Traveling from Blacksburg to Hilton Head Island covers 261.5 miles across the state of South Carolina. You should budget approximately 5 hours and 7 minutes of drive time for this trip, which is manageable as a single-day journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $42, it is a straightforward trek that primarily utilizes I-77, I-26, and I-95. Since both the origin and destination are within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. Whether you are heading to the coast for a quick getaway or a longer vacation, this itinerary is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
130.7 miles from Blacksburg, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
56.6 mi
1h
I 77
53.5 mi
57m
I 26
51.9 mi
55m
William Earle Berne Beltway
12.3 mi
14m
Black Highway
9.6 mi
11m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.6 mi
13m
Fording Island Road
9.3 mi
12m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 56.6 mi, about 1h
Traffic on I-77
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,467 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,977
Quietest
1 AM
~242 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blacksburg, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.
1
Start on US 29
0.8 mi·1 min·West Cherokee Street
2
Turn right onto SC 5
1.6 mi·1 min·York Road
3
Continue on SC 5
0.7 mi·49 sec·York Highway
4
Continue on SC 5
3.3 mi·3 min·York Road
5
Continue on SC 5
1.7 mi·1 min·Kings Creek Drive
6
Continue on SC 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Black Highway
7
Turn left onto SC 5
5.3 mi·6 min·Alexander Love Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on SC 5
6.5 mi·7 min·York Highway
9
Continue on SC 5
2.3 mi·3 min·West Main Street
10
Turn right onto SC 901; SC 5
3.2 mi·5 min·Heckle Boulevard
11
Turn right onto SC 72; SC 901
0.3 mi·40 sec·Saluda Street
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on SC 901
3.1 mi·4 min·Mount Holly Road
Use the left lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
14
Merge onto I 77
29 mi·31 min·I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 77
24 mi·26 min·I 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
3.3 mi·4 min·Charles F Bolden Freeway
Toward I 77: CharlestonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 77
12 mi·14 min·William Earle Berne Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 77
2.8 mi·3 min·Veterans Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
20
Merge onto I 26
52 mi·55 min·I 26
Use the right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 169AToward I 95 South: Savannah
22
Merge onto I 95
57 mi·1 hr·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
24
Turn left onto SC 462
9.6 mi·13 min·Coosaw Scenic Drive
25
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi·10 min·Lowcountry Drive
26
Turn right onto SC 170
4.2 mi·4 min·Okatie Highway
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
28
Merge onto US 278
9.3 mi·12 min·Fording Island Road
29
Continue on US 278
3.8 mi·4 min·William Hilton Parkway
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 278
2.4 mi·2 min·Cross Island Parkway
31
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
32
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.3 mi·5 min·Marshland Road
33
Turn right onto Allen Road
0.2 mi·38 sec·Allen Road
34
Arrive at destination
Allen Road
Trip Plan
To keep your trip efficient, plan for one intentional stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the 5-hour drive. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid potential congestion on the interstate corridors. Since the total fuel cost is approximately $42, consider fueling up before you merge onto the main highway stretches to avoid premium pump prices at busy interstate stops. Given the highway-heavy nature of the route, stay alert during the 56.6-mile stretch on I-95 where the road environment remains consistent for long periods. Flexibility is on your side, so monitor traffic reports for I-26 and I-77 before you depart to ensure a smooth transition between these primary arteries.
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 130.7 miles from Blacksburg, SC, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 58 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.7 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 2m
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 Blacksburg, 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 Blacksburg, SC
This is one driving day of about 261.5 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Blacksburg, 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 56.6 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.8 and 110.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17.8 mi into trip|~21m in|SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway
Turn left onto SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
35.2 mi into trip|~44m in|SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street
Turn right onto SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
38.9 mi into trip|~50m in|I 77
Merge onto I 77
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
92.4 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77 / Charles F Bolden Freeway toward I 77: Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 77: Charleston
5
110.8 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 26 East: Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.61 one way
$77.21 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$42.43
$84.85
premium
$4.49
$46.25
$92.49
diesel
$4.80
$49.38
$98.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
34 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Rock Hill, SC Rechargery Relay - Cherry Rd
Rock Hill, SC
IONNA
16 DCFC
Orangeburg, SC - Citadel Road - Tesla Supercharger
Orangeburg, SC
Tesla
16 DCFC
Ridgeland, SC - East Main Street - Tesla Supercharger
Ridgeland, SC
Tesla
16 DCFC
Columbia, SC - Town Center Place - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.5
0
$27.46
$12.55
Efficient EV
65.4
0
$22.88
$10.46
EV Truck/SUV
104.6
1
$36.61
$16.74
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Blacksburg, SC
Morning
in Blacksburg on Saturday
Local time
6:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:19AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Hilton Head Island, SC
Morning
in Hilton Head Island on Saturday
Local time
6:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:41AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:19AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
91°F
Rock Hill, SC
131 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 7m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Congaree National Park
National Park
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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 126.2
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 252.4
A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic mili...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 67% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major interstates. The route offers a steady, high-speed pace that allows for consistent progress toward the coast. You will encounter varying traffic patterns as you transition between the three major highways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch lasting 56.6 miles on I-95. Because the road is designed for transit, you will find it to be a functional, utilitarian drive that prioritizes speed over winding secondary roads.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.6 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.8 miles in near SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 261.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 17.8 miles (SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.2 miles (SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.9 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
763 ft10 ft
Total Climb
109 ft
Total Descent
859 ft
Highest Point
763 ft
~18.7 mi in
Elevation Range
753 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Hilton Head Island is a city and barrier island in South Carolina, just across the border from Savannah, Georgia. With an approximate population of 40,000, it is on a beautiful, sub-tropical 12-mile (19-km) barrier island. Hilton Head Island is a vacation playland with famous beaches and great golf courses that overlook the Atlantic Ocean.
Top landmarks
•Cherry Hill School — historic school for African-American students located at Hilton Head Island, Bea...
•St. Luke's Parish Zion Chapel of Ease Cemetery — historic site in Beaufort County, South Carolina, US
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 261.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.6 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.8 miles (SC 5 / Alexander Love Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.2 miles (SC 72; SC 901 / Saluda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.9 miles (I 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park, Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Cowpens National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hilton Head Island, SC before the return drive.
