Major city · United States
Florence, South CarolinaFlorence, SC
One night, not a base: a highway and Amtrak stop between Charleston and North Carolina with a small museum and a Civil War prison site.
Florence is a rail and interstate junction in the Pee Dee Country region of northeastern South Carolina, roughly halfway between Charleston and Fayetteville on I-95 and at the end of I-20. It has a county museum, a Civil War stockade site and a national cemetery, plus cheap highway hotels. Most travellers sleep one night here on a road trip; the town itself fills half a day.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), hurricane season Aug–Oct
- Airports
- FLO · MYR · CLT
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Florence, South Carolina911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Florence, South Carolina, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyFlorence is a normal small Southern city: daytime downtown and the interstate strips are fine, but lock the car, keep to lit areas after dark…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckFLO Florence Regional Airport (Nonstop to Charlotte on American; small terminal, few daily flights — check schedules.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeUS$2–5
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, main courseUS$18–35
- Street or quick mealFast-food or diner breakfastUS$8–15
- BeerDraught beer at a barUS$5–8
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride (PDRTA)checkUS$1.50
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entrycheckUS$0–10
- Budget bedInterstate chain motel room, a night, per roomUS$65
- Mid-range bedInterstate chain motel room, a night, per roomUS$95
- High-end bedInterstate chain motel room, a night, per roomUS$140
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FLO Florence Regional Airport (Nonstop to Charlotte on American; small terminal, few daily flights — check schedules.) · MYR Myrtle Beach International (About 1 h 15 min by car; more flights and rental cars.) · CLT Charlotte Douglas International (About 2 h 30 min by car; the big connecting hub for the region.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Care
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Mar–May, Nov. Mixed: Oct. Avoid: Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Oct (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Florence, South Carolina: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. PDRTA runs seven fixed-route city buses (about US$1.50 a ride, check), but routes are thin and stop early. Downtown is walkable for an evening; everything else — the stockade, the mall, the interstate hotels — is a drive. Ride-hailing exists but waits can be long outside the centre.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hartsville, South Carolina
goDoor to door: About 45 min
US-52 north by car
Small college town with a restored downtown and a botanical garden; pairs well with a Florence night.
Myrtle Beach
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-501 east by car
Beach and boardwalk; go early in summer, traffic back is heavy on Sunday.
Charleston, South Carolina
overnightDoor to door: 2 h 30 min by car; about 2 h 30 min by train
I-95 south then I-26, or Amtrak Palmetto/Silver Meteor
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep there instead.
Columbia, South Carolina
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
I-20 west by car
State capital and museum quarter; a long half-day, better as a stop en route.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
I-95 / West Lucas Street strip
Chain motels and diners right off the interstate; the practical choice for one night with a car.
Downtown Florence (Evans and Dargan streets)
Walkable blocks near the museum and restaurants; a handful of small hotels and inns.
West Palmetto Street corridor
More restaurants and mid-range hotels, 5–10 min drive from downtown.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- US$70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$120–190 excl. bed
- High
- US$200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Interstate chain motel room1 × 1 night × US$95 | US$95 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Rental car, one day, midsize1 × US$60 · check; insurance and fees extra | US$60 |
| Fuel, 150 km of driving1 × US$15 | US$15 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$46 |
| Trip total≈ US$253 per person per day, bed included | US$506 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; fuel and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | US$2–5 |
| Fast-food or diner breakfast | US$8–15 |
| BBQ or buffet plate | US$14–25 |
| Sit-down dinner, main course | US$18–35 |
| Draught beer at a bar | US$5–8 |
| City bus ride (PDRTA)check | US$1.50 |
| Museum entrycheck | US$0–10 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and humidity are serious: plan indoor stops midday in Jul–Aug.
- Hurricane season runs Aug–Oct; I-95 is an evacuation route and can jam.
- The stockade site is lightly developed: no visitor centre hours posted, check before driving out.
- Rural roads around Florence are dark and deer are common after dusk.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Florence, South CarolinaFlorence, SC
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Florence; consulates are in Atlanta, and embassies in Washington, D.C.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PDRTA city bus, one-way: US$1.50 (check)
- Taxi or ride-hailing, downtown to I-95 strip: US$15–25
- Amtrak Florence → Charleston: about US$25–50 coach, 2 h 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- The check, please — The check, please
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, US$1–2 per drink at a bar, US$3–5 a night for housekeeping.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Florence, South Carolina. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), hurricane season Aug–Oct · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for FLO and MYR: last flights, taxi and rental fallbacks, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with anchors: downtown museum blocks, the stockade and cemetery, the I-95 motel strip.
- Place pages with verified hours (Florence County Museum, Florence National Cemetery, stockade site) and eat pages with last orders.
- Storm and evacuation fixtures so the I-95 corridor can go green in hurricane season.