How far is Folly Beach, SC from Columbia, SC?

The driving distance from Folly Beach, SC to Columbia, SC is about 126.1 miles (202.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 112.4 miles (180.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 23m 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
126.08 mi
02h 11m
Flight
112.41 mi
180.9 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Folly Beach.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
112.41 mi
Kilometers
180.9 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
126.08 mi
Kilometers
202.9 km
Drive Time
02h 11m

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 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Sat, Apr 18, 4:35 AM EDT
Return by in Folly Beach
Sat, Apr 18, 6:46 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Folly Beach
2026-04-18T02:23
Arrive Columbia
Sat, Apr 18, 4:35 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:12 AM to 12:12 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:06 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Folly Beach
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
Holly Hill
SC

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

From Folly Beach
62.7 mi
01h 05m
To Columbia
63.4 mi
01h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 16 mph SW
Destination
95°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Folly Beach and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on East Arctic Avenue

    65 m · 12 sec · East Arctic Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left

    61 m · 20 sec

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Ashley Avenue

    83 m · 12 sec · East Ashley Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Center Street

    1805 ft · 52 sec · Center Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Folly Road

    6.6 mi · 13 min · Folly Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto SC 30 East: Downtown

    3 mi · 4 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Courtenay Drive

    1886 ft · 58 sec · Courtenay Drive

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Septima P. Clark Parkway

    1094 ft · 31 sec · Septima P. Clark Parkway

  9. 9

    Continue on Crosstown

    2825 ft · 1 min · Crosstown

  10. 10

    Continue on Septima Clark Expressway

    3047 ft · 1 min · Septima Clark Expressway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    108.9 mi · 2 hr

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 1 North: West Columbia

    1062 ft · 26 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Augusta Road

    2930 ft · 42 sec · Augusta Road

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Jarvis Klapman Boulevard

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Jarvis Klapman Boulevard

  15. 15

    Continue on Hampton Street

    1702 ft · 24 sec · Hampton Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Williams Street

    1159 ft · 34 sec · Williams Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Huger Street

    824 ft · 22 sec · Huger Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Gervais Street

    1 km · 1 min · Gervais Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Gervais Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Septima Clark Expressway
109 mi · 87%
Folly Road
6.6 mi · 5%
SC 30 East
2.99 mi · 2%
Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
2.67 mi · 2%
Gervais Street
0.63 mi
Augusta Road
0.55 mi
Longest Stretch

Septima Clark Expressway

Keep slight left

109 mi · 02h 00m

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 11m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.7 mi
112.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Holly Hill
01h 05m from Folly Beach
Leave By
2:06 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Folly Beach and Mostly Sunny near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Folly Beach to Columbia?

The road trip is about 126.1 miles (202.9 km) and usually takes 02h 11m 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?

Holly Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.7 miles from Folly Beach and 63.4 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 112.4 miles (180.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.7 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 2:06 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.63 one way or $35.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Folly Beach and Mostly Sunny near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Holly Hill

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

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

RAIL

Charleston, South Carolina

63 mi away
4565 Gaynor Avenue
RAIL

Kingstree

66 mi away
101 East Main St.
RAIL

Denmark

68 mi away
200 West Baruch Street
RAIL

Yemassee

81 mi away
9 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Folly Beach and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 112.41 mi (180.9 km).

Folly Beach

#1 Folly Beach

City in South Carolina, United States

Population2,682
Coordinates32.6551800, -79.9403700
Altitude5
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

The most populous city in South Carolina.

Population132,130
Coordinates34.0007100, -81.0348100
Altitude89
CountryUnited States
Start: East Arctic Avenue (-79.940295, 32.655055)
End: Gervais Street (-81.034853, 34.000804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 203 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.45 gal
16.84 L · about $17.63
Round trip
$35.25
8.9 gal · 33.68 L
Estimated CO2
39.5 kg one way
Round trip: 79.1 kg / 174 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $17.63 $35.25
Mid-grade $4.43 $19.71 $39.42
Premium $4.78 $21.26 $42.52
Diesel $5.62 $25.03 $50.05

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Folly Beach and Columbia. The current time is 02:23:30.

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.