Traveling from Hilton Head Island to Saint Andrews covers 160.4 miles, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 8 minutes. Because this is a compact trip within South Carolina, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to complete the trek between these two Southeast locations. Navigating primarily via I-95 and I-26, the route offers a functional connection across the state. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the trip is efficient and easy to manage on your own schedule.
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
80.2 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 26
61.8 mi
1h 6m
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
— 61.8 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head Island, SC and Saint Andrews, 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
62 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 106BToward Saint Andrews Road EastUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto Saint Andrews Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Saint Andrews Road
19
Turn right onto US 176
0.1 mi·19 sec·Broad River Road
20
Turn left onto Whiteford Road
276 ft·12 sec·Whiteford Road
21
Arrive at destination
Whiteford Road
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is just over three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid peak traffic congestion. Limit your itinerary to one primary stop to keep your travel time under the four-hour mark. Because the majority of your miles are clocked on interstates, stay alert during the long 61.8-mile stretch on I-26 where monotony can set in. Be sure to check your fuel levels before merging onto the highway, as the $26 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and idling time. Use the Coosaw Scenic Drive portion as a natural point to adjust your pace and stretch your legs before reaching Saint Andrews.
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 80.2 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.8 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 80.2 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 Saint Andrews, 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 160.4 miles and 3h 8m.
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 26 for about 61.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 159.2 — 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
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
159.2 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward Saint Andrews Road East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 106B
Toward Saint Andrews Road East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.08 one way
$50.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.43
$54.85
premium
$4.70
$29.69
$59.37
diesel
$5.61
$35.41
$70.83
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: 56.1 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
48.1
0
$16.84
$7.70
Efficient EV
40.1
0
$14.04
$6.42
EV Truck/SUV
64.2
0
$22.46
$10.27
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 18, 2026
Origin
Hilton Head Island, SC
Late night
in Hilton Head Island on Sunday
Local time
12:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Andrews, SC
Late night
in Saint Andrews on Sunday
Local time
12:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°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
8 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
3h 8m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 132.7
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?
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 78% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a mix of fast-paced interstate travel, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 61.8 miles along I-26. While the route incorporates Coosaw Scenic Drive to add some variety, the overall feel is one of consistent, efficient movement rather than technical or winding terrain. Expect the road to maintain a steady rhythm as you transition between the interstate corridors and local segments. It is a practical drive designed for those who prefer reliable, high-speed transit over backroads.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.8 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160.4 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 8m. Total distance: 160.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.8 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 Saint Andrews, 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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Andrews, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
