Origin
Bishopville, SC
Late night in Bishopville on Friday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bishopville, SC to Columbia, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
53 mi
85 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bishopville, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 53-mile drive from Bishopville, SC, to Columbia, SC, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 3 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. Primarily utilizing I-20 and I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway, with a segment on Sumter Highway, this route is heavily highway-focused, accounting for 89% of the journey. The estimated fuel cost for this short hop through the Southeast region is a modest $8. You won't need to break this drive up overnight; it's a simple point-to-point trip that allows for flexibility in your departure time.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 3m. Total distance: 53 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 53-mile route. The majority of your time will be spent on I-20 and I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway, offering a consistent driving pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 42.3 miles on I-20, providing ample opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While Sumter Highway offers a brief change of pace, the overall profile is one of efficient, highway travel designed for quick transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 42.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near I 20.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 3m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles (SC 277 / I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
4 of 4 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
45.1 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Take the exit toward SC 277 South: Downtown, Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 73 A
Toward SC 277 South: Downtown, Columbia
5
46.2 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
SC 277 / I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
Merge onto SC 277 / I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
52.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
US 1; US 378 / Gervais Street
Turn right onto US 1; US 378 / Gervais Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 42.3 mi | 46m |
| I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Sumter Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Bull Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Gervais Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 42.3 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bishopville, SC and Columbia, SC.
1
Start on US 15; SC 34; SC 341
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
2
Continue on US 15
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Sumter Highway
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
4
Merge onto I 20
42 mi
·
46 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 73 A
Toward SC 277 South: Downtown, Columbia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto SC 277
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on SC 277
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Bull Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn right onto US 1; US 378
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Gervais Street
9
Continue on Gervais Street
234 ft
·
22 sec
·
Gervais Street
10
Arrive at destination
Gervais Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.5 mi from Bishopville, SC · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.5 miles from Bishopville, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Columbia, SC
The final approach into Columbia, SC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.29 one way
$16.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.06 | $18.12 |
| premium | $4.70 | $9.81 | $19.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.70 | $23.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.56 | $2.54 |
| Efficient EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.64 | $2.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.42 | $3.39 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Columbia, SC
Late night in Columbia on Friday
Local time
3:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 3m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bishopville, SC to Columbia, SC covers 53 miles and takes about 1h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway, Sumter Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.5 miles from Bishopville, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.29 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 1h 3m drive. You will face about 4 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles (SC 277 / I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Bishopville, SC to Columbia, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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