Driving Time between Athens, Tennessee and Union, South Carolina

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Road Tripping: How Long Does It Take to Drive from Athens, Tennessee to Union, South Carolina?

Are you aching for a road trip adventure stretching from Tennessee to South Carolina? The drive from Athens, Tennessee to Union, South Carolina is approximately a distance of 236 miles. Safe to say, it's a long and winding journey that could take some time. So how long exactly? Let's break it down!

The Fastest and Slowest Routes

The fastest route is via I-40 E and I-26 E, which takes around 4 hours and 10 minutes. It is approximately 232 miles long. During this route, you might want to take a pit stop at Biltmore Estate to see the historical and beautiful architecture and gardens. On the other hand, the slowest route would be via US-411 S, and SC-18 E, which takes around 5 hours and 21 minutes and a distance of 222.9 miles. This route is perfect for those who love to explore the countryside and want to experience a slow and peaceful drive.

Traffic Patterns

Traffic patterns could also affect your journey, especially if you want to arrive on time for a meeting or any other appointment. Rush hour traffic is expected in cities like Knoxville, Greenville, and Spartanburg. Hence, the peak traffic time for driving from Athens, Tennessee to Union, South Carolina is from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Therefore, it might be best to avoid the rush hour by driving early in the morning or late at night.

Calculating Driving Time

There are different driving times during peak and low traffic times. Let's break them down:

Peak Traffic Time

  • The fastest route might take 4 hours and 30 minutes.
  • The slowest route might take 5 hours and 50 minutes.

Low Traffic Time

  • The fastest route might take 3 hours and 50 minutes.
  • The slowest route might take 4 hours and 45 minutes.

If You're Feeling Adventurous...

Why not take the scenic route? Via this route, you will be driving past beautiful panoramas like the Appalachian Mountains, lakes, and back roads with small towns and ranches. It's a 5-hour-long journey, which includes stunning state parks. This route is perfect for those who have extra time to see new faces and explore new places.

In conclusion, driving from Athens, Tennessee, to Union, South Carolina could take from 4 hours and 10 minutes to 5 hours and 21 minutes, depending on which route you choose and what time of day you embark on your journey. But, whether you're taking the fastest or slowest route or the scenic route, this road trip is undoubtedly worth every minute. So plan your trip, gas up your car and hit the road!