Origin
Columbia, SC
Afternoon in Columbia on Wednesday
Local time
3:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, SC to Lexington, SC
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
20m
Distance
12.8 mi
21 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 19m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lexington, SC
Colon Freld
Trip Overview
This quick 12.8-mile drive from Columbia, SC to Lexington, SC takes approximately 20 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with no highway driving involved, making it a straightforward journey. The estimated fuel cost is a very reasonable $2, so you won't break the bank on gas. This route is entirely within the Southeast region, keeping you within the familiar SC landscape. Given its short distance and minimal duration, it's perfect for a quick errand or a seamless 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
6.4 miles from Columbia, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 12.8-mile trip. With 0% highway share, you'll be navigating city streets and local thoroughfares for the entire journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 7.7 miles along Augusta Road. This means you'll be making frequent turns and potentially encountering moderate local traffic as you move between Columbia and Lexington. The road character is consistent, focusing on local connectivity rather than high-speed travel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Augusta Road is the longest continuous segment at about 7.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near US 21; US 176; US 321 / Huger Street.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Columbia, SC to Lexington, SC is easy. At 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 21; US 176; US 321 / Huger Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (SC 12 / Taylor Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
2 of 2 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 21; US 176; US 321 / Huger Street
Turn right onto US 21; US 176; US 321 / Huger Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
SC 12 / Taylor Street
Turn left onto SC 12 / Taylor Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta Road | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| Jarvis Klapman Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| East Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Gervais Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Huger Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Hampton Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Taylor Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Augusta Road
— 7.7 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, SC and Lexington, SC.
1
Start on Gervais Street
434 ft
·
17 sec
·
Gervais Street
2
Continue on US 1; US 378
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Gervais Street
3
Turn right onto US 21; US 176; US 321
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Huger Street
4
Turn left onto SC 12
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Taylor Street
5
Continue on SC 12
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Hampton Street
6
Continue on SC 12
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 1
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Augusta Road
8
Continue on US 1
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
9
Arrive at destination
US 1
Trip Plan
For this short 20-minute drive, flexibility is your best friend. You can leave at any time without needing to worry about splitting the journey or finding extensive rest stops. The $2 fuel estimate means you likely won't need to refuel mid-trip. Pay attention to the frequent turns indicated by the 'turn-heavy' profile; keeping your navigation active is key. The longest stretch on Augusta Road is a good point to note for maintaining a steady pace before the route transitions to Jarvis Klapman Boulevard and then East Main Street.
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 6.4 miles from Columbia, SC, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.7 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 12.8 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.4 miles or 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lexington, 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 12.8 miles and 20m.
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 Augusta Road for about 7.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.4 mi from Columbia, SC · 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 12.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.4 miles from Columbia, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lexington, SC
The final approach into Lexington, 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 Lexington, 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
$2.00 one way
$4.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $2.19 | $4.38 |
| premium | $4.70 | $2.37 | $4.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.83 | $5.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.34 | $0.61 |
| Efficient EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.12 | $0.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.79 | $0.82 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Lexington, SC
Afternoon in Lexington on Wednesday
Local time
3:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Belmont, NC
6 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
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
20m 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 Lexington, SC covers 12.8 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Augusta Road, Jarvis Klapman Boulevard, East Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.4 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 $2.00 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.
The drive from Columbia, SC to Lexington, SC is easy. At 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 21; US 176; US 321 / Huger Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (SC 12 / Taylor Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Columbia, SC to Lexington, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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