How far is Columbia, SC from Surfside Beach, SC?
The driving distance from Columbia, SC to Surfside Beach, SC is about 142.5 miles (229.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.5 miles (195.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 15m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Florence County, South Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Surfside Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Surfside Beach.
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1
Start on Gervais Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Gervais Street
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2
Turn right onto Millwood Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Millwood Avenue
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3
Continue on Devine Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Devine Street
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4
Continue on Garners Ferry Road
36.2 mi · 46 min · Garners Ferry Road
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Robert E Graham Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Robert E Graham Freeway
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6
Continue on Myrtle Beach Highway
13 mi · 17 min · Myrtle Beach Highway
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7
Continue on Clarence Coker Highway
3.5 mi · 5 min · Clarence Coker Highway
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8
Continue on Main Street
2637 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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9
Continue on Turbeville Highway
36.1 mi · 43 min · Turbeville Highway
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10
Continue on Highway 378
22.9 mi · 32 min · Highway 378
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11
Continue on Wright Boulevard
1 mi · 2 min · Wright Boulevard
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12
Turn right onto Church Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Church Street
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13
Continue on Highway 501 East
1.5 mi · 3 min · Highway 501 East
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14
Turn right
2.6 mi · 5 min
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15
Continue straight
5 mi · 8 min
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16
Turn straight
5.9 mi · 10 min
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17
Turn right
1.6 mi · 3 min
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18
Turn left onto Surfside Drive
1.1 km · 2 min · Surfside Drive
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Surfside Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Surfside Beach.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Garners Ferry Road
Continue on Garners Ferry Road
36.2 mi · 00h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Columbia and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers near Surfside Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Surfside Beach?
The road trip is about 142.5 miles (229.3 km) and usually takes 03h 15m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Olanta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.1 miles from Columbia and 71.3 miles from Surfside Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.5 miles (195.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 21 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.92 one way or $39.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Columbia and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers near Surfside Beach.
Stop Ideas Near Olanta
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 Olanta.
Kingstree
Florence
Camden
Dillon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Surfside Beach. Straight-line distance: 121.47 mi (195.48 km).
#1 Columbia
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 132,130 |
| Coordinates | 34.0007100, -81.0348100 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Surfside Beach
City in Horry County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 4,580 |
| Coordinates | 33.6060000, -78.9730900 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Surfside Beach (-78.97309, 33.606)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 229 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $19.92 | $39.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $22.28 | $44.56 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $24.03 | $48.07 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $28.29 | $56.58 |
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 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.