Trip from Hilton Head Island, SC to North Hartsville, SC

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

Drive Time

3h 53m

Distance

189.7 mi

305 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 41m ★

6 AM

3h 54m

8 AM

4h 19m

10 AM

4h 3m

12 PM

4h 0m

3 PM

4h 4m

5 PM

4h 18m

8 PM

3h 46m

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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Hilton Head Island, SC

Wikimedia Commons

North Hartsville, SC

Mark Stebnicki

Trip Overview

Embark on a 189.7-mile journey from Hilton Head Island, SC, to North Hartsville, SC, a trip that will take approximately 3 hours and 53 minutes. This drive is best suited for a single day, with an estimated fuel cost of around $30. You'll primarily navigate major highways, making it an efficient route for those looking to cover ground. The experience is largely highway-focused, offering a straightforward path through the Southeast region. Consider this a practical option for a quick transition between these two South Carolina locations.

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

94.8 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 95	124.6 mi	2h 13m
Oates Highway	13.5 mi	21m
Coosaw Scenic Drive	9.4 mi	12m
Fording Island Road	9 mi	13m
Lowcountry Drive	7.9 mi	10m
South 5th Street	7 mi	13m
Okatie Highway	3.9 mi	4m
William Hilton Parkway	3.9 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 95 — 124.6 mi, about 2h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Allen Road

0.2 mi · 41 sec · Allen Road

Turn left onto Marshland Road

2.2 mi · 5 min · Marshland Road

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Merge onto US 278

2.3 mi · 2 min · Cross Island Parkway

Merge onto US 278

3.9 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway

Continue on US 278

9.0 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Keep slight right at fork

147 ft · 4 sec

Merge onto SC 170

3.9 mi · 4 min · Okatie Highway

Take the exit

488 ft · 13 sec

Continue on SC 462

7.9 mi · 10 min · Lowcountry Drive

Continue on SC 462

9.4 mi · 12 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence

Merge onto I 95; US 17

125 mi · 2 hr 13 min · I 95; US 17

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward Timmonsville

Keep slight left at fork

261 ft · 12 sec

Turn left onto State Road S-21-83

277 ft · 5 sec · Center Road

Continue on State Road S-21-83

1.9 mi · 3 min · Honda Way

Continue on Honda Street

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Honda Street

Turn left onto US 76

0.2 mi · 18 sec · East Smith Street

Turn right onto SC 403

2.1 mi · 3 min · South Brockington Street

Continue on SC 403

13 mi · 21 min · Oates Highway

Continue on US 15

7.0 mi · 13 min · South 5th Street

Arrive at destination

US 15 Business

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 53-minute drive, starting early in the morning is advisable to avoid potential traffic, especially on I 95. With a longest stretch of 124.6 miles, plan for a single fuel and rest stop to break up the journey. Given the relatively short duration, flexibility is key, but be mindful of the fuel cost estimate of $30. A practical tip: ensure your vehicle is fueled before departing Hilton Head Island, as services can be more spaced out on certain highway segments.

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 94.8 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 1h 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.6 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 42 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 94.8 miles or 1h 55m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Hartsville, 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 189.7 miles and 3h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 124.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Holly Hill, SC

95 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

Beaufort, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Holly Hill, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94.8 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 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 124.6 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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 18.2 and 166.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

18.2 mi into trip | ~27m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

39.8 mi into trip | ~56m in | I 95; US 17

Merge onto I 95; US 17

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

164.7 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

164.7 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in | State Road S-21-83 / Center Road

Turn left onto State Road S-21-83 / Center Road

Navigation decision point

166.9 mi into trip | ~3h 15m in | US 76 / East Smith Street

Turn left onto US 76 / East Smith Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.66 one way

$59.33 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$32.44	$64.87
premium	$4.70	$35.11	$70.22
diesel	$5.61	$41.88	$83.77

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 66.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.9	$19.92	$9.11
Efficient EV	47.4	$16.60	$7.59
EV Truck/SUV	75.9	$26.56	$12.14

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (67% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Hilton Head Island, SC

Late night in Hilton Head Island on Sunday

Local time

12:51 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Sunny

S 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 16 at 2:47AM EDT until April 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC

Destination

North Hartsville, SC

Late night in North Hartsville on Sunday

Local time

12:51 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

77°F

Holly Hill, SC

95 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.

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

5 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 53m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 69% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience a significant 124.6-mile stretch on I 95, offering a consistent pace for a large portion of your travel. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of Oates Highway and Coosaw Scenic Drive suggests a potential for more varied scenery and road types as you near your destination. Expect a smooth, albeit sometimes monotonous, interstate experience for the bulk of the trip.

69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 124.6 mi on I 95.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Oates Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.2 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 15 significant decision points across 189.7 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 18.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 39.8 miles (I 95; US 17): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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 North Hartsville, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Timmonsville along the way.

Timmonsville

164.4 mi in | ~3h 10m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 53m. Total distance: 189.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 124.6 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 North Hartsville, 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at North Hartsville, 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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Explore more options from Hilton Head Island, SC or browse trips ending in North Hartsville, SC.

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Trip from Hilton Head Island, SC to North Hartsville, SC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hilton Head Island, SC

North Hartsville, SC

Same local time

5 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 53m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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