Origin
Sumter, SC
Morning in Sumter on Tuesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sumter, SC to Little River, 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 32m
Distance
113.1 mi
182 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 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sumter, SC
Junior Bastos
Little River, SC
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This 113.1-mile drive from Sumter, SC to Little River, SC is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 32 minutes. Given its manageable length and the fact that it's designed for a single day trip, you won't need to worry about overnight stops. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $18, making it an economical choice for exploring South Carolina. The route stays within the Southeast region, offering a consistent feel as you travel. You'll primarily be on US 378 and Highway 501 East, with a significant portion on the Carolina Bays Parkway.
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
56.5 miles from Sumter, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 378 | 76.7 mi | 1h 40m |
| Carolina Bays Parkway | 16.5 mi | 19m |
| Highway 501 East | 7.2 mi | 11m |
| Highway 90 | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Myrtle Beach Highway | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| US Highway 17 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Church Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Liberty Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 378
— 76.7 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sumter, SC and Little River, SC.
1
Start on US 76 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Liberty Street
2
Turn slight right onto SC 763
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Myrtle Beach Highway
3
Continue on US 378
77 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
US 378
4
Turn right onto US 501; US 701
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Church Street
5
Continue on US 501
7.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Highway 501 East
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward SC 31: Georgetown, North Myrtle Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward SC 31 North: Dick Scobee Road, Forestbrook Road, North Myrtle Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
Toward SC 31 North: North Myrtle Beach
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto SC 31
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Carolina Bays Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Robert Edge Pkwy: North Myrtle Beach
11
Turn left onto Robert Edge Parkway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Robert Edge Parkway
12
Turn right onto SC 90
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Highway 90
13
Turn right onto US 17
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
US Highway 17
14
Turn right onto Ellis Drive
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Ellis Drive
15
Arrive at destination
Ellis Drive
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 2.5 hours, this trip offers a lot of flexibility for when you choose to depart. Leaving Sumter in the morning will get you to Little River with plenty of daylight remaining. You'll only encounter one designated stop on this route, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or closer to your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without major breaks is 76.7 miles on US 378. The estimated fuel cost of $18 is a good budget to keep in mind for this relatively short journey.
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 56.5 miles from Sumter, SC, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.7 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.5 miles or 1h 15m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little River, 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 113.1 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 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 US 378 for about 76.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 56.5 miles from Sumter, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 378 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.7 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 88.8 and 106.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
88.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward SC 31: Georgetown, North Myrtle Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SC 31: Georgetown, North Myrtle Beach
9
89 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SC 31 North: Dick Scobee Road, Forestbrook Road, North Myrtle Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SC 31 North: Dick Scobee Road, Forestbro...
7
89.2 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Keep slight right at fork toward SC 31 North: North Myrtle Beach
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward SC 31 North: North Myrtle Beach
5
89.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
SC 31 / Carolina Bays Parkway
Merge onto SC 31 / Carolina Bays Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
106.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward Robert Edge Pkwy: North Myrtle Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Robert Edge Pkwy: North Myrtle Beach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.69 one way
$35.37 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $19.34 | $38.68 |
| premium | $4.70 | $20.93 | $41.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.97 | $49.94 |
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: 39.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.9 | 0 | $11.88 | $5.43 |
| Efficient EV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.90 | $4.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.83 | $7.24 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Little River, SC
Morning in Little River on Tuesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°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
30 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 32m 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 predominantly highway experience on this trip, with 94% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 76.7 miles on US 378, so be prepared for sustained driving on this section. While largely highway, the route incorporates the Carolina Bays Parkway and Highway 501 East, offering a mix of efficient travel and access to different areas. The profile suggests a smooth, relatively fast-paced journey ideal for covering ground quickly.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.7 mi on US 378.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 378 and Carolina Bays Parkway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 88.8 miles in.
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 113.1 miles you will encounter 9 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 88.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
172 ft
15 ft
Total Climb
50 ft
Total Descent
186 ft
Highest Point
172 ft
Elevation Range
156 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sumter, SC and Little River, SC, road signs point toward Myrtle Beach and Robert Edge Pkwy: North Myrtle Beach.
Myrtle Beach
88.8 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Robert Edge Pkwy: North Myrtle Beach
106.4 mi in
|
~2h 20m
About the Cities
Starting in Sumter, SC
Full guide →Sumter is a city in Santee Cooper Country, South Carolina.
Arriving in Little River, SC
Full guide →Little River is a city in the Grand Strand region of South Carolina. It has about 12,000 residents.
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 32m. Total distance: 113.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.7 miles on US 378. 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 88.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 89.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Little River, 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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