Origin
Hilton Head, SC
Late night in Hilton Head on Sunday
Local time
12:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hilton Head, SC to Dillon, SC
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
199 mi
320 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 33m
★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hilton Head, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Dillon, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Hilton Head to Dillon covers 199 miles of South Carolina landscape, typically taking about 3 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused route, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $32 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly way to cross the state. You will primarily utilize a combination of Fording Island Road, Coosaw Scenic Drive, and a significant stretch of I-95. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, the route provides a direct connection between the Southeast coastal region and the interior of the state.
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
99.5 miles from Hilton Head, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 161.5 mi | 2h 53m |
| 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 |
| State Highway 34 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| West Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 161.5 mi, about 2h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head, SC and Dillon, 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
161 mi
·
2 hr 53 min
·
I 95; US 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward SC 34: Dillon, Bingham, Brownsville
13
Turn slight right onto SC 34
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 34
14
Continue on SC 34
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
West Main Street
15
Turn right onto US 301; US 501
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 301; US 501
16
Arrive at destination
US 301; US 501
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 45 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Since you only have one planned stop along the way, try to time your break to coincide with the conclusion of the longest 161.5-mile stretch on I-95 to keep your energy levels steady. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the interstate to ensure you avoid unnecessary detours for gas. Because the route relies heavily on major arteries, checking traffic reports before you leave Hilton Head can help you avoid potential congestion on the main highway. Utilizing the early morning hours can often lead to a smoother, more predictable arrival in Dillon.
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 99.5 miles from Hilton Head, SC, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 161.5 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 44 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.5 miles or 1h 57m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dillon, 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 199 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 161.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 99.5 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 161.5 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 85 decision points cluster between mile 13.3 and 199 — 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
196.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward SC 34: Dillon, Bingham, Brownsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward SC 34: Dillon, Bingham, Brownsville
4
199 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
|
US 301; US 501
Turn right onto US 301; US 501
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.12 one way
$62.24 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $34.03 | $68.05 |
| premium | $4.70 | $36.83 | $73.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.94 | $87.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.89 | $9.55 |
| Efficient EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.41 | $7.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.6 | 0 | $27.86 | $12.74 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Dillon, SC
Late night in Dillon on Sunday
Local time
12:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Holly Hill, SC
100 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
33 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 45m 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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 109.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its efficiency, with 84% of the journey spent on high-speed highways. Once you clear the initial local roads, you settle into a long, consistent stretch on I-95 that spans 161.5 miles. While the start of your trip involves navigating Fording Island Road and Coosaw Scenic Drive, the personality of the drive quickly shifts to a standard interstate experience. Expect a steady, predictable pace for the majority of your time behind the wheel. The transition from the coastal environment to the inland highway system is seamless, allowing you to cover the distance with minimal navigation stress.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 161.5 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Coosaw Scenic Drive. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 199 miles you will encounter 8 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 199 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 161.5 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.
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 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.
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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Dillon, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. 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
Continue From Dillon, SC
More trips to Dillon, SC
Explore more options from Hilton Head, SC or browse trips ending in Dillon, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.