Urgent Care in Charleston, SC

Charleston is the largest city in South Carolina, home to about 156,000 residents in the city proper and a metropolitan area of 850,000 (the Charleston-North Charleston metro). Founded in 1670 and the oldest major city in the American South, Charleston is renowned for its pre-Revolutionary and antebellum architecture, with the largest concentration of preserved historic buildings of any US city (the 'Charleston Single House' style). The city sits on a peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers at Charleston Harbor, with Fort Sumter (where the Civil War began in 1861) and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge defining its skyline. Charleston is consistently ranked among the top travel destinations in the US by Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast. The economy is driven by tourism (7+ million annual visitors), port logistics (Charleston is the 8th-largest US container port), aerospace (Boeing 787 Dreamliner assembly in North Charleston), and defense (Joint Base Charleston, Naval Health Clinic). Major universities include the College of Charleston (founded 1770, 10,000 students) and The Citadel (military college, 3,700 cadets).

Healthcare in the Charleston Lowcountry is anchored by MUSC Health — the academic medical system of the Medical University of South Carolina (founded 1824, one of the oldest medical schools in the South), and the state's flagship academic medical center. MUSC Health operates MUSC Medical Center (700 beds, Level I Trauma Center, ranked top-20 in the South), MUSC Children's Hospital (the state's only freestanding children's hospital with over 200 pediatric subspecialty physicians), MUSC Hollings Cancer Center (NCI-designated), plus regional hospitals in Florence, Lancaster, Orangeburg, and other SC cities. Roper St. Francis Healthcare is the Lowcountry's largest private not-for-profit health system, operating Roper Hospital (Charleston), Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital (West Ashley), Mount Pleasant Hospital, and the Berkeley Hospital. Trident Health System (HCA Healthcare) operates Trident Medical Center (North Charleston) and Summerville Medical Center. East Cooper Medical Center (Mount Pleasant, Community Health Systems) serves East of the Cooper River. Walk-in urgent care is dominated by Doctors Care (a South Carolina-founded chain with 50+ locations statewide), AFC Urgent Care, Concentra, MinuteClinic at CVS, Nason Medical Center, and Fetter Health Care (FQHC).

This directory covers verified urgent care locations across Charleston proper (Downtown/The Peninsula — South of Broad, French Quarter, King Street, Harleston Village, Radcliffeborough, Cannonborough-Elliotborough; West Ashley; James Island; Johns Island; Daniel Island) and the greater metro — North Charleston (Park Circle, Carolina Park, Northwoods, Centre Pointe), Mount Pleasant (Old Village, I'On, Belle Hall, Carolina Park, Park West), West Ashley (Avondale, Byrnes Downs, Shadowmoss), James Island (Riverland Terrace), Johns Island, Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Folly Beach, plus Berkeley County (Goose Creek, Hanahan, Moncks Corner) and Dorchester County (Summerville, Ladson). Whether you need same-day care near MUSC Medical Center, a walk-in clinic in Mount Pleasant, or after-hours care in Summerville or North Charleston, you'll find the nearest verified option with hours, insurance, and directions.

Common questions about urgent care in Charleston

Quick answers before you visit.

What insurance do urgent care clinics in Charleston, SC accept?

Most urgent care clinics in Charleston accept major commercial plans (Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana), Medicare, South Carolina Medicaid, and TRICARE. Specific in-network coverage varies by clinic — check the individual clinic page for the most accurate list, or call the clinic directly to confirm before your visit.

Which urgent care networks are strongest in Charleston?

The largest walk-in care networks in the Charleston area include MUSC Health, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, and Trident Health. See the 'Local networks' section on this page for a description of each — their typical services, affiliated hospitals, and FAQs about insurance acceptance.

Is urgent care cheaper than the ER in Charleston?

Yes — significantly. A typical urgent care visit in Charleston costs $25–$75 with insurance (copay), or $100–$200 cash-pay for a basic visit. An ER visit averages $1,500–$2,500 even for non-emergency issues. Urgent care is appropriate for fevers, flu, UTIs, pink eye, minor injuries, strep, and most same-day concerns — reserve the ER for chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, or trouble breathing.

Do Charleston urgent care clinics take walk-ins, or do I need an appointment?

All Charleston urgent care clinics accept walk-ins — that's their core business. Many large chains (MinuteClinic, AFC Urgent Care, Concentra, and Solv-partnered clinics) also let you reserve a time slot online to skip the waiting room. Wait times are typically posted live on each clinic's website.

Are there pediatric urgent care options in Charleston?

Most adult urgent cares in Charleston see children age 1 and older. For infants under 12 months or complex pediatric presentations, look for dedicated pediatric urgent care — PM Pediatric Care, children's-hospital-affiliated walk-in centers, or pediatric-specific clinics. Check individual clinic pages for pediatric availability and age ranges.

How late are urgent care clinics open in Charleston?

Most Charleston urgent care clinics are open 8 AM to 8 PM, 7 days a week. Some major-chain locations (MinuteClinic, AFC Urgent Care, Concentra) offer extended or weekend hours, and a handful operate 24/7. Check the 'hours' line on each individual clinic page for current operating times — clinic schedules change, so we recommend confirming before travel.