Traveling from Hilton Head Island to Saint Matthews is a straightforward 128.7-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 37 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your path begins on Marshland Road, transitions through the Cross Island Parkway, and continues onto the William Hilton Parkway. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, the trip is quite budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. Both locations sit within the Southeast region of South Carolina, making this a consistent regional transit between the coast and the inland areas. It serves as a practical connection if you are looking to move between these two specific South Carolina locales efficiently.
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
64.3 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
57.2 mi
1h 1m
I 26
23 mi
24m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.4 mi
12m
Fording Island Road
9 mi
13m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
Saint Matthews Road
7 mi
10m
Okatie Highway
3.9 mi
4m
William Hilton Parkway
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 57.2 mi, about 1h 1m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,832 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,542
Quietest
2 AM
~270 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 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 Saint Matthews, 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
23 mi·24 min·I 26
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 145Toward US 601: Orangeburg, St. Matthews
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 145Toward US 601 North: St. Matthews
19
Turn straight onto US 601
7.0 mi·10 min·Saint Matthews Road
20
Continue on US 601
0.8 mi·1 min·Harry C Raysor Drive
21
Turn left onto SC 6
292 ft·11 sec·Bridge Street
22
Turn right
28 ft·2 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 2-hour and 37-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving in the morning helps you avoid potential congestion on the local roads. You should budget for at least one stop to stretch your legs, which will keep you refreshed given the turn-heavy nature of the route. Keep your $21 fuel budget in mind as you plan your transit, ensuring your tank is ready for the 128.7-mile trek before you leave Hilton Head Island. Because the route relies entirely on local roads, check your GPS frequently to ensure you stay on track through the various turns. Embracing the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Saint Matthews with plenty of time left in your day for local activities.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.3 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 1h 23m 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 28 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.3 miles or 1h 23m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Matthews, 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 128.7 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 120.7 — 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
6
120.4 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward US 601: Orangeburg, St. Matthews
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 145
Toward US 601: Orangeburg, St. Matthews
7
120.7 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 601 North: St. Matthews
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 145
Toward US 601 North: St. Matthews
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.00 one way
$38.00 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$20.88
$41.76
premium
$4.49
$22.76
$45.52
diesel
$4.80
$24.30
$48.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
14 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Ridgeland, SC - East Main Street - Tesla Supercharger
Ridgeland, SC
Tesla
16 DCFC
Orangeburg, SC - Citadel Road - Tesla Supercharger
Orangeburg, SC
Tesla
16 DCFC
Bluffton, SC - Tesla Supercharger
Bluffton, SC
Tesla
12 DCFC
Walterboro, SC - Tesla Supercharger
Walterboro, SC
Tesla
12 DCFC
Saint George, SC - Tesla Supercharger
Saint George, SC
Tesla
12 DCFC
Hilton Head, SC - Tesla Supercharger
Hilton Head Island, SC
Tesla
8 DCFC
Hilton Head, SC - William Hilton Parkway - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.6
0
$13.51
$6.18
Efficient EV
32.2
0
$11.26
$5.15
EV Truck/SUV
51.5
0
$18.02
$8.24
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Hilton Head Island, SC
Late night
in Hilton Head Island on Sunday
Local time
5:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Clear
SW 8 to 12 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 8:04PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Saint Matthews, SC
Late night
in Saint Matthews on Sunday
Local time
5:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SW 6 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 8:04PM EDT until July 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
90°F
Ridgeland, SC
64 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
2h 37m 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 128.7
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 4.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will spend your time navigating local roads, which requires more attention than a standard highway trek. The character of the drive remains consistent throughout, lacking long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed transit. Because you are avoiding major highways, the pace feels more relaxed but demands constant focus on navigation and turns. Plan for a hands-on driving experience where your speed will fluctuate based on local traffic patterns and the winding nature of the roads.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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 16 significant decision points across 128.7 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 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
285 ft10 ft
Total Climb
303 ft
Total Descent
29 ft
Highest Point
285 ft
~128.7 mi in
Elevation Range
276 ft
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 Saint Matthews, SC, road signs begin pointing toward St. Matthews along the way.
St. Matthews
120.4 mi in|~2h 23m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 128.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). 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.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Saint Matthews, 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Saint Matthews, SC before heading back.
