately 535.6 miles, taking about 9h 58min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 25min. Both are located in United States — Charleston, South Carolina in South Carolina and Washington DC in District of Columbia.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

Coordinates come from public place data for Charleston, South Carolina and Washington DC. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Charleston, South Carolina to Washington DC

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 9h 58min $52 - $63 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 25min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~11h 58min $43–$80* Budget
Train ~9h 28min $64–$187* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Charleston, South Carolina & Washington DC

Quick Facts

Charleston, South Carolina
32.78°N, 79.93°W
America/New_York
6m elevation
Washington DC
38.91°N, 77.04°W
America/New_York
7m elevation
Explore more routes from Washington DC

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 151 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 38 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 54.9 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM