Origin
Simpsonville, SC
Afternoon in Simpsonville on Sunday
Local time
4:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Simpsonville, SC to Florence, SC
Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
166.9 mi
269 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 0m
★
6 AM
3h 11m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 21m
5 PM
3h 34m
8 PM
3h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Simpsonville, SC
Connor Scott McManus
Florence, SC
Samual lim
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Simpsonville to Florence, you can expect a straightforward 166.9-mile journey through the heart of South Carolina. Clocking in at approximately 3 hours and 11 minutes, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Your travel budget should account for roughly $27 in fuel costs to cover the distance. By utilizing the Golden Strip Freeway, I-26, and I-20, you stay within the familiar Southeast region for the entire duration of the trip. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the efficiency of this highway-focused drive makes it a practical choice for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.4 miles from Simpsonville, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 97% of your journey takes place on major highways. You will experience a consistent interstate rhythm, punctuated by a significant 79.3-mile stretch on I-20 that represents the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. The transition from the Golden Strip Freeway onto the larger interstate network keeps the pace brisk and steady throughout the 166.9-mile transit. While the landscape remains consistent within the Southeast, the road's personality is defined by its focus on utility and speed rather than technical or winding secondary roads. Prepare for a seamless, highway-focused experience that prioritizes reaching your destination efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
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 79.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 26. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 11m drive. You will face about 15 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: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SC 417 / East Curtis Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SC 417 / East Curtis Street
Turn left onto SC 417 / East Curtis Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Merge onto I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
28.9 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / slight right lanes.
7
84.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 107B
Toward I 20 East: Florence
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 79.3 mi | 1h 29m |
| I 26 | 55.2 mi | 1h |
| Golden Strip Freeway | 27.2 mi | 29m |
| West Evans Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Southeast Main Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West Cheves Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Fairview Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Warley Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 79.3 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Simpsonville, SC and Florence, SC.
1
Start on this road
107 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
175 ft
·
17 sec
3
Turn left onto Hedge Street
146 ft
·
11 sec
·
Hedge Street
4
Turn left onto SC 417
374 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Curtis Street
5
Turn left onto SC 14
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast Main Street
6
Turn right onto Fairview Road
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Fairview Road
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
8
Merge onto I 385
27 mi
·
29 min
·
Golden Strip Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 26
55 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 26
Use the none / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 107B
Toward I 20 East: Florence
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 20
79 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
I 20
Use the none lane.
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
Since this 3-hour trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own preferences. You only need to account for one stop to keep your energy up and maintain focus during the 166.9-mile transit. Aim to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on the interstate segments to ensure you stay as close to the 3-hour and 11-minute estimate as possible. Because the vast majority of your travel is on high-speed roads, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto I-20, where the longest uninterrupted stretch of 79.3 miles occurs. Utilizing that single planned stop effectively will make the drive feel much shorter and more manageable.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.4 miles from Simpsonville, SC, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.3 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.4 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 34m
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 Simpsonville, 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 Simpsonville, SC
This is one driving day of about 166.9 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Simpsonville, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 79.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.4 mi from Simpsonville, SC · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 83.4 miles from Simpsonville, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.3 miles.
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
$26.71 one way
$53.42 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $29.10 | $58.20 |
| premium | $4.78 | $31.40 | $62.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.08 | $74.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.52 | $8.01 |
| Efficient EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.60 | $6.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.37 | $10.68 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Florence, SC
Afternoon in Florence on Sunday
Local time
4:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°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
27 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
3h 11m 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 Simpsonville, SC to Florence, SC covers 166.9 miles and takes about 3h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 26, Golden Strip Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.4 miles from Simpsonville, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.71 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 11m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (SC 417 / East Curtis Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Simpsonville, SC to Florence, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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