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Create accountDrive Time
2h 14m
Distance
102.1 mi
164 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sumter, SC
Just a Couple Photos
The drive from Sumter, SC to Barnwell, SC covers 102.1 miles and takes about 2h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Five Chop Road, Manning Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 24.8 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.34 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
51.1 miles from Sumter, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Expect a 2h 14m drive with frequent turns across 102.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Main Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.1 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 81.2 miles (US 78 / Heritage Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto US 78 / Heritage Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Turn right
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 24.8 mi | 26m |
| Five Chop Road | 21.1 mi | 26m |
| Manning Road | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| Bamberg Road | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| Barnwell Road | 11.8 mi | 20m |
| Heritage Highway | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Main Highway | 3 mi | 3m |
| John C Calhoun Drive | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sumter, SC and Barnwell, SC.
Start on US 76 Business
Turn left onto South Main Street
Continue on Manning Avenue
Continue on US 521
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 15; US 301
Turn slight left onto John C Calhoun Drive
Continue on US 301; US 601; SC 4
Continue on US 301; US 601
Continue on US 301; US 601
Turn right onto US 78
Turn left onto US 321; SC 70
Turn right onto SC 70
Continue on SC 70
Continue on SC 70
Turn right onto SC 70
Turn left onto SC 3
Turn left
Turn right
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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.1 miles or 1h 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barnwell, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Sumter, 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 Sumter, SC
This is one driving day of about 102.1 miles and 2h 14m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.1 mi from Sumter, SC · 1h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 51.1 miles from Sumter, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Barnwell, 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 Barnwell, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$16.34 one way
$32.68 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $17.80 | $35.61 |
| premium | $4.78 | $19.21 | $38.41 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $22.68 | $45.37 |
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: 35.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.72 | $4.90 |
| Efficient EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.93 | $4.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.29 | $6.53 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Sumter on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Clear
Destination
Afternoon in Barnwell on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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