How far is Columbia, SC from Pendleton, SC?

The driving distance from Columbia, SC to Pendleton, SC is about 125.6 miles (202.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 109.5 miles (176.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 10m 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
125.67 mi
02h 35m
Flight
109.46 mi
176.16 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
109.46 mi
Kilometers
176.16 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
125.67 mi
Kilometers
202.24 km
Drive Time
02h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pendleton
Sat, May 2, 10:19 PM EDT
Return by in Columbia
Sun, May 3, 12:54 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-05-02T19:44
Arrive Pendleton
Sat, May 2, 10:19 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:20 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
Clinton
SC

City in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States

From Columbia
62.8 mi
01h 17m
To Pendleton
62.9 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Saturday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph N
Destination
65°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Gervais Street

    132 m · 18 sec · Gervais Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Gervais Street

    554 ft · 25 sec · Gervais Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Assembly Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · Assembly Street

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Elmwood Avenue

    2827 ft · 1 min · Elmwood Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    3.8 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    55.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville

    29.6 mi · 32 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderson

    2748 ft · 34 sec

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight left toward I 185: Atlanta, Anderson

    3027 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Southern Connector

    8.8 mi · 10 min · Southern Connector

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward SC 20

    2822 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    62 m · 10 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Piedmont Highway

    3 mi · 5 min · Piedmont Highway

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2759 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Anderson Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Anderson Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Highway 86

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Highway 86

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Major Road

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Major Road

  18. 18

    Continue on Moore Road

    1.8 mi · 4 min · Moore Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Old Greenville Highway

    6.9 mi · 9 min · Old Greenville Highway

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Old Greenville Highway

    37 m · 2 sec · Old Greenville Highway

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto Old Greenville Highway

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Old Greenville Highway

  22. 22

    Continue on Highway 88

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Highway 88

  23. 23

    Continue on Old Greenville Highway

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Old Greenville Highway

  24. 24

    Continue on Greenville Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Greenville Street

  25. 25

    Continue on East Queen Street

    1578 ft · 39 sec · East Queen Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Queen Street

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Elmwood Avenue
60 mi · 48%
I 385 North
29.6 mi · 24%
Old Greenville Highway
12.4 mi · 10%
Southern Connector
8.76 mi · 7%
Piedmont Highway
2.96 mi · 2%
Highway 86
2.21 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Elmwood Avenue

Merge slight left

55.7 mi · 01h 01m

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 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.1 mi
109.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clinton
01h 17m from Columbia
Leave By
1:20 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Columbia and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Pendleton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 125.6 miles (202.2 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?

Clinton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.8 miles from Columbia and 62.9 miles from Pendleton.

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

The direct path is about 109.5 miles (176.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 1:20 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.59 one way or $35.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Clinton

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

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

RAIL

Spartanburg

54 mi away
290 Magnolia St
RAIL

Greenville

65 mi away
1120 West Washington Street
RAIL

Clemson

91 mi away
Calhoun Memorial Hwy and College Ave.
RAIL

Columbia

94 mi away
850 Pulaski Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Pendleton. Straight-line distance: 109.46 mi (176.16 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in South Carolina.

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

#2 Pendleton

Town in South Carolina, USA

Population3,313
Coordinates34.6517700, -82.7837500
Altitude260
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-81.03481, 34.00071)
End: Pendleton (-82.78375, 34.65177)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 202 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.44 gal
16.79 L · about $17.59
Round trip
$35.17
8.88 gal · 33.58 L
Estimated CO2
39.5 kg one way
Round trip: 78.9 kg / 174 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $17.59 $35.17
Mid-grade $4.43 $19.66 $39.33
Premium $4.78 $21.21 $42.43
Diesel $5.62 $24.97 $49.94

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbia and Pendleton. The current time is 19:44:08.

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.