Origin
Mullins, SC
Afternoon in Mullins on Sunday
Local time
4:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mullins, SC to Columbia, SC
Drive Time
1h 54m
Distance
118.3 mi
190 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 46m
★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Mullins to Columbia, you are looking at a 118.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 54 minutes to complete. Because this is a relatively short trip, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $18 on fuel for the one-way drive. Navigating through the Southeast, the route transitions from the local feel of Mullins into the capital city of Columbia. Since there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to power through the drive in a single sitting. It is an efficient way to cross the state, provided you are prepared for a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate cruise.
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
59.2 miles from Mullins, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy experience on this route, as it relies on local roads like West McIntyre Street and Highway 76 before eventually transitioning onto I-20 West. You will notice that the highway share is 0%, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local corridors rather than cruising on high-speed interstates. Because the longest stretch on West McIntyre Street is 0 miles, you should stay alert for frequent turns and changing road conditions. The drive feels less like a monotonous highway grind and more like an engaged, hands-on navigation through local South Carolina terrain. Be ready for a steady pace that requires your full attention behind the wheel as you navigate the transition from rural roads to the interstate approach.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West McIntyre Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Mullins, SC to Columbia, SC is easy. At 1h 54m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Mullins, SC to Columbia, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West McIntyre Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 76 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 20 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| SC 277 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bull Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Gervais Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
West McIntyre Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mullins, SC and Columbia, SC.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto West McIntyre Street
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
West McIntyre Street
3
Continue on East Highway 76
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 76
4
Take the exit slight right
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
5
Merge slight left
8.6 mi
·
9 min
6
Continue straight
7.3 mi
·
8 min
7
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
8
Merge slight left
20 mi
·
21 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 20 West: Columbia
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 20 West: Columbia
10
Merge slight left
68 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
11
Take the exit slight right toward SC 277 South: Downtown, Columbia
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
SC 277 South: Downtown, Columbia
12
Merge slight left onto I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
13
Continue on Bull Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Bull Street
14
Turn right onto Gervais Street
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Gervais Street
15
Continue on Gervais Street
233 ft
·
22 sec
·
Gervais Street
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-two-hour drive, your best strategy is to leave early enough in the morning to avoid midday traffic congestion. With no mandatory stops built into the 118.3-mile itinerary, you have the freedom to choose exactly when and where you pull over for fuel or a quick stretch. Keep your $18 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, as local roads can sometimes be less efficient than sustained highway speeds. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between Highway 76 and I-20 West before you head out. Having your navigation ready for those frequent turns will make the trip much smoother and less stressful as you make your way toward Columbia.
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 59.2 miles from Mullins, SC, or about 57m into the drive.
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 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.2 miles or 57m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbia, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mullins, 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 Mullins, SC
This is one driving day of about 118.3 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mullins, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.2 mi from Mullins, SC · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.2 miles from Mullins, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Columbia, SC
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.93 one way
$37.87 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $20.63 | $41.26 |
| premium | $4.78 | $22.25 | $44.51 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.28 | $52.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.5 | 0 | $12.42 | $5.68 |
| Efficient EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.35 | $4.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.3 | 0 | $16.56 | $7.57 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Columbia, SC
Afternoon in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
4:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
1 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 54m 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 Mullins, SC to Columbia, SC covers 118.3 miles and takes about 1h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West McIntyre Street, Highway 76, I 20 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.2 miles from Mullins, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.93 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 Mullins, SC to Columbia, SC is easy. At 1h 54m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Mullins, SC to Columbia, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Mullins, SC to Columbia, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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