Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Hilton Head, SC to Welcome, 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 53m
Distance
256.8 mi
413 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 40m
★
6 AM
4h 53m
8 AM
5h 20m
10 AM
5h 3m
12 PM
5h 0m
3 PM
5h 4m
5 PM
5h 19m
8 PM
4h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hilton Head, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Welcome, SC
Tima Miroshnichenko
Trip Overview
Hilton Head, SC to Welcome, SC is 256.8 miles and takes about 4h 53m via I 26 and I 95, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Southeast region, specifically South Carolina, making it a straightforward trip within a familiar area. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a good candidate for a single-day excursion. You'll spend the bulk of your time on interstate highways, so expect a consistent pace for most of the 256.8 miles.
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
128.4 miles from Hilton Head, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 116.6 mi | 2h 6m |
| I 95 | 57.2 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 385 | 29.6 mi | 32m |
| Southern Connector | 14.2 mi | 15m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
I 26
— 116.6 mi, about 2h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head, SC and Welcome, 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 left at fork onto I 385
30 mi
·
32 min
·
I 385
Exit 51
Toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 276
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 276
Toward I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderson
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 185: Atlanta, Anderson
17
Merge onto I 185
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Southern Connector
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 15
Toward US 25: White Horse Road, Travelers Rest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
149 ft
·
9 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Turn left onto US 25
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
White Horse Road
21
Turn right onto Welcome Avenue
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
Welcome Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Brownwood Drive
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Brownwood Drive
23
Arrive at destination
Brownwood Drive
Trip Plan
For a 4h 53m drive, leaving Hilton Head in the morning should get you to Welcome with plenty of daylight to spare. You'll want to plan for at least one fuel stop, as the longest stretch without major exits is over 100 miles. While the total distance is under 300 miles, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The majority of this route is on interstates, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering the longer stretches on I 26.
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 128.4 miles from Hilton Head, SC, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.6 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 56 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.4 miles or 2h 29m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Welcome, 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 256.8 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 116.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.4 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 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Interstate 26 East Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Interstate 26 West Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 13.3 and 254.1 — 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
9
209.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m in
|
I 385
Keep slight left at fork onto I 385 toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 51
Toward I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
6
238.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m in
|
US 276
Keep slight right at fork onto US 276 toward I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderso...
8
254 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
Take the exit toward US 25: White Horse Road, Travelers Rest
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 15
Toward US 25: White Horse Road, Travelers Rest
7
254.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.16 one way
$80.32 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $43.91 | $87.82 |
| premium | $4.70 | $47.53 | $95.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.70 | $113.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77 | 0 | $26.96 | $12.33 |
| Efficient EV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.47 | $10.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.7 | 1 | $35.95 | $16.44 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Hilton Head, SC
Late night in Hilton Head on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Welcome, SC
Late night in Welcome on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°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
3 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 53m 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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 123.9
Caution: Paddling Conditions
Caution: Burn Ban in Effect 4/17
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
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily highway driving, with 81% of the 256.8 miles on interstates. The longest continuous stretch without significant exit activity will be 116.6 miles on I 26. You'll encounter a high density of exits and merges as you navigate between I 95, I 26, and I 385, particularly as you approach your destination. Expect a generally smooth ride with limited sections of slower, surface road travel.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.6 mi on I 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 256.8 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 209.1 miles (I 385): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 238.7 miles (US 276): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Between Hilton Head, SC and Welcome, SC, road signs point toward Greenville, Mauldin and Anderson.
Greenville
209.1 mi in
|
~3h 57m
|
via I 385
Mauldin
238.7 mi in
|
~4h 29m
|
via US 276
Anderson
238.7 mi in
|
~4h 29m
|
via US 276
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.
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 53m. Total distance: 256.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.6 miles on I 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Welcome, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 209.1 miles (I 385): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 238.7 miles (US 276): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Congaree National Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Welcome, 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.
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