South Carolina has but one lonely toll road, so you’ll encounter a fair bit of traffic and worse-than-average road conditions while driving in the Palmetto State.

You’ll find plenty to do in South Carolina, whether driving along the beautiful Atlantic coast or visiting some of its vibrant cities. Unfortunately, South Carolina has some of the worst roads in the country. Combined with complex driving laws, motoring through this Southern state can get pretty hairy.

That doesn’t mean things will get out of hand, though. We've put together everything you need to know to ensure your South Carolina driving experience is pleasant and trouble-free—from the lowdown on road conditions to how to avoid traffic and the

laws

you’ll need to know.

MORE:

How to lower your South Carolina car insurance costs

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The best routes for driving to South Carolina

Whether you’re coming from the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, or the near-South, we’ll find you a terrific route to the Palmetto State. Here are four such routes:

New York City

Charleston

(11 hours, 45 minutes): Head out from the Big Apple and pass through historic Philadelphia, the Beltway region, and down through the cradle of Virginia before cutting through eastern North Carolina and heading south to Charleston.

Miami

Columbia

(9 hours, 15 minutes): This trip takes you up from Miami along the Atlantic coast, where you can stop for lunch in West Palm Beach. Then, head up through Jacksonville, get spooked in mystical Savannah, and then wander into Columbia to gawk at the city’s famous Fire Hydrant statue!

Dallas

Hilton Head

(15 hours, 30 minutes): Head east from Big D and stop in Shreveport for some fish fry, cross the mighty Mississippi River, and stop in charming Jackson before being awed by Bienville National Forest as you pass through it. Stretch your legs on the University of Alabama’s stunning campus in Tuscaloosa, pay homage to Civil Rights heroes at various sites in Birmingham, and then pass through Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah before hitting Hilton Head’s glorious beaches.

Seattle

Myrtle Beach

(45 hours): What beats a cross-country road trip from Northwest to Southeast? Leave Seattle and cut through Washington’s verdant greenery before passing by Lewis & Clark National Forest in Montana. Continue trekking east through South Dakota and stop for some barbeque in Kansas City—or perhaps gawk at the Arch while passing by St. Louis. Hob-nob around Nashville and then Asheville, respectively, and then continue your drive eastward through South Carolina’s capital before dropping everything and relaxing in Myrtle Beach.

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How good are South Carolina’s roads?

In a recent study by

ConsumerAffairs

, South Carolina’s roads were rated the 14th worst in the country. The study used metrics such as the dollar amount spent per mile of roadway in the state, the overall percentage of poor roads, and the yearly number of fatalities from motor vehicle accidents to determine its rankings.

Some of the worst roads in the state will be in the bigger centers, such as Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville—so be extra cautious when driving in urban areas.

Does South Carolina have toll roads?

South Carolina has one toll road in the state—the Southern Connector, which ties Interstate 385 to Interstate 85 south of Greenville.

Toll booths accept cash as payment, or you can use a Palmetto Pass tag to pay electronically. You cannot pay for toll roads using the Pay-By-Plate system in South Carolina.

How bad is South Carolina traffic?

Traffic in the Palmetto State might not rival

Florida

Texas

, or

California

traffic, but it gets bad in South Carolina cities—and the state’s notoriously poor road conditions do not help.

South Carolina roads are beset by decades of underfunding and higher-than-average rates of fatal accidents, to the tune of 44%. As well, South Carolina drivers get on average nearly 20% more traffic tickets than drivers in the rest of the country.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the worst traffic you’ll likely encounter in South Carolina will be in the following cities:

Columbia

Greenville

Charleston

Myrtle Beach

As a rule of thumb, it's usually a good idea to hit the road early in the morning—before the morning rush (before 6 am) or after the evening drive home (after 7 pm)—to avoid the worst traffic.

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What are South Carolina’s speeding laws?

South Carolina has two types of speed limits—basic speed limits and absolute speed limits. We’ll break down each of them:

Basic speed limits: These limits mean you should drive safely within the current conditions. So, driving 55 on a sunny day is reasonable, but doing so during a hurricane wouldn’t be—that could be considered reckless driving.

Absolute limits: This means you can’t drive faster than the speed limits that are posted. If speed limits say 65 and you’re driving 70, you’re going over the speed limit!

Fines for speeding in South Carolina

Here is how the Palmetto State’s speeding fines break down:

$15 to $25 for going 10 miles over the speed limit

$20 to $50 for going 10 miles over the limit but lower than 15 miles over

$50 to $75 for going 15 miles over the limit but lower than 25 miles over

$75 to $200 and/or up to 30 days in jail for going 25 miles over the limit

Keep in mind that going over the limit and being cited for this can add points to your

driving record

and impact your insurance rates. If you find your rates going up, download

Jerry

and this super app will find you the best insurance rate at a price you can afford.

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What are South Carolina’s alcohol laws?

South Carolina’s alcohol law is pretty clear—anything over 0.08 BAC (blood alcohol content) is considered

driving under the influence

You should know that just one drink can impair your ability to drive.If you have even one drink, make sure you get a ride home!

In terms of driving in South Carolina with

open alcohol containers

? That’s a no-no—the state prohibits carrying open wine, beer, or liquor containers in a vehicle. If you violate this law, you’ll be fined $100 with the possibility of 30 days of jail time, too.

Any alcohol-related violations can have serious implications for your driving record, along with fines, license suspensions, and even jail time. Whatever you get up to on a road trip heading to South Carolina, do not drink and drive!

Can you use headphones while driving in South Carolina?

There is no law on the books prohibiting drivers from using headphones while operating a vehicle in South Carolina. Still, that doesn’t mean doing so is smart. You can easily be distracted and miss emergency sirens and/or horns, as well as other auditory cues that could endanger your safety and those around you.

To be safe, do not drive with headphones on, even if doing so isn’t explicitly illegal in South Carolina.

What are some of South Carolina’s best road trips?

There are plenty of opportunities for great road trips in the Palmetto State. Starting your trip in nearby

Asheville

and then heading down to Charleston and the coast is a guaranteed fun Southern road expedition!

If you’re looking for a longer trip, there are plenty of stops to be made along the way by starting in either

Boston

Chicago

on your way to relaxing in Myrtle Beach

MORE:

Car loans in South Carolina 2022

How to find affordable car insurance in South Carolina

If you do find yourself in a traffic jam anywhere in South Carolina, be sure your vehicle is protected by a robust car insurance policy that you can easily secure with

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