This 149.7-mile drive from Edgefield, SC to Hilton Head, SC is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 3 hours and 38 minutes. You'll primarily navigate local roads like Grays Highway, Williston Road, and Old Barnwell Road, with only about 8% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is $24. Given its relatively short duration and local road focus, this route is well-suited for a single day's adventure through the Southeast region.
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 Edgefield, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Grays Highway
17.3 mi
25m
Williston Road
12.1 mi
17m
Old Barnwell Road
11.8 mi
16m
Edgefield Highway
10.1 mi
15m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.7 mi
13m
Fording Island Road
9.3 mi
12m
Marlboro Avenue
8.1 mi
12m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Grays Highway
— 17.3 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Edgefield, SC and Hilton Head, SC.
1
Start on US 25; SC 23
1.3 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Continue on US 25
5.8 mi·7 min·Augusta Road
3
Continue on SC 19
3.2 mi·4 min·Highway 19
4
Continue on SC 19
10 mi·15 min·Edgefield Highway
5
Continue on SC 19
0.2 mi·25 sec·Laurens Street Northwest
6
Turn left onto SC 118; US 1 Truck; US 78 Truck
1.0 mi·1 min·Rutland Drive
7
Continue on SC 118; US 78 Truck
2.7 mi·4 min·Rudy Mason Parkway
8
Continue on SC 118; US 78 Truck; SC 302
0.1 mi·11 sec·Pine Log Road
9
Turn left onto US 78
2.8 mi·4 min·Charleston Highway
10
Turn right onto Old Barnwell Road
12 mi·16 min·Old Barnwell Road
11
Turn right onto S-55
0.3 mi·1 min·Kitchings Road
12
Turn right onto SC 781
2.8 mi·3 min·Tinker Creek Road
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 278
12 mi·17 min·Williston Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto US 278; SC 37
2.2 mi·4 min·US 278; SC 37
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 278; SC 64
0.3 mi·25 sec·Dunbarton Boulevard
16
Turn slight right onto US 278; SC 64
1.6 mi·2 min·Jackson Street
17
Turn straight onto US 278; SC 3
8.1 mi·12 min·Marlboro Avenue
18
Continue on US 278
6.9 mi·10 min·Barnwell Road
19
Continue on US 278
0.2 mi·18 sec·Pine Street
20
Turn right onto US 278; US 301
0.3 mi·30 sec·Main Street North
21
Turn left onto US 278
1.0 mi·1 min·East Railroad Avenue
22
Continue on US 278
4.5 mi·6 min·Allendale-Fairfax Highway
23
Continue on US 278
1.1 mi·1 min·Allendale-Hampton Highway
24
Continue on US 278
1.8 mi·2 min·Augusta Highway
25
Continue on US 278
1.4 mi·2 min·Railroad Avenue Southwest
26
Continue on US 278
3.7 mi·5 min·Augusta Highway
27
Continue on US 278
2.7 mi·4 min·Elm Street West
28
Continue on US 278
2.1 mi·3 min·West Carolina Avenue
29
Continue on US 278
1.1 mi·1 min·Augusta Highway
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 278
17 mi·25 min·Grays Highway
31
Turn left onto SC 462
4.0 mi·7 min·Morgandollar Road
32
Turn right onto SC 462
0.6 mi·1 min·West Frontage Road
33
Turn left onto SC 462
9.7 mi·13 min·Coosaw Scenic Drive
34
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi·10 min·Lowcountry Drive
35
Turn right onto SC 170
4.2 mi·4 min·Okatie Highway
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
37
Merge onto US 278
9.3 mi·12 min·Fording Island Road
38
Continue on US 278
3.4 mi·4 min·William Hilton Parkway
39
Arrive at destination
US 278
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3-hour and 38-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Edgefield to avoid any potential local traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $24, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longer 17.3-mile stretch on Grays Highway, as services might be less frequent. This route's local nature means you'll likely encounter varied speed limits, so staying attentive is key.
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 74.9 miles from Edgefield, SC, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.3 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 33 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.9 miles or 1h 49m 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 1m
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 Edgefield, 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 Edgefield, SC
This is one driving day of about 149.7 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Edgefield, 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 17.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.6 and 56.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
20.6 mi into trip|~29m in|SC 118; US 1 Truck; US 78 Truck / Rutland Drive
Turn left onto SC 118; US 1 Truck; US 78 Truck / Rutland Drive
Navigation decision point
4
39.1 mi into trip|~55m in|S-55 / Kitchings Road
Turn right onto S-55 / Kitchings Road
Navigation decision point
5
42.1 mi into trip|~1h in|US 278 / Williston Road
At end of road, turn left onto US 278 / Williston Road
Navigation decision point
5
54.2 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|US 278; SC 37
At end of road, turn right onto US 278; SC 37
Navigation decision point
4
56.5 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|US 278; SC 64 / Dunbarton Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto US 278; SC 64 / Dunbarton Boulevard
Navigation decision point
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 15, 2026
Origin
Edgefield, SC
Late night
in Edgefield on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hilton Head, SC
Late night
in Hilton Head on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Boiling Springs, SC
75 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
33 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
3h 38m 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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 149.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the majority of this 149.7-mile journey. With only an 8% highway share, you'll spend most of your time on roads like Grays Highway, Williston Road, and Old Barnwell Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 17.3 miles along Grays Highway. This route is characterized by frequent changes in direction rather than long, monotonous stretches, offering a more varied driving experience.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17.3 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 around 20.6 miles in near SC 118; US 1 Truck; US 78 Truck / Rutland Drive.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 38m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20.6 miles (SC 118; US 1 Truck; US 78 Truck / Rutland Drive): Navigation decision point; at 39.1 miles (S-55 / Kitchings Road): Navigation decision point; at 42.1 miles (US 278 / Williston Road): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 149.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 17.3 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: at 20.6 miles (SC 118; US 1 Truck; US 78 Truck / Rutland Drive): Navigation decision point; at 39.1 miles (S-55 / Kitchings Road): Navigation decision point; at 42.1 miles (US 278 / Williston Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Hilton Head, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
