If you are planning to travel from Florence to Newberry, you are looking at a straightforward 118.2-mile journey across South Carolina. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 21 minutes on the road, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You will primarily utilize the J Strom Thurmond Freeway and I-26, which account for the vast majority of your travel time. With a fuel budget of approximately $19, the drive is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, the landscape remains consistent throughout your transit. This route is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing, so it works best if you want to reach your destination quickly without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.1 miles from Florence, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, SC and Newberry, 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
76 mi·1 hr 25 min·J Strom Thurmond Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.7 mi·3 min
Exit 64BToward I 26 West
9
Merge onto I 26; US 76
30 mi·34 min·I 26; US 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward SC 219: Newberry
11
Turn left onto SC 219
1.9 mi·3 min·State Highway 219
12
Continue on SC 219
2.8 mi·5 min·Main Street
13
Turn left onto College Street
63 ft·2 sec·College Street
14
Arrive at destination
College Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to hit the road outside of peak traffic hours to ensure you maintain your estimated 2-hour and 21-minute duration. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you should plan your own breaks strategically to keep your energy up during the 118.2-mile transit. Keep your $19 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops, as you will want to avoid unnecessary detours off the interstate. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert when transitioning from the high-speed J Strom Thurmond Freeway onto the local streets of Newberry, as the sudden shift in traffic flow requires a quick change in driving pace.
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 59.1 miles from Florence, SC, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.4 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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.1 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newberry, 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.
+
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 Florence, SC
This is one driving day of about 118.2 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 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 76.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 82.8 — 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
5
81.1 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 26 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 64B
Toward I 26 West
5
82.8 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 26; US 76
Merge onto I 26; US 76
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.48 one way
$36.97 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.21
$40.42
premium
$4.70
$21.88
$43.75
diesel
$5.61
$26.10
$52.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.5
0
$12.41
$5.67
Efficient EV
29.6
0
$10.34
$4.73
EV Truck/SUV
47.3
0
$16.55
$7.56
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Florence, SC
Late night
in Florence on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newberry, SC
Late night
in Newberry on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 21m 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.
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 69.3
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 trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of your journey spent cruising on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, tackling a significant 76.4-mile stretch along the J Strom Thurmond Freeway. The personality of this drive is consistent and functional, prioritizing speed and direct access over winding backroads. As you transition onto I-26, the pace remains brisk, eventually tapering off as you navigate local thoroughfares like Main Street to reach your final destination. Behind the wheel, you can expect a predictable interstate experience that allows you to cover the distance efficiently without the technical demands of secondary highways.
92% 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: 76.4 mi on J Strom Thurmond Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on J Strom Thurmond Freeway and I 26. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Florence, SC to Newberry, SC is easy. At 2h 21m with 92% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 118.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 76.4 miles on J Strom Thurmond Freeway. 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: 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 Newberry, SC before heading back.
