How far is Columbia, SC from Bluffton, SC?

The driving distance from Columbia, SC to Bluffton, SC is about 149.1 miles (239.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 122.3 miles (196.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 44m 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
149.07 mi
02h 52m
Flight
122.27 mi
196.77 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
122.27 mi
Kilometers
196.77 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
149.07 mi
Kilometers
239.91 km
Drive Time
02h 52m

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 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bluffton
Mon, Apr 13, 4:05 PM EDT
Return by in Columbia
Mon, Apr 13, 6:58 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-13T13:13
Arrive Bluffton
Mon, Apr 13, 4:05 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:52 AM to 12:52 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:46 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
74.6 mi
01h 26m
To Bluffton
74.4 mi
01h 26m

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
2 to 8 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie

    1478 ft · 37 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Coosaw Scenic Drive

    9.6 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive

  14. 14

    Continue on Lowcountry Drive

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Lowcountry Drive

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Okatie Highway

    4.2 mi · 5 min · Okatie Highway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right

    1365 ft · 37 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Fording Island Road

    5.8 mi · 7 min · Fording Island Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Bluffton Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · Bluffton Road

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bluffton Road

    52 m · 4 sec · Bluffton Road

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto Bluffton Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Bluffton Road

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Bruin Road

    27 m · 2 sec · Bruin Road

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Bruin Road

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 South
57.4 mi · 39%
Charleston
56.9 mi · 38%
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.58 mi · 6%
Lowcountry Drive
7.89 mi · 5%
Fording Island Road
5.77 mi · 4%
Okatie Highway
4.43 mi · 3%
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 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.8 mi
122.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint George
01h 26m from Columbia
Leave By
12:46 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Columbia and Mostly Sunny near Bluffton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 149.1 miles (239.9 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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 74.6 miles from Columbia and 74.4 miles from Bluffton.

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

The direct path is about 122.3 miles (196.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.8 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 12:46 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.83 one way or $41.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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 Bluffton. Straight-line distance: 122.27 mi (196.77 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in South Carolina.

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

#2 Bluffton

Town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States

Population28,230
Coordinates32.2371500, -80.8603900
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-81.03481, 34.00071)
End: Bluffton (-80.86039, 32.23715)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 240 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.26 gal
19.91 L · about $20.83
Round trip
$41.67
10.52 gal · 39.82 L
Estimated CO2
46.7 kg one way
Round trip: 93.5 kg / 206 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $20.83 $41.67
Mid-grade $4.43 $23.30 $46.59
Premium $4.78 $25.13 $50.26
Diesel $5.62 $29.58 $59.16

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 Bluffton. The current time is 13:13:04.

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.