Traveling from Burnettown to Hilton Head Island covers 158 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays within the Southeast region of South Carolina, you can easily manage the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $25 for fuel, which makes this an accessible trek for a quick getaway. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including the Savannah Highway, GA 23, and Mike Padgett Highway. While the drive is straightforward, it is best viewed as a practical connection between the inland areas and the coast rather than a high-speed interstate sprint.
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
79 miles from Burnettown, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Savannah Highway
38.3 mi
44m
GA 23
19.5 mi
26m
Mike Padgett Highway
13.7 mi
19m
I 95
11.4 mi
12m
Fording Island Road
10.9 mi
14m
North Columbia Avenue
8.7 mi
10m
Millhaven Road
7.5 mi
10m
Bobby Jones Expressway
6.1 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Savannah Highway
— 38.3 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burnettown, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.
1
Start on SC 421
1.2 mi·2 min·Augusta Road
2
Turn right onto Anthony Drive
0.4 mi·57 sec·Anthony Drive
3
Turn left onto US 1; US 78
4.3 mi·6 min·Jefferson Davis Highway
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
5
Merge onto I 520
1.8 mi·2 min·Palmetto Parkway
6
Continue on I 520
6.1 mi·7 min·Bobby Jones Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward GA 56
8
Turn left onto GA 56
14 mi·19 min·Mike Padgett Highway
9
Turn left onto GA 23
19 mi·26 min·GA 23
10
Turn straight onto Millhaven Road
5.6 mi·7 min·Millhaven Road
11
Continue on Girard Millhaven Road
3.4 mi·4 min·Girard Millhaven Road
12
Continue on Milhaven Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Milhaven Road
13
Continue on Millhaven Road
1.9 mi·2 min·Millhaven Road
14
At end of road, turn left onto GA 24
5.2 mi·7 min·Waynesboro Highway
15
Take the ramp onto GA 24
0.3 mi·39 sec·GA 24
16
Merge onto US 301; GA 24; GA 73
4.4 mi·5 min·Burton's Ferry Highway
17
Turn left onto US 301 Business; GA 73
2.6 mi·3 min·US 301 Business; GA 73
18
At end of road, turn left onto GA 21; I 3 FUT
0.3 mi·26 sec·Perimeter Road
19
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
38 mi·44 min·Savannah Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
0.1 mi·7 sec·Augusta Highway
21
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
8.7 mi·10 min·North Columbia Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
202 ft·8 sec
Toward I 95 North: FlorenceUse the left lane.
23
Turn left
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 95 North: FlorenceUse the left lane.
24
Merge onto I 95
11 mi·12 min·I 95
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 278: Beaufort, Hilton Head Island
26
Keep slight right at fork
408 ft·11 sec
Toward US 278 East: Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Sun City, Parris Island, Pinckney National Wildlife Refuge, Sergeant Jasper Park, University of South Carolina Beaufort - Hilton Head Island Campus, Technical College of the Lowcountry - New River Campus
27
Merge onto US 278
6.0 mi·6 min·Independence Boulevard
28
Continue on US 278
11 mi·14 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
Since this is a 3-hour and 26-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your arrival goals on Hilton Head Island. You only need to account for one planned stop to keep your trip efficient and comfortable. Given the specific road mix, keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between GA 23 and the other main highways to avoid missing turns. If you are looking to maximize your time on the coast, consider leaving Burnettown early in the morning to beat potential traffic. Budgeting your $25 for fuel before you head out will ensure you have one less thing to worry about once you reach the island.
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 79 miles from Burnettown, SC, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.3 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 35 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79 miles or 1h 48m 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 46m
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 Burnettown, 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 Burnettown, SC
This is one driving day of about 158 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Burnettown, 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 Savannah Highway for about 38.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.1 and 131.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
14.1 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward GA 56
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward GA 56
6
119.7 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 North: Florence
6
119.8 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Turn left toward I 95 North: Florence
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 North: Florence
5
131.6 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 278: Beaufort, Hilton Head Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 278: Beaufort, Hilton Head Island
7
131.9 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 278 East: Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Sun City, Parris Island, Pinckney National Wildlife Refuge, Sergeant Jasper Park, University of South Carolina Beaufort - Hilton Head Island Campus, Technical College of the Lowcountry - New River Campus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 278 East: Beaufort, Hilton Head Islan...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.71 one way
$49.42 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.02
$54.03
premium
$4.70
$29.24
$58.48
diesel
$5.61
$34.88
$69.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.4
0
$16.59
$7.58
Efficient EV
39.5
0
$13.83
$6.32
EV Truck/SUV
63.2
0
$22.12
$10.11
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 18, 2026
Origin
Burnettown, SC
Morning
in Burnettown on Sunday
Local time
6:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hilton Head Island, SC
Morning
in Hilton Head Island on Sunday
Local time
6:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Sylvania, GA
79 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
8 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 26m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 158-mile route offers a mixed driving profile, requiring you to balance steady highway cruising with local road navigation. Only 30% of your travel time will be spent on highways, meaning you should prepare for a more varied pace throughout the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 38.3-mile segment along the Savannah Highway, providing the most consistent driving conditions of the trip. As you transition between the Savannah Highway, GA 23, and Mike Padgett Highway, the character of the road shifts, demanding your attention as you move from faster segments into more localized traffic patterns.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.3 mi on Savannah Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 158 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 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 119.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Burnettown, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC, road signs point toward Bluffton, Sun City, Parris Island, Pinckney National Wildlife Refuge, Sergeant Jasper Park and University Of South Carolina Beaufort - Hilton Head Island Campus - among others.
Bluffton
131.9 mi in|~2h 49m
Sun City
131.9 mi in|~2h 49m
Parris Island
131.9 mi in|~2h 49m
Pinckney National Wildlife Refuge
131.9 mi in|~2h 49m
Sergeant Jasper Park
131.9 mi in|~2h 49m
University Of South Carolina Beaufort - Hilton Head Island Campus
131.9 mi in|~2h 49m
Technical College Of The Lowcountry - New River Campus
131.9 mi in|~2h 49m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 158 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.3 miles on Savannah 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.
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 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 119.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Hilton Head Island, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
