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
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 11 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,164 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,750
Quietest
2 AM
~302 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 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 109Toward 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 11Toward Bettis Academy Road, GranitevilleUse 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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
$26.26 one way
$52.52 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$28.63
$57.27
premium
$4.78
$31.06
$62.13
diesel
$5.35
$34.78
$69.55
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, 2026-06-01.
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 May 28, 2026
Origin
Hilton Head Island, SC
Evening
in Hilton Head Island on Wednesday
Local time
7:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 8 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 27 at 9:09PM EDT until May 29 at 8:41AM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
Destination
Springdale, SC
Evening
in Springdale on Wednesday
Local time
7:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SW 3 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 27 at 9:09PM EDT until May 29 at 8:41AM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
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 36m 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.
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
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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 Effort9/10
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
368 ft11 ft
Total Climb
446 ft
Total Descent
89 ft
Highest Point
368 ft
~165.1 mi in
Elevation Range
357 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 Springdale, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Savannah along the way.
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 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.
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 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
