Origin
Ravenel, SC
Late night in Ravenel on Tuesday
Local time
5:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ravenel, SC to Columbia, 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 23m
Distance
115.8 mi
186 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ravenel, SC
Just a Couple Photos
Trip Overview
This 115.8-mile drive from Ravenel, SC, to Columbia, SC, is a straightforward 2-hour and 23-minute journey that's perfect for a single day trip. You'll primarily be on I-26, making it a highway-focused route with an estimated fuel cost of around $18. Given its manageable length and duration, this trip doesn't require an overnight stay, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. The drive stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from one point to another in South Carolina.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.9 miles from Ravenel, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 87.4 mi | 1h 33m |
| Delemar Highway | 8.9 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 165 | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| Bacons Bridge Road | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Jarvis Klapman Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Berlin G Myers Parkway | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| North Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Gervais Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ravenel, SC and Columbia, SC.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
44 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto SC 165
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
SC 165
3
Turn left onto SC 165
6.4 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 165
4
Continue on SC 165
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Delemar Highway
5
Continue on SC 165
8.3 mi
·
14 min
·
Delemar Highway
6
Continue on Bacons Bridge Road
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Bacons Bridge Road
7
At end of road, turn left onto Old Trolley Road
516 ft
·
9 sec
·
Old Trolley Road
8
Continue on East Carolina Avenue
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Carolina Avenue
9
Turn right onto SC 165
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Berlin G Myers Parkway
10
Continue on SC 165
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Berlin Myers Parkway
11
Turn right onto US 17 Alternate
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I-26 West
13
Merge onto I 26
87 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 111B
Toward US 1 North: West Columbia
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto US 1
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Augusta Road
16
Turn straight onto SC 12
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
17
Continue on SC 12
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Hampton Street
18
Turn right onto Williams Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Williams Street
19
Turn right onto US 21; US 176; US 321
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Huger Street
20
Turn left onto Gervais Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Gervais Street
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
Gervais Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over two hours, this trip offers great flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and be in Columbia by lunchtime, or head out later in the day. Since there are no specific stops recommended, plan your own breaks, perhaps around the 87.4-mile mark on I-26. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer highway stretches, and factor in the $18 estimated fuel cost. A practical tip for this route is to utilize a navigation app that provides real-time traffic updates, as this can help you avoid potential delays on I-26.
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 57.9 miles from Ravenel, SC, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 25 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.9 miles or 1h 19m 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 58m
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 Ravenel, 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 Ravenel, SC
This is one driving day of about 115.8 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Ravenel, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 26 for about 87.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.9 miles from Ravenel, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.4 miles.
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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 115 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SC 165
Turn left onto SC 165
Navigation decision point
4
19.6 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
Old Trolley Road
At end of road, turn left onto Old Trolley Road
Navigation decision point
5
23.7 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
111.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 1 North: West Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 111B
Toward US 1 North: West Columbia
5
115 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
US 21; US 176; US 321 / Huger Street
Turn right onto US 21; US 176; US 321 / Huger Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.11 one way
$36.22 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $19.80 | $39.60 |
| premium | $4.70 | $21.43 | $42.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.57 | $51.13 |
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: 40.5 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 | 34.7 | 0 | $12.16 | $5.56 |
| Efficient EV | 29 | 0 | $10.13 | $4.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.21 | $7.41 |
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.
Destination
Columbia, SC
Late night in Columbia on Tuesday
Local time
5:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
SW 6 mph
0% chance
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
4 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 23m 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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 91.9
Caution: Burn Ban in Effect 4/17
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$10
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an 84% highway-focused experience on this route, dominated by I-26 for the majority of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 87.4 miles on I-26, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent highway driving. While the main roads include Delemar Highway and State Highway 165, the character of the drive is largely defined by the interstate. This means you're likely to find a predictable pace with fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops directly off the main thoroughfare.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.4 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and Delemar Highway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near SC 165.
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 115.8 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 0.1 miles (SC 165): Navigation decision point; at 19.6 miles (Old Trolley Road): Navigation decision point; at 23.7 miles (I 26): 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 23m. Total distance: 115.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.4 miles on I 26. 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 0.1 miles (SC 165): Navigation decision point; at 19.6 miles (Old Trolley Road): Navigation decision point; at 23.7 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park and Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical 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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