Origin
Hilton Head, SC
Morning in Hilton Head on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hilton Head, SC to Cheraw, SC
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 2m
Distance
208.9 mi
336 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 49m
★
6 AM
4h 2m
8 AM
4h 28m
10 AM
4h 11m
12 PM
4h 9m
3 PM
4h 12m
5 PM
4h 27m
8 PM
3h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hilton Head, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Cheraw, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hilton Head, SC to Cheraw, SC is 208.9 miles and takes about 4h 2m via I 95 and North Governor Williams Highway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within South Carolina for its entirety, traversing the Southeast region from coast to inland. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's well-suited for a single day of driving. Expect a practical, efficient route that gets you to your destination without much fuss. It’s a solid option if you’re looking for a direct drive between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
104.5 miles from Hilton Head, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 135.6 mi | 2h 25m |
| North Governor Williams Highway | 16.3 mi | 19m |
| Cheraw Highway | 12 mi | 16m |
| Coosaw Scenic Drive | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| Fording Island Road | 9 mi | 13m |
| Lowcountry Drive | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| William Hilton Parkway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Okatie Highway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 135.6 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head, SC and Cheraw, 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
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Coosaw Scenic Drive
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
11
Merge onto I 95; US 17
136 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
I 95; US 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward US 52: Florence, Darlington
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
14
Merge onto US 52
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Lucas Street
15
Continue on US 52
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
16
Continue on US 52
16 mi
·
19 min
·
North Governor Williams Highway
17
Continue on US 15; US 52; US 401
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
18
Turn left onto US 52
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Cheraw Highway
19
Turn right onto US 1 Truck; US 52 Truck
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 1 Truck; US 52 Truck
20
Arrive at destination
US 1; US 52; SC 9
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 4h 2m duration, this is a comfortable one-day trip, so you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best. Aiming for a morning departure will give you ample time to reach Cheraw with daylight to spare. The longest stretch on I 95 means you can cover significant ground efficiently, but plan for your stop around the 135-mile mark to refuel and stretch before transitioning to smaller highways. Keep an eye on your fuel as you get closer to Cheraw, as services might become less frequent on the final approach.
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 104.5 miles from Hilton Head, SC, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.6 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 46 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.5 miles or 2h 2m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cheraw, 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 208.9 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Hilton Head, 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 135.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104.5 miles from Hilton Head, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 13.3 and 170.6 — 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
34.7 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
5
34.9 mi into trip
|
~47m 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
170.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 52: Florence, Darlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 52: Florence, Darlington
5
170.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.67 one way
$65.33 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $35.72 | $71.44 |
| premium | $4.70 | $38.66 | $77.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $46.12 | $92.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.7 | 0 | $21.93 | $10.03 |
| Efficient EV | 52.2 | 0 | $18.28 | $8.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.25 | $13.37 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Destination
Cheraw, SC
Morning in Cheraw on Tuesday
Local time
6:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°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
4 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
4h 2m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 68% of the journey taking place on major highways like I 95. You'll experience a significant stretch of 135.6 miles on I 95, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the trip. As you move off the interstate, the drive transitions to roads like North Governor Williams Highway and Cheraw Highway. While largely efficient, be prepared for these shifts in road type as you approach your destination. The overall feel is one of steady progress, prioritizing speed and directness.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.6 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and North Governor Williams Highway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 208.9 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 34.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.9 miles (I 95; US 17): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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, SC to Cheraw, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Darlington along the way.
Darlington
170.5 mi in
|
~3h 13m
About the Cities
Starting in Hilton Head, SC
Full guide →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.
Arriving in Cheraw, SC
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Cheraw Historic District — historic district in South Carolina, United States
- • St. David's Episcopal Church and Cemetery — church building in Cheraw, South Carolina, U.S.A.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 2m. Total distance: 208.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135.6 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Cheraw, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 34.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.9 miles (I 95; US 17): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Cheraw, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
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.
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