How far is Williston, SC from Columbia, SC?

The driving distance from Williston, SC to Columbia, SC is about 52.4 miles (84.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 46.9 miles (75.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
52.38 mi
01h 07m
Flight
46.88 mi
75.45 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Williston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
46.88 mi
Kilometers
75.45 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
52.38 mi
Kilometers
84.29 km
Drive Time
01h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia
Thu, Apr 23, 1:47 AM EDT
Return by in Williston
Thu, Apr 23, 2:55 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Williston
2026-04-23T00:39
Arrive Columbia
Thu, Apr 23, 1:47 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Williston
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Woodford
SC

Town in South Carolina, USA

From Williston
26.2 mi
00h 33m
To Columbia
26.2 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph SW
Destination
89°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Williston and Columbia.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Williston and Columbia.

  1. 1

    Start on Elko Street

    87 m · 6 sec · Elko Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Springfield Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Springfield Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Highway 39

    6.9 mi · 12 min · Highway 39

  4. 4

    Continue on Springfield Road

    3.7 mi · 7 min · Springfield Road

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto Capital Way

    6 mi · 8 min · Capital Way

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    36 m · 2 sec

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout

    1.2 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    42 m · 2 sec

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout

    11.5 mi · 16 min

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Savannah Highway

    1306 ft · 17 sec · Savannah Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on South Church Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · South Church Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Southbound Road

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Southbound Road

  13. 13

    Continue on South Main Street

    2.1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Highway 321

    4.9 mi · 6 min · Highway 321

  15. 15

    Continue on Charleston Highway

    5.7 mi · 7 min · Charleston Highway

  16. 16

    Turn slight right onto Lafayette Avenue

    2860 ft · 2 min · Lafayette Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto 12th Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · 12th Street

  18. 18

    Turn slight right onto Charleston Highway

    999 ft · 23 sec · Charleston Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Meeting Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Meeting Street

  20. 20

    Continue on Gervais Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Gervais Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Gervais Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Williston and Columbia.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
0 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
40.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Capital Way
18.3 mi · 35%
Highway 39
6.85 mi · 13%
Charleston Highway
5.9 mi · 11%
Springfield Road
5.08 mi · 10%
Highway 321
4.88 mi · 9%
Southbound Road
4.14 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

Capital Way

Exit the roundabout

11.5 mi · 00h 16m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.5 mi
46.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Woodford
00h 33m from Williston
Leave By
4:14 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Williston and Sunny near Columbia.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Williston to Columbia?

The road trip is about 52.4 miles (84.3 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?

Woodford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.2 miles from Williston and 26.2 miles from Columbia.

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

The direct path is about 46.9 miles (75.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 4:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.33 one way or $14.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Williston and Sunny near Columbia.

Stop Ideas Near Woodford

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Woodford, 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 Woodford.

RAIL

Columbia

37 mi away
850 Pulaski Street
RAIL

Denmark

38 mi away
200 West Baruch Street
RAIL

Camden

78 mi away
1060 West Dekalb Street
RAIL

Yemassee

112 mi away
9 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Williston and Columbia. Straight-line distance: 46.88 mi (75.45 km).

Williston

#1 Williston

Town in Barnwell County, South Carolina, United States

Population2,912
Coordinates33.4026500, -81.4201100
Altitude108
CountryUnited States
Columbia

#2 Columbia

The most populous city in South Carolina.

Population132,130
Coordinates34.0007100, -81.0348100
Altitude89
CountryUnited States
Start: Elko Street (-81.420189, 33.402717)
End: Gervais Street (-81.034853, 34.000804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 84 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.85 gal
7 L · about $7.33
Round trip
$14.66
3.7 gal · 14 L
Estimated CO2
16.4 kg one way
Round trip: 32.9 kg / 73 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $7.33 $14.66
Mid-grade $4.43 $8.19 $16.39
Premium $4.78 $8.84 $17.68
Diesel $5.62 $10.40 $20.81

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Williston and Columbia. The current time is 00:39:45.

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.