Interstate 20 in South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Interstate 20
is a major thoroughfare cutting across the state of South Carolina
, linking the state with important transportation and business hubs to the north, west and south, including Atlanta, Georgia
, Charlotte, North Carolina
(via Interstate 77
), Savannah, Georgia
(via Interstate 95
) and Washington, D.C.
(via Interstate 95
).
from Augusta, Georgia
. Known as the J. Strom Thurmond Freeway, the highway heads northeastward, bypassing Aiken
and Lexington
before reaching the state capital of Columbia
. It was constructed in various stages beginning in late 1963, with the final section between SC-340 and the Business Spur opening in August 1975.
At Columbia, I-20 crosses the Saluda
and Broad
rivers and travels through the northern part of the city and turns eastward, bypassing Fort Jackson and Camden
before reaching Florence
. It is at Florence where I-20 sees its eastern terminus at Interstate 95
. However, for about two miles (3 km), the highway continues to downtown Florence as Business Spur 20.
at the behest of North Carolina Governor Mike Easley and his 'Strategic Transportation Plan' for the southeast portion of the state. The proposed route would follow U.S. 76 east from Florence to Whiteville, North Carolina, then parallel U.S. 74/U.S. 76 into Wilmington. Part of this route is already designated the future Interstate 74. As part of the 2005 SAFETEA-LU transportation legislation, North Carolina received $5 million for a feasibility study for this extension.
While this extension has considerable support among towns in southeastern North Carolina, the South Carolina DOT has stated that they have no interest in upgrading their portion of U.S. 76 to an interstate. This is likely due, in no small part, to encourage eastbound vacationers to travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina rather than Wilmington and that they are concentrating their efforts on plans to build Interstate 73 that will terminate near Myrtle Beach. Officials in Wilmington in the Fall of 2009 responded with another idea, route I-20 north along I-95 to I-74 and then be routed or co-routed with I-74/US 74 to Wilmington. State and federal officials have not officially responded to this proposal.
Interstate 20
Interstate 20 is a major east–west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States. I‑20 runs 1,535 miles from near Kent, Texas, at Interstate 10 to Florence, South Carolina, at Interstate 95...
is a major thoroughfare cutting across the state of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, linking the state with important transportation and business hubs to the north, west and south, including Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
(via Interstate 77
Interstate 77
Interstate 77 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. It traverses diverse terrain, from the mountainous state of West Virginia to the rolling farmlands of North Carolina and Ohio. It largely supplants the old U.S...
), Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
(via Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in South Carolina
Interstate 95 is a major Interstate Highway, running along the East Coast of the United States from Florida to Maine. In South Carolina, I-95 runs approximately parallel to the Atlantic Ocean shore although about inland, from Hardeeville in the south to Dillon in the northeast.-Route...
) and Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
(via Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in South Carolina
Interstate 95 is a major Interstate Highway, running along the East Coast of the United States from Florida to Maine. In South Carolina, I-95 runs approximately parallel to the Atlantic Ocean shore although about inland, from Hardeeville in the south to Dillon in the northeast.-Route...
).
Route description
Interstate 20 enters the Palmetto State after crossing the Savannah RiverSavannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
from Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
. Known as the J. Strom Thurmond Freeway, the highway heads northeastward, bypassing Aiken
Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken is a city in and the county seat of Aiken County, South Carolina, United States. With Augusta, Georgia, it is one of the two largest cities of the Central Savannah River Area. It is part of the Augusta-Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area. Aiken is home to the University of South...
and Lexington
Lexington, South Carolina
Lexington is a town in and the county seat of Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 17,870 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Lexington is located at ....
before reaching the state capital of Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
. It was constructed in various stages beginning in late 1963, with the final section between SC-340 and the Business Spur opening in August 1975.
At Columbia, I-20 crosses the Saluda
Saluda River
The Saluda River is a principal tributary of the Congaree River, about 200 mi long, in northern and western South Carolina in the United States...
and Broad
Broad River (South Carolina)
The Broad River is a tidal channel, in Beaufort and Jasper County, South Carolina. The channel flows between mainland on the west and Port Royal and Parris Islands on the east. The Coosawhatchie River flows into the Broad River at the head. It joins Coosaw River channel Northeast and continues...
rivers and travels through the northern part of the city and turns eastward, bypassing Fort Jackson and Camden
Camden, South Carolina
Camden is the fourth oldest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina and is also the county seat of Kershaw County, South Carolina, United States. The population was an estimated 7,103 in 2009...
before reaching Florence
Florence, South Carolina
-Municipal government and politics:The City of Florence has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city council are elected every four years, with no term limits...
. It is at Florence where I-20 sees its eastern terminus at Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in South Carolina
Interstate 95 is a major Interstate Highway, running along the East Coast of the United States from Florida to Maine. In South Carolina, I-95 runs approximately parallel to the Atlantic Ocean shore although about inland, from Hardeeville in the south to Dillon in the northeast.-Route...
. However, for about two miles (3 km), the highway continues to downtown Florence as Business Spur 20.
Proposed Extension of Interstate 20
In 2003, The North Carolina Department of Transportation proposed extending I-20 eastward from Florence to WilmingtonWilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
at the behest of North Carolina Governor Mike Easley and his 'Strategic Transportation Plan' for the southeast portion of the state. The proposed route would follow U.S. 76 east from Florence to Whiteville, North Carolina, then parallel U.S. 74/U.S. 76 into Wilmington. Part of this route is already designated the future Interstate 74. As part of the 2005 SAFETEA-LU transportation legislation, North Carolina received $5 million for a feasibility study for this extension.
While this extension has considerable support among towns in southeastern North Carolina, the South Carolina DOT has stated that they have no interest in upgrading their portion of U.S. 76 to an interstate. This is likely due, in no small part, to encourage eastbound vacationers to travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina rather than Wilmington and that they are concentrating their efforts on plans to build Interstate 73 that will terminate near Myrtle Beach. Officials in Wilmington in the Fall of 2009 responded with another idea, route I-20 north along I-95 to I-74 and then be routed or co-routed with I-74/US 74 to Wilmington. State and federal officials have not officially responded to this proposal.
Auxiliary route
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Interstate 520Interstate 520Interstate 520 is a auxiliary Interstate Highway that encircles Augusta, Georgia and North Augusta, South Carolina as a three quarter beltway around the western, southern and eastern parts of the Augusta area. It begins at Interstate 20 in the northwest part of Augusta, and ends at Interstate 20...
(a.k.a. Palmetto Parkway) is a spur route that is a half BeltwayRing roadA ring road, orbital motorway, beltway, circumferential highway, or loop highway is a road that encircles a town or city...
in N. AugustaNorth Augusta, South CarolinaNorth Augusta is a city in Aiken County, South Carolina, United States, on the north bank of the Savannah River. The population was 21,348 at the 2010 census. The city is included in the Central Savannah River Area and is also part of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area.- History :North...
running 23.50 mi (37.82 km) at the eastern terminus of Interstate 20Interstate 20Interstate 20 is a major east–west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States. I‑20 runs 1,535 miles from near Kent, Texas, at Interstate 10 to Florence, South Carolina, at Interstate 95...
.
Exit list
| County | Location | # Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken Aiken County, South Carolina Aiken County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,552; in 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 160,099... |
North Augusta North Augusta, South Carolina North Augusta is a city in Aiken County, South Carolina, United States, on the north bank of the Savannah River. The population was 21,348 at the 2010 census. The city is included in the Central Savannah River Area and is also part of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area.- History :North... |
1 | ||
| 5 | ||||
| 6 | , Augusta Augusta, Georgia Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County... |
|||
| 11 | Bettis Academy Road – Graniteville Graniteville, South Carolina Graniteville is an unincorporated community in Aiken County, South Carolina, United States. It lies along U.S. 1, five miles west of Aiken. The town lies in Horse Creek Valley which originates in the nearby town of Vaucluse.... |
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| 18 | ||||
| 22 | ||||
| 29 | Wire Road | |||
| 33 | ||||
| Lexington | 39 | |||
| 44 | Road 34 – Gilbert Gilbert, South Carolina Gilbert is a town in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 500 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Town Overview:Gilbert is located at .... |
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| 51 | Longs Pond Road | |||
| Lexington Lexington, South Carolina Lexington is a town in and the county seat of Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 17,870 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Lexington is located at .... |
55 | Signed as exits 55A (east) and 55B (west) westbound | ||
| 58 | , Columbia Airport Columbia Metropolitan Airport Columbia Metropolitan Airport is the main airport for Columbia, South Carolina. The airport lies five miles southwest of Columbia's central business district, in Lexington County.-Airlines and destinations:... |
|||
| 61 | ||||
| Columbia Columbia, South Carolina Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan... |
63 | Bush River Road | ||
| Richland Richland County, South Carolina Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The 2000 U.S. census recorded its population to be 320,677. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau recorded that its population had reached 384,504. It is the second most populous county in South Carolina, behind only Greenville... |
64 | Signed as exits 64A (east) and 64B (west) | ||
| 65 | ||||
| 68 | ||||
| 70 | ||||
| 71 | ||||
| 72 | ||||
| 73 | Signed as exits 73A (south) and 73B (north); 73B signed as "To I-77 North" | |||
| 74 | ||||
| 76 | , Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009... |
Westbound signed as exit 76A; Eastbound access only to I-77 Southbound | ||
| 76 | Alpine Road; I-77 Northbound access from I-20 Eastbound | Westbound signed as exit 76B | ||
| 80 | Clemson Road | |||
| 82 | Spears Creek Church Road – Pontiac | |||
| Kershaw | 87 | White Pond Road – Elgin Elgin, South Carolina Elgin is the name of some places in the U.S. state of South Carolina:*Elgin, Kershaw County, South Carolina*Elgin, Lancaster County, South Carolina... |
||
| 92 | ||||
| Camden Camden, South Carolina Camden is the fourth oldest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina and is also the county seat of Kershaw County, South Carolina, United States. The population was an estimated 7,103 in 2009... |
98 | |||
| 101 | Road 329 | |||
| Lee | 108 | Jamestown Road – Manville | ||
| 116 | ||||
| 120 | ||||
| 123 | Road 22 – Lamar Lamar, South Carolina Lamar is a town in Darlington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,015 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Lamar is located at .... , Ashland, Lee State Park |
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| Darlington | 131 | |||
| 137 | ||||
| Florence Florence County, South Carolina Florence is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was recorded to be 125,761; in 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 131,097. Its county seat is Florence. The county's population is about 60% urban and it comprises part of... |
141 | – Savannah Savannah, Georgia Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important... , Fayetteville Fayetteville, North Carolina Fayetteville is a city located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Cumberland County, and is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a U.S. Army post located northwest of the city.... |
Signed as exits 141A (north) and 141B (south) | |
| Florence Florence, South Carolina -Municipal government and politics:The City of Florence has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city council are elected every four years, with no term limits... |
Continuation beyond I-95 |