How far is Columbia, SC from Lancaster, SC?
The driving distance from Columbia, SC to Lancaster, SC is about 63.7 miles (102.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 51.9 miles (83.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 42m 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 01h 21m.
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 South Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Lancaster.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Lancaster.
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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
12.6 mi · 18 min
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8
Turn right onto Pendergrass Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · Pendergrass Boulevard
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9
Turn left onto Catawba River Road
7.6 mi · 11 min · Catawba River Road
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10
Take the ramp slight right
114 m · 7 sec
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11
Keep slight left
30 m · 3 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Texaco Road
137 m · 11 sec · Texaco Road
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13
Turn left onto Lancaster Highway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Lancaster Highway
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14
Continue on Lancaster Bypass
3.2 mi · 4 min · Lancaster Bypass
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15
Take the exit slight right
1470 ft · 40 sec
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16
Keep slight right
33 m · 3 sec
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17
Turn slight right onto North Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Lancaster.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Chance Rain Showers near Lancaster.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Lancaster?
The road trip is about 63.7 miles (102.5 km) and usually takes 01h 21m 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?
Winnsboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.9 miles from Columbia and 31.8 miles from Lancaster.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 51.9 miles (83.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.8 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 3:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.91 one way or $17.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbia and Chance Rain Showers near Lancaster.
Stop Ideas Near Winnsboro
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 Winnsboro.
Columbia
Camden
Gastonia
Charlotte
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Lancaster. Straight-line distance: 51.96 mi (83.62 km).
#1 Columbia
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 132,130 |
| Coordinates | 34.0007100, -81.0348100 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lancaster
City in central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 9,156 |
| Coordinates | 34.7204300, -80.7709000 |
| Altitude | 173 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lancaster (-80.7709, 34.72043)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 102 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $8.91 | $17.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $9.97 | $19.93 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $10.75 | $21.50 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $12.65 | $25.31 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.