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Trip from Hilton Head Island, SC to Landrum, SC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 6m

Distance

266.9 mi

429 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 53m ★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 16m
12 PM
5h 13m
3 PM
5h 17m
5 PM
5h 32m
8 PM
4h 58m

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

Downtown Hilton Head Island, SC, SC

Hilton Head Island, SC

Wikimedia Commons

city in South Carolina, United States of America

Landrum, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 266.9-mile journey from Hilton Head Island, SC to Landrum, SC will take approximately 5 hours and 6 minutes of driving time. It's a feasible day trip, though you could certainly break it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 86% of the drive on major interstates. Expect a fuel cost of around $42 for this trip. Since both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, you'll experience a consistent regional feel throughout your drive, primarily traversing South Carolina.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

133.4 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 26 167.2 mi 3h 1m
I 95 57.2 mi 1h 1m
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
Cross Island Parkway 2.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 26 — 167.2 mi, about 3h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

117 mi · 2 hr 6 min · I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 26

51 mi · 54 min · I 26
Toward Spartanburg Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Toward SC 14: Landrum
19

Turn left onto SC 14

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Landrum Road
20

Continue on SC 14

1.9 mi · 4 min · East Rutherford Street
21

Turn right onto US 176

70 ft · 1 sec · North Howard Avenue
22

Arrive at destination

US 176

Trip Plan

With a 5-hour and 6-minute estimated drive time, this route is best tackled as a single-day trip. Aim to depart early in the morning to make the most of daylight hours and allow for a comfortable arrival. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 167.2 miles on I 26, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before or during this segment. Given the predominantly highway nature of the drive, be mindful of traffic, especially around urban areas. Your estimated fuel cost is $42, so factor that into your budget before you set off.

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 133.4 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 167.2 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 59 miles or 1h 17m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 133.4 miles or 2h 38m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Landrum, 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 266.9 miles and 5h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 26 for about 167.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Columbia, SC

133 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

Walterboro, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

West Columbia, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 133.4 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 167.2 miles.

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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 264.8 — 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

5
97.4 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
214 mi into trip | ~4h 6m in | I 26

Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Spartanburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward Spartanburg
5
264.8 mi into trip | ~5h 1m in | SC 14 / Landrum Road

Turn left onto SC 14 / Landrum Road

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.74 one way

$83.47 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $45.64 $91.27
premium $4.70 $49.40 $98.80
diesel $5.61 $58.93 $117.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 93.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 80.1 0 $28.02 $12.81
Efficient EV 66.7 0 $23.35 $10.68
EV Truck/SUV 106.8 1 $37.37 $17.08

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Hilton Head Island, SC

Night in Hilton Head Island on Saturday

Local time

9:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Landrum, SC

Night in Landrum on Saturday

Local time

9:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°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

31 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

5h 6m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

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...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour Free near mile 128.8
Caution: Burn Ban in Effect 4/17
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
View on nps.gov
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

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 ~35 min detour Free near mile 9.2
View on nps.gov
Cowpens National Battlefield

Cowpens National Battlefield

National Battlefield

A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic mili...

15 mi from route ~38 min detour Free near mile 257.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 266.9-mile route, with 86% of your travel on interstates. You'll encounter an 167.2-mile stretch on I 26, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. The main roads include I 95 and I 26, which means you'll experience mostly high-speed driving with limited opportunities for scenic detours. While this profile suggests a straightforward drive, keep an eye out for the turn onto Coosaw Scenic Drive for a brief change of scenery before rejoining the main highways.

86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 167.2 mi on I 26.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. 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 Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 266.9 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 97.4 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Hilton Head Island, SC to Landrum, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Spartanburg along the way.

Spartanburg

214 mi in | ~4h 6m | via I 26

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 266.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 167.2 miles on I 26. 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 Landrum, 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 97.4 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Congaree National Park, Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Cowpens National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Landrum, SC 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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