Origin
Williston, SC
Morning in Williston on Saturday
Local time
9:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Williston, SC to Columbia, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
52.4 mi
84 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Williston, SC
Connor Scott McManus
Trip Overview
This straightforward 52.4-mile drive from Williston, SC, to Columbia, SC, can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 18 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate along SC 3 and Highway 39 before reaching Capital Way. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $8, this journey through the Southeast is budget-friendly. The mixed drive profile suggests a varied experience, and since it's a short distance, you have plenty of flexibility for departure times or spontaneous stops. Plan on this being a single-day adventure without the need for an overnight stay.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 18m. Total distance: 52.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this 52.4-mile route, with about 46% of it being highway driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 12.3 miles on SC 3, offering a chance to settle in. As you transition through SC 3 and Highway 39, the road's character will likely shift, moving from potentially more open stretches to areas closer to towns. This varied terrain means you won't be stuck in a monotonous drive, but rather experience a dynamic journey as you approach Columbia.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
SC 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 12.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 18 miles in near SC 3.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Williston, SC to Columbia, SC is easy. At 1h 18m with 46% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 18 miles (SC 3): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 18.8 miles (SC 3): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 30.3 miles (US 321 / Savannah Highway): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
4 of 4 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
18 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
SC 3
Enter roundabout onto SC 3
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
18.8 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
SC 3
Enter roundabout onto SC 3
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
30.3 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
US 321 / Savannah Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 321 / Savannah Highway
Navigation decision point
4
49.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
|
SC 35 / 12th Street
Turn left onto SC 35 / 12th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SC 3 | 12.3 mi | 17m |
| Highway 39 | 6.9 mi | 12m |
| Capital Way | 6 mi | 8m |
| Charleston Highway | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| Springfield Road | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| Highway 321 | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| Southbound Road | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| South Main Street | 2.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
SC 3
— 12.3 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williston, SC and Columbia, SC.
1
Start on SC 39
285 ft
·
5 sec
·
Elko Street
2
Continue on SC 39
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Springfield Road
3
Continue on SC 39
6.9 mi
·
12 min
·
Highway 39
4
Continue on SC 39
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Springfield Road
5
Turn straight onto SC 3
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Capital Way
6
Enter roundabout onto SC 3
117 ft
·
2 sec
·
SC 3
7
Continue on SC 3
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
SC 3
8
Enter roundabout onto SC 3
138 ft
·
2 sec
·
SC 3
9
Continue on SC 3
11 mi
·
16 min
·
SC 3
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 321
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Savannah Highway
11
Continue on US 321
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Church Street
12
Continue on US 321
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Southbound Road
13
Continue on US 321
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
14
Continue on US 321
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Highway 321
15
Continue on US 21; US 176; US 321
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Charleston Highway
16
Turn slight right onto Lafayette Avenue
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Lafayette Avenue
17
Turn left onto SC 35
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
12th Street
18
Turn slight right onto Charleston Highway
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Charleston Highway
19
Continue on US 1
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Meeting Street
20
Continue on US 1; US 378
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Gervais Street
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
Gervais Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.2 mi from Williston, SC · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.2 miles from Williston, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.19 one way
$16.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $8.96 | $17.92 |
| premium | $4.70 | $9.70 | $19.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.57 | $23.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.50 | $2.52 |
| Efficient EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.59 | $2.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21 | 0 | $7.34 | $3.35 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Morning in Columbia on Saturday
Local time
9:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 18m 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 Williston, SC to Columbia, SC covers 52.4 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are SC 3, Highway 39, Capital Way. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.2 miles from Williston, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.19 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 Williston, SC to Columbia, SC is easy. At 1h 18m with 46% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 18 miles (SC 3): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 18.8 miles (SC 3): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 30.3 miles (US 321 / Savannah Highway): Navigation decision point.
The route from Williston, SC to Columbia, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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