Origin
Sumter, SC
Evening in Sumter on Sunday
Local time
5:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sumter, SC to Columbia, SC
Drive Time
1h
Distance
44.1 mi
71 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 56m
★
6 AM
1h 1m
8 AM
1h 11m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 5m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 58m
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
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Sumter to Columbia, you are in for a quick 44.1-mile journey that typically takes about one hour. Because the entire route stays on local roads like North Washington Street, Broad Street, and Devine Street, you won't be dealing with any highway driving. This trip is perfect for a one-day excursion, as the modest 0% highway share makes it a straightforward trek between these two Southeast locations. You can expect to spend approximately $7 on fuel for the round trip, making this a very budget-friendly option. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, this drive offers a simple, direct connection between the two cities without the need for an overnight stay.
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
22 miles from Sumter, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the route avoids highways entirely, you will navigate through city streets and local thoroughfares for the duration of your hour-long trip. There is no long-distance highway stretch here, as the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on North Washington Street. You will need to stay alert for frequent turns as you transition between Broad Street and Devine Street to reach your destination. This drive requires more active steering and attention than a standard highway route, giving you a very grounded perspective of the local landscape as you move from Sumter toward Columbia.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Washington Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Sumter, SC to Columbia, SC is easy. At 1h with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sumter, SC to Columbia, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Washington Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Broad Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Devine Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Millwood Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Gervais Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
North Washington Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sumter, SC and Columbia, SC.
1
Start on East Liberty Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Liberty Street
2
Turn right onto North Washington Street
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Washington Street
3
Continue on Broad Street
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Broad Street
4
Continue straight
34 mi
·
42 min
5
Continue on Devine Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Devine Street
6
Turn slight right onto Millwood Avenue
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Millwood Avenue
7
Turn left onto Gervais Street
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Gervais Street
8
Continue on Gervais Street
233 ft
·
22 sec
·
Gervais Street
9
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, one-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for rest stops, as the 44.1-mile distance is easily manageable in a single stretch. Keep in mind that because this route relies on local roads, traffic patterns on Broad Street or Devine Street might impact your travel time more than a highway route would. Budgeting $7 for fuel should cover your needs, but keep a little extra set aside for local traffic fluctuations. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation apps handy, as the turn-heavy nature of these local roads requires you to stay sharp on your route transitions.
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 22 miles from Sumter, SC, or about 30m into the drive.
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 44.1 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbia, 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 44.1 miles and 1h.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22 mi from Sumter, SC · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 44.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22 miles from Sumter, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Columbia, 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
$7.06 one way
$14.12 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $7.69 | $15.38 |
| premium | $4.78 | $8.30 | $16.59 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.80 | $19.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.63 | $2.12 |
| Efficient EV | 11 | 0 | $3.86 | $1.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.17 | $2.82 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Evening in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
5:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
2 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 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 Columbia, SC covers 44.1 miles and takes about 1h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Washington Street, Broad Street, Devine Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22 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 $7.06 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.
The drive from Sumter, SC to Columbia, SC is easy. At 1h with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sumter, SC to Columbia, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Sumter, SC to Columbia, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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