Traveling from Bluffton to Summerville covers approximately 89.9 miles through the heart of Southeast South Carolina. You can expect a total drive time of about 2 hours and 3 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With fuel costs estimated at around $14, it is a budget-friendly journey for a quick change of scenery. The route relies on a combination of US 17 Alt, I-95, and the Coosaw Scenic Drive, offering a varied experience. Whether you are heading out for business or leisure, this straightforward path provides a reliable link between the two areas.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45 miles from Bluffton, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17 Alt
26.2 mi
38m
I 95
24.7 mi
26m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.4 mi
12m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
Fording Island Road
5.6 mi
7m
South Main Street
4.2 mi
7m
Okatie Highway
3.9 mi
4m
Sniders Highway
3.2 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 17 Alt
— 26.2 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bluffton, SC and Summerville, 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
25 mi·26 min·I 95; US 17
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward SC 63: Walterboro
15
Turn straight onto SC 63
3.2 mi·6 min·Sniders Highway
16
Turn right onto SC 63
1.2 mi·2 min·Hampton Street
17
Turn left onto SC 64
0.8 mi·1 min·Robertson Boulevard
18
Turn right onto US 17 Alt
26 mi·38 min·US 17 Alt
19
Turn left onto US 17 Alt
3.0 mi·4 min·South Main Street
20
Continue on US 17 Alternate
1.2 mi·3 min·South Main Street
21
Turn right
163 ft·11 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid potential traffic congestion. Since the entire trip is under 90 miles, you likely will not need to plan for major rest stops, though it is always wise to check your fuel levels before merging onto I-95. Keep in mind that the transition between highway and scenic segments can be sudden, so stay alert as you navigate the different road types. If you are sensitive to road changes, use the 26.2-mile stretch on US 17 Alt as a mental benchmark for your progress. Maintaining a steady pace will help you stay within your $14 fuel budget while ensuring a smooth arrival in Summerville.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45 miles from Bluffton, SC, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.2 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 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Summerville, 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 89.9 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Bluffton, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 17 Alt for about 26.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 53.9 — 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
4
28.9 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
4
53.9 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward SC 63: Walterboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward SC 63: Walterboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.06 one way
$28.12 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$15.37
$30.74
premium
$4.70
$16.64
$33.28
diesel
$5.61
$19.85
$39.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27
0
$9.44
$4.32
Efficient EV
22.5
0
$7.87
$3.60
EV Truck/SUV
36
0
$12.59
$5.75
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Late night
in Bluffton on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Summerville, SC
Late night
in Summerville on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°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
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
2h 3m 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 3.1
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$10
near mile 89.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile, balancing fast-paced highway travel with more localized road conditions. Approximately 57% of your journey will be spent on highways, providing a steady rhythm before you transition to other segments. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along US 17 Alt, which spans 26.2 miles of the total distance. Expect the feel of the road to shift as you move from the interstate onto the Coosaw Scenic Drive, requiring you to adjust your pace accordingly. It is a practical route that keeps you moving while offering enough variety to prevent the monotony often associated with longer interstate hauls.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.2 mi on US 17 Alt.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 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 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 89.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 3m. Total distance: 89.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.2 miles on US 17 Alt. 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 Summerville, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 and Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie 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 Summerville, SC before heading back.
