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Trip from Hilton Head Island, SC to Springdale, 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 36m

Distance

165.1 mi

266 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 24m ★
6 AM
3h 36m
8 AM
4h 1m
10 AM
3h 45m
12 PM
3h 43m
3 PM
3h 46m
5 PM
4h 0m
8 PM
3h 29m

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

Downtown Springdale, SC, SC

Springdale, SC

Just a Couple Photos

Trip Overview

Hilton Head Island, SC to Springdale, SC is 165.1 miles and takes about 3h 36m via GA 21 and Main Street, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, beginning and ending in South Carolina. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that should be manageable in a single day. Expect a relatively quick journey with minimal complexity, making it a good option for a short haul or a segment of a larger trip.

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

82.5 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
GA 21 44.2 mi 50m
Main Street 19.5 mi 26m
GA 56 13.5 mi 18m
I 95 11.4 mi 12m
Fording Island Road 10.9 mi 15m
Millhaven Road 7.5 mi 10m
Palmetto Parkway 7.3 mi 9m
Independence Boulevard 6.3 mi 7m
Longest stretch: GA 21 — 44.2 mi, about 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

11 mi · 15 min · Fording Island Road
7

Continue on US 278

6.3 mi · 7 min · Independence Boulevard
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
9

Merge onto I 95

11 mi · 12 min · I 95
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 109 Toward GA 21, GA 30: Port Wentworth, Savannah
11

Keep slight right at fork

270 ft · 6 sec
Toward GA 21 North, GA 30 West
12

Merge onto GA 21; GA 30; I 3 FUT

3.2 mi · 3 min · Augusta Road
Use the right lane.
13

Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT

2.2 mi · 2 min · GA 21; I 3 FUT
14

Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT

42 mi · 48 min · GA 21; I 3 FUT
Use the straight lane.
15

Turn right onto GA 21 Business

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
16

Continue on US 301 Business; GA 73; GA 21 Business

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
17

Turn slight left onto US 301 Business; GA 73

299 ft · 6 sec · US 301 Business; GA 73
18

Turn right onto US 301; GA 73 Loop

4.5 mi · 5 min · US 301; GA 73 Loop
19

Take the exit onto GA 24

5.4 mi · 7 min · GA 24
20

Turn right onto Millhaven Road

1.9 mi · 2 min · Millhaven Road
21

Continue on Milhaven Road

1.2 mi · 1 min · Milhaven Road
22

Turn straight onto Girard Millhaven Road

3.4 mi · 4 min · Girard Millhaven Road
23

Continue on Millhaven Road

5.6 mi · 7 min · Millhaven Road
24

Continue on GA 23

19 mi · 26 min · Main Street
25

At end of road, turn right onto GA 56

13 mi · 18 min · GA 56
26

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
27

Merge onto I 520

6.2 mi · 7 min · Bobby Jones Expressway
28

Continue on I 520

7.3 mi · 9 min · Palmetto Parkway
29

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 20 East
30

Merge onto I 20

4.9 mi · 5 min · I 20
31

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 11 Toward Bettis Academy Road, Graniteville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Turn left onto S-144

0.8 mi · 2 min · Bettis Academy Road
33

Turn left onto Springdale Road

1.0 mi · 4 min · Springdale Road
34

Turn sharp left onto Logan Lane

0.5 mi · 1 min · Logan Lane
35

Arrive at destination

Logan Lane

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 3h 36m, you have flexibility with departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch without a major road change is 44.2 miles on GA 21, so plan a brief stop before or after this section if you need to stretch your legs. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, be mindful of your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer, less populated stretches. Consider filling up before departing Hilton Head Island.

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 82.5 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.2 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 36 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 82.5 miles or 1h 41m 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 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springdale, 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 165.1 miles and 3h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 GA 21 for about 44.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Sylvania, GA, GA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sylvania, GA

83 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

Port Wentworth, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sylvania, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.5 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 26.1 and 162.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
26.1 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 95 South: Savannah
6
37.9 mi into trip | ~49m in

Take the exit toward GA 21, GA 30: Port Wentworth, Savannah

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 109 Toward GA 21, GA 30: Port Wentworth, Savannah
6
38.2 mi into trip | ~50m in

Keep slight right at fork toward GA 21 North, GA 30 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward GA 21 North, GA 30 West
5
38.2 mi into trip | ~50m in | GA 21; GA 30; I 3 FUT / Augusta Road

Merge onto GA 21; GA 30; I 3 FUT / Augusta Road

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

Use the right lane.
8
162.4 mi into trip | ~3h 27m in

Take the exit toward Bettis Academy Road, Graniteville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 11 Toward Bettis Academy Road, Graniteville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.82 one way

$51.64 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $28.23 $56.46
premium $4.70 $30.56 $61.11
diesel $5.61 $36.45 $72.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.5 0 $17.34 $7.92
Efficient EV 41.3 0 $14.45 $6.60
EV Truck/SUV 66 0 $23.11 $10.57

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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 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

Springdale, SC

Late night in Springdale on Sunday

Local time

12:49 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Sylvania, GA

83 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

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

3h 36m 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.

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...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free near mile 5.7
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route is primarily highway-focused, with 63% of the drive on faster roads. You'll encounter stretches like the 44.2 miles on GA 21, which will likely feel like the most continuous part of your journey. The road character shifts as you move from broader highways onto more local roads like Main Street. Expect a driving experience that balances efficient travel with the occasional need to navigate through towns and along more conventional roadways, rather than a purely interstate experience.

63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.2 mi on GA 21.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on GA 21 and Main Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 165.1 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 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 37.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Springdale, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Savannah along the way.

Savannah

37.9 mi in | ~49m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 165.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 44.2 miles on GA 21. 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 Springdale, 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 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 37.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Springdale, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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