How far is Columbia, SC from Great Falls, SC?
The driving distance from Columbia, SC to Great Falls, SC is about 45.8 miles (73.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.4 miles (65 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 00h 56m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Fairfield County, South Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Great Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Great Falls.
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1
Start on Gervais Street
1987 ft · 1 min · Gervais Street
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2
Turn left onto Bull Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Bull Street
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3
Continue on I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
7.6 mi · 9 min · I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
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4
Merge slight left onto Charles F Bolden Freeway
21.4 mi · 23 min · Charles F Bolden Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Road 41, Winnsboro
1519 ft · 37 sec
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6
Turn right onto Duraham Place Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · Duraham Place Road
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7
Turn slight left
12 mi · 17 min
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8
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Chester Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Great Falls.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Charles F Bolden Freeway
Merge slight left onto Charles F Bolden Freeway
21.4 mi · 00h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Columbia and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Great Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Great Falls?
The road trip is about 45.8 miles (73.7 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?
Ridgeway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.9 miles from Columbia and 22.9 miles from Great Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.4 miles (65 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.42 one way or $12.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Columbia and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Great Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Ridgeway
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 Ridgeway.
Camden
Columbia
Charlotte
Gastonia
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Great Falls. Straight-line distance: 40.41 mi (65.03 km).
#1 Columbia
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 132,130 |
| Coordinates | 34.0007100, -81.0348100 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Great Falls
Town in Chester County, South Carolina, United States and is located fourteen miles southwest of Lancaster, South Carolina
| Population | 1,872 |
| Coordinates | 34.5751400, -80.9020200 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: Great Falls (-80.90202, 34.57514)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 74 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $6.42 | $12.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $7.17 | $14.35 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $7.74 | $15.48 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $9.11 | $18.22 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.