Traveling from Hilton Head Island to Forest Acres covers 160.8 miles of South Carolina terrain, typically taking about 3 hours and 13 minutes to complete. Because this journey is well within the range of a comfortable day trip, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel, making this an affordable transit between the coast and the inland region. The route primarily utilizes I-95 and I-26, ensuring a straightforward path that keeps you moving efficiently. Whether you are heading out for a weekend getaway or a quick visit, this drive offers a practical connection between two distinct parts of the state.
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
80.4 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
57.2 mi
1h 1m
I 26
52.2 mi
56m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.4 mi
12m
Fording Island Road
9 mi
13m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
Okatie Highway
3.9 mi
4m
William Hilton Parkway
3.9 mi
4m
South Beltline Boulevard
3.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 57.2 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head Island, SC and Forest Acres, SC.
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
9.0 mi·13 min·Fording Island Road
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork
147 ft·4 sec
9
Merge onto SC 170
3.9 mi·4 min·Okatie Highway
10
Take the exit
488 ft·13 sec
11
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi·10 min·Lowcountry Drive
12
Continue on SC 462
9.4 mi·12 min·Coosaw Scenic Drive
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
14
Merge onto I 95; US 17
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 95; US 17
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 26 West: Columbia
16
Merge onto I 26
52 mi·56 min·I 26
17
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 116Toward I 77: CharlotteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 77
2.4 mi·2 min·Veterans Memorial Freeway
19
Continue on I 77
1.8 mi·2 min·William Earle Berne Beltway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 5Toward SC 48: Bluff Road, GadsdenUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto SC 48
0.3 mi·33 sec·Bluff Road
22
Turn right onto SC 768
3.5 mi·6 min·South Beltline Boulevard
23
Turn left onto Crosshill Road
304 ft·6 sec·Crosshill Road
24
Turn straight onto SC 16
1.7 mi·3 min·Beltline Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
SC 16
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 3-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid the heaviest regional traffic. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which fits perfectly into the 160.8-mile itinerary. Given the high percentage of highway travel, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer interstate stretches where service stations might be spaced further apart. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure your transit remains stress-free. As a specific tip for this route, monitor local traffic reports for I-26, as conditions can fluctuate quickly when moving toward the Forest Acres area.
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 80.4 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.2 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 35 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.4 miles or 1h 40m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forest Acres, 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 160.8 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 57.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 154.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.4 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
18.2 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
39.5 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
7
149.5 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 77: Charlotte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 116
Toward I 77: Charlotte
8
154.8 mi into trip|~3h 2m in
Take the exit toward SC 48: Bluff Road, Gadsden
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward SC 48: Bluff Road, Gadsden
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.15 one way
$50.29 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.49
$54.99
premium
$4.70
$29.76
$59.52
diesel
$5.61
$35.50
$71.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.2
0
$16.88
$7.72
Efficient EV
40.2
0
$14.07
$6.43
EV Truck/SUV
64.3
0
$22.51
$10.29
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 13, 2026
Origin
Hilton Head Island, SC
Late night
in Hilton Head Island on Sunday
Local time
12:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
SE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Forest Acres, SC
Late night
in Forest Acres on Sunday
Local time
12:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
S 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive 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
3 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 13m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Congaree National Park
National Park
Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 133
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction
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 5.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 73% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major interstates. The journey features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 57.2 miles along I-95, requiring you to settle into a steady cruising rhythm. While the transition from the coastal environment to the inland area involves a mix of heavy-traffic arteries, you will also navigate sections of Coosaw Scenic Drive. The road personality shifts from fast-paced interstate travel to more localized driving as you near Forest Acres. Overall, the trip prioritizes speed and directness, trading rural scenery for the efficiency of South Carolina's primary transit corridors.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.2 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 160.8 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 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 39.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
86 ft12 ft
Total Climb
75 ft
Total Descent
1 ft
Highest Point
86 ft
~68.9 mi in
Elevation Range
74 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 160.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.2 miles on I 95. 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.
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 Forest Acres, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 39.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Congaree National Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Forest Acres, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
