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Trip from Sumter, SC to Pendleton, SC

Drive Time

3h 34m

Distance

169.5 mi

273 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

18 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 23m ★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 41m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m

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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Downtown Sumter, SC, SC

Sumter, SC

Just a Couple Photos

Trip Overview

The drive from Sumter, SC to Pendleton, SC covers 169.5 miles and takes about 3h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 26, US 76, I 385 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.7 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.13 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

84.8 miles from Sumter, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 34m highway drive covering 169.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and US 76. The longest continuous stretch is about 55.7 miles on I 26.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 26 is the longest continuous segment at about 55.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 169.5 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 44 miles (US 76 / Bull Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.2 miles (I 26; US 76): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 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.
6
44 mi into trip | ~1h in | US 76 / Bull Street

Turn right onto US 76 / Bull Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
49.2 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in | I 26; US 76

Merge onto I 26; US 76

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
104.9 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in | I 385

Keep slight left at fork onto I 385 toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 51 Toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
6
134.5 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in | US 276

Keep slight right at fork onto US 276 toward I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderson

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderso...

Towns Along This Route

Between Sumter, SC and Pendleton, SC, road signs point toward Greenville, Mauldin and Anderson.

Greenville

104.9 mi in | ~2h 9m | via I 385

Mauldin

134.5 mi in | ~2h 42m | via US 276

Anderson

134.5 mi in | ~2h 42m | via US 276

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 26 55.7 mi 1h 1m
US 76 34.2 mi 42m
I 385 29.6 mi 32m
Old Greenville Highway 12.4 mi 17m
Southern Connector 8.8 mi 9m
Broad Street 5.4 mi 8m
I 126 3.8 mi 4m
Piedmont Highway 3 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 26 — 55.7 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sumter, SC and Pendleton, 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

5.4 mi · 8 min · Broad Street
4

Continue on US 76; US 378

34 mi · 42 min · US 76; US 378
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Continue on US 76; US 378

1.1 mi · 2 min · Devine Street
6

Turn slight right onto US 76; US 378

1.8 mi · 4 min · Millwood Avenue
7

Turn left onto SC 12

0.9 mi · 1 min · Taylor Street
8

Turn right onto US 76

0.5 mi · 1 min · Bull Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Turn left onto US 76

0.9 mi · 2 min · Elmwood Avenue
Use the left lane.
10

Continue on I 126; US 76

3.8 mi · 4 min · I 126; US 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 26; US 76

56 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 26; US 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 385

30 mi · 32 min · I 385
Exit 51 Toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville Use the slight left / straight lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto US 276

0.5 mi · 33 sec · US 276
Toward I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderson
14

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 185: Atlanta, Anderson
15

Merge onto I 185

8.8 mi · 9 min · Southern Connector
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward SC 20
17

Keep slight left at fork

204 ft · 9 sec
18

Turn left onto SC 20

3.0 mi · 5 min · Piedmont Highway
19

Turn right onto SC 86

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
20

Continue on SC 86

1.0 mi · 1 min · Anderson Street
21

Continue on SC 86

2.2 mi · 3 min · Highway 86
22

Turn left onto Major Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · Major Road
23

Continue on Moore Road

1.8 mi · 3 min · Moore Road
24

Continue on SC 88

6.9 mi · 9 min · Old Greenville Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Enter roundabout onto SC 88

121 ft · 2 sec · Old Greenville Highway
26

Continue on SC 88

2.8 mi · 3 min · Old Greenville Highway
27

Continue on SC 88

1.2 mi · 1 min · Highway 88
28

Continue on SC 88

2.7 mi · 3 min · Old Greenville Highway
29

Continue on SC 88

0.9 mi · 1 min · Greenville Street
30

Continue on SC 88

0.3 mi · 38 sec · East Queen Street
31

Arrive at destination

SC 88

Trip Plan

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 84.8 miles from Sumter, SC, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.7 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 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 84.8 miles or 1h 47m 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 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pendleton, 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 169.5 miles and 3h 34m.

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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 55.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 84.8 mi from Sumter, SC · 1h 47m into the drive

Downtown Inman Mills, SC, SC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Inman Mills, SC

85 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.

Inman Mills, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.8 miles from Sumter, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Pendleton, SC

The final approach into Pendleton, 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 Pendleton, 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

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 23.4
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

$27.13 one way

$54.25 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $29.56 $59.11
premium $4.78 $31.88 $63.77
diesel $5.64 $37.66 $75.31

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: 59.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

18 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Columbia, SC - Harbison Boulevard - Tesla Supercharger

Columbia, SC

Tesla

16 DCFC

Lowes Foods of Forest Acres - Tesla Supercharger

Columbia, SC

Tesla

11 DCFC

Cracker Barrel - Tesla Supercharger

Columbia, SC

Tesla

8 DCFC

Flying J Travel Center 712

Columbia, SC

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Walmart 1164 (Columbia, SC)

Columbia, SC

Electrify America

4 DCFC

CircleK - Irmo

Irmo, SC

CIRCLE_K

4 DCFC

Pilot Travel Center 4580

Prosperity, SC

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Sam's Club 8278 (Greenville, SC)

Greenville, SC

Electrify America

4 DCFC

eVgo Network: 4 Tesla: 3 EV Connect: 2 Non-Networked: 2 Electrify America: 2 CIRCLE_K: 2 Blink Network: 1 RED_E: 1 CHAEVI: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.9 0 $17.80 $8.14
Efficient EV 42.4 0 $14.83 $6.78
EV Truck/SUV 67.8 0 $23.73 $10.85

Gas CO2

59 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.

Forecast data refreshed 10 hours ago

Origin

Sumter, SC

Morning in Sumter on Monday

Local time

10:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

90°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pendleton, SC

Morning in Pendleton on Monday

Local time

10:44 AM

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

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 34m 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 Pendleton, SC covers 169.5 miles and takes about 3h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, US 76, I 385. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.8 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 $27.13 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 demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 169.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 76 Business / North Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 44 miles (US 76 / Bull Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.2 miles (I 26; US 76): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Sumter, SC and Pendleton, SC, road signs point toward Greenville, Mauldin and Anderson.

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