How Long Does It Take to Drive from Centerton, Arkansas to Charleston, South Carolina?

Are you planning a road trip from Centerton, Arkansas to Charleston, South Carolina, but unsure of the time it would take to get there? Look no further! In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the different routes available to get to Charleston, their respective distances, and the time it takes to drive through them, including peak and low traffic times.

The Fastest Route

If you’re looking for the fastest route, head southeast on I-40 E to Memphis and take I-55 S towards Mississippi. From there, take the I-22 E to Birmingham, then the I-20 E, and finally, the I-26 E to Charleston. The total distance of this route is approximately 895 miles and should take around 13 hours and 20 minutes to drive.

During peak traffic times, which usually coincide with rush hour, expect the drive to take a little longer. We estimate it would take about 14 hours and 30 minutes. However, if you’re planning a trip during the low traffic hours (early mornings or late nights), the estimated drive time could be reduced to as little as 12 hours and 30 minutes.

The Scenic Route

If you’d instead opt for the scenic route, consider taking the I-40 E towards Little Rock and then I-55 S towards Mississippi. But instead of taking the I-22 E to Birmingham, continue on I-55 S towards Jackson, then take the US-171 S towards Louisiana. From there, head east on the I-10 towards Mobile and take the US-31 N towards Spanish Fort, Alabama. Finally, take the I-65 N, followed by the I-85 S to reach Charleston.

This route will cover a total distance of approximately 1070 miles and should take around 17 hours and 30 minutes to drive. Again, peak traffic times may add some extra minutes, estimated at around 18 hours and 30 minutes. But if you hit the road during low traffic times, estimate the trip to take approximately 16 hours.

The Slowest Route

Finally, suppose you’re not in a hurry and would instead take the slowest route with a few stops along the way. In that case, consider getting into I-40 E and taking the US-64 E exit towards Beebe, Arkansas. Then, continue towards Searcy on US-67 S, and finally, head a little further east, taking the US-64 E and the US-70 E to Memphis.

From there, take the I-55 S to Grenada, Mississippi, then take the US-82 E to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Once there, take the I-20 E and finally the I-26 E to Charleston. This route will cover a total of approximately 1110 miles and should take roughly 19 hours of driving time.

During peak traffic times, the drive could stretch to 20 hours and more, and you could cut 3 or 4 hours if you drive during the less busy hours of the day.

Conclusion

As you can see, the time it takes to drive from Centerton, Arkansas to Charleston, South Carolina, largely depends on the route you opt for and the traffic patterns at the time you plan on making the drive. Keep in mind that these are estimated times and not exact science. Always factor "pit stops," rest, and meals while driving to give yourself more accurate estimations.

Next time you’re setting off on a road trip, be sure to do a little research and plan your route wisely to keep the trip fun and efficient. Happy travels!