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Nothing cleaner nearby

Charleston is breathing 2.5 cigarettes a week

7.8
PM2.5 µg/m³
43
AQI
5.5
Cleanest in reach · µg/m³
Look farther for cleaner air

Where are you?

Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

You may already have the cleanest nearby air.No meaningfully cleaner place has a verified road route within 3 hours. Widen the range or show worse air for context.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Charleston Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Folly Beach
Cel-shaded illustration of Folly Beach
#1Folly BeachPM2.5 7.8~20 min drive

South Carolina· PM2.5 7.8 µg/m³

Barrier-island beach town just south of Charleston, swept by open Atlantic wind, with rentals and small inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 7.8 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
0% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Beaufort
Cel-shaded illustration of Beaufort
#2BeaufortPM2.5 10.9~1 h 40 min drive

South Carolina· PM2.5 10.9 µg/m³

Lowcountry town among the sea islands between Charleston and Savannah, cooled by tidal marine air, with historic inns.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 10.9 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10.9/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Charleston

40% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Shell Point
Cel-shaded illustration of Shell Point
#3Shell PointParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Hanahan
Cel-shaded illustration of Hanahan
#4HanahanParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Goose Creek
Cel-shaded illustration of Goose Creek
#5Goose CreekParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Ladson
Cel-shaded illustration of Ladson
#6LadsonParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Hollywood
Cel-shaded illustration of Hollywood
#7HollywoodParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Ravenel
Cel-shaded illustration of Ravenel
#8RavenelParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Seabrook Island
Cel-shaded illustration of Seabrook Island
#9Seabrook IslandParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Sangaree
Cel-shaded illustration of Sangaree
#10SangareeParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Summerville
Cel-shaded illustration of Summerville
#11SummervilleParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Moncks Corner
Cel-shaded illustration of Moncks Corner
#12Moncks CornerParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 2.5 cigs/wk

South Carolina

South Carolina community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Columbia
Cel-shaded illustration of Columbia
#13ColumbiaPM2.5 9.4~2 h 15 min drive

South Carolina· PM2.5 9.4 µg/m³

A major South Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 9.4 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9.4/22 × 7 = 3.0 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
21% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Aiken
Cel-shaded illustration of Aiken
#14AikenPM2.5 11.9Checking road route

South Carolina· PM2.5 11.9 µg/m³

South Carolina community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 11.9 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11.9/22 × 7 = 3.8 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Charleston

53% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Florence
Cel-shaded illustration of Florence
#15FlorencePM2.5 13.6Checking road route

South Carolina· PM2.5 13.6 µg/m³

South Carolina community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 13.6 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 13.6/22 × 7 = 4.3 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Charleston

74% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Hilton Head Island
Cel-shaded illustration of Hilton Head Island
#16Hilton Head IslandPM2.5 18.2~2 h 15 min drive

South Carolina· PM2.5 18.2 µg/m³

Resort barrier island on South Carolina's coast, wrapped in onshore Atlantic air, with extensive resort lodging.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 18.2 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 18.2/22 × 7 = 5.8 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Charleston

133% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Savannah
Cel-shaded illustration of Savannah
#17SavannahPM2.5 18.2~2 h 25 min drive

Georgia· PM2.5 18.2 µg/m³

Atlantic low-country city with extensive lodging and coastal air between Jacksonville and Charleston.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 18.2 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 18.2/22 × 7 = 5.8 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Charleston

133% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Nags Head
Cel-shaded illustration of Nags Head
#18Nags HeadPM2.5 5.5Checking road routesaves 0.7 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 5.5 µg/m³

Outer Banks beach town on the barrier islands, exposed to constant Atlantic wind, with cottages and hotels along the shore.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Charleston right now

29% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Kill Devil Hills
Cel-shaded illustration of Kill Devil Hills
#19Kill Devil HillsPM2.5 5.5Checking road routesaves 0.7 cigs/wk

North Carolina· PM2.5 5.5 µg/m³

Outer Banks beach town on a narrow Atlantic barrier island, swept by open-ocean wind, with oceanfront rentals and hotels.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Charleston right now

29% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Fort Payne
Cel-shaded illustration of Fort Payne
#20Fort PaynePM2.5 5.5Checking road routesaves 0.7 cigs/wk

Alabama· PM2.5 5.5 µg/m³

DeSoto Canyon-adjacent town in Alabama's Appalachian foothills, higher and cooler than the state's lowlands.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 7.8 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Charleston right now

29% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT · 53 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

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What this means · Charleston

Phew.

2.5cigarettes

per week, if this air holds

Act two · The scale

Where today lands

From a crisp horizon to smoke you can taste — here’s your reading on it.

7.8 µg/m³
CrispSome smokeHeavy smoke

Act three · The ladder

What each rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · The fine print

The receipts

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 7.8 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →