U.S. Route 52 (US 52) is a 159.960-mile (257.431 km) north–south U.S. Highway that travels from Charleston to the North Carolina state line near Cheraw. It serves as a strategic highway through the central part of the state. Though an even-numbered U.S. Highway, which are typically signed east–west, it is signed north–south in South Carolina. In some other states along its route, it is signed east–west. The South Carolina segment is signed such that US 52 north corresponds to the general westward direction of the highway, and vice versa.