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Trip from Hilton Head Island, SC to Chapin, SC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 29m

Distance

177 mi

285 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 17m ★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 53m
8 PM
3h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Hilton Head Island, SC, SC

Hilton Head Island, SC

Wikimedia Commons

town in Lexington County, South Carolina, USA

Chapin, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 177-mile journey from Hilton Head Island, SC, to Chapin, SC, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 29 minutes. Expect a fuel cost of around $28 for this trip. The route primarily utilizes local roads, with no highway driving included. Given its relatively short duration and turn-heavy nature, it's best tackled as a direct drive rather than splitting it into an overnight stay. This drive offers a straightforward connection within the Southeast region, moving you from the coast inland.

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

88.5 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Marshland Road — —
Cross Island Parkway — —
William Hilton Parkway — —
Fording Island Road — —
Okatie Highway — —
Lowcountry Drive — —
Coosaw Scenic Drive — —
I 95 North — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Marshland Road — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head Island, SC and Chapin, SC.

1

Start on Allen Road

0.2 mi · 42 sec · Allen Road
2

Turn left onto Marshland Road

2.2 mi · 5 min · Marshland Road
3

Take the ramp right

0.4 mi · 53 sec
4

Merge slight left onto Cross Island Parkway

2.3 mi · 2 min · Cross Island Parkway
5

Merge slight left onto William Hilton Parkway

3.9 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway
6

Continue on Fording Island Road

9.0 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road
7

Take the exit slight right

0.3 mi · 40 sec
8

Keep slight right

148 ft · 4 sec
9

Merge slight left onto Okatie Highway

3.9 mi · 4 min · Okatie Highway
10

Take the exit slight left

489 ft · 14 sec
11

Continue on Lowcountry Drive

7.9 mi · 10 min · Lowcountry Drive
12

Continue on Coosaw Scenic Drive

9.4 mi · 12 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive
13

Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence

0.3 mi · 35 sec · I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
14

Merge slight left

57 mi · 1 hr 1 min
15

Take the exit slight right toward I 26 West: Columbia

0.4 mi · 1 min · I 26 West: Columbia
16

Merge slight left

77 mi · 1 hr 25 min
17

Take the exit slight right

0.2 mi · 26 sec
18

Turn straight onto Columbia Avenue

1.8 mi · 4 min · Columbia Avenue
19

Turn left onto Lexington Avenue

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Lexington Avenue
20

Turn left onto Chapin Road

33 ft · 1 sec · Chapin Road
21

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 29-minute drive, consider departing in the morning to maximize your daylight hours. Since it's a single-day trip covering 177 miles with a $28 estimated fuel cost, you won't need extensive breaks, but planning for at least one stop will help break up the drive. The turn-heavy nature means staying attentive to your navigation is key. A good tip for this route is to ensure your GPS is fully charged or you have a reliable way to track directions, as you'll be making frequent adjustments.

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 88.5 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 1h 44m into the drive.

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 39 miles or 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 88.5 miles or 1h 44m 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 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chapin, SC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Hilton Head Island, 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 Hilton Head Island, SC

This is one driving day of about 177 miles and 3h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Hilton Head Island, 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.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in South Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Walterboro, SC

89 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

Bluffton, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Walterboro, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88.5 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Frankie's of Columbia

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Columbia, South Carolina

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 164.3

Hours: 12–10 pm

+18037812342

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Corner Perk Hilton Head

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18433045363

Visit website

Frankie's of Columbia

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 164.3

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 12–10 pm

+18037812342

Visit website

Corner Perk Hilton Head

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18433045363

Visit website

Piecewise Coffee Co. - Cayce

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 151.7

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18037641044

Visit website

Possum's Coffee Shack

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 177

Little Mountain, South Carolina

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+18038164196

Visit website

Island Skiff Adventure Tours

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18438165976

Visit website

Oscar Frazier Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 12.6

Bluffton, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18437064583

Visit website

King Neptune Sundial

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Granby Gardens Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 151.7

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

The Final Door Escape Room Columbia

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 151.7

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+18036022433

Visit website

Hilton Head Distillery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hours: 12–7 pm

+18436864443

Visit website

Coligny Beach Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18433424580

Visit website

Leo’s Landing

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 164.3

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.68 one way

$55.36 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $30.26 $60.53
premium $4.70 $32.76 $65.52
diesel $5.61 $39.08 $78.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.1 0 $18.59 $8.50
Efficient EV 44.3 0 $15.49 $7.08
EV Truck/SUV 70.8 0 $24.78 $11.33

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 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 18, 2026

Origin

Hilton Head Island, SC

Late night in Hilton Head Island on Sunday

Local time

12:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chapin, SC

Late night in Chapin on Sunday

Local time

12:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°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

32 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 29m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive on this route. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating a series of local roads for the entire 177 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't a significant factor here, as the profile suggests frequent turns and changes in direction. This isn't a high-speed interstate cruise; instead, anticipate a more engaged driving experience as you transition through various local thoroughfares.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: Marshland Road.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Hilton Head Island, SC to Chapin, SC is easy. At 3h 29m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hilton Head Island, SC to Chapin, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 177 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Hilton Head Island, SC to Chapin, SC is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Chapin, 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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