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Trip from Sumter, SC to Varnville, 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 14m

Distance

107.1 mi

172 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 5m ★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Sumter, SC, SC

Sumter, SC

Junior Bastos

Downtown Varnville, SC, SC

Varnville, SC

Daniel Sell

Trip Overview

Sumter to Varnville is 107.1 miles and takes about 2h 14m via I 95 and Sniders Highway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within South Carolina, taking you through the Southeast region. It's a straightforward drive focused on efficient travel between two points in the state. If you're looking for a quick trip with minimal fuss, this one delivers. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the interstate, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without much detour.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

53.6 miles from Sumter, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 67.9 mi 1h 12m
Sniders Highway 16.7 mi 29m
Manning Road 13.1 mi 15m
Walterboro Highway 5.8 mi 10m
Manning Avenue 1.6 mi 2m
Main Street 0.9 mi 1m
South Main Street 0.3 mi <1m
Wood Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 67.9 mi, about 1h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sumter, SC and Varnville, 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

68 mi · 1 hr 12 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward SC 63: Varnville, Hampton
8

Turn slight right onto SC 63

17 mi · 29 min · Sniders Highway
9

Continue on SC 63

5.8 mi · 10 min · Walterboro Highway
10

Continue on SC 63

0.9 mi · 1 min · Main Street
11

Turn left onto Wood Street

248 ft · 12 sec · Wood Street
12

Turn right onto North Palm Street

185 ft · 8 sec · North Palm Street
13

Arrive at destination

North Palm Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2h 14m drive time, this is easily a same-day trip. Aim to leave Sumter in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid any potential rush hour traffic, though the route is unlikely to experience significant congestion. The longest stretch on I 95 is nearly 68 miles, so plan for a fuel stop before you begin this segment if your tank is low. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can be spread out on the latter portions of the route. There are no designated stops in the data, so be prepared to make your own rest breaks as needed.

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 53.6 miles from Sumter, SC, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.9 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 24 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 53.6 miles or 1h 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 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Varnville, 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 107.1 miles and 2h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Sumter, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 67.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Holly Hill, SC, SC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Holly Hill, SC

54 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

Manning, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Holly Hill, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.6 miles from Sumter, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.9 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 6

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 107.1 — 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
5
15.4 mi into trip | ~19m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
83.3 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Take the exit toward SC 63: Varnville, Hampton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward SC 63: Varnville, Hampton
5
107.1 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | North Palm Street

Turn right onto North Palm Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.75 one way

$33.50 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $18.31 $36.62
premium $4.70 $19.82 $39.64
diesel $5.61 $23.65 $47.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32.1 0 $11.25 $5.14
Efficient EV 26.8 0 $9.37 $4.28
EV Truck/SUV 42.8 0 $14.99 $6.85

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (65% 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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Sumter, SC

Late night in Sumter on Sunday

Local time

3:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Varnville, SC

Late night in Varnville on Sunday

Local time

3:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

77°F

Holly Hill, SC

54 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

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 14m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Congaree National Park

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...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour Free near mile 3.7
Caution: Burn Ban in Effect 4/17
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 63% of the journey on major roadways like I 95. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 67.9 miles on I 95, which means sustained driving at highway speeds. After leaving the interstate, the character shifts to roads like Sniders Highway and Manning Road, likely offering a more local feel but still facilitating steady progress. Expect a generally efficient travel experience with limited opportunities for scenic exploration due to the highway emphasis.

63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.9 mi on I 95.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Sniders Highway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Main Street.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Sumter, SC to Varnville, SC is easy. At 2h 14m with 63% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

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 15.4 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Varnville, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Hampton along the way.

Hampton

83.3 mi in | ~1h 32m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 107.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (63%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 67.9 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 15.4 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Varnville, 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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