Origin
Rock Hill, SC
Late night in Rock Hill on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 47m
Distance
79.8 mi
128 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rock Hill, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Lakewood, SC
Jacob Evans
Rock Hill, SC to Lakewood, SC is 79.8 miles and takes about 1h 47m via I 20 and Camden Highway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, single-day trip primarily within South Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. The drive offers a mixed experience, so expect some interstate cruising alongside local road segments. It's a manageable distance, making it ideal for a quick getaway or a practical transfer between locations without requiring an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.9 miles from Rock Hill, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 28.9 mi | 33m |
| Monticello Road | 12.8 mi | 22m |
| Camden Highway | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| Thomas Sumter Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Sumter Highway | 7 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 215S | 6.4 mi | 11m |
| North Guignard Drive | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Old Manning Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Hill, SC and Lakewood, SC.
Start on SC 215
Continue on SC 215
Turn left onto Buckner Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20
Take the exit
Merge onto US 521
Continue on US 521
Continue on US 521
Continue on US 521
Turn slight left onto US 521; US 76 Business
Turn slight right onto US 521
Continue on US 521
Continue on US 521
Turn right onto US 15
Continue on US 15
Turn left onto Old Manning Road
Turn right onto Spoonville Lane
Arrive at destination
With a total duration of under two hours, this is a flexible drive that you can easily complete in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since the longest stretch on I 20 is 28.9 miles, you can plan for a fuel stop before getting on that section if needed, as services might be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost of $12 suggests this is an economical trip, but it's always wise to check current prices. Given the short duration, you won't need extensive rest stops, but a quick break midway is always a good idea.
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.
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 18 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.9 miles or 58m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Rock Hill, SC so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rock Hill, SC
This is one driving day of about 79.8 miles and 1h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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.
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 39.9 miles from Rock Hill, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.2 and 76.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Buckner Road
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 20 East: Florence
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 521: Sumter, Camden
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto US 15 / Pocalla Road
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$12.48 one way
$24.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $13.64 | $27.29 |
| premium | $4.70 | $14.77 | $29.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.62 | $35.24 |
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: 27.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.38 | $3.83 |
| Efficient EV | 20 | 0 | $6.98 | $3.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.17 | $5.11 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Rock Hill on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Lakewood on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
83°F
Camden, SC
40 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route features a 45% highway share, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your drive on I 20. You'll encounter a continuous stretch of 28.9 miles on I 20, providing an opportunity for steady progress. Beyond the interstate, the drive transitions to roads like Monticello Road and Camden Highway, introducing a more local feel. The profile is described as a 'mixed drive,' suggesting a blend of faster highway travel and potentially slower, more scenic or residential road segments as you approach your destination.
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 19.2 miles in near Buckner Road.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 47m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.2 miles (Buckner Road): Navigation decision point; at 19.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 19.5 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Rock Hill, SC to Lakewood, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Camden along the way.
Camden
Founded 1852
Rock Hill is a small city in the Olde English District of South Carolina approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Charlotte and 70 miles (110 km) north of Columbia. Rock Hill is essentially a commuter town and not on many tourists' radar, but does offer numerous outdoor activities and dining options.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 79.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Straightforward navigation.
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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