How far is Columbia, SC from Fairfax, SC?

The driving distance from Columbia, SC to Fairfax, SC is about 77.6 miles (124.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.9 miles (117.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 18m 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
77.61 mi
01h 39m
Flight
72.91 mi
117.33 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
72.91 mi
Kilometers
117.33 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
77.61 mi
Kilometers
124.9 km
Drive Time
01h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fairfax
Thu, Apr 23, 6:52 AM EDT
Return by in Columbia
Thu, Apr 23, 8:31 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-23T05:13
Arrive Fairfax
Thu, Apr 23, 6:52 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:39 AM to 11:39 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:12 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
Neeses
SC

City in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States of America

From Columbia
38.9 mi
00h 49m
To Fairfax
38.7 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph W
Destination
86°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Gervais Street

    132 m · 18 sec · Gervais Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Gervais Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Gervais Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Meeting Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Meeting Street

  4. 4

    Turn slight left onto Charleston Highway

    1964 ft · 40 sec · Charleston Highway

  5. 5

    Turn right onto D Avenue

    91 m · 7 sec · D Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on Platt Springs Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · Platt Springs Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Williams Street

    2789 ft · 2 min · Williams Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Charleston Highway

    5.6 mi · 7 min · Charleston Highway

  9. 9

    Turn slight right onto Highway 321

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Highway 321

  10. 10

    Continue on North Main Street

    2.1 mi · 2 min · North Main Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Southbound Road

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Southbound Road

  12. 12

    Continue on North Church Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · North Church Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Savannah Highway

    23.7 mi · 27 min · Savannah Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Carolina Highway

    19.7 mi · 23 min · Carolina Highway

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Main Highway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Main Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Bufords Bridge Highway

    9 mi · 13 min · Bufords Bridge Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Hampton Avenue

    1.6 km · 2 min · Hampton Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 7th Street East

    90 m · 13 sec · 7th Street East

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
1 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Savannah Highway
23.7 mi · 30%
Carolina Highway
19.7 mi · 25%
Bufords Bridge Highway
8.96 mi · 12%
Charleston Highway
5.92 mi · 8%
Highway 321
4.84 mi · 6%
Southbound Road
4.15 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Savannah Highway

Continue on Savannah Highway

23.7 mi · 00h 27m

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 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.7 mi
72.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Neeses
00h 49m from Columbia
Leave By
3:12 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Columbia and Sunny near Fairfax.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 77.6 miles (124.9 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?

Neeses is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.9 miles from Columbia and 38.7 miles from Fairfax.

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

The direct path is about 72.9 miles (117.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.7 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 3:12 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.85 one way or $21.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbia and Sunny near Fairfax.

Stop Ideas Near Neeses

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

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

RAIL

Denmark

23 mi away
200 West Baruch Street
RAIL

Columbia

52 mi away
850 Pulaski Street
RAIL

Camden

92 mi away
1060 West Dekalb Street
RAIL

Yemassee

97 mi away
9 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Fairfax. Straight-line distance: 72.91 mi (117.33 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in South Carolina.

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

#2 Fairfax

Town in South Carolina, United States

Population1,622
Coordinates32.9590500, -81.2365000
Altitude42
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-81.03481, 34.00071)
End: Fairfax (-81.2365, 32.95905)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 125 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.74 gal
10.37 L · about $10.85
Round trip
$21.71
5.48 gal · 20.74 L
Estimated CO2
24.4 kg one way
Round trip: 48.7 kg / 107 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $10.85 $21.71
Mid-grade $4.43 $12.14 $24.27
Premium $4.78 $13.09 $26.18
Diesel $5.62 $15.41 $30.82

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and Fairfax. The current time is 05:13:09.

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.