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Trip from Isle of Palms, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 41m

Distance

114.7 mi

185 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 31m ★
6 AM
2h 41m
8 AM
3h 2m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 46m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 1m
8 PM
2h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States

Isle of Palms, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Hilton Head Island, SC, SC

Hilton Head Island, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Isle of Palms, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC is 114.7 miles and takes about 2h 41m via Savannah Highway, Ace Basin Parkway, and Okatie Highway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within South Carolina, traversing the Southeast region. It's a mixed drive, meaning you'll encounter a variety of road types, so don't expect a purely interstate experience. This is a manageable one-day trip, perfect for a leisurely departure or an early start to maximize your time at your destination.

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

57.3 miles from Isle of Palms, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Savannah Highway 29.7 mi 43m
Ace Basin Parkway 17.1 mi 22m
Okatie Highway 12.3 mi 14m
Trask Parkway 12 mi 14m
Fording Island Road 9.3 mi 12m
Charleston Highway 5.6 mi 7m
William Hilton Parkway 3.8 mi 4m
Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge 3.7 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Savannah Highway — 29.7 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Isle of Palms, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.

1

Start on SC 703

1.3 mi · 2 min · Palm Boulevard
2

Continue on SC 703

1.6 mi · 2 min · Jasper Boulevard
3

Turn right onto SC 703

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Station 22 1/2 Street
4

Continue on SC 703

1.7 mi · 2 min · Ben Sawyer Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5

Turn slight right onto SC 703

0.8 mi · 1 min · Ben Sawyer Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Continue on SC 703

1.1 mi · 2 min · Coleman Boulevard
7

Continue on SC 703

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Coleman Boulevard
8

Take the ramp onto SC 703

0.5 mi · 1 min · SC 703
Toward US 17 South: Charleston
9

Merge onto US 17

3.7 mi · 5 min · Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on US 17

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Septima P. Clark Parkway
11

Continue on US 17

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Spring Street
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on Spring Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Spring Street
13

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 20 sec · this road
14

Merge onto US 17

30 mi · 43 min · Savannah Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Continue on US 17

17 mi · 22 min · Ace Basin Parkway
16

Continue on US 17

5.6 mi · 7 min · Charleston Highway
Use the left lane.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
18

Enter roundabout onto Trask Parkway

207 ft · 2 sec · Trask Parkway
19

Continue on Trask Parkway

12 mi · 14 min · Trask Parkway
20

Turn right onto US 21

1.2 mi · 1 min · Parris Island Gateway
21

Turn slight right onto SC 170

3.5 mi · 3 min · Robert Smalls Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Continue on SC 170

1.7 mi · 1 min · Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
23

Continue on SC 170

12 mi · 14 min · Okatie Highway
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
25

Merge onto US 278

9.3 mi · 12 min · Fording Island Road
26

Continue on US 278

3.8 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway
27

Keep slight left at fork onto US 278

2.4 mi · 2 min · Cross Island Parkway
28

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 59 sec
29

Turn left onto Marshland Road

2.3 mi · 5 min · Marshland Road
30

Turn right onto Allen Road

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Allen Road
31

Arrive at destination

Allen Road

Trip Plan

Given this is a 114.7-mile drive that can be completed in under 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour traffic and still arrive with plenty of daylight. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, you likely won't need to refuel during the trip unless your vehicle is particularly inefficient. The single stop indicated is likely more for a quick break than a necessity, so plan your departure time based on when you want to arrive at Hilton Head Island.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 57.3 miles from Isle of Palms, SC, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.7 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 25 miles or 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 57.3 miles or 1h 25m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hilton Head Island, SC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Isle of Palms, 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 Isle of Palms, SC

This is one driving day of about 114.7 miles and 2h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Isle of Palms, 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 Savannah Highway for about 29.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Hollywood, SC, SC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hollywood, SC

57 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

North Charleston, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Beaufort, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.3 miles from Isle of Palms, 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 8.4 and 112.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
8.4 mi into trip | ~15m in | US 17 / Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge

Merge onto US 17 / Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
12.6 mi into trip | ~22m in | US 17 / Savannah Highway

Merge onto US 17 / Savannah Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
65.3 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | Trask Parkway

Enter roundabout onto Trask Parkway

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4
109.4 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in | US 278 / Cross Island Parkway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 278 / Cross Island Parkway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
112.2 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in | Marshland Road

Turn left onto Marshland Road

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.94 one way

$35.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $19.61 $39.22
premium $4.70 $21.23 $42.46
diesel $5.61 $25.32 $50.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.4 0 $12.04 $5.51
Efficient EV 28.7 0 $10.04 $4.59
EV Truck/SUV 45.9 0 $16.06 $7.34

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (68% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Isle of Palms, SC

Late night in Isle of Palms on Sunday

Local time

12:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Sunny

S 17 mph 0% chance Live forecast

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

Hilton Head Island, SC

Late night in Hilton Head Island on Sunday

Local time

12:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Sunny

S 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued April 16 at 2:47AM EDT until April 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC

83°F

Hollywood, SC

57 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

2 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 41m on the road

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 near mile 4
View on nps.gov
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

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...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 79.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 34% of it on highways. You'll encounter a 29.7-mile stretch on Savannah Highway, which is the longest uninterrupted segment. As you travel, the road character shifts, moving from coastal access roads to more parkway-style driving and then onto local highways. Expect varied speed limits and driving conditions, so staying alert will be key throughout the 2h 41m journey.

34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.7 mi on Savannah Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.4 miles in near US 17 / Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 114.7 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 8.4 miles (US 17 / Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles (US 17 / Savannah Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.3 miles (Trask Parkway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

About the Cities

Starting in Isle of Palms, SC

Full guide →

Isle of Palms is a city of 4,347 (2020) in South Carolina, near Charleston. Over the years Isle of Palms has become a very popular vacation spot for families. Warm weather, an abundance of palm trees, and beautiful beaches make Isle of Palms the perfect location for any traveler.

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 2h 41m. Total distance: 114.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 29.7 miles on Savannah Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Hilton Head Island, 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 8.4 miles (US 17 / Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles (US 17 / Savannah Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.3 miles (Trask Parkway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Yes — Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hilton Head Island, SC before heading back.

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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