Charleston Traffic Cameras
Monitor real-time traffic conditions across Charleston's 295+ live cameras. Our interactive map provides real-time access to live street feeds and intersection cameras throughout the historic peninsula and West Ashley district. Track I-26, US-17, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and SC-526 Mark Clark Expressway. Free access to SCDOT and 511 traffic camera feeds covering the entire Charleston metro area.
View Charleston Cameras →Charleston, South Carolina's largest metro area with over 800,000 residents, sits at the confluence of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. According to 2024 Census data, Charleston commuters have an average travel time to work of 24.2 minutes. The city's peninsula geography creates unique traffic challenges with limited access points to downtown. Users can also monitor live street feeds along King Street and Meeting Street to check for road-level gridlock or tidal flooding near the waterfront. TrafficVision provides comprehensive camera coverage across all major corridors serving Charleston's historic district, port operations, military installations, and tourist destinations.
Charleston Camera Coverage
I-26 West
95+ Cameras
Complete coverage of Charleston's primary corridor to Columbia and I-95. As the state's busiest highway segment, I-26 near North Charleston handles over 169,000 vehicles daily.
US-17 Coastal Highway
85+ Cameras
Track the main north-south artery through the lowcountry. Includes iconic Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge crossing the Cooper River to Mount Pleasant.
Downtown & Bridges
70+ Cameras
Monitor peninsula access points between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. Coverage of historic district approaches, King Street corridor, and waterfront routes.
SC-526 Mark Clark Expressway
45+ Cameras
View the partial beltway system serving West Ashley, North Charleston, and Charleston AFB. Key connector for port traffic and suburban commutes.
Start Monitoring Charleston Traffic
Access all 295+ Charleston cameras plus 135,000+ worldwide traffic feeds. No signup required.
View Live Cameras →Major Routes in Charleston
Charleston's traffic network serves a complex mix of daily commuters, port operations, military base traffic, and year-round tourism. The peninsula geography forces most traffic through a handful of bridge crossings and access corridors.
I-26: Charleston to Columbia
Distance: 112 miles
Charleston Coverage: West Ashley to North Charleston
Traffic Cameras: 95+
Interstate 26 serves as Charleston's primary evacuation route and main connection to the interior. The corridor handles daily commuter traffic from Summerville and Goose Creek while providing critical access during hurricane evacuations with reversible lane operations.
Key Segments:
- Downtown Connector (Exits 219-221): Peninsula access via Septima Clark Expressway
- Ashley River Crossing (Exit 218): Bridge to West Ashley neighborhoods
- North Charleston (Exits 209-215): Industrial zone, Charleston AFB, Boeing facility
- Summerville Corridor (Exits 199-203): Fastest-growing suburban area
- I-95 Connection (Exit 169): Junction near Orangeburg, 60 miles inland
US-17: Lowcountry Coastal Highway
Distance: 68 miles (Georgetown to Beaufort County)
Charleston Coverage: Mount Pleasant to West Ashley
Traffic Cameras: 85+
US Highway 17 runs through the heart of Charleston's lowcountry, crossing the Cooper River on the iconic Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. This corridor sees intense tourist traffic heading to barrier island beaches.
Key Segments:
- Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge: 2.5-mile cable-stayed span, 575-foot main span, Charleston landmark
- Mount Pleasant (US-17 Business): Historic district, Sullivan's Island/Isle of Palms access
- Downtown Charleston: Meets I-26 at crosstown connector
- West Ashley (US-17 South): James Island, Folly Beach approaches
- North Extension: Georgetown, Myrtle Beach corridor (75 miles)
SC-526 Mark Clark Expressway
Distance: 16 miles (partial beltway)
Coverage: West Ashley to Daniel Island
Traffic Cameras: 45+
The Mark Clark Expressway provides a partial bypass around Charleston, serving West Ashley, North Charleston, and Charleston AFB/Joint Base Charleston. This route is critical for port truck traffic and suburban distribution.
Key Intersections:
- I-26 Junction (Exit 18): North Charleston distribution hub
- US-52 Meeting (Exit 23): Goose Creek, Moncks Corner access
- I-526/I-26 Split (Exit 11B): West Ashley residential corridor
- Port Access: Wando Welch Terminal connections via SC-41
Charleston Rush Hour Patterns
Morning Peak (7:00-9:00 AM): Heavy inbound traffic on I-26 from Summerville/Goose Creek. US-17 northbound across Ravenel Bridge from Mount Pleasant. Expect 15-25 minute delays at Ashley River and Cooper River crossings.
Evening Peak (4:30-6:30 PM): Severe outbound congestion on I-26 toward Summerville. US-17 southbound Ravenel Bridge backups extending to Coleman Boulevard. Downtown peninsula exits backed up to SC-526.
Summer Tourism (Memorial Day-Labor Day): US-17 experiences all-day congestion toward beaches. King Street and Meeting Street in historic district see gridlock afternoons and evenings. Bridge delays double on weekends.
TrafficVision Platform Features
Access Charleston's complete camera network through our platform serving 135,000+ cameras from 600+ sources worldwide.
Live Traffic Intelligence:
- Real-Time Feeds: SCDOT and 511 camera images updated every 5-15 seconds
- Interactive Map: Zoom to specific intersections, bridges, or downtown streets
- Grid View: Scan dozens of cameras simultaneously for quick traffic assessment
- Search & Filter: Find cameras by route number, exit, or street name
- Mobile Optimized: Full functionality on phones and tablets for commuters
Advanced Tools:
- Route Builder: Create custom commute routes with camera checkpoints
- Favorites: Save frequently-monitored intersections and corridors
- Weather Integration: Overlay conditions affecting Charleston's flood-prone areas
- International Coverage: Compare Charleston traffic to 135,000+ global cameras
SCDOT Camera Network
South Carolina Department of Transportation operates Charleston's traffic camera system through the 511 traveler information service. Cameras cover interstate highways, major state routes, and key bridges. Images update continuously during daylight hours with reduced frequency overnight.
Cameras are positioned at major interchanges, bridge approaches, congestion points, and hurricane evacuation checkpoints. System integrates with SCDOT's incident management and emergency response coordination.
Monitor Your Charleston Commute
Build custom routes with cameras along I-26, US-17, SC-526, or downtown Charleston. Track conditions in real-time before you leave.
Create Custom Route →Charleston Traffic Challenges
Charleston's unique geography and economic profile create distinct traffic patterns year-round.
Peninsula Geography: Charleston's historic downtown occupies a peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. This creates natural bottlenecks with limited bridge crossings. Only six routes provide vehicular access to the downtown core, forcing traffic concentration during peak periods.
Port Operations: The Port of Charleston ranks among the nation's busiest container ports. Heavy truck traffic flows between Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal, and inland distribution centers via I-26 and SC-526. Port-related congestion peaks during daytime hours on weekdays.
Military Installation: Charleston AFB/Joint Base Charleston generates significant military and civilian employee traffic. Base access via I-526 and US-52 creates morning and evening peak surges around gate hours.
Tourism Industry: Charleston hosts over 7 million annual visitors to its historic district, beaches, and cultural attractions. Tourism traffic peaks from April through October, with extreme congestion on summer weekends. King Street, Meeting Street, and waterfront routes experience gridlock during peak tourism hours.
Hurricane Preparedness: Charleston faces hurricane threats from June through November. I-26 serves as the primary evacuation route with lane reversal capability. During evacuation orders, all I-26 lanes from Charleston to Columbia flow westbound, creating unprecedented traffic volumes.
Chronic Flooding: Low-lying Charleston experiences tidal flooding, storm surge, and heavy rain flooding. Historic downtown areas flood during king tides and nor'easters even without hurricanes. Saltwater flooding regularly closes East Bay Street, Market Street, and peninsula lowlands.
According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the I-26 corridor are the most critical transportation links in the Lowcountry, handling over 100,000 vehicles daily at their busiest points.
Hurricane Evacuation & Flooding
Hurricane Season (June 1 - November 30): Charleston faces major storm surge risk. I-26 lane reversal evacuates coastal areas. Charleston County recorded 75 traffic fatalities in 2023; monitor cameras for evacuation traffic conditions and route closures to ensure a safe journey.
Tidal Flooding: Downtown Charleston floods during astronomical high tides ("king tides"), typically fall and spring. Peninsula streets impassable during tidal flooding events. Check cameras before traveling to waterfront areas.
Storm Surge: Category 3+ hurricanes can generate 10-15 foot storm surge. All peninsula areas, James Island, Sullivan's Island, and Isle of Palms face severe flooding. Evacuate when ordered — cameras will not operate during storm impacts.
Related Charleston Resources
Nearby Coverage:
- South Carolina Traffic Cameras - Statewide SCDOT network
- Beaufort County Traffic Cameras - Hilton Head area, 45 miles south
- Georgetown Traffic Cameras - US-17 corridor, 60 miles north
Regional Context: Charleston anchors South Carolina's coastal lowcountry with camera coverage extending from Georgetown County to Beaufort County. The metro area includes Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties with integrated SCDOT monitoring.
National Network: TrafficVision provides access to 135,000+ traffic cameras across all 50 states. Monitor weather impacts, compare regional traffic patterns, or track long-distance travel routes from Charleston to any US destination.
How many traffic cameras are in Charleston?
Charleston has 295+ traffic cameras covering I-26, US-17, SC-526, downtown streets, and bridge crossings. Cameras are operated by SCDOT and accessible through 511 and TrafficVision.
How often do Charleston traffic cameras update?
SCDOT cameras update every 5-15 seconds during active traffic hours. Update frequency may slow during overnight hours. TrafficVision displays the most recent available image from each camera.
Can I view the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge cameras?
Yes, multiple cameras monitor the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge carrying US-17 over the Cooper River. Coverage includes Mount Pleasant approaches, bridge deck, and downtown Charleston exits.
Are Charleston cameras free to access?
Yes, all Charleston traffic cameras are free through SCDOT's 511 system and TrafficVision. No registration, subscription, or fees required for full camera access.
Do cameras work during hurricanes?
Camera availability during hurricanes depends on power and internet infrastructure. Most cameras go offline during direct storm impacts. Use cameras to monitor pre-evacuation traffic conditions, not during storm landfall.
Where can I find Charleston street feeds?
You can find live Charleston street feeds and intersection cameras by using our interactive map, which aggregates SCDOT data for major surface routes like Coleman Boulevard and Folly Road.
Start Monitoring Charleston Traffic Now
Access all 295+ Charleston cameras and city street feeds. Track your commute, plan beach trips, monitor hurricane evacuations, or avoid downtown flooding. Free access to 135,000+ worldwide feeds. No signup required.
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