Anderson County Airport, SC to East Sumter, SC is 169.3 miles and takes about 3h 35m via I 26 and Garners Ferry Road, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. The route is mostly highway, making it a straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll find it's a practical option for getting between these locations without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.7 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
55.8 mi
1h 1m
Garners Ferry Road
36.2 mi
45m
Golden Strip Freeway
22.9 mi
24m
Highway 418
9.9 mi
14m
Cooley Bridge Road
5.6 mi
8m
Robert E Graham Freeway
5.1 mi
5m
Belton Highway
4.7 mi
6m
Highway 247
3.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 55.8 mi, about 1h 1m
Traffic on I-26
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 29 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,185 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,891
Quietest
2 AM
~160 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anderson County Airport, SC and East Sumter, SC.
1
Start on this road
293 ft·21 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Airport Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Airport Road
3
Turn right onto SC 24
0.7 mi·1 min·Highway 24
4
Continue on SC 24
1.0 mi·1 min·West Whitner Street
5
Turn right onto SC 28
2.2 mi·2 min·Highway 28 Bypass
6
Continue on SC 28
0.5 mi·33 sec·Pearman Dairy Road
7
Turn left onto US 29
0.1 mi·20 sec·South Murray Avenue
8
Turn right onto US 29
2.0 mi·2 min·West Shockley Ferry Road
9
Turn right onto US 29; US 76; US 178
2.6 mi·3 min·East River Street
10
Continue on US 76; US 178
4.7 mi·6 min·Belton Highway
11
Continue on US 76; US 178
2.3 mi·3 min·Anderson Street
12
Turn left onto SC 20
374 ft·14 sec·North Main Street
13
Turn right onto SC 247
1.3 mi·2 min·River Street
14
Continue on SC 247
3.6 mi·4 min·Highway 247
15
Continue on SC 247
5.6 mi·8 min·Cooley Bridge Road
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 25
0.1 mi·13 sec·Augusta Road
17
Turn right onto SC 418
9.9 mi·14 min·Highway 418
18
Continue on SC 418
1.3 mi·2 min·Milacron Drive
19
Continue on SC 418
0.2 mi·19 sec·McCarter Road
20
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
21
Merge onto I 385
23 mi·24 min·Golden Strip Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 26
56 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 26
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 126; US 76
3.4 mi·4 min·I 126; US 76
Toward I 126, US 76: ColumbiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Huger StreetUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on US 21; US 176; US 321
0.7 mi·1 min·Huger Street
26
Turn left onto Gervais Street
1.9 mi·4 min·Gervais Street
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto US 76; US 378
1.4 mi·2 min·Millwood Avenue
28
Continue on US 76; US 378
1.3 mi·2 min·Devine Street
29
Continue on US 76; US 378
36 mi·45 min·Garners Ferry Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 76; US 378
5.1 mi·5 min·Robert E Graham Freeway
31
Take the exit onto US 76
0.2 mi·35 sec·US 76
32
Keep slight right at fork onto US 76
446 ft·14 sec·US 76
33
Turn right onto Nort Pike East
0.2 mi·19 sec·Nort Pike East
34
Continue on North Pike East
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Pike East
35
Turn left onto McLean Street
0.2 mi·49 sec·McLean Street
36
Turn right onto Young Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Young Street
37
Arrive at destination
Young Street
Trip Plan
For this 169.3-mile drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to complete the approximately 3h 35m trip. Since it's a single-day route with a fuel cost estimated around $28, you can easily make it in one go. Consider taking your only planned stop after the longest stretch on I 26, which is 55.8 miles, to break up the highway portion. The shift from interstate to surface roads around Garners Ferry Road marks a good point to be more aware of your surroundings and traffic.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 84.7 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 37 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.7 miles or 1h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Sumter, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anderson County Airport, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anderson County Airport, SC
This is one driving day of about 169.3 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 55.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.3 and 168.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
39.3 mi into trip|~59m in|I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Merge onto I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
62.2 mi into trip|~1h 23m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
117.9 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 126; US 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 126; US 76 toward I 126, US 76: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 126, US 76: Columbia
6
121.3 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward Huger Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Huger Street
5
168.5 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|US 76
Keep slight right at fork onto US 76
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.93 one way
$53.86 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$29.36
$58.72
premium
$4.78
$31.85
$63.71
diesel
$5.35
$35.66
$71.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.8
0
$17.78
$8.13
Efficient EV
42.3
0
$14.81
$6.77
EV Truck/SUV
67.7
0
$23.70
$10.84
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Anderson County Airport, SC
Afternoon
in Anderson County Airport on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Rain Showers
ENE 14 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 2:46AM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
East Sumter, SC
Afternoon
in East Sumter on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
NE 12 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 2 at 2:46AM EDT until June 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
85°F
Clinton, SC
85 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 35m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Congaree National Park
National Park
Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 140.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 61% of the route on interstates. You'll experience a longest stretch of 55.8 miles on I 26 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a considerable portion of your travel time on high-speed roads, with the shift to Garners Ferry Road and Golden Strip Freeway signaling a change in pace and exit density. This transition will likely involve more local traffic and a lower speed limit.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.8 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Garners Ferry Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.3 miles in near I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 169.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 39.3 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.2 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.9 miles (I 126; US 76): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
841 ft133 ft
Total Climb
356 ft
Total Descent
968 ft
Highest Point
841 ft
~36.3 mi in
Elevation Range
708 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 35m. Total distance: 169.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.8 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at East Sumter, SC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.3 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.2 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.9 miles (I 126; US 76): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at East Sumter, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
