Columbia SC to Raleigh NC drive: Best stops, distance & time

The best road trip stops on the Columbia SC to Raleigh NC drive are Florence SC, Lumberton NC and Fayetteville NC. The distance from Columbia SC to Raleigh NC by car is 227 miles, with a 3h23m driving time.

Planning a Columbia to Raleigh road trip itinerary

The Columbia to Raleigh drive connects the capitals of South Carolina and North Carolina.

Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina. Top attractions include the South Carolina State Museum, which looks at the rich history of the state. It does so in a surprisingly fun way, with a digital planetarium and 4D theater.

But the city’s real appeal is in the numerous parks along the Broad River. These include the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

For well-rated Columbia accommodation options, try the academia-themed Graduate and the characterful Hotel Trundle.

Raleigh NC offers a series of high quality museums. The North Carolina Museum of History, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and North Carolina Museum of Art are the three big-hitters. Meanwhile, the Mordecai Historic Park is where you’ll find Raleigh’s oldest house and the William B Umstead State Park is the top spot for outdoorsy pursuits.

Top Raleigh activities include trolley pub tours and ghost tours.

For Raleigh accommodation, the Marriott is the prime address downtown and the Store is a gorgeous guesthouse.

Columbia SC to Raleigh NC distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Columbia SC to Raleigh NC is 227 miles. You can expect a driving time of around three hours and 23 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-20, I-95 and I-40

The best stops to add to a Columbia SC to Raleigh NC road trip itinerary are Florence SC, Lumberton NC and Fayetteville NC.

Best stops between Columbia SC and Raleigh NC: Florence SC

The Florence County Museum offers a good mix of science, art and history. But the Florence Veterans Park is arguably a more impressive cultural attraction. The six-acre park is dedicated to military veterans, and is dotted with grand sculptures and memorials.

Meanwhile, the Lynches River County Park to the south of the city is a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing. There’s also an Environmental Discovery Center, which aims to educate visitors about the local ecosystems.

Columbia SC to Raleigh NC road trip attractions: Lumberton NC

Lumberton NC has a handful of attractive parks. The lakeside trails and playgrounds of the Luther Britt Park are probably the most appealing for visitors. On a cultural level, the Robeson County History Museum covers local history and the Exploration Station lets children learn through play.

Columbia SC to Raleigh NC drive: Fayetteville NC

The main lure in Fayetteville NC is the Museum of the Cape Fear, which unveils local history over several buildings. The most handsome of these is the 1897 Poe House, which is most notable for its intricate Victoria verandas. Also on the site is Arsenal Park, the remains of a former ordnance factory used by both the Federal and Confederate governments. Also worth a look is the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, which covers 80 acres.

Good Fayetteville accommodation options include the Mt Rose Hotel for value and the Fairfield Inn and Suites for space.