Trip from Sumter, SC to Clearwater, SC

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

2h 20m

Distance

113.5 mi

183 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

2h 11m ★

6 AM

2h 20m

8 AM

2h 40m

10 AM

2h 27m

12 PM

2h 25m

3 PM

2h 28m

5 PM

2h 39m

8 PM

2h 14m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Sumter, SC

Junior Bastos

Clearwater, SC

Jared Lung

Trip Overview

The drive from Sumter, SC to Clearwater, SC covers 113.5 miles and takes about 2h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 20, US 76, Jefferson Davis Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35 miles on I 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.75 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

56.8 miles from Sumter, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 2h 20m highway drive covering 113.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and US 76. The longest continuous stretch is about 35 miles on I 20.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 25 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 35 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 76. 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 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 113.5 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 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39 miles (I 77 / William Earle Berne Beltway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

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.

38.5 mi into trip | ~49m in

Take the exit toward I 77 South: Charleston, Spartanburg

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

Use the left lane. Toward I 77 South: Charleston, Spartanburg

39 mi into trip | ~50m in | I 77 / William Earle Berne Beltway

Merge onto I 77 / William Earle Berne Beltway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

46.8 mi into trip | ~59m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 26 West: Spartanburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 26 West: Spartanburg

51.4 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Take the exit toward US 1 South: Lexington

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

Use the right lane. Exit 111A Toward US 1 South: Lexington

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 Sumter, SC to Clearwater, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Spartanburg along the way.

Spartanburg

38.5 mi in | ~49m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 20	35 mi	38m
US 76	32.5 mi	39m
Jefferson Davis Highway	8.2 mi	11m
Columbia Highway North	6 mi	6m
Broad Street	5.4 mi	8m
Augusta Road	5.3 mi	8m
William Earle Berne Beltway	5 mi	5m
I 26	4.1 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 20 — 35 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 76 Business

0.2 mi · 24 sec · East Liberty Street

Turn right onto US 76 Business

0.4 mi · 44 sec · North Washington Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 76 Business

5.4 mi · 8 min · Broad Street

Continue on US 76; US 378

33 mi · 39 min · US 76; US 378

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 77 South: Charleston, Spartanburg Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 77

5.0 mi · 5 min · William Earle Berne Beltway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 77

2.8 mi · 3 min · Veterans Memorial Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 26 West: Spartanburg Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 26

4.1 mi · 4 min · I 26

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Exit 111A Toward US 1 South: Lexington Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 1

5.3 mi · 8 min · Augusta Road

Turn left

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Merge onto I 20

35 mi · 38 min · I 20

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 22 Toward US 1: Aiken

Turn straight onto US 1

6.0 mi · 6 min · Columbia Highway North

Continue on US 1

0.6 mi · 53 sec · York Street Northeast

Turn right onto SC 118; US 78 Truck

171 ft · 2 sec · Rudy Mason Parkway

Continue on SC 118; US 1 Truck; US 78 Truck

1.0 mi · 1 min · Rutland Drive

Continue on SC 118; US 1 Truck; US 78 Truck; SC 19 Truck

3.1 mi · 3 min · University Parkway

Continue on SC 118; US 1 Truck; US 78 Truck; SC 19 Truck

1.5 mi · 1 min · Robert M Bell Parkway

Take the exit onto US 1 Truck; US 78 Truck

243 ft · 6 sec · US 1 Truck; US 78 Truck

Continue on US 1; US 78

8.2 mi · 11 min · Jefferson Davis Highway

Turn left onto SC 126

0.6 mi · 1 min · Belvedere Road

Turn left onto SC 421

37 ft · 0 sec · Augusta Road

Arrive at destination

SC 421

Trip Plan

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 56.8 miles from Sumter, SC, or about 1h 13m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35 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 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 56.8 miles or 1h 13m 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 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clearwater, 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 113.5 miles and 2h 20m.

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 35 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56.8 mi from Sumter, SC · 1h 13m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Belmont, NC

57 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

Inman Mills, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Belmont, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.8 miles from Sumter, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Clearwater, SC

The final approach into Clearwater, 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 Clearwater, SC.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Congaree National Park

National Park

Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 23.5

Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions

Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.75 one way

$35.50 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$19.41	$38.81
premium	$4.70	$21.01	$42.01
diesel	$5.61	$25.06	$50.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	34.1	$11.92	$5.45
Efficient EV	28.4	$9.93	$4.54
EV Truck/SUV	45.4	$15.89	$7.26

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (68% 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 hours ago

Origin

Sumter, SC

Evening in Sumter on Tuesday

Local time

8:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

90°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clearwater, SC

Evening in Clearwater on Tuesday

Local time

8:17 PM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Sunny

SW 6 mph 0% chance Live forecast

64°F

Belmont, NC

57 mi in

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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 20m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Sumter, SC to Clearwater, SC covers 113.5 miles and takes about 2h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 20, US 76, Jefferson Davis Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 56.8 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 $17.75 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.

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

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