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
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 57 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,571 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,198
Quietest
2 AM
~212 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
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 99Toward I 16 West: Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, MontgomeryUse 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 171Toward 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 167Toward 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: JacksonUse 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 499AToward DallasUse 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 NorthUse 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 27BToward I 35E North: DentonUse 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 441Toward Valley View LaneUse 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 42
5 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
$163.72 one way
$327.43 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg360 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$178.51
$357.01
premium
$4.78
$193.66
$387.32
diesel
$5.35
$216.80
$433.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$164
Hotel (2n)
$160–$280
Meals
$75–$150
Total
$399–$594
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, 2026-06-01.
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.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Hilton Head Island, SC
Afternoon
in Hilton Head Island on Wednesday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 3 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Farmers Branch, TX
Afternoon
in Farmers Branch on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
67°F
Hamilton, GA
340 mi in
70°F
Forest, MS
679 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
5 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
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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 Effort10/10
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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
611 ft11 ft
Total Climb
1,248 ft
Total Descent
796 ft
Highest Point
611 ft
~294.1 mi in
Elevation Range
600 ft
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.
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.
Top landmarks
•Cherry Hill School — historic school for African-American students located at Hilton Head Island, Bea...
•St. Luke's Parish Zion Chapel of Ease Cemetery — historic site in Beaufort County, South Carolina, US
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.
Yes — we found about 86 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 86 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
