How far is Central, SC from Sumter, SC?
The driving distance from Central, SC to Sumter, SC is about 170.3 miles (274 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.9 miles (241.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 06m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in South Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central and Sumter.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central and Sumter.
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1
Start on Church Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · Church Street
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2
Continue on Eighteen Mile Road
3269 ft · 1 min · Eighteen Mile Road
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3
Take the ramp left toward US 123 North: Greenville
849 ft · 21 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Calhoun Memorial Highway
16.1 mi · 21 min · Calhoun Memorial Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right
1547 ft · 42 sec
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6
Keep slight right
763 ft · 21 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Highway 153
6.3 mi · 10 min · Highway 153
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8
Take the exit right
1932 ft · 48 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Southern Connector
10.9 mi · 12 min · Southern Connector
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 385 South: Columbia
3014 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight right
1140 ft · 14 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Golden Strip Freeway
29.8 mi · 32 min · Golden Strip Freeway
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13
Merge slight left
55.8 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 126, US 76: Columbia
3.4 mi · 4 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Huger Street
1161 ft · 28 sec
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16
Continue on Huger Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Huger Street
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17
Turn left onto Gervais Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · Gervais Street
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18
Turn right onto Millwood Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Millwood Avenue
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19
Continue on Devine Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Devine Street
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20
Continue on Garners Ferry Road
36.2 mi · 46 min · Garners Ferry Road
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Broad Street
3.2 mi · 5 min · Broad Street
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22
Continue on North Washington Street
2266 ft · 49 sec · North Washington Street
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23
Turn left onto West Liberty Street
966 ft · 20 sec · West Liberty Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Liberty Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Central and Sumter.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Golden Strip Freeway
Merge slight left
55.8 mi · 01h 01m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Central and Sunny near Sumter.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Central to Sumter?
The road trip is about 170.3 miles (274 km) and usually takes 03h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Newberry is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.7 miles from Central and 84.6 miles from Sumter.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.9 miles (241.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:48 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.81 one way or $47.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Central and Sunny near Sumter.
Stop Ideas Near Newberry
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 Newberry.
Columbia
Spartanburg
Camden
Greenville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central and Sumter. Straight-line distance: 149.89 mi (241.22 km).
#1 Central
Town in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 5,452 |
| Coordinates | 34.7242700, -82.7812500 |
| Altitude | 278 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sumter
City in and county seat of Sumter County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 39,439 |
| Coordinates | 33.9204400, -80.3414700 |
| Altitude | 52 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Liberty Street (-80.341474, 33.920409)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 274 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.81 | $47.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.62 | $53.24 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.72 | $57.43 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.80 | $67.60 |
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 · May 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.