Origin
Irmo, SC
Afternoon in Irmo on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Irmo, 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
17m
Distance
11.6 mi
19 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 16m
★
6 AM
0h 18m
8 AM
0h 21m
10 AM
0h 19m
12 PM
0h 19m
3 PM
0h 19m
5 PM
0h 21m
8 PM
0h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Irmo, SC
Junior Bastos
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition from the suburban feel of Irmo to the urban center of Columbia, this 11.6-mile trip is an efficient option. You can expect to spend about 17 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Given the short distance, you will not need to worry about overnight lodging or heavy travel expenses, as the total fuel cost is estimated at just $2. Both locations are situated within the Southeast region, ensuring a consistent climate and environment throughout your journey. This route is exceptionally straightforward, serving as a practical link between the two South Carolina communities rather than a destination-heavy vacation path.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 5 mi | 6m |
| I 126 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Lake Murray Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Huger Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Gervais Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Woodrow Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 5 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irmo, SC and Columbia, SC.
1
Start on Woodrow Street
24 ft
·
3 sec
·
Woodrow Street
2
Turn right onto SC 60
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Murray Boulevard
3
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 26 East: Columbia
4
Merge onto I 26; US 76
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 26; US 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 126; US 76
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
I 126; US 76
Toward I 126, US 76: Columbia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Huger Street
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on US 21; US 176; US 321
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Huger Street
8
Turn left onto Gervais Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Gervais Street
Use the left lane.
9
Arrive at destination
Gervais Street
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 11 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SC 60 / Lake Murray Boulevard
Turn right onto SC 60 / Lake Murray Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m 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.
8
6.6 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 126; US 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 126; US 76 toward I 126, US 76: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 126, US 76: Columbia
6
10 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward Huger Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Huger Street
4
11 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
Gervais Street
Turn left onto Gervais Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.81 one way
$3.63 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $1.98 | $3.97 |
| premium | $4.70 | $2.15 | $4.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.56 | $5.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.22 | $0.56 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.02 | $0.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.62 | $0.74 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Columbia, SC
Afternoon in Columbia on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
37 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
17m 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?
This 17-minute trip is a highway-focused drive, with 73% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of Lake Murray Boulevard, I-26, and I-126 to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a 5-mile segment on I-26, which provides the bulk of your cruising time. Because the route relies heavily on interstate travel, you should anticipate a functional and direct experience rather than a winding or technical drive. It is a no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed and efficiency over scenic detours.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 5 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 126. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 60 / Lake Murray Boulevard.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 11.6 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 60 / Lake Murray Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (I 26; US 76): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (I 126; US 76): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 17m. Total distance: 11.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 5 miles on I 26. 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 (SC 60 / Lake Murray Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (I 26; US 76): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (I 126; US 76): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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