Origin
Hilton Head Island, SC
Night in Hilton Head Island on Saturday
Local time
9:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hilton Head Island, SC to Farmers Branch, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
19h 25m
Distance
1029.3 mi
1,656 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
3-day trip
Fuel Cost
$161
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
19h 8m
★
6 AM
19h 26m
8 AM
20h 1m
10 AM
19h 38m
12 PM
19h 35m
3 PM
19h 40m
5 PM
19h 59m
8 PM
19h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hilton Head Island, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Farmers Branch, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on this 1,029.3-mile journey from Hilton Head Island, SC, to Farmers Branch, TX, will take approximately 19 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. Given its length, this is best approached as a 3-day trip, rather than attempting it as a single day trip. You'll be traversing from the Southeast region into the Great Plains, a significant shift in landscape and feel. The estimated fuel cost for this extensive drive is around $165. With 5 planned stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the journey. This route is primarily composed of local roads, offering a more intimate travel experience rather than a continuous interstate cruise.
Trip Pace
Best split across 3 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
5 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
514.6 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 481.4 mi | 8h 38m |
| Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway | 128.5 mi | 2h 17m |
| US 80 | 79.8 mi | 1h 35m |
| GA 96 | 71.1 mi | 1h 32m |
| United States Highway 80 | 54.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 85 | 43.7 mi | 48m |
| US 280 | 40.6 mi | 46m |
| Highland Avenue | 29.1 mi | 36m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 481.4 mi, about 8h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head Island, SC and Farmers Branch, TX.
1
Start on Allen Road
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Allen Road
2
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Marshland Road
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
4
Merge onto US 278
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
5
Merge onto US 278
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
William Hilton Parkway
6
Continue on US 278
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Fording Island Road
7
Continue on US 278
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Independence Boulevard
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
9
Merge onto I 95
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 99
Toward I 16 West: Macon, Savannah
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 99
Toward I 16 West: Macon, Savannah
12
Merge onto I 16
129 mi
·
2 hr 17 min
·
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward GA 358: Allentown, Danville
14
Keep slight left at fork
97 ft
·
5 sec
Toward GA 358: Allentown, Danville
15
Turn left onto GA 358
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
GA 358
16
At end of road, turn left onto GA 96
32 mi
·
44 min
·
GA 96
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto GA 96
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
GA 96
Use the right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 341; GA 7; GA 96
120 ft
·
3 sec
·
Oakland Heights Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto GA 96
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Vineville Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on GA 96
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Orange Street
21
At end of road, turn left onto GA 96; GA 540
39 mi
·
46 min
·
GA 96; GA 540
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 80; GA 22; GA 41; GA 540
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 80; GA 22; GA 41; GA 540
23
Continue on US 80; GA 22; GA 540
17 mi
·
20 min
·
US 80; GA 22; GA 540
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on US 80; GA 22; GA 540
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Beaver Run Road
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 80; GA 22; GA 540
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
J.R. Allen Freeway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 80
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Phenix City North Bypass
27
Keep slight right at fork
337 ft
·
8 sec
Use the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto US 280; US 431
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 280; US 431
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on US 280; US 431
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 280; US 431
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Take the exit onto US 280
18 mi
·
19 min
·
US 280
Toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on I 85
44 mi
·
47 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
I 85
Toward I 65 South: Mobile, Day Street
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I-65 South: Mobile
34
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
this road
Exit 171
Toward I 65 South: Mobile
35
Merge onto I 65; US 82
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
I 65; US 82
36
Take the exit onto US 80
46 mi
·
56 min
·
US 80
Exit 167
Toward Selma
37
Turn left onto US 80; AL 14; AL 22 Truck
29 mi
·
36 min
·
Highland Avenue
38
Turn straight onto US 80
54 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
United States Highway 80
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
40
Merge onto I 20; I 59
22 mi
·
24 min
·
I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on I 20; I 59; US 80
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 20; I 59; US 80
Use the straight lane.
42
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 80
85 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
I 20; US 80
Toward I 20 West: Jackson
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
43
Merge onto I 20; I 55; US 49
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 20; I 55; US 49
44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 49
39 mi
·
43 min
·
I 20; US 49
Toward I 20 West, US 49 North: Vicksburg, Yazoo City
45
Merge onto I 20; US 61; US 80
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 20; US 61; US 80
46
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 80
328 mi
·
5 hr 49 min
·
I 20; US 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Spur 557
Exit 499A
Toward Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
48
Continue on US 80
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 635 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Merge onto I 635
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Continue on I 635
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
52
Continue on I 635
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 27B
Toward I 35E North: Denton
Use the right lane.
54
Merge onto I 35E
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
North Stemmons Freeway
55
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 441
Toward Valley View Lane
Use the slight right lane.
56
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
North Stemmons Freeway
57
Turn right onto Valley View Lane
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Valley View Lane
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
58
Turn left onto Bee Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Bee Street
59
Arrive at destination
Bee Street
Trip Plan
For this 19-hour, 25-minute drive, planning for at least 3 days is highly recommended to avoid excessive fatigue. Consider starting your days early to maximize daylight driving and take advantage of the 5 stops to rest and refuel. With a fuel cost estimated at $165, budgeting for gas is straightforward. Pay close attention to your GPS, especially when transitioning between the initial South Carolina roads and the subsequent routes, as the lack of highway driving means more varied road conditions. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition for the long haul, especially if traveling during warmer months.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 3-day trip.
Plan roughly 5 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 514.6 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 10h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 481.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 220 miles or 4h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 514.6 miles or 10h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 343.1 miles or 6h 45m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Farmers Branch, TX 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 3-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hilton Head Island, SC
Aim for roughly 343 miles and 6.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 343 miles and 6.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Finish the approach into Farmers Branch, TX
Aim for roughly 343 miles and 6.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC.
This route usually feels better as a 3-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 5 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 481.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
340 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
679 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Citronelle, ALOvernight Options
Night 1
343 mi · about 6.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Columbus, GA after about 343 miles or 6.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsNight 2
686 mi · about 13h in
A practical overnight split lands near Citronelle, AL after about 686 miles or 13 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 220 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 514.6 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 481.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 343 miles or 6.5 hours on the road.
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 425 decision points cluster between mile 47 and 987 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
47 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward I 16 West: Macon, Savannah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 99
Toward I 16 West: Macon, Savannah
7
47.2 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 16 West: Macon, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 99
Toward I 16 West: Macon, Savannah
8
309.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 8m in
|
US 280
Take the exit onto US 280 toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Au...
7
529.4 mi into trip
|
~10h 26m in
|
I 20; US 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20; US 80 toward I 20 West: Jackson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Jackson
8
987 mi into trip
|
~18h 38m in
|
Spur 557
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557 toward Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 499A
Toward Dallas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$160.96 one way
$321.92 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
360 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $175.99 | $351.99 |
| premium | $4.70 | $190.50 | $381.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $227.26 | $454.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$161
Hotel (2n)
$160–$280
Meals
$75–$150
Total
$396–$591
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 360.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $108 in charging · 3 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 308.8 | 3 | $108.08 | $49.41 |
| Efficient EV | 257.3 | 2 | $90.06 | $41.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 411.7 | 5 | $144.10 | $65.88 |
Gas CO2
360 kg
EV CO2
120 kg (67% less)
Plan for 3 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Farmers Branch, TX
Evening in Farmers Branch on Saturday
Local time
8:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Columbus, GA
340 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
20 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
19h 25m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This road trip's character is defined by its low highway share, with 0% of the route being on highways. You'll be navigating mainly on local roads like Marshland Road, Cross Island Parkway, and William Hilton Parkway initially, before transitioning onto other non-highway routes for the majority of the 1,029.3 miles. There isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, suggesting a journey composed of varied road types and potentially frequent turns or traffic lights. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes local scenery and slower speeds over high-speed transit, making for a more engaging, though potentially longer, travel time.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
59 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 481.4 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 42 significant decision points across 1029.3 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 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309.5 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hilton Head Island, SC and Farmers Branch, TX, road signs point toward Danville, Montgomery, Selma and Yazoo City.
Danville
176.3 mi in
|
~3h 18m
Montgomery
309.5 mi in
|
~6h 8m
|
via US 280
Selma
375.5 mi in
|
~7h 21m
|
via US 80
Yazoo City
616.3 mi in
|
~12h
|
via I 20; US 49
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 481.4 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 3-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 343 miles on day one.
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 Farmers Branch, TX 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 5 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309.5 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 19.4 hours each way, a round trip means 38.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Farmers Branch, TX before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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