Traveling from Andrews to Hilton Head Island covers 176.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 29 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach the coast without needing an overnight stop. You will primarily navigate via US Highway 521, C E Murray Boulevard, and I-95. Budgeting approximately $28 for fuel should cover your transit costs between these two South Carolina destinations. While the drive remains within the Southeast region, you will transition from the inland plains toward the Atlantic coast, offering a straightforward path for travelers looking to balance highway speed with local connectivity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.3 miles from Andrews, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
89.8 mi
1h 36m
US Highway 521
26.8 mi
30m
C E Murray Boulevard
11.5 mi
13m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.6 mi
13m
Fording Island Road
9.3 mi
12m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
Okatie Highway
4.2 mi
4m
William Hilton Parkway
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 89.8 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Andrews, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.
1
Start on US 521 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·East Main Street
2
Continue on US 521
27 mi·30 min·US Highway 521
3
Continue on US 521
0.8 mi·53 sec·Society Street
4
Continue on US 521
0.5 mi·36 sec·Society Street
5
Continue on US 521
12 mi·13 min·C E Murray Boulevard
6
Turn slight right
336 ft·4 sec
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·15 sec
8
Merge onto US 521; SC 261
2.4 mi·2 min·Greeleyville Highway
9
Continue on US 521; SC 261
1.3 mi·2 min·East Boyce Street
10
Continue on SC 261
1.4 mi·2 min·Paxville Highway
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
12
Merge onto I 95
90 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
14
Turn left onto SC 462
9.6 mi·13 min·Coosaw Scenic Drive
15
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi·10 min·Lowcountry Drive
16
Turn right onto SC 170
4.2 mi·4 min·Okatie Highway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
18
Merge onto US 278
9.3 mi·12 min·Fording Island Road
19
Continue on US 278
3.8 mi·4 min·William Hilton Parkway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 278
2.4 mi·2 min·Cross Island Parkway
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
22
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.3 mi·5 min·Marshland Road
23
Turn right onto Allen Road
0.2 mi·38 sec·Allen Road
24
Arrive at destination
Allen Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 29-minute excursion, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the monotony of the interstate segments. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic fluctuations on I-95, as this helps ensure you arrive at your destination with plenty of time to spare. Since your fuel budget is approximately $28, check your tank before merging onto the highway to avoid paying premium prices at busy interstate service stations. Because the drive is short enough to complete in one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your preferred arrival. Remember that the majority of your time is spent on high-speed roads, so stay alert for changing speed limits as you exit the main arteries toward the coast.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 88.3 miles from Andrews, SC, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.8 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 39 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.3 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hilton Head Island, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Andrews, 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 Andrews, SC
This is one driving day of about 176.7 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Andrews, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 89.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 40.7 and 171.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
40.7 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
46 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 South: Savannah
Navigation decision point
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
5
46.3 mi into trip|~54m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
136.2 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
4
171.4 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|US 278 / Cross Island Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 278 / Cross Island Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.63 one way
$55.26 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.21
$60.43
premium
$4.70
$32.70
$65.41
diesel
$5.61
$39.01
$78.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53
0
$18.55
$8.48
Efficient EV
44.2
0
$15.46
$7.07
EV Truck/SUV
70.7
0
$24.74
$11.31
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Andrews, SC
Late night
in Andrews on Sunday
Local time
12:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hilton Head Island, SC
Late night
in Hilton Head Island on Sunday
Local time
12:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
3h 29m 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.
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Reconstruction era,1861-1900 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economi...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 170.6
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 60.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive relies on major thoroughfares for 70% of the journey, making it a predictable and efficient route. Expect a significant portion of your time behind the wheel to be spent on I-95, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 89.8 miles. The character of the road shifts from regional highways like C E Murray Boulevard into the high-speed rhythm of the interstate before navigating toward the island. You will find that the lack of technical turns makes for a steady, consistent pace. By prioritizing highway travel, the route minimizes complex navigation, allowing you to focus on the transition from the interior landscape to the coastal environment.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and US Highway 521. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 40.7 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 176.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 40.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 46 miles: Navigation decision point; at 46.3 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 176.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.8 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hilton Head Island, SC before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 40.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 46 miles: Navigation decision point; at 46.3 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Hilton Head Island, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
