Traveling from Blackville to Hilton Head Island covers 111.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 39 minutes. Because this journey is well within the range of a single day, you can easily complete it in one trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Grays Highway, Carolina Highway, and Coosaw Scenic Drive as you transition through the Southeast region. Expect to budget approximately $18 for fuel to make the trek. This route is a straightforward local drive that prioritizes backroads over major interstates, making it a manageable option for anyone looking to reach the coast efficiently.
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
55.7 miles from Blackville, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Grays Highway
17.3 mi
25m
Carolina Highway
15.1 mi
17m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.7 mi
13m
Fording Island Road
9.3 mi
12m
Bufords Bridge Highway
9 mi
13m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
Augusta Highway
6.6 mi
9m
Heritage Highway
4.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Grays Highway
— 17.3 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blackville, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.
1
Start on SC 3
0.3 mi·41 sec·Solomon Blatt Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 78
1.9 mi·2 min·Dexter Street
3
Continue on US 78
1.6 mi·2 min·Highway 78
4
Continue on US 78
4.6 mi·6 min·Heritage Highway
5
Turn right onto US 321; SC 70
15 mi·17 min·Carolina Highway
6
Merge onto US 301; US 321
1.9 mi·2 min·Main Highway
7
Continue on US 321
9.0 mi·13 min·Bufords Bridge Highway
8
Continue on US 321
1.0 mi·1 min·Hampton Avenue
9
Turn left onto US 278
1.1 mi·1 min·Allendale-Hampton Highway
10
Continue on US 278
1.8 mi·2 min·Augusta Highway
11
Continue on US 278
1.4 mi·2 min·Railroad Avenue Southwest
12
Continue on US 278
3.7 mi·5 min·Augusta Highway
13
Continue on US 278
2.7 mi·4 min·Elm Street West
14
Continue on US 278
2.1 mi·3 min·West Carolina Avenue
15
Continue on US 278
1.1 mi·1 min·Augusta Highway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278
17 mi·25 min·Grays Highway
17
Turn left onto SC 462
4.0 mi·7 min·Morgandollar Road
18
Turn right onto SC 462
0.6 mi·1 min·West Frontage Road
19
Turn left onto SC 462
9.7 mi·13 min·Coosaw Scenic Drive
20
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi·10 min·Lowcountry Drive
21
Turn right onto SC 170
4.2 mi·4 min·Okatie Highway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
23
Merge onto US 278
9.3 mi·12 min·Fording Island Road
24
Continue on US 278
3.8 mi·4 min·William Hilton Parkway
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 278
2.4 mi·2 min·Cross Island Parkway
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
27
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.3 mi·5 min·Marshland Road
28
Turn right onto Allen Road
0.2 mi·38 sec·Allen Road
29
Arrive at destination
Allen Road
Trip Plan
Since the trip duration is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your preferred arrival. We recommend building in at least one stop to break up the drive, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early in the trip, as the $18 estimated cost is based on steady driving conditions. Because you are primarily utilizing local routes like Coosaw Scenic Drive, stay alert for changes in speed limits and road conditions that occur more frequently than on standard interstates. Taking this approach ensures you arrive at Hilton Head Island refreshed and ready to enjoy your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 55.7 miles from Blackville, SC, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.3 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 24 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.7 miles or 1h 17m 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 9m
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 Blackville, 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 Blackville, SC
This is one driving day of about 111.3 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Blackville, 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 Grays Highway for about 17.3 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 106.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|US 78 / Dexter Street
Turn left onto US 78 / Dexter Street
Navigation decision point
4
8.4 mi into trip|~12m in|US 321; SC 70 / Carolina Highway
Turn right onto US 321; SC 70 / Carolina Highway
Navigation decision point
4
49.2 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|US 278 / Grays Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278 / Grays Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
70.4 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|SC 462 / West Frontage Road
Turn right onto SC 462 / West Frontage Road
Navigation decision point
4
106.1 mi into trip|~2h 29m 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
$17.40 one way
$34.81 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.03
$38.06
premium
$4.70
$20.60
$41.20
diesel
$5.61
$24.57
$49.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.4
0
$11.69
$5.34
Efficient EV
27.8
0
$9.74
$4.45
EV Truck/SUV
44.5
0
$15.58
$7.12
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Blackville, SC
Morning
in Blackville on Tuesday
Local time
8:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hilton Head Island, SC
Morning
in Hilton Head Island on Tuesday
Local time
8:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°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
2 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
2h 39m 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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 103.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as only 7% of this route consists of highway travel. The road requires your full attention as you navigate through the heart of the region. You will find your longest uninterrupted stretch on Grays Highway, which spans 17.3 miles before the road profile shifts again. Because you are avoiding major highways for the vast majority of the 111.3-mile trip, the pace remains steady and demands a more engaged driving style. It is a practical alternative for those who prefer local roads over the high-speed, repetitive nature of typical highway travel.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17.3 mi on Grays Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 78 / Dexter Street.
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 111.3 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.3 miles (US 78 / Dexter Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.4 miles (US 321; SC 70 / Carolina Highway): Navigation decision point; at 49.2 miles (US 278 / Grays Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 111.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 17.3 miles on Grays Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.3 miles (US 78 / Dexter Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.4 miles (US 321; SC 70 / Carolina Highway): Navigation decision point; at 49.2 miles (US 278 / Grays Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hilton Head Island, SC before heading back.
