Interstate 385 South Carolina

History

Southern Terminus

Northern Terminus

Routing

Interstate 385 is a 42-mile long spur from Interstate 26 northwest into northern Greenville. Interstate 385 changes into Business Spur I-385 approaching downtown Greenville just beyond Exit 42, and the business spur then terminates shortly thereafter at U.S. 29.

Interstate 385 used to end at Interstate 85; however, it was extended south to connect with U.S. 276. The portion of Interstate 385 between Mauldin and Clinton was originally signed as U.S. 276, but the U.S. highway was truncated once Interstate 385 was completely opened.

Currently Interstate 385 is undergoing reconstruction with a planned widening to six lanes in the Greenville area. Began June 2001, this project is expected to conclude Fall of 2004. It encompasses the expansion of the roadway from Interstate 85 north to the Bi-Lo Center near Downtown. The existing median will be built upon with the addition of a concrete barrier and raised median for future landscaping. Additionally a portion of this project entails the conversion of the South Carolina 291 interchange from a full cloverleaf to a partial cloverleaf to eliminate the current scenario of weaving traffic patterns. The South Carolina 291 overpass is one of many that will be replaced to increase the height clearance. The northeast loop of the Interstate 85 interchange will also be improved.

Further South, Interstate 385 now includes the Southern terminus of Interstate 185. With the opening of the tolled Southern Connector in the spring of 2001, Interstate 185 terminates at Interstate 385 at Mauldin. To the south and east of here, Interstate 385 traverses forested rolling hills while carrying four lanes.

History

Interstate 385 was extended south of Interstate 85 over the U.S. 276 freeway in 1985.²

Highway Guides

• Interstate 385 South Carolina

	Southern Terminus - Interstate 26 - Clinton, South Carolina Perspective from Interstate 385 south Interstate 385 is rather lonely on its 30 mile voyage between Mauldin and Interstate 26 near the town of Clinton. The routing draws to a close rather unceremoniously onto Interstate 26 eastbound. This original button copy sign displays that Interstate 26 will be reached in 1.25 miles. No control point is offered, although the capital city of Columbia is just 58 miles to the southeast. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (04/06/03). Interstate 385 merges onto Interstate 26 eastbound. No end signage is in place, nor is a ramp to Interstate 26 westbound. The next interchange is situated close by with South Carolina 56. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field/Carter Buchanan (10/14/01). The Interstate 385 southbound merge becomes the exit-only lane for South Carolina 56/Exit 52 - Clinton. A second interchange for the town of Clinton is two miles to the south at South Carolina 72/Exit 54. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (04/06/03). Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 26 east Interstate 20 55 miles at West Columbia, SC Interstate 126 56 miles at West Columbia, SC Interstate 77 64 miles at Cayce, SC Perspective from Interstate 26 west Interstate 26 westbound within the Exit 52 diamond interchange with South Carolina 56. A diagrammatical overhead is in place for the pending split of Interstate 385 to Greenville from Interstate 26 west to Spartanburg. Two lanes are allocated for each route. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field/Carter Buchanan (10/14/01). One half mile southeast of the Interstate 385 split from Interstate 26 west. The first Interstate 385 interchange occurs in two miles with South Carolina 308. The secondary control city of Laurens is three miles to the south of Exit 9 along U.S. 221. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Andy Field/Carter Buchanan (10/14/01). Rural split of Interstate 26 and 385 near Clinton. Greenville is 39 miles to the north via Interstate 385. Interstate 26 reaches metro Spartanburg in 30 miles. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (02/01). Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 26 west Interstate 85 34 miles north of Spartanburg, SC Interstate 40/ Interstate 240 92 miles at Asheville, NC -- -- Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 385 north Interstate 185 30 miles near Mauldin, SC Interstate 85 36 miles east of Greenville, SC -- -- Northern Terminus - Business Spur I-385 and U.S. 123 - Greenville, South Carolina Perspective from Interstate 385 north The final mainline interchange of Interstate 385 is the aforementioned U.S. 276 junction at Exit 42. This photograph shows Interstate 385 as it turns toward downtown. The small white signs indicate that the speed limit reduces to 35 MPH in 1000 feet. Business Spur 385 takes over and concludes at U.S. 29 in downtown. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (04/06/03). Wider view of the final interchange of Interstate 385 (Exit 42) with the Greenville skyline coming into view. At present this interchange is partially closed for a reconstruction and widening project of Interstate 385. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/23/03). Perspective from Business Spur 385 south U.S. 276 sheds the southbound beginning of Interstate 385 near the Bi-Lo Center at downtown Greenville. This set of original button copy signs saw replacement during the Winter of 2003. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (12/08/99). Continuing further south on the Interstate 385 mainline. Construction is underway in an associated rebuilding of Interstate 385 within the city limits of Greenville. Down below U.S. 276 eastbound turns southward along Laurens Road. Photo taken by Chris Patriarca (04/06/03). Perspective from U.S. 276 east Below the underpass Pictured in the above photograph, U.S. 276 has a diamond interchange with Interstate 385. This interchange revealed Business Spur 385 shields and is the only location of them at the present time. Due to construction, this particular assembly and the adjacent bus stop structure are no longer in place. Photo taken by Carter Buchanan (06/00). Perspective from U.S. 276 west Due to the aforementioned reconstruction, all Business Spur 385 shields at the U.S. 276/Interstate 385 are removed. This lone shield is the only to survive the area construction thus far. It appears that Business Spur 385 otherwise will be relegated to hidden status. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman & Justin Cozart (08/23/03). Next Three Interstate Junctions for Interstate 385 south Interstate 85 6 miles east of Greenville, SC Interstate 185 12 miles at Mauldin, SC Interstate 26 42 miles near Clinton, SC

Sources:

1. I-385 Widening Project (Greenville County). SCDOT.
2. Interstate 385 @ Wikipedia.org.

Page Updated August 17, 2003.