Traveling from Florence to Forest Acres is a straightforward 78.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes. Because this trip is entirely within South Carolina’s Southeast region, you won't experience major climate or terrain shifts, making it a reliable route for a quick getaway. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, as it is efficient enough to allow for plenty of time at your destination. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way trip. Since there are no mandatory stops required by the route, you have the flexibility to power through or take a break as your schedule permits.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.3 miles from Florence, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, SC and Forest Acres, SC.
1
Start on this road
50 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left
133 ft·15 sec
3
At end of road, turn left onto East Cheves Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Cheves Street
4
Turn right onto Warley Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Warley Street
5
Turn left onto S-21-31
2.4 mi·4 min·West Evans Street
6
Turn right onto I 20 Bus
1.5 mi·2 min·West David H McLeod Boulevard
7
Continue on I 20 Bus
68 mi·1 hr 14 min·J Strom Thurmond Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 74Toward US 1: Two Notch RoadUse the right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
508 ft·12 sec
Toward US 1 South: Columbia, Two Notch RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto US 1
4.3 mi·6 min·Two Notch Road
11
Turn left
486 ft·13 sec
12
Turn slight right onto SC 16
1.4 mi·2 min·North Beltline Boulevard
13
Arrive at destination
SC 16
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 1 hour and 33 minute drive, consider departing during off-peak hours to ensure a smooth transition onto the J Strom Thurmond Freeway. Since the trip is relatively short, you likely won't need to plan extensive rest stops, but it is always wise to check your fuel levels before leaving Florence to avoid mid-trip errands. Given the 86% highway-heavy nature of the route, stay alert for merging traffic patterns as you move between the freeway and local roads. Use the flexibility of this short distance to your advantage by scheduling your arrival time based on your specific plans in Forest Acres rather than worrying about long-haul fatigue.
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 39.3 miles from Florence, SC, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.8 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.3 miles or 47m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forest Acres, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Florence, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Florence, SC
This is one driving day of about 78.5 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Florence, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on J Strom Thurmond Freeway for about 67.8 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 72.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Cheves Street
At end of road, turn left onto East Cheves Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|Warley Street
Turn right onto Warley Street
Navigation decision point
7
72.5 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward US 1: Two Notch Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 74
Toward US 1: Two Notch Road
9
72.6 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 1 South: Columbia, Two Notch Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1 South: Columbia, Two Notch Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.28 one way
$24.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$13.42
$26.84
premium
$4.70
$14.53
$29.06
diesel
$5.61
$17.33
$34.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.6
0
$8.24
$3.77
Efficient EV
19.6
0
$6.87
$3.14
EV Truck/SUV
31.4
0
$10.99
$5.02
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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 13, 2026
Origin
Florence, SC
Late night
in Florence on Sunday
Local time
3:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
S 2 to 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Forest Acres, SC
Late night
in Forest Acres on Sunday
Local time
3:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
S 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Camden, SC
39 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
1h 33m 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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 78.5
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?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 86% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your journey, specifically 67.8 miles, on the J Strom Thurmond Freeway, which serves as the backbone of the trip. Expect a consistent pace as you transition from the initial stretches of West Evans Street onto the freeway. As you near the end of your journey, the route shifts toward Two Notch Road, guiding you into the Forest Acres area. The experience is best described as a direct, functional commute rather than a leisurely scenic tour, keeping you moving steadily toward your arrival.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.8 mi on J Strom Thurmond Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on J Strom Thurmond Freeway and Two Notch Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 33m 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (East Cheves Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (Warley Street): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
321 ft128 ft
Total Climb
305 ft
Total Descent
190 ft
Highest Point
321 ft
~67.3 mi in
Elevation Range
193 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 78.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 67.8 miles on J Strom Thurmond Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (East Cheves Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (Warley Street): Navigation decision point.
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 Forest Acres, SC before heading back.
