Burton, SC to Columbia, SC is 135.6 miles and takes about 2h 32m via I 95 and I 26, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive is a straightforward shot north through South Carolina, staying primarily on interstates. It's a solid choice if you need to get from the Lowcountry to the Midlands efficiently. With a highway share of 95%, expect a quick journey with minimal detours. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
67.8 miles from Burton, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
57.1 mi
1h 1m
I 95
52.4 mi
56m
Trask Parkway
12 mi
14m
US 21
6.9 mi
8m
Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
2.7 mi
3m
Kings Highway
1.4 mi
1m
Gervais Street
0.6 mi
1m
Augusta Road
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 57.1 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burton, SC and Columbia, SC.
1
Start on US 21
0.4 mi·36 sec·Parris Island Gateway
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 21
12 mi·14 min·Trask Parkway
3
Enter roundabout onto US 21
221 ft·3 sec·US 21
4
Continue on US 21
6.8 mi·8 min·US 21
5
Continue on US 17
1.4 mi·1 min·Kings Highway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 95 North: Florence
7
Merge onto I 95
52 mi·56 min·I 95
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 26 West: Columbia
9
Merge onto I 26
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 111BToward US 1 North: West ColumbiaUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 1
0.6 mi·42 sec·Augusta Road
12
Turn straight onto SC 12
2.7 mi·3 min·Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
13
Continue on SC 12
0.3 mi·24 sec·Hampton Street
14
Turn right onto Williams Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Williams Street
15
Turn right onto US 21; US 176; US 321
0.2 mi·22 sec·Huger Street
16
Turn left onto Gervais Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Gervais Street
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
Gervais Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 32m duration, this drive from Burton to Columbia is easily completed in a single day. Aim for an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid any potential afternoon traffic. You'll have plenty of flexibility with only one recommended stop, so feel free to adjust your timing as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services is 57.1 miles on I 26; it's wise to top off before embarking on that segment.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.8 miles from Burton, SC, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.1 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.8 miles or 1h 17m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbia, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Burton, 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 Burton, SC
This is one driving day of about 135.6 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Burton, 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 57.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 134.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|US 21 / Trask Parkway
At end of road, turn left onto US 21 / Trask Parkway
Navigation decision point
4
12.4 mi into trip|~15m in|US 21
Enter roundabout onto US 21
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
73.8 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
130.9 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 1 North: West Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 111B
Toward US 1 North: West Columbia
5
134.8 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|US 21; US 176; US 321 / Huger Street
Turn right onto US 21; US 176; US 321 / Huger Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.20 one way
$42.41 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$23.19
$46.37
premium
$4.70
$25.10
$50.19
diesel
$5.61
$29.94
$59.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.7
0
$14.24
$6.51
Efficient EV
33.9
0
$11.86
$5.42
EV Truck/SUV
54.2
0
$18.98
$8.68
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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 18, 2026
Origin
Burton, SC
Late night
in Burton on Sunday
Local time
3:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Columbia, SC
Late night
in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
3:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Holly Hill, SC
68 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
33 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 32m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Reconstruction era,1861-1900 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economi...
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 107.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 95 and I 26. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 57.1 miles on I 26. The profile suggests a predominantly fast-paced journey, meaning you'll be covering ground quickly with limited opportunities for spontaneous stops along the way. Expect a consistent driving experience as you transition from one interstate to another, making it a predictable and efficient trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.1 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near US 21 / Trask Parkway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 135.6 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.4 miles (US 21 / Trask Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 12.4 miles (US 21): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 73.8 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Columbia is the capital city and second largest city in South Carolina. It is home to the main campus of the University of South Carolina, and to the Army's Fort Jackson. It is in the approximate geographic center of the state, and was one of the first planned cities in the United States.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 135.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.1 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (US 21 / Trask Parkway): Navigation decision point; at 12.4 miles (US 21): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 73.8 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and 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 Columbia, SC before heading back.
