Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
59m
Distance
38.9 mi
63 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Darlington, SC
Junior Bastos
Sumter, SC
Just a Couple Photos
The drive from Darlington, SC to Sumter, SC covers 38.9 miles and takes about 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Lamar Highway, Darlington Highway, Oswego Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 12.5 miles on Lamar Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.23 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
19.5 miles from Darlington, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Expect a 59m drive with frequent turns across 38.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
89 ft
Total Descent
68 ft
Highest Point
175 ft
~14.6 mi in
Elevation Range
32 ft
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 5.5 miles in near US 401 / Lamar Highway.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Darlington, SC to Sumter, SC is easy. At 59m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.5 miles (US 401 / Lamar Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.1 miles (US 401 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.4 miles (US 401 / Davis Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout onto US 401 / Lamar Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
At end of road, turn left onto US 401 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 401 / Davis Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 15 / North Lafayette Drive
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 76 Business / East Liberty Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lamar Highway | 12.5 mi | 19m |
| Darlington Highway | 10.2 mi | 15m |
| Oswego Highway | 8.5 mi | 13m |
| Davis Street | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Warren Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Pearl Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| East Calhoun Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Liberty Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Darlington, SC and Sumter, SC.
Start on Pearl Street
Continue on SC 34; SC 151
Turn slight left
Turn straight onto Lamar Highway
Enter roundabout onto US 401
Continue on US 401
Continue on US 401
At end of road, turn left onto US 401
Turn right onto US 401
Continue on US 401
Continue on US 401
Continue on US 401
Turn left onto US 15
Turn right onto US 76 Business
Arrive at destination
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.
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 38.9 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.5 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sumter, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Darlington, 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 Darlington, SC
This is one driving day of about 38.9 miles and 59m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.5 mi from Darlington, SC · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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.
A short stop after about 38.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 19.5 miles from Darlington, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$6.23 one way
$12.45 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $6.78 | $13.57 |
| premium | $4.78 | $7.32 | $14.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.64 | $17.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.08 | $1.87 |
| Efficient EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.40 | $1.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.45 | $2.49 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Darlington on Sunday
Local time
6:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
Destination
Evening in Sumter on Sunday
Local time
6:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Darlington, SC or browse trips ending in Sumter, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.
Explore maps for Darlington, SC or Sumter, SC on MapSof.net.