Origin
Columbia, SC
Morning in Columbia on Wednesday
Local time
6:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, SC to Catawba, SC
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
70.2 mi
113 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 38m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Catawba, SC
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
The drive from Columbia, SC to Catawba, SC covers 70.2 miles and takes about 1h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Charles F Bolden Freeway, I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway, Hall Spencer Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 53.3 miles on Charles F Bolden Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.98 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
35.1 miles from Columbia, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 24m highway drive covering 70.2 miles, with most of the trip on Charles F Bolden Freeway and I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 53.3 miles on Charles F Bolden Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Charles F Bolden Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 53.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Charles F Bolden Freeway 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
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 24m drive. You will face about 7 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 9.5 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 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.
5
9.5 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway
Merge onto I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
62.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward SC 901: Rock Hill, York
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 73
Toward SC 901: Rock Hill, York
8
63.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SC 901 South: Edgemoor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward SC 901 South: Edgemoor
3
68.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
US 21 / South Anderson Road
Continue onto US 21 / South Anderson Road
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Columbia, SC to Catawba, SC, road signs begin pointing toward York along the way.
York
62.8 mi in
|
~1h 9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Charles F Bolden Freeway | 53.3 mi | 57m |
| I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Hall Spencer Road | 4.2 mi | 9m |
| Mount Holly Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Bull Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Cureton Ferry Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Anderson Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Gervais Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Charles F Bolden Freeway
— 53.3 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, SC and Catawba, 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
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto I 77
53 mi
·
57 min
·
Charles F Bolden Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 73
Toward SC 901: Rock Hill, York
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
146 ft
·
3 sec
Toward SC 901 South: Edgemoor
Use the right lane.
7
Turn slight right onto SC 901
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Mount Holly Road
8
Turn slight left onto State Highway 52
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Collins Road
9
Turn left onto Hall Spencer Road
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Hall Spencer Road
10
Turn right onto US 21
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
South Anderson Road
11
Continue on US 21
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Anderson Road
12
Turn right onto Hall Spencer Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hall Spencer Road
13
Turn right onto State Road S-46-697
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Cureton Ferry Road
14
Arrive at destination
State Road S-46-697
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 35.1 miles from Columbia, SC, or about 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.3 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 70.2 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.1 miles or 39m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catawba, 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 70.2 miles and 1h 24m.
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 Charles F Bolden Freeway for about 53.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.1 mi from Columbia, SC · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 70.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.1 miles from Columbia, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Catawba, SC
The final approach into Catawba, 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 Catawba, 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
$10.98 one way
$21.96 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $12.00 | $24.01 |
| premium | $4.70 | $12.99 | $25.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.50 | $31.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.37 | $3.37 |
| Efficient EV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.14 | $2.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.83 | $4.49 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Catawba, SC
Morning in Catawba on Wednesday
Local time
6:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°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
24 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
1h 24m 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 Catawba, SC covers 70.2 miles and takes about 1h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Charles F Bolden Freeway, I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway, Hall Spencer Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.1 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 $10.98 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 24m drive. You will face about 7 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 9.5 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Columbia, SC to Catawba, SC, road signs begin pointing toward York along the way.
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