Origin
North Augusta, SC
Late night in North Augusta on Friday
Local time
1:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Augusta, SC to Columbia, SC
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
67.5 mi
109 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 16m
★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 35m
10 AM
1h 27m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Augusta, SC
Colon Freld
Trip Overview
This 67.5-mile drive from North Augusta, SC, to Columbia, SC, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 22 minutes. Given its short duration and the manageable fuel cost of around $11, it's an ideal day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-20, making it a highway-focused experience through the Southeast region. You'll find this drive to be efficient, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. It's a practical option for those looking for a quick and direct connection between these two South Carolina cities.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 22m. Total distance: 67.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 77% of the route being on interstates like I-20. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 51.7 miles on I-20, offering a consistent pace. While primarily interstate, you will also navigate sections of Augusta Road and Edgefield Road, which might offer brief glimpses of local scenery before merging back onto faster-paced highways. The overall character is one of efficiency, designed for covering ground quickly rather than lingering on scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 51.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Augusta Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near US 25; SC 121 / Edgefield Road.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 22m 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 1.5 miles (US 25; SC 121 / Edgefield Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 5.4 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 25; SC 121 / Edgefield Road
Turn left onto US 25; SC 121 / Edgefield Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
4.8 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
5.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
57.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Columbia Airport, West Columbia, Lexington
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 58
Toward US 1: Columbia Airport, West Columbia, L...
5
66.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
US 21; US 176; US 321 / Huger Street
Turn right onto US 21; US 176; US 321 / Huger Street
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 North Augusta, SC to Columbia, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Lexington along the way.
Lexington
57.1 mi in
|
~1h 6m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 51.7 mi | 56m |
| Augusta Road | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| Edgefield Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Jarvis Klapman Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Georgia Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Gervais Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Hampton Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Williams Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 51.7 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Augusta, SC and Columbia, SC.
1
Start on US 25 Business
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Georgia Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 25; SC 121
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Edgefield Road
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
4
Merge onto I 20
52 mi
·
56 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 58
Toward US 1: Columbia Airport, West Columbia, Lexington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn left onto US 1
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Augusta Road
7
Continue on US 1
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Augusta Road
8
Turn straight onto SC 12
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
9
Continue on SC 12
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Hampton Street
10
Turn right onto Williams Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Williams Street
11
Turn right onto US 21; US 176; US 321
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Huger Street
12
Turn left onto Gervais Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Gervais Street
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
Gervais Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.8 mi from North Augusta, SC · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.8 miles from North Augusta, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.56 one way
$21.11 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $11.54 | $23.08 |
| premium | $4.70 | $12.49 | $24.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.90 | $29.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.09 | $3.24 |
| Efficient EV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.91 | $2.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27 | 0 | $9.45 | $4.32 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Columbia, SC
Late night in Columbia on Friday
Local time
1:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 22m 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 North Augusta, SC to Columbia, SC covers 67.5 miles and takes about 1h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, Augusta Road, Edgefield 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 33.8 miles from North Augusta, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.56 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 22m 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 1.5 miles (US 25; SC 121 / Edgefield Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 5.4 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from North Augusta, SC to Columbia, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Lexington along the way.
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