Trip from Sumter, SC to Blythewood, SC

Drive Time

1h 11m

Distance

60.1 mi

97 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 6m ★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Sumter, SC, SC

Sumter, SC

Just a Couple Photos

Downtown Blythewood, SC, SC

Blythewood, SC

Colon Freld

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Sumter to Blythewood, you are looking at a manageable 60.1-mile drive that typically takes about 1 hour and 11 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to complete without needing an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $10 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly transit option within the Southeast region. The route utilizes a mix of I-20, the Charles F. Bolden Freeway, and Camden Highway to bridge the two South Carolina locations. Because the drive is straightforward, it serves as an efficient connection rather than a destination-heavy scenic tour, allowing you to reach your destination quickly and reliably.

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

30.1 miles from Sumter, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip features a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed transit with local road navigation. Approximately 53% of your journey will be spent on highways, providing a steady pace for the bulk of your travel. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along I-20, which spans 21.3 miles of the total distance. As you transition between the Charles F. Bolden Freeway and Camden Highway, the character of the road shifts from fast-paced interstate travel to more localized driving conditions. Expect a functional experience behind the wheel that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding terrain.

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 21.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 76 Business / North Washington Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 60.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 76 Business / North Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 76 Business / North Washington Street

Turn right onto US 76 Business / North Washington Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
26.7 mi into trip | ~32m in | I 20

Merge onto I 20

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
47.9 mi into trip | ~56m in

Take the exit toward I 77: Charlotte, Charleston

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 76A Toward I 77: Charlotte, Charleston
7
48.3 mi into trip | ~57m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 77 North: Charlotte

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 77 North: Charlotte
7
59.3 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Take the exit toward Blythewood Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 27 Toward Blythewood Road

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Sumter, SC to Blythewood, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.

Charleston

47.9 mi in | ~56m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 21.3 mi 23m
Charles F Bolden Freeway 10.6 mi 12m
Camden Highway 8.2 mi 9m
Thomas Sumter Highway 7.6 mi 8m
Sumter Highway 7.2 mi 8m
Broad Street 2.8 mi 4m
Blythewood Road 0.4 mi <1m
North Washington Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 21.3 mi, about 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sumter, SC and Blythewood, SC.

1

Start on US 76 Business

0.2 mi · 24 sec · East Liberty Street
2

Turn right onto US 76 Business

0.4 mi · 44 sec · North Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Continue on US 76 Business

2.8 mi · 4 min · Broad Street
Use the none lane.
4

Turn slight right onto US 521

1.9 mi · 2 min · Camden Highway
5

Continue on US 521

7.6 mi · 8 min · Thomas Sumter Highway
6

Continue on US 521

6.2 mi · 7 min · Camden Highway
7

Continue on US 521

7.2 mi · 8 min · Sumter Highway
8

Turn left

0.3 mi · 35 sec
9

Merge onto I 20

21 mi · 23 min · I 20
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Exit 76A Toward I 77: Charlotte, Charleston Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 77 North: Charlotte Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 77

11 mi · 12 min · Charles F Bolden Freeway
Use the none lane.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 27 Toward Blythewood Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

304 ft · 7 sec
15

Turn slight right onto Blythewood Road

0.4 mi · 54 sec · Blythewood Road
16

At end of road, turn left onto US 21

72 ft · 1 sec · Main Street
17

Arrive at destination

US 21

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to your departure time. Since there are no scheduled stops required for this 60.1-mile trek, you can easily complete the entire distance in one go without needing to plan for extended breaks. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on highway infrastructure, so stay alert when merging onto I-20 to maintain a smooth flow of travel. Ensure your fuel tank is prepared for the $10 estimated cost before you head out from Sumter. Utilizing the Charles F. Bolden Freeway as a primary connector helps you navigate through the region effectively, so check for traffic patterns on that specific segment before you leave.

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 30.1 miles from Sumter, SC, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.3 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 60.1 miles or 1h 11m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 30.1 miles or 36m 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

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blythewood, SC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

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 60.1 miles and 1h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sumter, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 21.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 30.1 mi from Sumter, SC · 36m into the drive

Downtown Charlotte, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlotte, NC

30 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

Charlotte, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Charlotte, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 30.1 miles from Sumter, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Blythewood, SC

The final approach into Blythewood, 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 Blythewood, 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

$9.62 one way

$19.24 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $10.48 $20.96
premium $4.78 $11.31 $22.61
diesel $5.64 $13.35 $26.70

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 21 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 18 0 $6.31 $2.88
Efficient EV 15 0 $5.26 $2.40
EV Truck/SUV 24 0 $8.41 $3.85

Gas CO2

21 kg

EV CO2

7 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Sumter, SC

Evening in Sumter on Sunday

Local time

7:46 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Blythewood, SC

Evening in Blythewood on Sunday

Local time

7:46 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

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 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 Sumter, SC to Blythewood, SC covers 60.1 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, Charles F Bolden Freeway, Camden Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.1 miles from Sumter, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.62 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 demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 60.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 76 Business / North Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Sumter, SC to Blythewood, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.

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