Origin
Bluffton, SC
Late night in Bluffton on Tuesday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bluffton, SC to Aiken, SC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
122.5 mi
197 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 50m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bluffton, SC
Connor Scott McManus
Aiken, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bluffton to Aiken is 122.5 miles and takes about 3h 1m via Grays Highway and US 278, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. It's a straightforward, single-day drive that doesn't require overnight stays. You'll primarily be on surface roads, making it a less demanding option for a quick trip between these two points.
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
61.3 miles from Bluffton, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grays Highway | 17.2 mi | 25m |
| US 278 | 12.1 mi | 17m |
| Old Barnwell Road | 11.8 mi | 16m |
| Coosaw Scenic Drive | 9.7 mi | 13m |
| Kings Avenue | 8.2 mi | 12m |
| Lowcountry Drive | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| Barnwell Road | 6.9 mi | 10m |
| Augusta Highway | 6.6 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Grays Highway
— 17.2 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bluffton, SC and Aiken, SC.
1
Start on Bruin Road
87 ft
·
5 sec
·
Bruin Road
2
Turn right onto SC 46
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Bluffton Road
3
Enter roundabout onto SC 46
170 ft
·
3 sec
·
Bluffton Road
4
Continue on SC 46
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Bluffton Road
5
Turn left onto US 278
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Fording Island Road
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
7
Keep slight right at fork
147 ft
·
4 sec
8
Merge onto SC 170
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Okatie Highway
9
Take the exit
488 ft
·
13 sec
10
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Lowcountry Drive
11
Continue on SC 462
9.7 mi
·
13 min
·
Coosaw Scenic Drive
12
Turn right onto SC 462
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Frontage Road
13
Turn left onto SC 462
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Morgandollar Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto US 278; SC 462
17 mi
·
25 min
·
Grays Highway
15
Turn right
177 ft
·
11 sec
16
Turn left onto SC 68
469 ft
·
7 sec
·
Yemassee Highway
17
Continue on US 278
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Augusta Highway
18
Continue on US 278
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East Carolina Avenue
19
Continue on US 278
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Elm Street East
20
Continue on US 278
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Augusta Highway
21
Continue on US 278
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Railroad Avenue Southeast
22
Continue on US 278
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Augusta Highway
23
Continue on US 278
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Allendale-Hampton Highway
24
Continue on US 278
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Allendale-Fairfax Highway
25
Continue on US 278
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Railroad Avenue
26
Turn right onto US 278; US 301
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Main Street North
27
Turn left onto US 278
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Pine Street
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on US 278
6.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Barnwell Road
29
Continue on US 278
8.2 mi
·
12 min
·
Kings Avenue
30
Turn left onto US 278
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Jackson Street
31
Turn slight left onto US 278; SC 64
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Dunbarton Boulevard
32
Turn slight right onto US 278
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Ellenton Street
33
Turn left onto US 278
12 mi
·
17 min
·
US 278
34
Turn right onto SC 781
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Tinker Creek Road
35
Turn left onto S-55
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Kitchings Road
36
Turn left onto Old Barnwell Road
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Old Barnwell Road
37
At end of road, turn left onto US 78
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Charleston Highway
38
Continue on US 78
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Richland Avenue East
39
Turn left onto SC 19
235 ft
·
13 sec
·
Chesterfield Street South
40
Arrive at destination
SC 19
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, you can easily complete this drive in a single day, allowing for flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to take advantage of daylight. There's only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's a budget-friendly trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 17.2-mile stretch on Grays Highway, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably.
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 61.3 miles from Bluffton, SC, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.2 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 27 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.3 miles or 1h 29m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aiken, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bluffton, 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 Bluffton, SC
This is one driving day of about 122.5 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Bluffton, 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 17.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.3 miles from Bluffton, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 70.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SC 46 / Bluffton Road
Turn right onto SC 46 / Bluffton Road
Navigation decision point
4
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
SC 46 / Bluffton Road
Enter roundabout onto SC 46 / Bluffton Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
7.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
51 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
SC 68 / Yemassee Highway
Turn left onto SC 68 / Yemassee Highway
Navigation decision point
6
70.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
US 278 / Pine Street
Turn left onto US 278 / Pine Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.16 one way
$38.31 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $20.95 | $41.89 |
| premium | $4.70 | $22.67 | $45.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.05 | $54.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.86 | $5.88 |
| Efficient EV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.72 | $4.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49 | 0 | $17.15 | $7.84 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Aiken, SC
Late night in Aiken on Tuesday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
84°F
Allendale, SC
61 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
1 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 1m 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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 16.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route covers 122.5 miles, with only 10% on highways. You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, including Grays Highway and Old Barnwell Road. The longest continuous stretch without a significant turn or change in road type is 17.2 miles on Grays Highway. Expect a driving experience characterized by local roads rather than high-speed travel.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17.2 mi on Grays Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 46 / Bluffton Road.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 1m drive. You will face about 19 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 46 / Bluffton Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (SC 46 / Bluffton Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Starting in Bluffton, SC
Full guide →Bluffton is a fast-growing coastal city in the Low Country of South Carolina located 7 miles (12 km) west of the major southeastern United States resort town of Hilton Head Island.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 122.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (10%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 17.2 miles on Grays Highway. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 46 / Bluffton Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (SC 46 / Bluffton Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Aiken, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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