How far is Columbia, SC from Union, SC?

The driving distance from Columbia, SC to Union, SC is about 71.2 miles (114.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 59.7 miles (96.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 56m 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
71.24 mi
01h 28m
Flight
59.72 mi
96.11 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
59.72 mi
Kilometers
96.11 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
71.24 mi
Kilometers
114.65 km
Drive Time
01h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Union
Thu, Apr 23, 3:18 AM EDT
Return by in Columbia
Thu, Apr 23, 4:46 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia
2026-04-23T01:49
Arrive Union
Thu, Apr 23, 3:18 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:28 AM to 11:28 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:34 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
Prosperity
SC

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

From Columbia
35.6 mi
00h 44m
To Union
35.6 mi
00h 44m

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
3 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    35.8 mi · 40 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward SC 121: Whitmire, Union

    1436 ft · 36 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto State Highway 121

    13.3 mi · 20 min · State Highway 121

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    589 ft · 8 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Whitmire Highway

    13.6 mi · 15 min · Whitmire Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on South Pinckney Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Pinckney Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Pinckney Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
13 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
3 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Elmwood Avenue
40.1 mi · 56%
State Highway 121
14.9 mi · 21%
Whitmire Highway
13.6 mi · 19%
South Pinckney Street
1.26 mi · 2%
Assembly Street
0.88 mi · 1%
SC 121
0.27 mi
Longest Stretch

Elmwood Avenue

Merge slight left

35.8 mi · 00h 40m

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 28m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.5 mi
59.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Prosperity
00h 44m from Columbia
Leave By
3:34 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Columbia and Sunny near Union.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 71.2 miles (114.6 km) and usually takes 01h 28m 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?

Prosperity is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.6 miles from Columbia and 35.6 miles from Union.

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

The direct path is about 59.7 miles (96.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 3:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.94 one way or $19.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Prosperity

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

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

RAIL

Columbia

51 mi away
850 Pulaski Street
RAIL

Camden

83 mi away
1060 West Dekalb Street
RAIL

Spartanburg

91 mi away
290 Magnolia St
RAIL

Denmark

105 mi away
200 West Baruch Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Union. Straight-line distance: 59.72 mi (96.11 km).

Columbia

#1 Columbia

The most populous city in South Carolina.

Population132,130
Coordinates34.0007100, -81.0348100
Altitude89
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Union

Township of Union County, New Jersey

Population8,045
Coordinates34.7154100, -81.6237100
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbia (-81.03481, 34.00071)
End: Union (-81.62371, 34.71541)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 115 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.51 gal
9.52 L · about $9.94
Round trip
$19.88
5.02 gal · 19.04 L
Estimated CO2
22.3 kg one way
Round trip: 44.6 kg / 98 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $9.94 $19.88
Mid-grade $4.43 $11.12 $22.23
Premium $4.78 $11.99 $23.99
Diesel $5.62 $14.12 $28.23

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 Union. The current time is 01:49:58.

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.