Origin
Sumter, SC
Late night in Sumter on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sumter, SC to Estill, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 36m
Distance
123 mi
198 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 37m
8 AM
2h 58m
10 AM
2h 44m
12 PM
2h 42m
3 PM
2h 45m
5 PM
2h 57m
8 PM
2h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sumter, SC
Junior Bastos
Estill, SC
Just a Couple Photos
Trip Overview
Traveling from Sumter to Estill covers 123 miles of South Carolina terrain, typically taking about 2 hours and 36 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to cover the journey. Navigating this path involves a mix of I-95, Five Chop Road, and Main Highway. Since both locations are situated within the Southeast region, the drive stays consistent in its geographic character throughout. It is a straightforward, practical commute that gets you from the Midlands down toward the southern Lowcountry with minimal logistical headache.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.5 miles from Sumter, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 24.8 mi | 26m |
| Five Chop Road | 21.1 mi | 26m |
| Main Highway | 20.7 mi | 25m |
| Manning Road | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| Columbia Highway | 12.8 mi | 19m |
| Bamberg Road | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| Bufords Bridge Highway | 9 mi | 13m |
| John C Calhoun Drive | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 24.8 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sumter, SC and Estill, SC.
1
Start on US 76 Business
65 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Liberty Street
2
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Continue on Manning Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Manning Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 521
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Manning Road
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
6
Merge onto I 95
25 mi
·
26 min
·
I 95
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 301: Orangeburg
8
Keep slight right at fork
325 ft
·
8 sec
9
Merge onto US 15; US 301
21 mi
·
26 min
·
Five Chop Road
10
Turn slight left onto John C Calhoun Drive
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
John C Calhoun Drive
11
Continue on US 301; US 601; SC 4
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Edisto Drive
12
Continue on US 301; US 601
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Bamberg Road
13
Continue on US 301; US 601
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Main Highway
14
Continue on US 321
9.0 mi
·
13 min
·
Bufords Bridge Highway
15
Continue on US 321
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Hampton Avenue
16
Continue on US 321
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Columbia Highway
17
Turn right onto 4th Street
284 ft
·
17 sec
·
4th Street
18
Turn left
108 ft
·
7 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning for this 123-mile journey is simple given the trip's inherent flexibility. Since the route requires only one stop, you have plenty of freedom to pace your drive according to your own schedule. Aim to depart mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour congestion on the interstate segments. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the local roads can be more tiring than highway driving, so factor in a brief break to stay fresh behind the wheel. As a specific tip, check your fuel levels before leaving the I-95 corridor, as gas station availability may become less frequent once you transition onto the more rural stretches of the Main Highway.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.5 miles from Sumter, SC, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.8 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 27 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.5 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Estill, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sumter, 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 Sumter, SC
This is one driving day of about 123 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Sumter, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 24.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.5 miles from Sumter, 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 85 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 122.9 — 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
|
South Main Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
15 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
4
40.2 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit toward US 301: Orangeburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 301: Orangeburg
4
40.6 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
122.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
|
4th Street
Turn right onto 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.23 one way
$38.47 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $21.03 | $42.06 |
| premium | $4.70 | $22.76 | $45.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.16 | $54.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.9 | 0 | $12.92 | $5.90 |
| Efficient EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.76 | $4.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.22 | $7.87 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Estill, SC
Late night in Estill on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
39 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
2h 36m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition off the interstate. While about 20% of the route utilizes I-95, the majority of your time will be spent navigating secondary roads like Five Chop Road and Main Highway. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 24.8 miles while on I-95, but be prepared for a shift in pace once you exit onto smaller local thoroughfares. This combination creates a varied driving experience that balances the efficiency of a major artery with the winding nature of local backroads. Stay alert for frequent changes in road direction as you make your way toward Estill.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Main Street.
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 36m 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: near the start (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 40.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 123 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (20%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.8 miles on I 95. 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 (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 40.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Estill, 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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