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Trip from East Gaffney, SC to Columbia, SC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 11m

Distance

109.3 mi

176 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 2m ★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown East Gaffney, SC, SC

East Gaffney, SC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

This 100.3-mile journey from East Gaffney, SC, to Columbia, SC, is a straightforward one-day drive, taking approximately 1 hour and 54 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, it's an economical option for a short road trip within the Southeast region. The route primarily utilizes local roads, including West Cherokee Street and York Road, suggesting a more community-focused travel experience rather than a high-speed interstate trek. Given its manageable distance and duration, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

54.7 miles from East Gaffney, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 77 53.5 mi 57m
Black Highway 9.6 mi 11m
I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway 7.3 mi 8m
York Highway 7.3 mi 8m
Alexander Love Highway 5.3 mi 6m
York Road 4.9 mi 5m
West Cherokee Street 4.7 mi 7m
Cherokee Avenue 3.7 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 77 — 53.5 mi, about 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Gaffney, SC and Columbia, SC.

1

Start on US 29

3.7 mi · 5 min · Cherokee Avenue
2

Continue on US 29

4.7 mi · 7 min · West Cherokee Street
3

Turn right onto SC 5

1.6 mi · 1 min · York Road
4

Continue on SC 5

0.7 mi · 49 sec · York Highway
5

Continue on SC 5

3.3 mi · 3 min · York Road
6

Continue on SC 5

1.7 mi · 1 min · Kings Creek Drive
7

Continue on SC 5

9.6 mi · 11 min · Black Highway
8

Turn left onto SC 5

5.3 mi · 6 min · Alexander Love Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Continue on SC 5

6.5 mi · 7 min · York Highway
10

Continue on SC 5

2.3 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
11

Turn right onto SC 901; SC 5

3.2 mi · 5 min · Heckle Boulevard
12

Turn right onto SC 72; SC 901

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Saluda Street
Use the right lane.
13

Continue on SC 901

3.1 mi · 4 min · Mount Holly Road
Use the left lane.
14

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
15

Merge onto I 77

29 mi · 31 min · I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 77

24 mi · 26 min · I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto SC 277

7.3 mi · 8 min · I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
Exit 18 Toward SC 277: Columbia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on SC 277

1.6 mi · 2 min · Bull Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19

Turn right onto US 1; US 378

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Gervais Street
20

Continue on Gervais Street

234 ft · 22 sec · Gervais Street
21

Arrive at destination

Gervais Street

Trip Plan

For this 100.3-mile trip, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for any unforeseen delays on the local roads. Since there are no designated stops in the data and the drive is under two hours, you can be quite flexible with timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between West Cherokee Street and York Road, to ensure you have enough to reach Columbia. The $16 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra for peace of mind on these community-focused routes.

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 54.7 miles from East Gaffney, SC, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.5 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 24 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 54.7 miles or 1h 10m 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 48m

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 East Gaffney, 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 East Gaffney, SC

This is one driving day of about 109.3 miles and 2h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from East Gaffney, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 77 for about 53.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Pineville, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pineville, NC

55 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Kings Mountain, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chester, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 54.7 miles from East Gaffney, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Indah Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, South Carolina

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 109.3

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18037080275

Visit website

Piecewise Coffee Co. - Cayce

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cayce, South Carolina

2 mi

Dutch Bros Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Columbia, South Carolina

2.9 mi

Poindexter Coffee

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 109.3

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+18037797779

Visit website

Indah Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 109.3

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18037080275

Visit website

Piecewise Coffee Co. - Cayce

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 109.3

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18037641044

Visit website

Dutch Bros Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 101.5

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+18778992767

Visit website

The Game Show Challenge - Columbia

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 109.3

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18034701112

Visit website

Escapology Escape Rooms Columbia (Vista)

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 109.3

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18039004144

Visit website

Craft Axe Throwing

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 109.3

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18032813803

Visit website

Columbia Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 109.3

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+18037992810

Visit website

South Carolina State Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 109.3

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18038984921

Visit website

EdVenture

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 109.3

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18037793100

Visit website

Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 109.3

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18035453100

Visit website

Memorial Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 109.3

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+18035453100

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 25.4 and 108.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
25.4 mi into trip | ~32m in | SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway

Turn left onto SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
42.7 mi into trip | ~55m in | SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street

Turn right onto SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
46.5 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | I 77

Merge onto I 77

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
100 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in | SC 277 / I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto SC 277 / I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway toward SC 277: Columbia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 18 Toward SC 277: Columbia
4
108.9 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in | US 1; US 378 / Gervais Street

Turn right onto US 1; US 378 / Gervais Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.09 one way

$34.18 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $18.69 $37.38
premium $4.70 $20.23 $40.46
diesel $5.61 $24.13 $48.26

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32.8 0 $11.48 $5.25
Efficient EV 27.3 0 $9.56 $4.37
EV Truck/SUV 43.7 0 $15.30 $7.00

Gas CO2

38 kg

EV CO2

13 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 15, 2026

Origin

East Gaffney, SC

Morning in East Gaffney on Sunday

Local time

10:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbia, SC

Morning in Columbia on Sunday

Local time

10:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Pineville, NC

55 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

1 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

2h 11m 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.

Cowpens National Battlefield

Cowpens National Battlefield

National Battlefield

A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic mili...

11 mi from route ~26 min detour Free
Caution: Hazardous Conditions on Trails
View on nps.gov
Congaree National Park

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 ~55 min detour Free near mile 109.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 0% highway share. The journey will keep you engaged with frequent directional changes as you navigate West Cherokee Street, York Road, and York Highway. Without significant highway stretches, you'll be experiencing the landscape and communities directly. The profile indicates a constant need for attention to navigation, making it a dynamic rather than a monotonous drive. This type of road is ideal for those who prefer a more interactive driving experience over covering vast distances quickly.

56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.5 mi on I 77.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 25.4 miles in near SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 11m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 25.4 miles (SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.7 miles (SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.5 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Columbia, SC

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 109.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (56%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 53.5 miles on I 77. 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 25.4 miles (SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.7 miles (SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.5 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Cowpens National Battlefield 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.

How this page is built

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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