I have to tow a heavy trailer this weekend and am trying to route myself along the most problem-free road possible. It just so happens that I have not had reason to travel this stretch for probably 30 years.

This is but one possible route I can take among about 4 others that will take about the same amount of time despite some mileage difference.

Anyone on here frequent this stretch of I-26 on both E & W bound sides to comment on its condition for travel?

I know 26 north of Lake Murray Blvd is horrible during ongoing construction and I don't want to get surprised by terrible roads. I already know 95 will be unavoidable for that

would help to know where you're heading and where you're leaving from.

I usually avoided I-26 to get home to santee when I was living over there, but my mother was living in Lexington off of 6, so I'd either take 6 all the way home or I would cut over to 176. 176 will get you all the way to goose creek.

Also, I just took 26 through Ashville a few weeks ago on saturday morning headed to michigan and don't remember traffic from West Cola on through. I thought the bad traffic was over towards Lexington on I20.

That stretch of I-26 is fine pavement wise, but jammed with vehicles after the 3 lanes each way go to 2 lanes on east bound side  just beyond Sandy Run. The SCDOT and contractors are just starting another 10 mile segment of widening to 3 lanes from there.

Heading to Walterboro. Will be a small caravan of trucks/trailers heading down and back same day, so ease of travel for a group in case of emergency is a factor as well.

Two of my other options are shorter, but both are 2 lane roads in poor condition and/or hilly and curvy. It will be near midnite when coming back home.

The other option takes me Hwy 521 thru Sumter to I95. Nearly all 4 lane divided highway

The I-26 and 521 routing are nearly the same miles and time, and I-95 really only starts getting bad south of the 26 interchange.

I have little option but take 95 at some point of the trip. It's just where I decide to hit it at this point.

If 26 E/W between 77 & 95 are not good smooth travel lanes, I know the routing on 521 is my best option and I'll travel a little further for a better ride

That stretch of 26 is in good condition. But, it’s unpredictable with traffic. It’s also basically bumper to bumper, even on a good day.
I try to take alternates when practical.

521 through Sumter is likely slower, but isn’t a bad drive.

The trip will be Saturday about 11am-12 noon along this stretch and then coming back home about 10:30-11:30pm

I have no idea on any football games that may cause traffic at either time, but at least it is not a holiday weekend

At those times of day it shouldn't be too bad.  If you can take the alternate route through Hwy 601 it will be a longer drive but it generally has little traffic.

Honestly, you should be fine. Unless there’s a bad accident shutting down the interstate, which happens often along that route.
You could take 321 in Columbia and the hit 641/64 over to Walterboro.

I would ride 61 all the way to where it crosses 95 and have short ride south to walterboro, but I like the area 61 goes through.

Well, if the trucks and trailers can't maintain interstate speed, IE: 70+ MPH or you don't want that pressure, just go down US521 to I-95 near Manning. Use I-95 to get across lake Marion. Then just south of Santee get off onto US15 and run it all the way down to Walterboro.

From info already provided by you guys, I have already text chatted with the main drivers and we like the 521 route.

That gives a reasonably good travel route with good convoy management, access to potential stops, and good emergency areas if there are any problems.

Thanks for your input