Drive Time
1h 57m
Distance
97.3 mi
157 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Photo: Arturo Añez.
The drive from Duncan, SC to Columbia, SC covers 97.3 miles and takes about 1h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 26, Moore Duncan Highway, West Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 79.4 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.57 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
48.7 miles from Duncan, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
This is a 1h 57m highway drive covering 97.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and Moore Duncan Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 79.4 miles on I 26.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
399 ft
Total Descent
961 ft
Highest Point
854 ft
Elevation Range
643 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Moore Duncan Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 290 / West Main Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 57m 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: near the start (SC 290 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 12 miles (US 221 / Highway 221): Navigation decision point; at 13 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto SC 290 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 221 / Highway 221
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 126; US 76 toward I 126, US 76: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Huger Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 79.4 mi | 1h 26m |
| Moore Duncan Highway | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| West Main Street | 5.8 mi | 11m |
| I 126 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Highway 221 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Huger Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Gervais Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Spencer Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Duncan, SC and Columbia, SC.
Start on South Spencer Street
Turn right onto SC 290
Continue on SC 290
Turn left onto US 221
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 126; US 76
Take the exit
Continue on US 21; US 176; US 321
Turn left onto Gervais Street
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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.7 miles or 1h 1m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbia, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Duncan, 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 Duncan, SC
This is one driving day of about 97.3 miles and 1h 57m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.7 mi from Duncan, SC · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 48.7 miles from Duncan, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.4 miles.
The final approach into Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$15.57 one way
$31.14 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $16.97 | $33.93 |
| premium | $4.78 | $18.30 | $36.61 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.62 | $43.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.22 | $4.67 |
| Efficient EV | 24.3 | 0 | $8.51 | $3.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.9 | 0 | $13.62 | $6.23 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Duncan on Sunday
Local time
11:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
11:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
64°F
Mauldin, SC
49 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
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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