Sumter, SC to Tega Cay, SC is 103 miles and takes about 2h 16m via Kershaw Camden Highway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a drive that's mostly on surface roads, giving you a good feel for the local landscape. With a recommended duration of one day, it's a manageable drive for a quick trip or an addition to a longer itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.5 miles from Sumter, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Kershaw Camden Highway
14.9 mi
16m
Kershaw Highway
14.4 mi
16m
Sumter Highway
8.4 mi
9m
Camden Highway
8.2 mi
9m
I 77
7.7 mi
9m
Rock Hill Highway
7.6 mi
11m
Thomas Sumter Highway
7.6 mi
8m
US 521
7.3 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Kershaw Camden Highway
— 14.9 mi, about 16m
Traffic on I-77
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,696 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,313
Quietest
2 AM
~295 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sumter, SC and Tega Cay, SC.
1
Start on US 76 Business
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Liberty Street
2
Turn right onto US 76 Business
0.4 mi·44 sec·North Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 76 Business
2.8 mi·4 min·Broad Street
4
Turn slight right onto US 521
1.9 mi·2 min·Camden Highway
5
Continue on US 521
7.6 mi·8 min·Thomas Sumter Highway
6
Continue on US 521
6.2 mi·7 min·Camden Highway
7
Continue on US 521
8.4 mi·9 min·Sumter Highway
8
Continue on US 521
4.2 mi·8 min·Broad Street
9
Continue on US 521; US 601
14 mi·16 min·Kershaw Highway
10
Continue on US 521; US 601
2.7 mi·3 min·Kershaw Camden Highway
11
Continue on US 521; US 601
0.7 mi·48 sec·South Hampton Street
12
Turn left onto US 521; US 601
1.5 mi·1 min·South Matson Street
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 521 Business
4.8 mi·5 min·Kershaw Camden Highway
14
Continue on US 521
0.8 mi·55 sec·Spring Street
15
Turn right onto US 521
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
16
Continue on US 521; SC 522
7.4 mi·8 min·Kershaw Camden Highway
17
Continue on US 521
4.0 mi·4 min·Lancaster Bypass
18
Take the exit onto US 521
7.3 mi·10 min·US 521
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
20
Continue on SC 5
7.6 mi·11 min·Rock Hill Highway
21
Take the ramp onto SC 5
0.2 mi·33 sec·SC 5
22
Merge onto US 21; SC 5
4.2 mi·4 min·Anderson Road South
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
24
Merge onto I 77
7.7 mi·9 min·I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 85Toward SC 160: Tega Cay, Fort MillUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto Highway 160 West
2.2 mi·4 min·Highway 160 West
27
Turn left onto Stonecrest Boulevard
0.2 mi·37 sec·Stonecrest Boulevard
Use the left lane.
28
Turn slight right
295 ft·7 sec
29
Turn straight onto Hubert Graham Way
0.7 mi·1 min·Hubert Graham Way
30
Turn left onto Gold Hill Road
0.3 mi·33 sec·Gold Hill Road
31
Continue on Tega Cay Drive
1.8 mi·3 min·Tega Cay Drive
32
Turn left onto Windward Drive
0.3 mi·46 sec·Windward Drive
33
Turn slight right onto Windward Drive
277 ft·11 sec·Windward Drive
34
Enter roundabout onto Point Clear Drive
264 ft·11 sec·Point Clear Drive
35
Continue on Point Clear Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Point Clear Drive
36
Arrive at destination
Point Clear Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 16m drive time, leaving Sumter, SC in the morning allows ample time to reach Tega Cay, SC before evening. While this is a single-day trip, the relatively short distance means you have flexibility with your departure time. You won't need to plan for overnight stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to surface roads, as stations may be less frequent than on major interstates. The estimated fuel cost is around $16, so factor that into your budget.
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 51.5 miles from Sumter, SC, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.9 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 23 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.5 miles or 1h 4m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tega Cay, 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 103 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Sumter, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Kershaw Camden Highway for about 14.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 102.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 76 Business / North Washington Street
Turn right onto US 76 Business / North Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
88.9 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 77
Merge onto I 77
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
96.6 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward SC 160: Tega Cay, Fort Mill
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.
Exit 85
Toward SC 160: Tega Cay, Fort Mill
5
99.1 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|Stonecrest Boulevard
Turn left onto Stonecrest Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
102.5 mi into trip|~2h 15m in|Point Clear Drive
Enter roundabout onto Point Clear Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.78 one way
$31.57 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.27
$17.32
$34.64
premium
$4.64
$18.80
$37.61
diesel
$5.60
$22.70
$45.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.9
0
$10.82
$4.94
Efficient EV
25.8
0
$9.01
$4.12
EV Truck/SUV
41.2
0
$14.42
$6.59
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Sep 4, 2026
Origin
Sumter, SC
Evening
in Sumter on Monday
Local time
6:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear then Patchy Fog
S 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 3 at 7:46PM EDT until September 4 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 3 at 7:46PM EDT until September 4 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Tega Cay, SC
Evening
in Tega Cay on Monday
Local time
6:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 3 at 7:46PM EDT until September 4 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 3 at 7:46PM EDT until September 4 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 16m 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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 10.7
Caution: Being Prepared for Excessive Heat & Humidity
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 17% of this 103-mile trip on highways, with the remaining portion on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 14.9 miles on Kershaw Camden Highway. Be prepared for a drive that transitions from highway speeds to more local cruising as you progress. You'll notice exits becoming less frequent as you move away from the initial highway segment.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.9 mi on Kershaw Camden Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 76 Business / North Washington Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 103 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.2 miles (US 76 Business / North Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 88.9 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
723 ft172 ft
Total Climb
775 ft
Total Descent
319 ft
Highest Point
723 ft
~58.9 mi in
Elevation Range
551 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Sumter, SC to Tega Cay, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Mill along the way.
Tega Cay is a small city along the eastern shore of Lake Wylie west of the town of Fort Mill in the Olde English District of South Carolina. Tega Cay is a suburb of the major city of Charlotte and has experienced rapid growth over the past decade.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 103 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.9 miles on Kershaw Camden Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Tega Cay, SC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 76 Business / North Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 88.9 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Congaree National 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 Tega Cay, SC before heading back.
