Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
59m
Distance
38.9 mi
63 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Sparse
1 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Darlington, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Sumter, SC
Junior Bastos
If you are planning a trip between Darlington and Sumter, you are looking at a straightforward 38.9-mile journey across South Carolina. You can expect to spend about 59 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Since the entire route stays within the Southeast region, you won't experience drastic shifts in landscape or climate. With a fuel budget of just $6, it is an incredibly affordable drive that leaves plenty of room in your travel wallet. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this local trip is manageable and efficient for any schedule.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lamar Highway | 12.5 mi | 19m |
| Darlington Highway | 10.2 mi | 15m |
| Oswego Highway | 8.5 mi | 13m |
| Davis Street | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Warren Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Pearl Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| East Calhoun Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Liberty Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Darlington, SC and Sumter, SC.
Start on Pearl Street
Continue on SC 34; SC 151
Turn slight left
Turn straight onto Lamar Highway
Enter roundabout onto US 401
Continue on US 401
Continue on US 401
At end of road, turn left onto US 401
Turn right onto US 401
Continue on US 401
Continue on US 401
Continue on US 401
Turn left onto US 15
Turn right onto US 76 Business
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 38.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 19.5 miles from Darlington, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 38.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Enter roundabout onto US 401 / Lamar Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
At end of road, turn left onto US 401 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 401 / Davis Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 15 / North Lafayette Drive
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 76 Business / East Liberty Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$6.08 one way
$12.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $6.65 | $13.30 |
| premium | $4.70 | $7.20 | $14.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.59 | $17.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.08 | $1.87 |
| Efficient EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.40 | $1.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.45 | $2.49 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Darlington on Tuesday
Local time
5:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
Destination
Late night in Sumter on Tuesday
Local time
5:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features no highway travel. You will navigate via Lamar Highway, Darlington Highway, and Oswego Highway, which keeps the experience focused on regional roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 12.5-mile segment on Lamar Highway. Because of the frequent turns, you should stay alert and ready to navigate local intersections throughout the hour-long trip. It is a practical, ground-level way to travel between these two South Carolina communities.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in near US 401 / Lamar Highway.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Darlington, SC to Sumter, SC is easy. At 59m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.5 miles (US 401 / Lamar Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.1 miles (US 401 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.4 miles (US 401 / Davis Street): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
89 ft
Total Descent
68 ft
Highest Point
175 ft
~14.6 mi in
Elevation Range
32 ft
Founded 1835
Top landmarks
Sumter is a city in Santee Cooper Country, South Carolina.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 59m. Total distance: 38.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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