Origin
Clearwater, SC
Evening in Clearwater on Tuesday
Local time
7:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clearwater, SC to Sumter, SC
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
114.1 mi
184 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 12m
★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clearwater, SC
Jared Lung
Sumter, SC
Junior Bastos
Trip Overview
The drive from Clearwater, SC to Sumter, SC covers 114.1 miles and takes about 2h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 20, Garners Ferry Road, Augusta Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 51.3 miles on I 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.84 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
57 miles from Clearwater, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Clearwater, SC to Sumter, SC covers 114.1 miles and takes about 2h 21m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 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 51.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 57.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 114.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 57.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
57.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Columbia Airport, West Columbia, Lexington
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 58
Toward US 1: Columbia Airport, West Columbia, L...
7
67.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 77 North: Charlotte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 116
Toward I 77 North: Charlotte
8
75.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward US 76, US 378, SC 262: Garners Ferry Road, Leesburg Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9A-B
Toward US 76, US 378, SC 262: Garners Ferry Roa...
10
75.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 76, US 378: Garners Ferry Road, Sumter
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9 A
Toward US 76, US 378: Garners Ferry Road, Sumte...
6
75.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
US 76; US 378 / Garners Ferry Road
Turn right onto US 76; US 378 / Garners Ferry Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clearwater, SC and Sumter, SC, road signs point toward Columbia, Lexington and Charleston.
Columbia
57.2 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Lexington
57.2 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Charleston
62.9 mi in
|
~1h 15m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 51.3 mi | 56m |
| Garners Ferry Road | 34.6 mi | 43m |
| Augusta Road | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| William Earle Berne Beltway | 5 mi | 6m |
| I 26 | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| Broad Street | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Veterans Memorial Freeway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Belvedere-Clearwater Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 51.3 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearwater, SC and Sumter, SC.
1
Start on SC 421
37 ft
·
2 sec
·
Augusta Road
2
Turn right onto SC 126
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Belvedere Road
3
Continue on SC 126
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Belvedere-Clearwater Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
5
Merge onto I 520
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Palmetto Parkway
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 East
7
Merge onto I 20
51 mi
·
56 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 58
Toward US 1: Columbia Airport, West Columbia, Lexington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto US 1
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Augusta Road
10
Continue on US 1
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Augusta Road
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Charleston
12
Merge onto I 26
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 116
Toward I 77 North: Charlotte
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on I 77
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Veterans Memorial Freeway
15
Continue on I 77
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
William Earle Berne Beltway
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 9A-B
Toward US 76, US 378, SC 262: Garners Ferry Road, Leesburg Road
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 9 A
Toward US 76, US 378: Garners Ferry Road, Sumter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto US 76; US 378
35 mi
·
43 min
·
Garners Ferry Road
Use the right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 76 Business
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Broad Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 76 Business
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
North Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto US 76 Business
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Liberty Street
22
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 57 miles from Clearwater, SC, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.3 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 54m
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 Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, SC
This is one driving day of about 114.1 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clearwater, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 51.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57 mi from Clearwater, SC · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57 miles from Clearwater, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$17.84 one way
$35.69 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $19.51 | $39.02 |
| premium | $4.70 | $21.12 | $42.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.19 | $50.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.98 | $5.48 |
| Efficient EV | 28.5 | 0 | $9.98 | $4.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.97 | $7.30 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Sumter, SC
Evening in Sumter on Tuesday
Local time
7:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Belmont, NC
57 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 21m 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 Clearwater, SC to Sumter, SC covers 114.1 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, Garners Ferry Road, Augusta Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57 miles from Clearwater, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.84 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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 114.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 57.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Clearwater, SC and Sumter, SC, road signs point toward Columbia, Lexington and Charleston.
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