Hilton Head, SC to Barnwell, SC is 93.2 miles and takes about 2h 16m via Grays Highway, Kings Avenue, and Coosaw Scenic Drive, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast, staying within the state of South Carolina. Expect a route with many turns, indicating a journey that winds through local roads rather than a straight shot on major highways. It's a manageable trip perfect for a single day, allowing for a relaxed pace. Consider this if you prefer a more involved local driving experience over pure highway miles.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.6 miles from Hilton Head, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Grays Highway
17.2 mi
25m
Kings Avenue
9.7 mi
14m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.7 mi
13m
Fording Island Road
9 mi
13m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
Barnwell Road
6.9 mi
10m
Augusta Highway
6.6 mi
9m
Allendale-Fairfax Highway
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Grays Highway
— 17.2 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head, SC and Barnwell, SC.
1
Start on US 278
0.3 mi·28 sec·William Hilton Parkway
2
Continue on US 278
3.8 mi·4 min·William Hilton Parkway
3
Continue on US 278
9.0 mi·13 min·Fording Island Road
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
5
Keep slight right at fork
147 ft·4 sec
6
Merge onto SC 170
3.9 mi·4 min·Okatie Highway
7
Take the exit
488 ft·13 sec
8
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi·10 min·Lowcountry Drive
9
Continue on SC 462
9.7 mi·13 min·Coosaw Scenic Drive
10
Turn right onto SC 462
0.6 mi·1 min·West Frontage Road
11
Turn left onto SC 462
4.0 mi·6 min·Morgandollar Road
12
At end of road, turn right onto US 278; SC 462
17 mi·25 min·Grays Highway
13
Turn right
177 ft·11 sec
14
Turn left onto SC 68
469 ft·7 sec·Yemassee Highway
15
Continue on US 278
1.1 mi·1 min·Augusta Highway
16
Continue on US 278
2.1 mi·3 min·East Carolina Avenue
17
Continue on US 278
2.7 mi·4 min·Elm Street East
18
Continue on US 278
3.7 mi·5 min·Augusta Highway
19
Continue on US 278
1.4 mi·2 min·Railroad Avenue Southeast
20
Continue on US 278
1.8 mi·2 min·Augusta Highway
21
Continue on US 278
1.1 mi·1 min·Allendale-Hampton Highway
22
Continue on US 278
4.5 mi·6 min·Allendale-Fairfax Highway
23
Continue on US 278
1.0 mi·1 min·East Railroad Avenue
24
Turn right onto US 278; US 301
0.3 mi·29 sec·Main Street North
25
Turn left onto US 278
0.2 mi·16 sec·Pine Street
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on US 278
6.9 mi·10 min·Barnwell Road
27
Continue on US 278
9.7 mi·14 min·Kings Avenue
28
Turn right
69 ft·7 sec
29
Turn right
220 ft·16 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 16m duration and the turn-heavy nature, consider leaving Hilton Head in the morning to give yourself ample time. While there are no specific stops noted, the drive is short enough at 93.2 miles that you can easily add a brief pause for a break or a quick meal without significantly impacting your arrival time in Barnwell. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $15; plan to fill up before you leave Hilton Head, as longer stretches between services might occur on local roads. Pay attention to posted speed limits, especially as you transition onto more local sections of Grays Highway and Kings Avenue.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.6 miles from Hilton Head, SC, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.2 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 21 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.6 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barnwell, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hilton Head, 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, SC
This is one driving day of about 93.2 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Hilton Head, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Grays Highway for about 17.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.3 and 93.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
13.3 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
35.6 mi into trip|~49m in|SC 462 / Morgandollar Road
Turn left onto SC 462 / Morgandollar Road
Navigation decision point
5
56.7 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|SC 68 / Yemassee Highway
Turn left onto SC 68 / Yemassee Highway
Navigation decision point
6
76.4 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|US 278 / Pine Street
Turn left onto US 278 / Pine Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
93.2 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.57 one way
$29.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$15.94
$31.87
premium
$4.70
$17.25
$34.50
diesel
$5.61
$20.58
$41.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28
0
$9.79
$4.47
Efficient EV
23.3
0
$8.16
$3.73
EV Truck/SUV
37.3
0
$13.05
$5.96
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 20, 2026
Origin
Hilton Head, SC
Late night
in Hilton Head on Tuesday
Local time
4:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Barnwell, SC
Late night
in Barnwell on Tuesday
Local time
4:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
25 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 16m 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
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a turn-heavy local drive, with only 4% of the route on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 17.2 miles on Grays Highway. As you progress, you'll notice the road profile shifting, moving away from wider thoroughfares to more intricate local roads. The frequent turns mean you'll be actively navigating, offering a more engaging driving experience than a typical interstate journey. Be prepared for a dynamic route that requires your attention.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17.2 mi on Grays Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 miles in.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 16m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 35.6 miles (SC 462 / Morgandollar Road): Navigation decision point; at 56.7 miles (SC 68 / Yemassee Highway): Navigation decision point.
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.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 17.2 miles on Grays Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 35.6 miles (SC 462 / Morgandollar Road): Navigation decision point; at 56.7 miles (SC 68 / Yemassee Highway): Navigation decision point.
Yes — 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 Barnwell, SC before heading back.
