How far is Sumter, SC from Arial, SC?
The driving distance from Sumter, SC to Arial, SC is about 161.4 miles (259.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.9 miles (234.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 44m 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 22m.
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 South Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sumter and Arial.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sumter and Arial.
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1
Start on East Liberty Street
966 ft · 24 sec · East Liberty Street
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2
Turn right onto North Washington Street
2268 ft · 44 sec · North Washington Street
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3
Continue on Broad Street
5.4 mi · 9 min · Broad Street
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4
Continue straight
34.2 mi · 42 min
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5
Continue on Devine Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Devine Street
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6
Turn slight right onto Millwood Avenue
1.8 mi · 4 min · Millwood Avenue
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7
Turn left onto Taylor Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Taylor Street
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8
Turn right onto Bull Street
2589 ft · 1 min · Bull Street
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9
Turn left onto Elmwood Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Elmwood Avenue
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10
Continue straight
3.8 mi · 5 min
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11
Merge slight left
55.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
29.6 mi · 32 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderson
2748 ft · 34 sec
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14
Take the exit slight left toward I 185: Atlanta, Anderson
3027 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Southern Connector
11.2 mi · 12 min · Southern Connector
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Easley, Clemson
697 ft · 17 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Easley, Clemson
156 m · 12 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Highway 153
6.8 mi · 11 min · Highway 153
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
8 m · 1 sec
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20
Exit the roundabout
923 ft · 38 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Calhoun Memorial Highway
2.1 mi · 4 min · Calhoun Memorial Highway
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22
Turn slight right onto East Main Street
3.4 mi · 6 min · East Main Street
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23
Continue on Gentry Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Gentry Memorial Highway
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24
Turn right onto Rice Road
725 ft · 24 sec · Rice Road
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25
Turn right onto Arial Street
641 ft · 34 sec · Arial Street
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26
Turn left onto Cobb Street
607 ft · 27 sec · Cobb Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cobb Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sumter and Arial.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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.
Sunny leaving Sumter and Sunny near Arial.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sumter to Arial?
The road trip is about 161.4 miles (259.8 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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?
Newberry is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.7 miles from Sumter and 80.8 miles from Arial.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.9 miles (234.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:16 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.58 one way or $45.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sumter and Sunny near Arial.
Stop Ideas Near Newberry
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 Newberry.
Columbia
Spartanburg
Camden
Greenville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sumter and Arial. Straight-line distance: 145.9 mi (234.81 km).
#1 Sumter
City in and county seat of Sumter County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 39,439 |
| Coordinates | 33.9204400, -80.3414700 |
| Altitude | 52 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Arial
Census-designated place in Pickens County, South Carolina
| Population | 2,543 |
| Coordinates | 34.8459500, -82.6415200 |
| Altitude | 329 |
| Country | United States |
End: Arial (-82.64152, 34.84595)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 260 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.58 | $45.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.25 | $50.49 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.23 | $54.47 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.06 | $64.11 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.