How far is Union, SC from Columbia, SC?
The driving distance from Union, SC to Columbia, SC is about 81.2 miles (130.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 54.7 miles (88.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 50m 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 25m.
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 South Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Union and Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union and Columbia.
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1
Start on the route
69 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn sharp left
76 m · 8 sec
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
4 m · 1 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout
57 m · 4 sec
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5
Continue on Rocky River Road
7.7 mi · 14 min · Rocky River Road
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6
Merge slight right onto Kershaw Camden Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Kershaw Camden Highway
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7
Continue on North Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · North Main Street
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8
Turn left onto Spring Street
1.3 km · 55 sec · Spring Street
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9
Continue on Kershaw Camden Highway
4.8 mi · 5 min · Kershaw Camden Highway
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10
Turn slight right onto North Matson Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Matson Street
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11
Continue on South Hampton Street
1.1 km · 47 sec · South Hampton Street
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12
Continue on Kershaw Camden Highway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Kershaw Camden Highway
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13
Continue on Kershaw Highway
14.4 mi · 16 min · Kershaw Highway
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14
Turn right onto Boykin Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Boykin Road
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15
Continue on Springdale Drive
2.3 mi · 3 min · Springdale Drive
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16
Turn right onto West DeKalb Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West DeKalb Street
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17
Continue on Main Street
2 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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18
Turn slight right onto Highway 601 South
2.5 mi · 4 min · Highway 601 South
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19
Take the ramp slight right toward I 20 West: Columbia
2618 ft · 1 min
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20
Merge slight left
18 mi · 21 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward SC 277 South: Downtown, Columbia
1.1 mi · 2 min
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22
Merge slight left onto I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
4.8 mi · 5 min · I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
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23
Continue on Bull Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Bull Street
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24
Turn right onto Gervais Street
2053 ft · 51 sec · Gervais Street
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25
Continue on Gervais Street
71 m · 22 sec · Gervais Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Gervais Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Union and Columbia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 20 West
Merge slight left
18 mi · 00h 21m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Union and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Union to Columbia?
The road trip is about 81.2 miles (130.6 km) and usually takes 01h 25m 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?
Camden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35.2 miles from Union and 45.9 miles from Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 54.7 miles (88.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.5 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 3:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.33 one way or $22.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Union and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Camden
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 Camden.
Camden
Columbia
Florence
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Union and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 54.75 mi (88.11 km).
#1 Union
County seat of Union County, South Carolina
| Population | 7,535 |
| Coordinates | 34.7157100, -80.6211800 |
| Altitude | 195 |
| 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: 131 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $11.33 | $22.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $12.67 | $25.33 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $13.67 | $27.33 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $16.08 | $32.17 |
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 · Jun 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.