Origin
Great Falls, SC
Late night in Great Falls on Friday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Great Falls, SC to Florence, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
85.3 mi
137 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Great Falls, SC
Wilson Rodriguez
Florence, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 85.3-mile drive from Great Falls, SC, to Florence, SC, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 2 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it offers a practical way to travel within the Southeast region. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $13, making it an economical option. You'll primarily navigate on I-20, with portions on John G Richards Road and Cedar Creek Road contributing to the overall drive. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.7 miles from Great Falls, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 85.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
The drive features a mixed profile, with 53% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 45.3 miles on I-20, offering a chance for steady progress. While much of the route involves highway driving, expect some transitions onto local roads like John G Richards Road and Cedar Creek Road, which may alter the pace. This combination means you'll get a blend of faster highway travel and potentially slower, more local road segments as you approach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 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 45.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
466 ft
137 ft
Total Climb
169 ft
Total Descent
499 ft
Highest Point
466 ft
Elevation Range
330 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 36.8 miles in near I 20.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 2m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 36.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.5 miles (Warley Street): Navigation decision point; at 84.6 miles (West Cheves Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
36.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
84.5 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
Warley Street
Turn right onto Warley Street
Navigation decision point
4
84.6 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
West Cheves Street
Turn left onto West Cheves Street
Navigation decision point
4
85.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
85.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 45.3 mi | 50m |
| John G Richards Road | 18.5 mi | 32m |
| Cedar Creek Road | 10 mi | 17m |
| North Broad Street | 3.1 mi | 7m |
| West Evans Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Liberty Hill Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Pendergrass Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Sumter Highway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 45.3 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, SC and Florence, SC.
1
Start on US 21; SC 200
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Chester Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 21; SC 200
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Pendergrass Boulevard
3
Turn straight onto SC 97; SC 200
526 ft
·
10 sec
·
State Highway 97
4
Continue on SC 97; SC 200
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Cedar Creek Road
5
Continue on SC 97
9.6 mi
·
16 min
·
Cedar Creek Road
6
Continue on SC 97
18 mi
·
32 min
·
John G Richards Road
7
Continue on SC 97
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Liberty Hill Road
8
Merge onto US 521; US 601
3.1 mi
·
7 min
·
North Broad Street
9
Continue on US 521
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Sumter Highway
10
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
11
Merge onto I 20
45 mi
·
50 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto S-21-31
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Evans Street
13
Turn right onto Warley Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Warley Street
14
Turn left onto West Cheves Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cheves Street
15
Turn right
133 ft
·
11 sec
16
Turn right
50 ft
·
3 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 2 minutes, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider starting your drive in the morning to maximize your day upon arrival in Florence. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent stops for gas. Pay attention to the transition points between I-20 and the local roads, as these can sometimes present unexpected traffic or changes in speed limits. The longest stretch on I-20 is over 45 miles, so plan for a break before or after this segment if needed.
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 42.7 miles from Great Falls, SC, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.3 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 19 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.7 miles or 1h 11m 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 44m
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 Great Falls, 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 Great Falls, SC
This is one driving day of about 85.3 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Great Falls, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 45.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.7 mi from Great Falls, SC · 1h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.7 miles from Great Falls, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$13.34 one way
$26.68 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $14.58 | $29.17 |
| premium | $4.70 | $15.79 | $31.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.83 | $37.67 |
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: 29.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.96 | $4.09 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.46 | $3.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.94 | $5.46 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Late night in Florence on Friday
Local time
4:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Camden, SC
43 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
25 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
2h 2m 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 Great Falls, SC to Florence, SC covers 85.3 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, John G Richards Road, Cedar Creek Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.7 miles from Great Falls, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.34 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 2h 2m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 36.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.5 miles (Warley Street): Navigation decision point; at 84.6 miles (West Cheves Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Great Falls, SC to Florence, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 137 ft to 466 ft elevation with about 169 ft of total climbing.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Elevation is sampled from USGS 3DEP. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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