If you are planning a trip from Blythewood to Florence, you are looking at a straightforward 83.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 38 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is efficient enough to complete in under two hours without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $13 for fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your Southeast travels. Because the drive is contained entirely within South Carolina, the transition between these two areas is seamless. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, this highway-focused transit is predictable and easy to manage.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.6 miles from Blythewood, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
66.8 mi
1h 14m
Charles F Bolden Freeway
11 mi
12m
West Evans Street
2.4 mi
4m
West Cheves Street
0.7 mi
1m
Blythewood Road
0.6 mi
1m
Warley Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blythewood, SC and Florence, SC.
1
Start on US 21
72 ft·5 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Blythewood Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Blythewood Road
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 77 South: Columbia
4
Merge onto I 77
8.0 mi·8 min·Charles F Bolden Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
3.0 mi·3 min·Charles F Bolden Freeway
Toward I 77: CharlestonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 16AToward I 20 East: FlorenceUse the right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: Florence
8
Merge onto I 20
67 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto S-21-31
2.4 mi·4 min·West Evans Street
10
Turn right onto Warley Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Warley Street
11
Turn left onto West Cheves Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West Cheves Street
12
Turn right
133 ft·11 sec
13
Turn right
50 ft·3 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning complex rest stops since the entire trip is under 100 miles, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Blythewood is a smart move to stay within your $13 estimate. Since the longest stretch covers nearly 67 miles on I-20, try to handle any quick errands or hydration needs before merging onto the interstate to avoid unnecessary exits. If you are sensitive to traffic, checking local reports on the Charles F. Bolden Freeway before you depart can help you time your arrival into Florence perfectly. Enjoy the ease of this quick, uncomplicated transit across the region.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.6 miles from Blythewood, SC, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.6 miles or 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 1h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florence, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blythewood, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Blythewood, SC
This is one driving day of about 83.3 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Blythewood, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 66.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 12.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 77 South: Columbia
Navigation decision point
Toward I 77 South: Columbia
5
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway
Merge onto I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
9.1 mi into trip|~11m in|I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway toward I 77: Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 77: Charleston
7
12 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 20 East: Florence
5
12.7 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Florence
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 20 East: Florence
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.03 one way
$26.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$14.24
$28.49
premium
$4.70
$15.42
$30.83
diesel
$5.61
$18.39
$36.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25
0
$8.75
$4.00
Efficient EV
20.8
0
$7.29
$3.33
EV Truck/SUV
33.3
0
$11.66
$5.33
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Blythewood, SC
Afternoon
in Blythewood on Sunday
Local time
12:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Florence, SC
Afternoon
in Florence on Sunday
Local time
12:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Camden, SC
42 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
9 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
1h 38m 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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 14.4
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 93% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-20, which accounts for a 66.8-mile stretch of the trip. The drive starts with a heavy interstate focus before transitioning through the Charles F. Bolden Freeway and eventually onto West Evans Street as you approach your destination. While the experience is primarily a consistent interstate grind, the final approach into Florence offers a shift in pace from the main highway. You can anticipate a steady, uninterrupted flow for most of the drive, allowing you to settle in and maintain a consistent speed until you reach the local streets.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.8 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Charles F Bolden Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 83.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.8 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Florence, SC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.1 miles (I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Florence, SC before heading back.
