Origin
Sumter, SC
Evening in Sumter on Sunday
Local time
5:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 8m
Distance
116.2 mi
187 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
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station data
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
Ridgeland, SC
Just a Couple Photos
Traveling from Sumter to Ridgeland is a straightforward 116.2-mile journey through the heart of South Carolina. You can easily complete this trip in about 2 hours and 8 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, it is an affordable way to navigate between these two Southeast locations. Because the route is relatively short, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, you will find this path simple to navigate and budget-friendly for a quick getaway.
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
58.1 miles from Sumter, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
This trip is heavily focused on major thoroughfares, with approximately 87% of your travel taking place on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time—99 miles to be exact—on I-95, which serves as the primary artery for the journey. Aside from the interstate, you will utilize Manning Road and US 17 to round out your transit. Expect a consistent, efficient driving experience rather than a winding backroads adventure. The transition between these roads is manageable, and the high highway percentage ensures you maintain a steady pace for nearly the entire duration.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Manning Road. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Main Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Sumter, SC to Ridgeland, SC is easy. At 2h 8m with 87% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 15.4 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 17 toward US 17: Ridgeland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 99 mi | 1h 46m |
| Manning Road | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| US 17 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Manning Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Liberty Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Jacob Smart Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Sumter, SC and Ridgeland, 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 onto US 17
Arrive at destination
Since your total drive time is just over two hours, you have significant flexibility with your departure schedule. We recommend checking traffic conditions on I-95 before you leave, as this long stretch of interstate can occasionally experience congestion. Because there are no mandatory stops listed, you can drive straight through, but remember to fuel up in Sumter to keep your $19 budget on track. If you prefer to avoid the heaviest traffic, aim to head out during mid-morning or mid-afternoon hours. Use the 99-mile stretch on I-95 to settle into a comfortable rhythm, but keep a close eye on your speed as you navigate the transition onto US 17 near the end of your trip.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.1 miles or 1h 5m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ridgeland, 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 116.2 miles and 2h 8m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.1 mi from Sumter, SC · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 58.1 miles from Sumter, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99 miles.
The final approach into Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$18.60 one way
$37.19 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $20.26 | $40.52 |
| premium | $4.78 | $21.86 | $43.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.82 | $51.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.20 | $5.58 |
| Efficient EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.17 | $4.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.27 | $7.44 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Sumter on Sunday
Local time
5:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Ridgeland on Sunday
Local time
5:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°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
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.
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