Hilton Head, SC to Duncan, SC is 245.8 miles and takes about 4h 45m via I 95 and I 26, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within South Carolina, moving from the coastal Southeast region inland. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of the trip, making it a straightforward journey. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is well-suited for travelers looking for an efficient way to cover ground 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
122.9 miles from Hilton Head, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 26
140.1 mi
2h 32m
I 95
57.2 mi
1h 1m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.4 mi
12m
Fording Island Road
9 mi
13m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
Moore Duncan Highway
6.2 mi
9m
East Main Street
5.8 mi
11m
William Hilton Parkway
4.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 140.1 mi, about 2h 32m
Traffic on I-26
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 47 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,916 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,497
Quietest
2 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
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, SC and Duncan, 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
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 95; US 17
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 26 West: Columbia
13
Merge onto I 26
117 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26
24 mi·25 min·I 26
Toward SpartanburgUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 28Toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, MooreUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn slight left
95 ft·2 sec
17
Turn left onto US 221
0.9 mi·1 min·Highway 221
18
Turn right onto SC 290
6.2 mi·9 min·Moore Duncan Highway
19
Continue on SC 290
5.8 mi·11 min·East Main Street
20
Turn left onto South Spencer Street
126 ft·3 sec·South Spencer Street
21
Arrive at destination
South Spencer Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 45-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning will allow ample time to reach Duncan, SC, before evening. While only one stop is suggested, the longest stretch of 140.1 miles on I 26 means you'll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. Consider breaking up the drive with a stop around the Columbia, SC area if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The $38 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, but always check current prices.
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 122.9 miles from Hilton Head, SC, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.1 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 54 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.9 miles or 2h 23m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Duncan, 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 245.8 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 26 for about 140.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.3 and 232.6 — 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
92.5 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|I 26
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
209.1 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|I 26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Spartanburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Spartanburg
8
232.6 mi into trip|~4h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, Moore
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 28
Toward US 221: Spartanburg-South, Moore
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.10 one way
$78.19 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$42.63
$85.26
premium
$4.78
$46.25
$92.49
diesel
$5.35
$51.77
$103.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.7
0
$25.81
$11.80
Efficient EV
61.5
0
$21.51
$9.83
EV Truck/SUV
98.3
1
$34.41
$15.73
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 1, 2026
Origin
Hilton Head, SC
Afternoon
in Hilton Head on Wednesday
Local time
3:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Duncan, SC
Afternoon
in Duncan on Wednesday
Local time
3:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
WSW 1 mph23% chanceLive 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
12 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 45m 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.
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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 127.1
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction
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...
A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic mili...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 237.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-oriented, with 82% of the drive taking place on interstates. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 140.1 miles on I 26, which means extended periods of consistent speed. While the primary roads are I 95 and I 26, the inclusion of Coosaw Scenic Drive offers a brief, albeit short, alternative to the interstate. Overall, anticipate a driving experience characterized by its speed and focus on covering distance efficiently.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.1 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 13.3 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 12 significant decision points across 245.8 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 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 34.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.5 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
854 ft12 ft
Total Climb
900 ft
Total Descent
57 ft
Highest Point
854 ft
~245.8 mi in
Elevation Range
842 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hilton Head, SC and Duncan, SC, road signs point toward Spartanburg and Moore.
Spartanburg
209.1 mi in|~3h 57m|via I 26
Moore
232.6 mi in|~4h 22m
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 4h 45m. Total distance: 245.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.1 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Duncan, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 92.5 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Congaree National Park, Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Cowpens National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Duncan, SC, but most travelers stay overnight.
