How far is Columbia, SC from Darlington, SC?

The driving distance from Columbia, SC to Darlington, SC is about 76.1 miles (122.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 69.4 miles (111.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 02m 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
76.05 mi
01h 31m
Flight
69.4 mi
111.69 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
69.4 mi
Kilometers
111.69 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
76.05 mi
Kilometers
122.39 km
Drive Time
01h 31m

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 01h 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Darlington
Wed, May 27, 2:38 AM EDT
Return by in Columbia
Wed, May 27, 4:09 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-05-27T01:07
Arrive Darlington
Wed, May 27, 2:38 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:31 AM to 11:31 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:28 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
Camden
SC

City in South Carolina

From Columbia
38 mi
00h 45m
To Darlington
38.1 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, May 27 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 6 mph SW
Destination
87°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, May 27 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Gervais Street

    1987 ft · 1 min · Gervais Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Bull Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Bull Street

  3. 3

    Continue on I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway

    4.9 mi · 5 min · I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 20 East: Florence

    1.3 km · 2 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    57.2 mi · 1 hr 3 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 401, SC 403: Timmonsville, Darlington

    1645 ft · 43 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Lamar Highway

    5.4 mi · 9 min · Lamar Highway

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Lamar Highway

    43 m · 3 sec · Lamar Highway

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto Lamar Highway

    4.9 mi · 7 min · Lamar Highway

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto Harry Byrd Highway

    77 m · 4 sec · Harry Byrd Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Pearl Street

    3074 ft · 52 sec · Pearl Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Pearl Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 20 East
58 mi · 76%
Lamar Highway
10.3 mi · 14%
I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
4.87 mi · 6%
Bull Street
1.56 mi · 2%
Pearl Street
0.58 mi · 1%
Gervais Street
0.38 mi
Longest Stretch

I 20 East

Merge slight left

57.2 mi · 01h 03m

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
01h 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.7 mi
69.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Camden
00h 45m from Columbia
Leave By
3:28 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Columbia and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Darlington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 76.1 miles (122.4 km) and usually takes 01h 31m 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?

Camden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38 miles from Columbia and 38.1 miles from Darlington.

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

The direct path is about 69.4 miles (111.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.7 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 3:28 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.62 one way or $21.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Columbia and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Darlington.

Stop Ideas Near Camden

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Camden, 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 Camden.

RAIL

Camden

2 mi away
1060 West Dekalb Street
RAIL

Columbia

49 mi away
850 Pulaski Street
RAIL

Florence

78 mi away
805 East Day Street
RAIL

Kingstree

97 mi away
101 East Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Darlington. Straight-line distance: 69.4 mi (111.69 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in South Carolina.

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

#2 Darlington

City in South Carolina

Population5,901
Coordinates34.2998800, -79.8761700
Altitude46
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-81.03481, 34.00071)
End: Darlington (-79.87617, 34.29988)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 122 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.68 gal
10.16 L · about $10.62
Round trip
$21.23
5.36 gal · 20.32 L
Estimated CO2
23.8 kg one way
Round trip: 47.6 kg / 105 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $10.62 $21.23
Mid-grade $4.43 $11.87 $23.74
Premium $4.78 $12.81 $25.61
Diesel $5.62 $15.07 $30.14

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 27, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and Darlington. The current time is 01:07:06.

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.