Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 13m
Distance
89.8 mi
145 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hilton Head, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Boiling Springs, SC
Channel Iskatel
Hilton Head to Boiling Springs is 89.8 miles and takes about 2h 13m via Grays Highway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the same state. Expect a route that involves frequent turns, so it's best suited for those who enjoy navigating local roads rather than a straightforward interstate journey. With a relatively short distance and a manageable duration, this trip is well within the scope of a single day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.9 miles from Hilton Head, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grays Highway | 17.2 mi | 25m |
| Augusta Highway | 14.2 mi | 20m |
| Coosaw Scenic Drive | 9.7 mi | 13m |
| Fording Island Road | 9 mi | 13m |
| Lowcountry Drive | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| River Road | 4.6 mi | 8m |
| Allendale-Fairfax Highway | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| William Hilton Parkway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head, SC and Boiling Springs, SC.
Start on US 278
Continue on US 278
Continue on US 278
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto SC 170
Take the exit
Continue on SC 462
Continue on SC 462
Turn right onto SC 462
Turn left onto SC 462
At end of road, turn right onto US 278; SC 462
Turn right
Turn left onto SC 68
Continue on US 278
Continue on US 278
Continue on US 278
Continue on US 278
Continue on US 278
Continue on US 278
Continue on US 278
Continue on US 278
Continue on US 278
Continue on SC 125
Turn right onto SC 3
Turn left onto S-6-39
Arrive at destination
Given the 2h 13m duration and 89.8-mile distance, this trip is easily completed in one day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Hilton Head in the morning to maximize daylight and enjoy the local roads. While there are no specific stops indicated, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the local stretches, as the estimated fuel cost is only $14. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the sequence of main roads—Grays Highway, Augusta Highway, and Coosaw Scenic Drive—before you depart, as the frequent turns can add time if you're not prepared.
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.
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 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.9 miles or 1h 4m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boiling Springs, SC than in the middle of the route.
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 89.8 miles and 2h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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.
A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 44.9 miles from Hilton Head, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 13 and 56.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn left onto SC 462 / Morgandollar Road
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto US 278; SC 462 / Grays Highway
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto SC 68 / Yemassee Highway
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$14.04 one way
$28.09 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $15.35 | $30.71 |
| premium | $4.70 | $16.62 | $33.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.83 | $39.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.9 | 0 | $9.43 | $4.31 |
| Efficient EV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.86 | $3.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.57 | $5.75 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Hilton Head on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 16 at 2:47AM EDT until April 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
Destination
Late night in Boiling Springs on Sunday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This trip is defined by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll be making a good number of turns as you navigate through local areas. With only a 5% highway share, most of your time will be spent on two-lane roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 17.2 miles on Grays Highway. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that shifts frequently as you transition between different local routes.
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 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 13m drive. You will face about 11 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 35.6 miles (SC 462 / Morgandollar Road): Navigation decision point.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 89.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (5%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Hilton Head, SC or browse trips ending in Boiling Springs, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.
