This 161.8-mile journey from Hilton Head Island, SC, to Stateburg, SC, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused drive, you'll spend about 74% of your time on major interstates and highways, including I-95 and US-521. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, this route offers a straightforward and efficient way to transition within the Southeast region. It's a manageable distance that allows for a relaxed pace, especially if you're looking for a day trip without an overnight commitment.
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
80.9 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 95
93.1 mi
1h 39m
US 521
12.4 mi
14m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.4 mi
12m
Fording Island Road
9 mi
13m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
US 76
6.4 mi
9m
Okatie Highway
3.9 mi
4m
William Hilton Parkway
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 93.1 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,558 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,252
Quietest
2 AM
~228 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.8×
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 Stateburg, 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
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·I 95; US 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
16
Keep slight left at fork
289 ft·7 sec
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
17
Turn left onto US 521
12 mi·14 min·US 521
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto US 521
1.1 mi·1 min·South Guignard Parkway
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 521
3.6 mi·4 min·South Guignard Drive
20
Continue on US 521
0.7 mi·1 min·Bultman Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto US 521; US 76 Business
3.3 mi·5 min·Broad Street
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 76; US 378
6.4 mi·9 min·US 76; US 378
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto SC 261
1.1 mi·1 min·North Kings Highway
24
Arrive at destination
SC 261
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 15-minute duration, this 161.8-mile trip is easily achievable as a single-day excursion from Hilton Head Island to Stateburg. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially on I-95. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your drive. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-95 to US-521, as this is where the road character shifts, and be mindful of the Coosaw Scenic Drive for a different driving experience.
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 80.9 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.1 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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.9 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 Stateburg, 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 161.8 miles and 3h 15m.
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 I 95 for about 93.1 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 18.2 and 145.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
18.2 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
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.
5
132.9 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
6
133.2 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
5
145.7 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|US 521 / South Guignard Parkway
Turn left onto US 521 / South Guignard Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.74 one way
$51.47 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$28.06
$56.12
premium
$4.78
$30.44
$60.89
diesel
$5.35
$34.08
$68.16
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: 56.6 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
48.5
0
$16.99
$7.77
Efficient EV
40.5
0
$14.16
$6.47
EV Truck/SUV
64.7
0
$22.65
$10.36
Gas CO2
57 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 9, 2026
Origin
Hilton Head Island, SC
Afternoon
in Hilton Head Island on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SE 3 mph55% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Stateburg, SC
Afternoon
in Stateburg on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SE 2 mph21% chanceLive forecast
90°F
Brookdale, SC
81 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
6 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 15m 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 5.6
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 161.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 161.8-mile trip, with 74% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-95. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 93.1 miles on I-95, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. While the initial and final segments may involve different road types, the core of this drive is about efficient travel. The landscape will largely be defined by the interstate experience, punctuated by the transition onto US-521 and the Coosaw Scenic Drive as you approach your destination.
74% 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: 93.1 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and US 521. 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 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 16 significant decision points across 161.8 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 132.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
302 ft11 ft
Total Climb
373 ft
Total Descent
83 ft
Highest Point
302 ft
~161.8 mi in
Elevation Range
290 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 Stateburg, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter 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 15m. Total distance: 161.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.1 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Stateburg, 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 132.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Congaree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Stateburg, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
