How far is Aiken, SC from Lake City, SC?
The driving distance from Aiken, SC to Lake City, SC is about 135.5 miles (218.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 114.9 miles (184.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 49m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Richland County, South Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aiken and Lake City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aiken and Lake City.
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1
Start on Chesterfield Street South
118 m · 13 sec · Chesterfield Street South
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2
Continue on Chesterfield Street South
532 ft · 22 sec · Chesterfield Street South
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3
Turn right onto Richland Avenue East
109 m · 8 sec · Richland Avenue East
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4
Turn left onto York Street Northeast
2.2 mi · 3 min · York Street Northeast
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5
Continue on Columbia Highway North
5.8 mi · 7 min · Columbia Highway North
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6
Take the exit slight right
2414 ft · 59 sec
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7
Merge slight left
34.8 mi · 39 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 1: Columbia Airport, West Columbia, Lexington
1942 ft · 49 sec
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9
Turn left onto Augusta Road
873 ft · 29 sec · Augusta Road
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10
Continue on Augusta Road
5.1 mi · 8 min · Augusta Road
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Charleston
882 ft · 22 sec
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12
Merge slight left
4.1 mi · 5 min
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13
Take the exit slight left toward I 77 North: Charlotte
2398 ft · 59 sec
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14
Continue on Veterans Memorial Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Veterans Memorial Freeway
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15
Continue on William Earle Berne Beltway
5 mi · 6 min · William Earle Berne Beltway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 76, US 378, SC 262: Garners Ferry Road, Leesburg Road
790 ft · 19 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on US 76, US 378: Garners Ferry Road, Sumter
1275 ft · 35 sec
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18
Turn right onto Garners Ferry Road
34.6 mi · 43 min · Garners Ferry Road
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Robert E Graham Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Robert E Graham Freeway
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20
Continue on Myrtle Beach Highway
13 mi · 17 min · Myrtle Beach Highway
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21
Continue on Clarence Coker Highway
3.5 mi · 5 min · Clarence Coker Highway
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22
Continue on Main Street
2637 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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23
Continue on Turbeville Highway
12.9 mi · 16 min · Turbeville Highway
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24
Turn right onto West Main Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
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25
Turn right onto South Acline Avenue
732 ft · 18 sec · South Acline Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Acline Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aiken and Lake City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Columbia Highway North
Merge slight left
34.8 mi · 00h 39m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Aiken and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aiken to Lake City?
The road trip is about 135.5 miles (218.1 km) and usually takes 02h 49m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Woodfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.7 miles from Aiken and 67.9 miles from Lake City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 114.9 miles (184.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.93 one way or $37.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Aiken and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake City.
Stop Ideas Near Woodfield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Woodfield.
Columbia
Camden
Denmark
Florence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aiken and Lake City. Straight-line distance: 114.9 mi (184.92 km).
#1 Aiken
City in South Carolina, United States
| Population | 31,121 |
| Coordinates | 33.5604200, -81.7195500 |
| Altitude | 157 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake City
City in South Carolina, USA
| Population | 6,497 |
| Coordinates | 33.8710000, -79.7553500 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake City (-79.75535, 33.871)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 218 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $18.93 | $37.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $21.17 | $42.34 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $22.84 | $45.68 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $26.88 | $53.77 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in South Carolina · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.