Road Trips from Hilton Head Island, SC
Heading out from Hilton Head Island, SC, you've got options ranging from quick hops to longer hauls. There are several destinations within a 3-4 hour drive, most on highways with a drive score of 9, and many with access to national parks like Congaree. For those looking to go further, there are two substantial road trips over 20 hours, both with overnight recommendations and featuring national park access, though one involves significant elevation changes. This mix means you can plan anything from a day trip to a multi-day adventure.
Total Routes
32
Shortest
2.6h
With Parks Nearby
31
Full-day getaway
12 total in this range
Saint Andrews, SC
3h 8m160.4 mi one way
This 3.1-hour drive takes you 160.4 miles mostly on highways, offering a solid drive score of 9. It's a good option if you want to visit Congaree National Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, both accessible from this route, and it's a shorter drive than heading to Winnsboro or Union.
Saint Matthews, SC
2h 37m128.7 mi one way
At 128.7 miles and 2.6 hours, this is one of the closest options from Hilton Head. The drive is primarily highway with a high drive score of 9. Like many other nearby destinations, this route provides access to Congaree National Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.
Winnsboro, SC
3h 47m187.4 mi one way
This 187.4-mile trip will take about 3.8 hours, mostly on highways, maintaining a drive score of 9. It offers access to Congaree National Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, similar to other nearby routes, but it is a longer drive than heading to Saint Andrews or Saint Matthews.
Chapin, SC
3h 29m177 mi one way
Covering 177 miles and taking 3.5 hours, this route is mostly highway with a drive score of 9. It provides opportunities to visit Congaree National Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. It's a bit longer than the drives to Saint Andrews or Saint Matthews.
Stateburg, SC
3h 15m161.8 mi one way
This 161.8-mile drive takes approximately 3.3 hours, predominantly on highways with a drive score of 9. It's a good choice for accessing Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Congaree National Park, and it's comparable in distance to the Saint Andrews route.
Weekend trip
17 total in this range
Union, SC
4h 21m215.1 mi one way
This 215.1-mile journey takes around 4.4 hours and is a mix of highway and surface roads, earning a drive score of 9. While it offers access to Congaree National Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, it is a longer drive than most other nearby options.
Westminster, SC
5h 59m281.7 mi one way
This is the longest drive primarily on surface roads, spanning 281.7 miles and taking 6 hours, with a drive score of 9. It offers access to Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and features gently rolling terrain, distinct from the flatter routes closer to Hilton Head.
East Gaffney, SC
5h 8m253.8 mi one way
A 253.8-mile drive taking 5.1 hours mostly on highways, this route has a drive score of 9. It provides access to Cowpens National Battlefield, Congaree National Park, and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, making it a longer trip with varied park options.
Welcome, SC
5h 2m261.6 mi one way
This 261.6-mile trip takes about 5 hours, primarily on highways with a drive score of 9. It offers access to Congaree National Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, and the terrain includes gently rolling sections.
Saluda, SC
4h 3m195.8 mi one way
Long-haul ideas
Huston, ID
43h 55m2487.5 mi one way
This extensive 2487.5-mile drive takes 43.9 hours and requires an overnight stay. It has a lower drive score of 7 and features high-altitude sections with notable climbs, differing significantly from the local South Carolina routes. It includes access to Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.
Fashing, TX
22h 48m1217.8 mi one way
A 1217.8-mile journey taking 22.8 hours, this trip requires an overnight stay and has a drive score of 7. Mostly flat terrain characterizes this long-haul drive, which also provides access to Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.
Farmers Branch, TX
19h 25m1029.3 mi one way
Browse by Mood
Saint Andrews, SC
3h 8m160.4 mi one way
Saint Matthews, SC
2h 37m128.7 mi one way
Winnsboro, SC
3h 47m187.4 mi one way
Chapin, SC
3h 29m177 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
The mostly flat terrain and park access make spring a good time for exploring the nearby national parks like Congaree.
Summer
The predominantly highway routes are suitable for summer travel, with several options offering proximity to national parks.
Fall
Enjoy the drives through mostly flat terrain and access to parks like Reconstruction Era National Historical Park during the fall.
Winter
The mostly flat terrain and consistent highway drive scores make winter travel feasible for many of the shorter routes.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Hilton Head Island, SC city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.