Origin
Great Falls, SC
Morning in Great Falls on Tuesday
Local time
7:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Great Falls, SC to Florence, SC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
85.3 mi
137 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Great Falls, SC
Wilson Rodriguez
Florence, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 85.3-mile drive from Great Falls, SC, to Florence, SC, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 2 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it offers a practical way to travel within the Southeast region. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $13, making it an economical option. You'll primarily navigate on I-20, with portions on John G Richards Road and Cedar Creek Road contributing to the overall drive. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.7 miles from Great Falls, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 45.3 mi | 50m |
| John G Richards Road | 18.5 mi | 32m |
| Cedar Creek Road | 10 mi | 17m |
| North Broad Street | 3.1 mi | 7m |
| West Evans Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Liberty Hill Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Pendergrass Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Sumter Highway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 45.3 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, SC and Florence, SC.
1
Start on US 21; SC 200
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Chester Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 21; SC 200
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Pendergrass Boulevard
3
Turn straight onto SC 97; SC 200
526 ft
·
10 sec
·
State Highway 97
4
Continue on SC 97; SC 200
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Cedar Creek Road
5
Continue on SC 97
9.6 mi
·
16 min
·
Cedar Creek Road
6
Continue on SC 97
18 mi
·
32 min
·
John G Richards Road
7
Continue on SC 97
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Liberty Hill Road
8
Merge onto US 521; US 601
3.1 mi
·
7 min
·
North Broad Street
9
Continue on US 521
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Sumter Highway
10
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
11
Merge onto I 20
45 mi
·
50 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto S-21-31
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Evans Street
13
Turn right onto Warley Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Warley Street
14
Turn left onto West Cheves Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cheves Street
15
Turn right
133 ft
·
11 sec
16
Turn right
50 ft
·
3 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 2 minutes, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider starting your drive in the morning to maximize your day upon arrival in Florence. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent stops for gas. Pay attention to the transition points between I-20 and the local roads, as these can sometimes present unexpected traffic or changes in speed limits. The longest stretch on I-20 is over 45 miles, so plan for a break before or after this segment if needed.
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 42.7 miles from Great Falls, SC, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.3 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 19 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.7 miles or 1h 11m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florence, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Great Falls, 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 Great Falls, SC
This is one driving day of about 85.3 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Great Falls, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 45.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.7 miles from Great Falls, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 36.8 and 85.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
36.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
84.5 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
Warley Street
Turn right onto Warley Street
Navigation decision point
4
84.6 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
West Cheves Street
Turn left onto West Cheves Street
Navigation decision point
4
85.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
85.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.34 one way
$26.68 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $14.58 | $29.17 |
| premium | $4.70 | $15.79 | $31.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.83 | $37.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.96 | $4.09 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.46 | $3.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.94 | $5.46 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Florence, SC
Morning in Florence on Tuesday
Local time
7:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Camden, SC
43 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
27 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 2m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive features a mixed profile, with 53% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 45.3 miles on I-20, offering a chance for steady progress. While much of the route involves highway driving, expect some transitions onto local roads like John G Richards Road and Cedar Creek Road, which may alter the pace. This combination means you'll get a blend of faster highway travel and potentially slower, more local road segments as you approach your destination.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.3 mi on I 20.
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 36.8 miles in near I 20.
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 2m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 36.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.5 miles (Warley Street): Navigation decision point; at 84.6 miles (West Cheves Street): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
466 ft
137 ft
Total Climb
169 ft
Total Descent
499 ft
Highest Point
466 ft
Elevation Range
330 ft
About the Cities
Arriving in Florence, SC
Full guide →Florence is a city in the Pee Dee Country Region of South Carolina. It was the site of the Florence Stockade, a Confederate POW camp, notably bad but still maybe not as bad as Andersonville, then a railroad hub, and nowadays a regional center for medical care and manufacturing, including as it sits at the terminus for I-20. Even though it got started rather late, in 1871, it's more or less the hub for northeastern South Carolina, aka Pee Dee Country.
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 2m. Total distance: 85.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.3 miles on I 20. 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 36.8 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.5 miles (Warley Street): Navigation decision point; at 84.6 miles (West Cheves Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Florence, 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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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