Origin
Cheraw, SC
Late night in Cheraw on Tuesday
Local time
4:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cheraw, SC to Hilton Head, 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
4h
Distance
208.7 mi
336 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 48m
★
6 AM
4h 1m
8 AM
4h 27m
10 AM
4h 10m
12 PM
4h 7m
3 PM
4h 11m
5 PM
4h 25m
8 PM
3h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cheraw, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Hilton Head, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cheraw, SC to Hilton Head, SC is 208.7 miles and takes about 4 hours via I 95 and North Governor Williams Highway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, making it a straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a total duration of around 4 hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination with ample time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
104.3 miles from Cheraw, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 135.5 mi | 2h 25m |
| North Governor Williams Highway | 19.8 mi | 22m |
| US 52 | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| Coosaw Scenic Drive | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| Fording Island Road | 9.3 mi | 12m |
| Lowcountry Drive | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| Okatie Highway | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| William Hilton Parkway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 135.5 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cheraw, SC and Hilton Head, SC.
1
Start on US 1; US 52; SC 9
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
2nd Street
2
Continue on US 1 Truck; US 52 Truck
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Cash Boulevard
3
Continue on US 1 Truck; US 52 Truck
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Cash Road
4
Turn left onto US 1; US 52
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 1; US 52
5
Turn straight onto US 52
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 52
6
Turn right onto US 15; US 401
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
7
Continue on US 52; US 401
20 mi
·
22 min
·
North Governor Williams Highway
8
Continue on US 52
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Lucas Street
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
10
Merge onto I 95
135 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
12
Turn left onto SC 462
9.6 mi
·
13 min
·
Coosaw Scenic Drive
13
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Lowcountry Drive
14
Turn right onto SC 170
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Okatie Highway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
16
Merge onto US 278
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
Fording Island Road
17
Continue on US 278
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
William Hilton Parkway
18
Arrive at destination
US 278
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, departing in the morning from Cheraw, SC, will allow you to arrive in Hilton Head, SC, well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short drive, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 135.5-mile stretch on I 95, as services can be spaced out. Consider filling up before you depart Cheraw or as you transition onto I 95 to ensure a smooth journey without unnecessary delays.
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 104.3 miles from Cheraw, SC, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.5 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 46 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.3 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hilton Head, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cheraw, 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 Cheraw, SC
This is one driving day of about 208.7 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Cheraw, 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 95 for about 135.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104.3 miles from Cheraw, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.5 miles.
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 75 decision points cluster between mile 14.8 and 191.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
14.8 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
US 15; US 401 / North Main Street
Turn right onto US 15; US 401 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
38.1 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
38.3 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
173.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
3
191.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
|
SC 170 / Okatie Highway
Turn right onto SC 170 / Okatie Highway
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.64 one way
$65.27 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $35.68 | $71.37 |
| premium | $4.70 | $38.63 | $77.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.08 | $92.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.91 | $10.02 |
| Efficient EV | 52.2 | 0 | $18.26 | $8.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.5 | 1 | $29.22 | $13.36 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Hilton Head, SC
Late night in Hilton Head on Tuesday
Local time
4:47 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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 72% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 135.5 miles on I 95, offering a consistent pace. The journey begins on North Governor Williams Highway before transitioning to US 52 and then I 95. While the majority of the trip is on faster roads, be prepared for the shifts in road type as you navigate between these highways. The overall feel is one of efficient travel, prioritizing reaching your destination.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.5 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and North Governor Williams Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 14.8 miles in near US 15; US 401 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 14.8 miles (US 15; US 401 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 38.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 38.3 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Cheraw, SC
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Cheraw Historic District — historic district in South Carolina, United States
- • St. David's Episcopal Church and Cemetery — church building in Cheraw, South Carolina, U.S.A.
Arriving in Hilton Head, SC
Full guide →Hilton Head Island is a city and barrier island in South Carolina, just across the border from Savannah, Georgia. With an approximate population of 40,000, it is on a beautiful, sub-tropical 12-mile (19-km) barrier island. Hilton Head Island is a vacation playland with famous beaches and great golf courses that overlook the Atlantic Ocean.
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 4h. Total distance: 208.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135.5 miles on I 95. 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: at 14.8 miles (US 15; US 401 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 38.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 38.3 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Hilton Head, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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