If you are looking to head south from Hanahan to Hilton Head, you are in for a manageable 101-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 12 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay to complete comfortably. You can expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a weekend getaway. The route keeps you entirely within the Southeast region of South Carolina, offering a consistent regional feel from start to finish. Since there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to drive straight through or build in your own breaks along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.5 miles from Hanahan, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Savannah Highway
20.1 mi
26m
Ace Basin Parkway
17.1 mi
22m
Okatie Highway
12.3 mi
14m
Trask Parkway
12 mi
14m
Fording Island Road
9.3 mi
12m
Mark Clark Expressway
5.6 mi
7m
Charleston Highway
5.6 mi
7m
Robert Smalls Parkway
3.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Savannah Highway
— 20.1 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hanahan, SC and Hilton Head, SC.
1
Start on S-10-405
0.4 mi·1 min·Murray Drive
2
Turn slight left onto US 52; US 78
1.8 mi·2 min·Rivers Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
4
Merge onto I 526
5.6 mi·7 min·Mark Clark Expressway
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 11BToward SC 461 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn straight onto SC 461
0.3 mi·31 sec·Paul Cantrell Boulevard
7
Continue on SC 461
2.1 mi·3 min·Glen McConnell Parkway
8
Continue on SC 461
0.3 mi·32 sec·Glenn McConnell Parkway
9
At end of road, turn left onto S-10-57
2.8 mi·4 min·Bees Ferry Road
10
Turn right onto US 17
20 mi·26 min·Savannah Highway
11
Continue on US 17
17 mi·22 min·Ace Basin Parkway
12
Continue on US 17
5.6 mi·7 min·Charleston Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
14
Enter roundabout onto Trask Parkway
207 ft·2 sec·Trask Parkway
15
Continue on Trask Parkway
12 mi·14 min·Trask Parkway
16
Turn right onto US 21
1.2 mi·1 min·Parris Island Gateway
17
Turn slight right onto SC 170
3.5 mi·3 min·Robert Smalls Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on SC 170
1.7 mi·1 min·Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
19
Continue on SC 170
12 mi·14 min·Okatie Highway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
21
Merge onto US 278
9.3 mi·12 min·Fording Island Road
22
Continue on US 278
3.4 mi·4 min·William Hilton Parkway
23
Arrive at destination
US 278
Trip Plan
To make the most of this drive, consider your departure time to avoid potential congestion on the main thoroughfares. Since the entire trip takes just over two hours, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your schedule, allowing you to leave whenever suits your plans best. While there are no mandated stops on this route, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, even with the modest $16 estimated cost. Because the route relies on a mix of roads like the Okatie Highway, stay alert for transitions between higher-speed sections and local stretches. Planning your departure to coincide with off-peak traffic will ensure a smoother transition from the Hanahan area toward the coast.
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 50.5 miles from Hanahan, SC, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.1 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 22 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.5 miles or 1h 9m 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 48m
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 Hanahan, 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 Hanahan, SC
This is one driving day of about 101 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Hanahan, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Savannah Highway for about 20.1 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 57.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in|I 526 / Mark Clark Expressway
Merge onto I 526 / Mark Clark Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining
7
8.2 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward SC 461 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 11B
Toward SC 461 North
3
11.4 mi into trip|~16m in|S-10-57 / Bees Ferry Road
At end of road, turn left onto S-10-57 / Bees Ferry Road
Navigation decision point
3
57.1 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
57.3 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|Trask Parkway
Enter roundabout onto Trask Parkway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.79 one way
$31.59 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$17.27
$34.54
premium
$4.70
$18.69
$37.39
diesel
$5.61
$22.30
$44.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.3
0
$10.60
$4.85
Efficient EV
25.3
0
$8.84
$4.04
EV Truck/SUV
40.4
0
$14.14
$6.46
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Hanahan, SC
Morning
in Hanahan on Tuesday
Local time
6:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hilton Head, SC
Morning
in Hilton Head on Tuesday
Local time
6:49 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 12m 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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 69.7
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 101-mile drive offers a mixed-road experience rather than a singular highway grind. You will spend about 44% of your time on highways, transitioning between the Savannah Highway, the Ace Basin Parkway, and the Okatie Highway. While the route feels varied, the longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 20.1 miles on the Savannah Highway. Expect the road's personality to shift as you move through these different sections, keeping the drive engaging without being overly technical. It is a straightforward trek that balances highway speed with the pace of local roads.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 20.1 mi on Savannah Highway.
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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near I 526 / Mark Clark Expressway.
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 101 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 2.5 miles (I 526 / Mark Clark Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles (S-10-57 / Bees Ferry Road): Navigation decision point.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 101 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (44%). 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 20.1 miles on Savannah Highway. 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 Hilton Head, 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: at 2.5 miles (I 526 / Mark Clark Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles (S-10-57 / Bees Ferry Road): Navigation decision point.
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 Hilton Head, SC before heading back.
