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Trip from Chesterfield, 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 28m

Distance

129.5 mi

208 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 18m ★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Chesterfield, SC, SC

Chesterfield, SC

Just a Couple Photos

Downtown Sumter, SC, SC

Sumter, SC

Junior Bastos

Trip Overview

The drive from Chesterfield, SC to Sumter, SC covers 129.5 miles and takes about 2h 28m 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, Trask Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.3 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.25 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.

Midpoint

64.8 miles from Chesterfield, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 129.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 28m highway drive covering 129.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and US 521. The longest continuous stretch is about 88.3 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 17 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 88.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and US 521. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Chesterfield Drive.

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 2h 28m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Chesterfield Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (SC 170 / Robert Smalls Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 25.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Chesterfield Drive

At end of road, turn left onto Chesterfield Drive

Navigation decision point

5
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | SC 170 / Robert Smalls Parkway

At end of road, turn left onto SC 170 / Robert Smalls Parkway

Navigation decision point

5
25.5 mi into trip | ~33m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
113.8 mi into trip | ~2h 8m 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
114.1 mi into trip | ~2h 8m 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 88.3 mi 1h 34m
US 521 15.1 mi 18m
Trask Parkway 12 mi 14m
US 21 6.9 mi 8m
Robert Smalls Parkway 3 mi 3m
Kings Highway 1.4 mi 1m
Parris Island Gateway 1.2 mi 1m
Broad River Boulevard 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 88.3 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chesterfield, SC and Sumter, SC.

1

Start on Chesterfield Lake Drive

0.2 mi · 55 sec · Chesterfield Lake Drive
2

At end of road, turn left onto Chesterfield Drive

186 ft · 12 sec · Chesterfield Drive
3

Turn left onto Broad River Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Broad River Boulevard
4

At end of road, turn left onto SC 170

3.0 mi · 3 min · Robert Smalls Parkway
5

Turn slight left onto US 21

1.2 mi · 1 min · Parris Island Gateway
6

At end of road, turn left onto US 21

12 mi · 14 min · Trask Parkway
7

Enter roundabout onto US 21

221 ft · 3 sec · US 21
8

Continue on US 21

6.8 mi · 8 min · US 21
9

Continue on US 17

1.4 mi · 1 min · Kings Highway
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 95 North: Florence
11

Merge onto I 95

88 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
13

Keep slight left at fork

289 ft · 7 sec
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
14

Turn left onto US 521

15 mi · 18 min · US 521
15

Continue on South Main Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · South Main Street
16

Turn right onto US 76 Business

65 ft · 1 sec · East Liberty Street
17

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 64.8 miles from Chesterfield, SC, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.3 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 28 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 64.8 miles or 1h 15m 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

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 Chesterfield, 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 Chesterfield, SC

This is one driving day of about 129.5 miles and 2h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Chesterfield, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 88.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 64.8 mi from Chesterfield, SC · 1h 15m into the drive

town in South Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Saint George, SC

65 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

Ridgeland, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Saint George, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.8 miles from Chesterfield, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.3 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The Reconstruction era,1861-1900 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economi...

5 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 4.5
View on nps.gov
Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park

National Park

Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour Free near mile 129.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.25 one way

$40.50 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $22.14 $44.28
premium $4.70 $23.97 $47.94
diesel $5.61 $28.59 $57.18

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.3 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 38.9 0 $13.60 $6.22
Efficient EV 32.4 0 $11.33 $5.18
EV Truck/SUV 51.8 0 $18.13 $8.29

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Chesterfield, SC

Evening in Chesterfield on Friday

Local time

8:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sumter, SC

Evening in Sumter on Friday

Local time

8:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Saint George, SC

65 mi in

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

34 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 28m 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 Chesterfield, SC to Sumter, SC covers 129.5 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 95, US 521, Trask Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 64.8 miles from Chesterfield, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.25 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 2h 28m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Chesterfield Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (SC 170 / Robert Smalls Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 25.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Chesterfield, SC to Sumter, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Congaree National Park.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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