Origin
Bluffton, SC
Morning in Bluffton on Saturday
Local time
10:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bluffton, SC to Sumter, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 40m
Distance
138 mi
222 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 30m
★
6 AM
2h 40m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 48m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 49m
5 PM
3h 0m
8 PM
2h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bluffton, SC
Connor Scott McManus
Sumter, SC
Junior Bastos
Trip Overview
The drive from Bluffton, SC to Sumter, SC covers 138 miles and takes about 2h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, US 521, Coosaw Scenic Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.1 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.58 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69 miles from Bluffton, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 138 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 40m highway drive covering 138 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and US 521. The longest continuous stretch is about 93.1 miles on I 95.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 93.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and US 521. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 138 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 29.2 miles (I 95; US 17): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
7.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
29.2 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
I 95; US 17
Merge onto I 95; US 17
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
122.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
6
122.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
5
138 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
|
US 76 Business / East Liberty Street
Turn right onto US 76 Business / East Liberty Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 93.1 mi | 1h 39m |
| US 521 | 15.1 mi | 18m |
| Coosaw Scenic Drive | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| Lowcountry Drive | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| Fording Island Road | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Okatie Highway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| Bluffton Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 93.1 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bluffton, SC and Sumter, SC.
1
Start on Bruin Road
87 ft
·
5 sec
·
Bruin Road
2
Turn right onto SC 46
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Bluffton Road
3
Enter roundabout onto SC 46
170 ft
·
3 sec
·
Bluffton Road
4
Continue on SC 46
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Bluffton Road
5
Turn left onto US 278
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Fording Island Road
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
7
Keep slight right at fork
147 ft
·
4 sec
8
Merge onto SC 170
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Okatie Highway
9
Take the exit
488 ft
·
13 sec
10
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Lowcountry Drive
11
Continue on SC 462
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Coosaw Scenic Drive
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
13
Merge onto I 95; US 17
93 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
I 95; US 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
15
Keep slight left at fork
289 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
16
Turn left onto US 521
15 mi
·
18 min
·
US 521
17
Continue on South Main Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Main Street
18
Turn right onto US 76 Business
65 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Liberty Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 76 Business
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69 miles from Bluffton, SC, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 30 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sumter, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bluffton, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bluffton, SC
This is one driving day of about 138 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Bluffton, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 93.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69 mi from Bluffton, SC · 1h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69 miles from Bluffton, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.1 miles.
Arriving in Sumter, SC
The final approach into Sumter, SC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Sumter, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.58 one way
$43.16 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $23.60 | $47.19 |
| premium | $4.70 | $25.54 | $51.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.47 | $60.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.49 | $6.62 |
| Efficient EV | 34.5 | 0 | $12.08 | $5.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.32 | $8.83 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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
Sumter, SC
Morning in Sumter on Saturday
Local time
10:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
31 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
2h 40m 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 Bluffton, SC to Sumter, SC covers 138 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, US 521, Coosaw Scenic Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69 miles from Bluffton, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.58 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 138 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 29.2 miles (I 95; US 17): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Bluffton, SC to Sumter, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Sumter, SC
More trips to Sumter, SC
Explore more options from Bluffton, SC or browse trips ending in Sumter, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.