Origin
Columbia, SC
Evening in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
5:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, SC to Florence, SC
Drive Time
1h 35m
Distance
81 mi
130 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Florence, SC
Samual lim
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick trip from Columbia to Florence, you can expect a straightforward 81-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it connects two major hubs within the Southeast without requiring an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-20 and the I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway before finishing your transit on West Evans Street. Budgeting roughly $13 for fuel makes this an economical choice for travelers heading across the state. Whether you are commuting or visiting for the day, the simplicity of the path allows for a stress-free transition between these two South Carolina cities.
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
40.5 miles from Columbia, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 93% of your travel time is spent on major thoroughfares. You will settle into a consistent rhythm during the longest uninterrupted stretch, which covers 70.2 miles along I-20. The personality of this drive is defined by speed and utility rather than winding backroads, making it a functional interstate grind. As you transition off the highway and approach your final destination, the route shifts into local navigation on West Evans Street. Behind the wheel, you will find the drive predictable and easy to manage, allowing you to focus on reaching Florence with minimal navigational effort.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 70.2 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 0.4 miles in near US 76 / Bull Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 35m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 76 / Bull Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 76 / Bull Street
Turn left onto US 76 / Bull Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
6.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Florence
5
7.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
4
80.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
Warley Street
Turn right onto Warley Street
Navigation decision point
5
81 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 70.2 mi | 1h 18m |
| I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| West Evans Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Bull Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| West Cheves Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Gervais Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Warley Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 70.2 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, SC and Florence, SC.
1
Start on Gervais Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Gervais Street
2
Turn left onto US 76
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Bull Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on SC 277
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
Use the none lane.
4
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 East: Florence
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 20
70 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 20
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn left onto S-21-31
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Evans Street
7
Turn right onto Warley Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Warley Street
8
Turn left onto West Cheves Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cheves Street
9
Turn right
133 ft
·
11 sec
10
Turn right
50 ft
·
3 sec
11
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility when choosing your departure time to avoid potential peak-hour traffic. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled along the 81-mile path, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to plan for lengthy breaks. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $13, so topping off your tank in Columbia is a smart way to ensure you have enough range for the entire duration. If you find yourself needing a breather, prioritize your rest before merging onto the I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway, as the remainder of the trip transitions quickly into city streets. Taking advantage of the route's brevity allows you to maximize your time once you arrive in Florence.
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 40.5 miles from Columbia, SC, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.2 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.5 miles or 47m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florence, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC
This is one driving day of about 81 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Columbia, 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 70.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.5 mi from Columbia, SC · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 40.5 miles from Columbia, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.2 miles.
Arriving in Florence, SC
The final approach into Florence, 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 Florence, 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
$12.96 one way
$25.93 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $14.12 | $28.25 |
| premium | $4.78 | $15.24 | $30.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.00 | $35.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.3 | 0 | $8.50 | $3.89 |
| Efficient EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.09 | $3.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.4 | 0 | $11.34 | $5.18 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Florence, SC
Evening in Florence on Sunday
Local time
5:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
1 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
1h 35m 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 Columbia, SC to Florence, SC covers 81 miles and takes about 1h 35m 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, West Evans Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.5 miles from Columbia, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.96 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 35m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 76 / Bull Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Columbia, SC to Florence, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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