Traveling from Hilton Head Island to Winnsboro covers 187.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 47 minutes. Because this journey stays entirely within the Southeast region of South Carolina, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $30 on fuel for the trek. The route begins on local roads like Marshland Road and the Cross Island Parkway before transitioning toward the inland portion of the state. It is a straightforward trip that moves you from the coastal environment to the more central landscape of Winnsboro.
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
93.7 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
61.1 mi
1h 5m
I 95
57.2 mi
1h 1m
Winnsboro Road
16.5 mi
24m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.4 mi
12m
Fording Island Road
9 mi
13m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
I 20
5.4 mi
6m
Fairfield Road
4.2 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 61.1 mi, about 1h 5m
Traffic on I-26
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 21 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,997 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,510
Quietest
1 AM
~237 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.4×
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 Winnsboro, 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
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 107BToward I 20 East: FlorenceUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 20
5.4 mi·6 min·I 20
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 70Toward US 321: Fairfield Road, WinnsboroUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto US 321
4.2 mi·6 min·Fairfield Road
21
Continue on US 321
16 mi·24 min·Winnsboro Road
22
Turn right onto US 321 Business
260 ft·4 sec·State Highway 34
23
Continue on US 321 Business
1.5 mi·2 min·Columbia Road
24
Continue on US 321 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·South Congress Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 321 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-four-hour drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though planning for at least one stop will help keep you fresh behind the wheel. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert and allow yourself plenty of time to navigate the local transitions effectively. With a $30 fuel budget, it is wise to top off your tank before leaving the Hilton Head area to avoid searching for stations on the more rural stretches. Use your single planned stop to stretch your legs, as the constant steering required on these local roads can be more fatiguing than highway driving.
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 93.7 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.1 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 41 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.7 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winnsboro, 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 187.4 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 61.1 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 2.4 and 164.2 — 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
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
158.5 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 107B
Toward I 20 East: Florence
8
164.2 mi into trip|~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 321: Fairfield Road, Winnsboro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70
Toward US 321: Fairfield Road, Winnsboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.81 one way
$59.61 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$32.50
$65.00
premium
$4.78
$35.26
$70.52
diesel
$5.35
$39.47
$78.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.2
0
$19.68
$9.00
Efficient EV
46.9
0
$16.40
$7.50
EV Truck/SUV
75
0
$26.24
$11.99
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Hilton Head Island, SC
Afternoon
in Hilton Head Island on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
NE 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 3 at 2:51AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 2 at 7:14PM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Destination
Winnsboro, SC
Afternoon
in Winnsboro on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Clear
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 3 at 2:51AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 2 at 7:14PM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
90°F
Brookdale, SC
94 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
13 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 47m 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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 135.7
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...
14 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 6.5
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-focused drive that lacks the monotony of a typical interstate haul. Because the route relies on roads like William Hilton Parkway rather than major high-speed corridors, it features a 0% highway share, placing you firmly on local pavement for the entire 187.4-mile duration. Navigating this path requires more engagement from the driver than a standard cruise-control trip, as the road profile is consistently technical. You will notice the character of the drive shift as you depart the island and head inland, trading coastal thoroughfares for a more localized road network.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.1 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. 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 Effort7/10
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 187.4 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 97.4 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
535 ft11 ft
Total Climb
732 ft
Total Descent
209 ft
Highest Point
535 ft
~187.4 mi in
Elevation Range
523 ft
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 3h 47m. Total distance: 187.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.1 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Winnsboro, 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 19 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 97.4 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Winnsboro, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
