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Interstate 26 Westbound

Interstate cutting a swath from the Northwestern Piedmont region to the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The highway serves Charleston at the eastern terminus, linking it with the state capital of Columbia and the Greenville/Spartanburg area (in conjunction with Interstate 385) before leaving the state en route to Asheville, North Carolina. The highway carries four lanes for the most part, with exceptions around Columbia and in Charleston.

The Guide to Interstate 26 is split into four components:

Interstate 26 West
Situated within the city of North Charleston (pop. 70,218) is the directional cloverleaf interchange with Interstate 526. Interstate 526 provides a bypass of the Charleston Peninsula for U.S. 17 between western reaches of the city and Mount Pleasant (pop. 47,609). Known as the Mark Clark Expressway, the freeway ends at U.S. 17 between both ends. Pictured here is the Exit 212C off-ramp to Interstate 526 east. The freeway ends as Business Spur Interstate 526 (Coleman Boulevard). Coleman Boulevard becomes South Carolina 703 to the north of Sullivan's Island (pop. 1,911). Photo taken 01/18/04.
Exit 212B loops from Interstate 26 westbound onto Interstate 526 westbound. The freeway serves the terminal of Charleston International Airport via the next interchange with International Boulevard. From there the Mark Clark Expressway turns southward across the Ashley River into west Charleston. The freeway is slated to continue south to James Island where it is to combine with the South Carolina 30 freeway spur from downtown Charleston. The segment remains unconstructed due to costs and environmental concerns. Photo taken 01/18/04.
Interstate 26 westbound as it enters the greater Columbia metropolitan area south of Exit 116 (Interstate 77 north). The upcoming junction with the southern terminus of Interstate 77 composes a multi-level stack interchange. Two flyover ramps continue west from Interstate 77 to the nearby triplex of U.S. 21, 176, and 321. Photo taken 12/15/01.
Interstate 77 northbound commences from Exit 116 of Interstate 26 west. Completed in the mid 1980s, the first five miles of Interstate 77 were once touted as Interstate 326 on some highway maps. A Temp Interstate 77 continued from this junction northward to Interstate 20 and on Interstate 20 eastward to South Carolina 277. Upon the completion of the Fort Jackson area segment of Interstate 77, Temp shields were removed and the once disjointed segment of freeway became the final length of the north-south Interstate. Photo taken 12/15/01.
The westbound on-ramp to U.S. 21, 176, and 321 (Charleston Highway) departs under the flyover ramps of Exit 116. This ramp leaves before the Interstate 77 southbound ramp merges onto Interstate 26 westbound. The Exit 115 interchange with the Charleston Highway is otherwise a partial cloverleaf. U.S. 21, 176, and 321 continue their overlap from Interstate 26 into downtown Columbia. Photo taken 12/15/01.
Replaced original button copy sign for Exit 113 (South Carolina 302) on Interstate 26 westbound. South Carolina 302 (Airport Boulevard) travels from South Congaree (pop. 2,266) and Columbia Metropolitan Airport eastward to the community of Cayce (pop. 12,150). Photo taken 08/05/00.
Departing the Exit 111 interchange with U.S. 378, Interstate 26 sees the one-mile sign bridge for the western terminus of Interstate 126 (Exit 108). The upcoming junction features an abrupt northwesterly shift of the Interstate 26 freeway from its present north-south routing. This set of original overheads were replaced. Photo taken 08/05/00.
Interstate 26 westbound at the Exit 108 gore point of Interstate 126. The eastbound lanes for the Columbia freeway spur depart well in advance of the actual Interstate 126 mainline. Associated with this ramp is a connection to the nearby surface arterial Bush River Road. Photo taken 12/15/01.
The original Interstate 26 and 126 overheads posted at the Exit 108 gore point. Interstate 126 itself carries four to eight lanes on the 3.68 mile route into downtown Columbia. The highway itself was part of a longer urban loop proposal that would have linked the spur to South Carolina 277 (Northeastern Expressway). If completed as envisioned, the linked highways would to carry the designated Interstate 277. Photo taken 08/05/00.
Traveling over the Congaree River, the Exit 108 ramp prepares to split between Bush River Road and Interstate 126 east. The westbound Interstate 126 ramp to Interstate 26 east travels above. The close proximity to the river allows for a somewhat compact series of ramps ahead. Photo taken 12/15/01.
Interstate 26 westbound and the Interstate 126 East & Bush River Road ramp part ways. Traffic to downtown Columbia veers to the right, curving back to the southeast. Traffic continuing straight intersects Bush River Road to the north of the Interstate 26 & 126 confluence. Bush River Road itself links Interstate 20 (Exit 63) with U.S. 176 (Broad River Road). Photo taken 12/15/01.
Interstate 126 & U.S. 76 westbound merge in time to face the Exit 107 cloverleaf interchange of Interstate 20. This freeway to freeway junction facilitates movements between Atlanta and Augusta travel interests to Charleston and Florence. U.S. 76 continues with Interstate 26 westbound to Exit 86 (U.S. 176). All three panels were replaced by 2001. Photo taken 08/05/00.
Posted within the Exit 52 diamond interchange with South Carolina 56 is the first guide sign for the northbound beginning of Interstate 385. The former westbound beginning of U.S. 276 departs Interstate 26 on the left in 0.75 miles. Photo taken 10/15/01.
Interstate 26 westbound within one half mile of the split with Interstate 385 (Exit 51). Interstate 385 originally composed a short freeway spur into the city of Greenville from Interstate 85 (Exit 42). At the same time, U.S. 276 continued southeast through Mauldin (pop. 15,224) to Interstate 26 near the town of Clinton. Not long after the completion of the U.S. 276 freeway between the two communities, it was decided to extend Interstate 385 and truncate U.S. 276. Photo taken 10/15/01.
A partial "Y" interchange composes the southern terminus of Interstate 385 at Exit 51. The 42.16 mile freeway serves the towns of Lauren (pop. 9,916), Fountain Inn (pop. 6,017), and Simpsonville (pop. 14,352) on the trek to the Greenville metropolitan area. Photo taken 10/15/01.
The second of three Spartanburg area interchanges of Interstate 26 is the Exit 21A/B cloverleaf interchange with U.S. 29 (Greenville Highway). The north-south federal highway carries four lanes of travel between the city of Greer (pop. 16,843) and the downtown area of Spartanburg (pop. 39,673) within the vicinity of Interstate 26. Photo taken 02/01/04.
Interstate 26 westbound at Exit 21B for U.S. 29 (Greenville Highway) northbound and Downtown Spartanburg. U.S. 29 becomes the Wo Ezell Boulevard at the intersection with South Carolina 295 (Black Stock Road). South Carolina 295 parallels Interstate 26 between South Carolina 296 and Business Loop Interstate 85. Photo taken 02/01/04.
The cloverleaf ramp of Exit 21A departs for U.S. 29 southbound. The Greenville Highway interchanges with Interstate 85 (Exit 66) five miles to the west. From there the highway travels nine mile to the Greenville County community of Greer. Photo taken 02/01/04.
Westbound Interstate 26 approaching Business Loop 85 (Exits 19B/A). Business Loop 85 constitutes a full freeway to the north of Spartanburg. The nine mile freeway composes the original alignment of Interstate 85 through Spartanburg County. Due to traffic congestion and costs associated with upgrading the existing freeway, a new alignment of Interstate 85 was constructed. Opened in 19921, the new Interstate 85 bypasses the metropolitan area further to the north. A directional interchange handles the movements between the two Interstates at nearby Exit 17. Photo taken 02/01/04.
One half mile south of Business Loop Interstate 85 (Exit 19) at the Fairforest Road overpass. Fairforest Road intersects the Business Loop nearby at Exit 2C. Business Loop Interstate 85 merges with Interstate 85 southbound two miles to the west. Photo taken 02/01/04.
The junction of Interstate 26 and Business Loop Interstate 85 constitutes a full cloverleaf interchange. Departing here is the Exit 19B ramp for the Business Loop freeway northbound. Five of the six next interchanges of the freeway to the east serve the city of Spartanburg. Photo taken 02/01/04.
Traffic to Business Loop Interstate 85 southbound depart Interstate 26 via the Exit 19A loop ramp. No control city is assigned for the southbound direction of the freeway. An interchange exists at Blackstock Road (Exit 1) on the freeway before all traffic defaults onto Interstate 85 via a partial "Y" interchange. Photo taken 02/01/04.
A third northbound auxiliary lane adds to the fold of Interstate 26 westbound between Business Loop Interstate 85 and Interstate 85 (Exits 18B/A). The right-hand lane becomes exit only for Interstate 85 northbound as these overheads display. The bridge to which the panels are attached is that of Wingo Heights Road. Photo taken 02/01/04.
A sweeping ramp departs for Interstate 85 northbound (Exit 18B) from Interstate 26 west. The interchange between the two freeways comprises a symmetrical directional cloverleaf interchange. Interstate 85 travels 50 miles to Gastonia (pop. 66,277) and 69 miles to Charlotte (pop. 540,828). Photo taken 02/01/04.
High speed flyovers carry Interstate 85 southbound traffic onto Interstate 26 eastbound and Interstate 85 northbound to Interstate 26 westbound overhead. Down below is the Interstate 26 westbound ramp departure of the Exit 18A cloverleaf ramp to Interstate 85 southbound. 19 miles separate this junction with the Exit 51 interchange of Interstate 385 near the city of Greenville (pop. 56,002). Photo taken 02/01/04.
A diamond interchange provides the junction of Interstate 26 with New Cut Road at Exit 17. New Cut Road travels northwest out of Spartanburg from California Avenue to the town of Inman (pop. 1,884). Photo taken 02/01/04.
The last Spartanburg area interchange of Interstate 26 is the Exit 16 diamond interchange with John Dodd Road. John Dodd Road loops from South Carolina 120 (Fort Prince Boulevard) northward through Cunningham to Interstate 26. Photo taken 02/01/04.
Interstate 26 westbound at John Dodd Road (Exit 16). John Dodd Road travels a short distance eastward to its conclusion at Dodd Hill and U.S. 176 (Asheville Highway). Photo taken 02/01/04.
The 1.25-mile guide sign of Exit 15 (U.S. 176) is posted within the Exit 17 interchange at John Dodd Road. U.S. 176 crosses Interstate 26 from Spartanburg and the southeast via the Asheville Highway. Photo taken 02/01/04.
U.S. 176 travels four miles to the northwest to Inman and the junction of South Carolina 292. From there U.S. 176 parallels Interstate 26 northward to U.S. 25 near the city of Hendersonville, North Carolina. Photo taken 02/01/04.
South Carolina 292 travels between U.S. 29 at Lyman northward to South Carolina 9. The state highway intersects Interstate 26 at the Exit 10 diamond interchange. Photo taken 02/01/04.
Westbound Interstate 26 at the Exit 10 interchange with South Carolina 292. South Carolina 292 travels three miles south to Inman and two miles north to its end at South Carolina 9. South Carolina 9 travels three miles from there to New Prospect. Five miles north of New Prospect the state highway becomes North Carolina 9. Photo taken 02/01/04.
White Oak Mountain comes into view to Interstate 26 westbound motorists on the stretch between South Carolina 292 and Exit 5. Tryon Peak, at 3,250 feet, represents the heighest point on the mountain. The mountain is part of the Blue Ridge Mountain Chain. Interstate 26 crosses the Pacolet River ahead otherwise. Photo taken 02/01/04.
One mile south of South Carolina 11 (Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway) on Interstate 26 westbound. South Carolina 11 loops through the upstate of South Carolina between Interstate 85 Exit 1 at Hartwell Lake eastward to U.S. 29 at the city of Gaffney (pop. 12,968). Photo taken 02/01/04.
An auxiliary sign for Exit 5 displays the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway designation of South Carolina 11. A second state scenic highway exists in the form of the Savannah River National Scenic Highway. This north-south highway begins at South Carolina 11 near Oakway and ends at the South Carolina 28 border crossing near Augusta, Georgia. Photo taken 02/01/04.
South Carolina 11 travels east-west between the towns of Campobello (pop. 449) and Chesnee (pop. 1,003). U.S. 176 intersects the state highway three miles to the west at Campobello. Eastward South Carolina 11 intersects South Carolina 9 at New Prospect in four miles and U.S. 221 at Chesnee in 17 miles. Photo taken 02/01/04.
The Exit 5 diamond interchange of Interstate 26 west at South Carolina 11. White Oak Mountain again protrudes from the horizon to the north. Photo taken 02/01/04.
South Carolina 14 (Rutherford Street) intersects Interstate 26 at Exit 1. The north-south highway links the freeway with the nearby town of Landrum. Photo taken 02/01/04.
Traffic to South Carolina 14 departs Interstate 26 via a diamond interchange near the town of Landrum. The interchange composes the northern terminus of the state highway. Southward South Carolina 14 continues to Greer, Simpsonville, Fountain Inn, Gray Court, and ultimately Laurens. Photo taken 02/01/04.
Interstate 26 at the Polk County line/North Carolina state border north of Landrum. Crossing overhead is Hunting Country Road. Photo taken 02/01/04.
Scenes Pertaining to Interstate 26
Peering northwest at Interstate 26 from the South Carolina 72 overpass at the Exit 54 diamond interchange. In the background is a second Clinton area interchange of the freeway at South Carolina 56 (Exit 52). Photo taken 10/15/01.
To Interstate 26 South Carolina trailblazer on the northbound frontage road at Exit 113. A slip ramp composes the westbound Exit 113 off-ramp from Interstate 26 onto the adjacent frontage road. Ahead the road intersects South Carolina 302 (Airport Boulevard) and the westbound on-ramp. Photo taken 08/05/00.
Interstate 26 & South Carolina 302 shield and guide sign assembly on the Exit 113 northbound frontage road at Airport Boulevard. The westbound off-ramp and eastbound ramps are standard diamond interchange type facilities. Photo taken 08/05/00.
Just south of the Interstate 526 (Exit 212B/C) interchange of Interstate 26 is the six-ramp partial-cloverleaf interchange of Montague Avenue. Depicted here is Montague Avenue eastbound over Interstate 26 as it nears the westbound on-ramp. Photo taken 01/18/04.
Montague Avenue eastbound at the Interstate 26 westbound on-ramp to Columbia. Ahead is the intersection with Mall Drive and Goer Street. Goer Street acts as a frontage road for Interstate 26 from the south. Mall Drive continues north from Goer Street to Goodmall Drive. Interstate 26 westbound motorists are afforded a direct ramp to Mall Drive. Interstate 26 eastbound travelers must use the Exit 213B loop ramp onto Montague Avenue to access Mall Drive at the upcoming signal. Photo taken 01/18/04.

Sources:
1 - Prince, Adam.

Page Updated January 15, 2004.