How Far Is South Carolina From Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Drive Times, and Routes

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering how far South Carolina is, you’re not alone. Whether you’re planning a quick beach getaway, a college visit, or a business trip, it helps to know distances, drive times, and the best ways to get from Atlanta to South Carolina.

Because South Carolina is a whole state (not a single city), the distance depends on where in South Carolina you’re going. Here’s how it breaks down for Atlanta travelers.

How Far Is South Carolina From Atlanta in General?

The closest point of South Carolina is in the north and east of Georgia, so the distance from Atlanta depends on your specific destination:

• Atlanta city center to the South Carolina state line (via I‑85 North):
  Roughly 160–180 miles
  About 2.5–3 hours of driving in normal traffic

Once you cross the state line, it can be:

• Another 30 minutes–2+ hours to your final destination, depending on the city.

So in practical terms, from Atlanta:

• Shortest trips into South Carolina: around 3 hours total
• Longer in-state destinations:4–5.5+ hours by car

Distances From Atlanta to Popular South Carolina Destinations

Here’s a simple overview of about how far some of the most common South Carolina destinations are from Downtown Atlanta.

*Drive times assume typical traffic and minimal stops. Atlanta rush hour, construction, and beach-season traffic can add time.

Closest Parts of South Carolina to Atlanta

If your main question is simply “What’s the closest part of South Carolina to Atlanta?”, here’s what usually makes the most sense for a quick trip:

• Anderson & Greenville, SC

  • Among the closest sizable cities in South Carolina to Atlanta.
  • About 2–3 hours driving via I‑85 North.
  • Popular for weekend getaways, brewery visits, and exploring the Upstate region.

• Spartanburg, SC

  • Slightly farther than Greenville.
  • Often visited on the way to Charlotte or Asheville routes.

These Upstate cities are usually the fastest and easiest South Carolina destinations from Atlanta.

Best Driving Routes From Atlanta to South Carolina

1. I‑85 North: For Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg & Upstate SC

From Downtown Atlanta:

• Get on I‑85 North via the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85).
• Stay on I‑85 North past Buford, Gainesville (via I‑985 split), and commerce areas north of the perimeter.
• Continue on I‑85 until you reach Anderson, Greenville, or Spartanburg exits.

Why Atlanta drivers like this route:

• Direct, simple interstate driving
• Typically 2–3 hours for Anderson/Greenville
• Good option for day trips or same-day turnarounds

2. I‑20 East: For Columbia and the Middle of South Carolina

From Atlanta:

• Take I‑20 East from the city (you can access it directly from the Downtown Connector or via I‑285).
• Stay on I‑20 East through Augusta, Georgia.
• Continue into South Carolina on I‑20, heading straight toward Columbia.

Approximate:

• Atlanta to Columbia:
  ~210 miles, 3.5–4 hours

Good for:

• Visiting the South Carolina State House
• Trips to University of South Carolina (USC)
• Continuing on to Florence, Myrtle Beach, or the Pee Dee region

3. I‑20 East → I‑26 East: For Charleston and Coastal Cities

From Atlanta:

1. Take I‑20 East toward Columbia.
2. Near Columbia, transition to I‑26 East toward Charleston.

Approximate:

• Atlanta to Charleston:
  ~300 miles, 4.5–5.5 hours

Things Atlanta travelers should know:

• Popular for beach weekends and historic district visits.
• Traffic can slow near Columbia and Charleston, especially on summer Fridays and Sundays.

4. Routes for Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and Other Beaches

Myrtle Beach:

• Common path from Atlanta:
  • I‑20 East toward Columbia
  • Then various combinations of US‑76, US‑378, US‑501 into Myrtle Beach
• Approximate:
  • 360–380 miles
  • 5.5–6.5 hours depending on traffic and route

Hilton Head Island:

• Many Atlanta drivers go:
  • I‑75 South to Macon
  • I‑16 East toward Savannah
  • Then US‑278 East into Hilton Head
• Approximate:
  • 285–310 miles
  • 4.5–5.5 hours

These are longer than Upstate trips but popular with Atlanta residents for long weekends and holidays.

How Traffic in Atlanta Affects Your Trip to South Carolina

The distance on the map doesn’t always reflect your real travel time because Atlanta traffic can be a major factor.

Key timing tips for leaving Atlanta:

• 🚗 Morning rush hour: roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m., especially heavy on:
  • Downtown Connector (I‑75/85)
  • I‑20, I‑75, I‑85, and I‑285 interchanges
• 🚗 Evening rush: about 3:30–7:00 p.m., sometimes later on Fridays

To make the most of your trip:

• If possible, leave before 6:30 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. for a smoother drive.
• If you’re starting near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, plan extra time to reach I‑20 or I‑85 depending on your route.
• Use major park-and-ride or regional transit only for the Atlanta portion; there’s no direct MARTA rail into South Carolina.

Flying From Atlanta to South Carolina

Even though the states border each other, you might still consider flying if you’re heading to certain cities for business or tight schedules.

Main South Carolina Airports From Atlanta

From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), there are typically flights to:

• Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) – near Greenville & Spartanburg
• Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) – for Columbia and surrounding areas
• Charleston International Airport (CHS) – for Charleston and nearby coast
• Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) – mainly seasonal or peak-season options
• Hilton Head Airport (HHH) – smaller and more limited; some travelers fly into Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) in Georgia and drive

Flying vs. driving from Atlanta:

• The actual flight time is usually under 1 hour.
• When you add check-in, security, boarding, and airport transfers, total travel time can become similar to a 3–5 hour drive, depending on destination.
• Flying can still make sense if:
  • You’re connecting to another flight
  • You want to avoid long drives or need to work while traveling

If you’re already in central Atlanta, MARTA train service connects directly to:

• Airport Station at Hartsfield–Jackson (Red/Gold lines)

Bus and Other Ground Transportation Options

If you don’t want to drive, there are bus options that connect Atlanta with several South Carolina cities.

Common patterns include routes from Atlanta to:

• Greenville
• Columbia
• Charleston
• Some coastal or smaller cities via transfers

Things to keep in mind:

• Travel times are often longer than driving yourself because of stops and layovers.
• Buses usually depart from central Atlanta locations near Downtown or Midtown.
• This can be a budget-friendly option if you’re flexible about arrival times.

Practical Planning Tips for Atlanta-to–South Carolina Trips

To make your trip smoother, focus on three things: timing, route choice, and purpose of your visit.

1. Match Your Route to Your Destination

• Upstate (Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg):
  Use I‑85 North; fastest from most of metro Atlanta.
• Columbia & central SC:
  Take I‑20 East.
• Charleston & Lowcountry:
  Take I‑20 East → I‑26 East.
• Myrtle Beach & Grand Strand:
  Generally I‑20 East → US routes across the state.
• Hilton Head & Beaufort area:
  Either through Savannah (I‑16/US‑278) or via I‑95 if you prefer interstate driving.

2. Plan Around Atlanta and Weekend Traffic

• Avoid starting a beach trip on Friday afternoon from Atlanta if you can; congestion can extend your drive by an hour or more.
• Returning from South Carolina beaches on Sunday afternoon often comes with slowdowns near Columbia, I‑26, and then heading into the Atlanta area.

3. Factor in Stops

Even on a relatively short route:

• A quick gas + restroom + snack stop can add 15–30 minutes.
• On 4–6 hour drives (like to Charleston or Myrtle Beach), most Atlanta travelers plan at least one longer break.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

• How far is South Carolina from Atlanta?
  The state line is about 160–180 miles away, or roughly 2.5–3 hours by car.
• Closest major SC cities to Atlanta:
  Anderson and Greenville (about 2–3 hours via I‑85 North).
• Most popular routes:
  • I‑85 North for Upstate SC (Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg)
  • I‑20 East for Columbia
  • I‑20 East → I‑26 East for Charleston
• Longer beach trips (Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head) usually run 4.5–6.5 hours driving time, depending on route and traffic.
• Flights from Atlanta to major South Carolina airports are short in the air but can approach driving times when you include airport logistics.

If you’re in or around Atlanta, South Carolina is close enough for day trips to the Upstate and long weekend escapes to the coast, as long as you choose the right route and time your departure around Atlanta’s busiest traffic windows.