How far is Surfside Beach, SC from Columbia, SC?
The driving distance from Surfside Beach, SC to Columbia, SC is about 159 miles (255.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.5 miles (195.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 41m 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 02h 50m.
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 Florence County, South Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Surfside Beach and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surfside Beach and Columbia.
-
1
Start on Surfside Drive
22 m · 8 sec · Surfside Drive
-
2
Continue on Surfside Drive
1 km · 2 min · Surfside Drive
-
3
Turn right
1.6 mi · 3 min
-
4
Turn left onto Dick Pond Road
13.3 mi · 23 min · Dick Pond Road
-
5
Turn sharp left onto West Cox Ferry Road
134 m · 13 sec · West Cox Ferry Road
-
6
Turn right
1216 ft · 32 sec
-
7
Turn left onto Highway 501 East
1.5 mi · 3 min · Highway 501 East
-
8
Continue on Church Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Church Street
-
9
Turn left onto Wright Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Wright Boulevard
-
10
Continue on Highway 378
22.9 mi · 32 min · Highway 378
-
11
Continue on East Myrtle Beach Highway
36.1 mi · 43 min · East Myrtle Beach Highway
-
12
Continue on Main Street
2637 ft · 1 min · Main Street
-
13
Turn slight right onto Clarence Coker Highway
3.5 mi · 5 min · Clarence Coker Highway
-
14
Continue on Myrtle Beach Highway
13 mi · 17 min · Myrtle Beach Highway
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on Robert E Graham Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Robert E Graham Freeway
-
16
Merge slight left onto Broad Street
36.2 mi · 46 min · Broad Street
-
17
Continue on Devine Street
1284 ft · 32 sec · Devine Street
-
18
Continue on Devine Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Devine Street
-
19
Turn slight right onto Millwood Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · Millwood Avenue
-
20
Turn left onto Gervais Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · Gervais Street
-
21
Continue on Gervais Street
71 m · 22 sec · Gervais Street
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Gervais Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Surfside Beach 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 Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers leaving Surfside Beach and Chance Rain Showers near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Surfside Beach to Columbia?
The road trip is about 159 miles (255.9 km) and usually takes 02h 50m 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?
Olanta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.3 miles from Surfside Beach and 87.8 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.5 miles (195.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.5 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 12:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.22 one way or $44.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers around Surfside Beach and Chance Rain Showers near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Olanta
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 Olanta.
Kingstree
Florence
Camden
Dillon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Surfside Beach and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 121.47 mi (195.48 km).
#1 Surfside Beach
City in Horry County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 4,580 |
| Coordinates | 33.6060000, -78.9730900 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| 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: 256 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.22 | $44.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $24.85 | $49.69 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $26.80 | $53.61 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $31.55 | $63.10 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.