How far is Sumter, SC from Cowpens, SC?

The driving distance from Sumter, SC to Cowpens, SC is about 153.7 miles (247.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 112.6 miles (181.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
153.75 mi
03h 05m
Flight
112.6 mi
181.21 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sumter.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
112.6 mi
Kilometers
181.21 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
153.75 mi
Kilometers
247.44 km
Drive Time
03h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cowpens
Sun, Apr 19, 11:21 AM EDT
Return by in Sumter
Sun, Apr 19, 2:27 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sumter
2026-04-19T08:16
Arrive Cowpens
Sun, Apr 19, 11:21 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:06 AM to 11:06 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:48 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sumter
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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 Sumter
76.9 mi
01h 32m
To Cowpens
76.9 mi
01h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph W
Destination
75°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sumter and Cowpens.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sumter and Cowpens.

  1. 1

    Start on East Liberty Street

    966 ft · 24 sec · East Liberty Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Washington Street

    2268 ft · 46 sec · North Washington Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Broad Street

    5.4 mi · 9 min · Broad Street

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    34.2 mi · 42 min

  5. 5

    Continue on Devine Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Devine Street

  6. 6

    Turn slight right onto Millwood Avenue

    1.8 mi · 4 min · Millwood Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Taylor Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Taylor Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Bull Street

    2589 ft · 1 min · Bull Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Elmwood Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Elmwood Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    3.8 mi · 5 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    55.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Spartanburg

    33.7 mi · 36 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 85 North: Charlotte

    2679 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight right

    12.4 mi · 13 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right

    1525 ft · 43 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Battleground Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Battleground Road

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto North Main Street

    1247 ft · 38 sec · North Main Street

  18. 18

    Turn left

    31 m · 13 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left

    37 m · 9 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sumter and Cowpens.

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
20 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Elmwood Avenue
60.4 mi · 39%
Broad Street
39.6 mi · 26%
Spartanburg
33.7 mi · 22%
I 85 North
13.2 mi · 9%
Millwood Avenue
1.78 mi · 1%
Battleground Road
1.77 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.1 mi
112.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Prosperity
01h 32m from Sumter
Leave By
10:48 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Sumter and Chance Rain Showers near Cowpens.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sumter to Cowpens?

The road trip is about 153.7 miles (247.4 km) and usually takes 03h 05m 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?

Prosperity is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.9 miles from Sumter and 76.9 miles from Cowpens.

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

The direct path is about 112.6 miles (181.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.1 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 10:48 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.51 one way or $43.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Sumter and Chance Rain Showers near Cowpens.

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 Sumter and Cowpens. Straight-line distance: 112.6 mi (181.21 km).

Sumter

#1 Sumter

City in and county seat of Sumter County, South Carolina, United States

Population39,439
Coordinates33.9204400, -80.3414700
Altitude52
CountryUnited States
Cowpens

#2 Cowpens

Town of the United States

Population2,465
Coordinates35.0167900, -81.8039900
Altitude262
CountryUnited States
Start: Sumter (-80.34147, 33.92044)
End: Cowpens (-81.80399, 35.01679)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 247 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.43 gal
20.54 L · about $21.51
Round trip
$43.02
10.86 gal · 41.08 L
Estimated CO2
48.3 kg one way
Round trip: 96.5 kg / 213 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $21.51 $43.02
Mid-grade $4.43 $24.05 $48.10
Premium $4.78 $25.94 $51.89
Diesel $5.62 $30.54 $61.08

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

There is no time difference between Sumter and Cowpens. The current time is 08:16:02.

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.