Traveling from Bluffton to Saint Andrews covers 149.7 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is well within the scope of a single day, you can easily complete it in one sitting without needing an overnight stay. Your path relies heavily on I-95 and I-26, making this a highly efficient trip for those prioritizing speed over backroads. Budgeting approximately $24 for fuel should comfortably cover your transit between these two South Carolina locations. Since both points sit within the Southeast region, you will experience consistent coastal and inland terrain throughout the drive.
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
74.9 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
I 26
61.8 mi
1h 6m
I 95
57.2 mi
1h 1m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.4 mi
12m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
Fording Island Road
5.6 mi
7m
Okatie Highway
3.9 mi
4m
Bluffton Road
1.7 mi
2m
Saint Andrews Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 61.8 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bluffton, SC and Saint Andrews, 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
9.4 mi·12 min·Coosaw Scenic Drive
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
13
Merge onto I 95; US 17
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 95; US 17
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 26 West: Columbia
15
Merge onto I 26
62 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 106BToward Saint Andrews Road EastUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto Saint Andrews Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint Andrews Road
18
Turn right onto US 176
0.1 mi·19 sec·Broad River Road
19
Turn left onto Whiteford Road
276 ft·12 sec·Whiteford Road
20
Arrive at destination
Whiteford Road
Trip Plan
Since the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though planning for one strategic stop will help break up the nearly three-hour duration. Keep an eye on traffic patterns along the I-95 and I-26 corridors, as these primary arteries can experience fluctuations during peak travel times. Your fuel budget of $24 is a solid estimate, but you may want to fill up before hitting the longer interstate sections to avoid higher highway-adjacent pricing. Make the most of the Coosaw Scenic Drive portion to add a bit of variety to your otherwise interstate-heavy itinerary. Because you only have one planned stop, use it wisely to stretch your legs before tackling the longest 61.8-mile stretch on I-26.
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 74.9 miles from Bluffton, SC, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.8 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 33 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.9 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Andrews, 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 149.7 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 I 26 for about 61.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 148.6 — 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
86.7 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
148.6 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward Saint Andrews Road East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 106B
Toward Saint Andrews Road East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.41 one way
$46.82 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$25.60
$51.19
premium
$4.70
$27.71
$55.41
diesel
$5.61
$33.05
$66.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.9
0
$15.72
$7.19
Efficient EV
37.4
0
$13.10
$5.99
EV Truck/SUV
59.9
0
$20.96
$9.58
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (65% 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
Bluffton, SC
Morning
in Bluffton on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Andrews, SC
Morning
in Saint Andrews on Tuesday
Local time
7:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°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 52m 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.
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 123.9
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 20.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused route, with 80% of your time spent navigating major thoroughfares. You will face a significant 61.8-mile stretch on I-26, which defines the bulk of the driving experience. While the transit includes a transition onto Coosaw Scenic Drive, the majority of the trip maintains a steady, interstate-paced rhythm. Expect a straightforward, utilitarian drive that favors direct connectivity over technical maneuvers. By keeping to these primary arteries, you ensure a predictable and consistent pace from the start in Bluffton to your final destination in Saint Andrews.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.8 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 46 / Bluffton Road.
Driving Effort5/10
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 149.7 miles you will encounter 13 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: 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.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 149.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.8 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 — Congaree National Park and 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 Saint Andrews, SC before heading back.
