How far is Columbia, SC from Beaufort, SC?

The driving distance from Columbia, SC to Beaufort, SC is about 137.5 miles (221.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 110.5 miles (177.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
137.48 mi
02h 40m
Flight
110.45 mi
177.75 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbia.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
110.45 mi
Kilometers
177.75 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
137.48 mi
Kilometers
221.25 km
Drive Time
02h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Beaufort
Mon, Apr 13, 3:54 PM EDT
Return by in Columbia
Mon, Apr 13, 6:35 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-13T13:14
Arrive Beaufort
Mon, Apr 13, 3:54 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:10 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbia
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Saint George
SC

Town in South Carolina

From Columbia
68.8 mi
01h 20m
To Beaufort
68.7 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph S
Destination
80°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 7 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Beaufort.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Beaufort.

  1. 1

    Start on Gervais Street

    132 m · 18 sec · Gervais Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Gervais Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Gervais Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Huger Street

    2055 ft · 48 sec · Huger Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Taylor Street

    913 ft · 23 sec · Taylor Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Hampton Street

    1826 ft · 26 sec · Hampton Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Jarvis Klapman Boulevard

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Jarvis Klapman Boulevard

  7. 7

    Continue on Augusta Road

    1.1 km · 52 sec · Augusta Road

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Charleston

    927 ft · 23 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    56.8 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Savannah

    1.4 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    46.9 mi · 50 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward SC 68: Hampton, Yemassee

    881 ft · 25 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on SC 68 East: Yemassee

    577 ft · 16 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Yemassee Highway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Yemassee Highway

  15. 15

    Turn slight right onto Connelly Street

    1166 ft · 25 sec · Connelly Street

  16. 16

    Turn right

    3.9 mi · 6 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight right onto Trask Parkway

    6.2 mi · 8 min · Trask Parkway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right

    1618 ft · 44 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Trask Parkway

    11.8 mi · 15 min · Trask Parkway

  20. 20

    Continue on Boundary Street

    3 mi · 5 min · Boundary Street

  21. 21

    Continue on Carteret Street

    2894 ft · 54 sec · Carteret Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Port Republic Street

    12 m · 2 sec · Port Republic Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Port Republic Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Beaufort.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
23 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Charleston
56.9 mi · 41%
I 95 South
47.8 mi · 35%
Trask Parkway
18.4 mi · 13%
Boundary Street
3.05 mi · 2%
Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
2.63 mi · 2%
Yemassee Highway
1.4 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Charleston

Merge slight left

56.8 mi · 01h 02m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27 mi
110.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint George
01h 20m from Columbia
Leave By
1:10 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Beaufort.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Beaufort?

The road trip is about 137.5 miles (221.3 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?

Saint George is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.8 miles from Columbia and 68.7 miles from Beaufort.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 110.5 miles (177.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 27 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 1:10 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.21 one way or $38.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Beaufort.

Stop Ideas Near Saint George

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Saint George, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saint George.

RAIL

Denmark

55 mi away
200 West Baruch Street
RAIL

Yemassee

61 mi away
9 Main Street
RAIL

Charleston, South Carolina

64 mi away
4565 Gaynor Avenue
RAIL

Kingstree

87 mi away
101 East Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Beaufort. Straight-line distance: 110.45 mi (177.75 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in South Carolina.

Population132,130
Coordinates34.0007100, -81.0348100
Altitude89
CountryUnited States
Beaufort

#2 Beaufort

City in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States

Population13,204
Coordinates32.4315800, -80.6698300
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-81.03481, 34.00071)
End: Beaufort (-80.66983, 32.43158)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 221 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.85 gal
18.36 L · about $19.21
Round trip
$38.42
9.7 gal · 36.72 L
Estimated CO2
43.1 kg one way
Round trip: 86.2 kg / 190 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $19.21 $38.42
Mid-grade $4.43 $21.48 $42.96
Premium $4.78 $23.17 $46.35
Diesel $5.62 $27.28 $54.55

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and Beaufort. The current time is 13:14:36.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.