How far is Lake City, SC from Columbia, SC?
The driving distance from Lake City, SC to Columbia, SC is about 79.1 miles (127.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73.9 miles (118.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 12m 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 36m.
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.
City in Montgomery County, Kansas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake City and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City and Columbia.
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1
Start on South Acline Avenue
732 ft · 20 sec · South Acline Avenue
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2
Turn left onto West Main Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn left
13.4 mi · 17 min
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4
Turn slight right onto Clarence Coker Highway
3.5 mi · 5 min · Clarence Coker Highway
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5
Continue on Myrtle Beach Highway
13 mi · 17 min · Myrtle Beach Highway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Robert E Graham Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Robert E Graham Freeway
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7
Merge slight left onto Broad Street
36.2 mi · 46 min · Broad Street
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8
Continue on Devine Street
1284 ft · 32 sec · Devine Street
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9
Continue on Devine Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Devine Street
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10
Turn slight right onto Millwood Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Millwood Avenue
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11
Turn left onto Gervais Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Gervais Street
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12
Continue on Gervais Street
71 m · 22 sec · Gervais Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Gervais Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake City and Columbia.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Broad Street
Merge slight left onto Broad Street
36.2 mi · 00h 46m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lake City 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 Lake City to Columbia?
The road trip is about 79.1 miles (127.3 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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?
Cherryvale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.5 miles from Lake City and 39.6 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73.9 miles (118.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.2 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 3:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.05 one way or $22.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake City and Mostly Sunny near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Cherryvale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Sumter City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cherryvale.
Camden
Columbia
Kingstree
Florence
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake City and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 73.89 mi (118.91 km).
#1 Lake City
City in South Carolina, USA
| Population | 6,497 |
| Coordinates | 33.8710000, -79.7553500 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 132,130 |
| Coordinates | 34.0007100, -81.0348100 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gervais Street (-81.034853, 34.000804)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 127 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $11.05 | $22.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $12.36 | $24.71 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $13.33 | $26.66 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $15.69 | $31.38 |
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.