Origin
Manning, SC
Late night in Manning on Tuesday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Manning, SC to Hilton Head, 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
2h 27m
Distance
127.3 mi
205 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Manning, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Hilton Head, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Manning, SC to Hilton Head, SC is 127.3 miles and takes about 2h 27m via I 95 and Coosaw Scenic Drive, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within South Carolina, covering ground in the Southeast region. It’s a straightforward drive that’s mostly highway, making it a quick option if you’re looking to get to your destination efficiently. You can expect a relatively easy transit with minimal complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.6 miles from Manning, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 89.8 mi | 1h 36m |
| Coosaw Scenic Drive | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| Fording Island Road | 9.3 mi | 12m |
| Lowcountry Drive | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| Okatie Highway | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| William Hilton Parkway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Paxville Highway | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Boyce Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 89.8 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manning, SC and Hilton Head, SC.
1
Start on SC 261
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Boyce Street
2
Continue on SC 261
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Paxville Highway
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
4
Merge onto I 95
90 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
6
Turn left onto SC 462
9.6 mi
·
13 min
·
Coosaw Scenic Drive
7
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Lowcountry Drive
8
Turn right onto SC 170
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Okatie Highway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
10
Merge onto US 278
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
Fording Island Road
11
Continue on US 278
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
William Hilton Parkway
12
Arrive at destination
US 278
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 27m duration, this route is easily doable in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to arrive and settle in, or even explore a bit before evening. The longest stretch on I 95 is nearly 90 miles, so plan for a brief stop for fuel or a stretch before or after that segment. Since the total distance is under 130 miles and the fuel cost is estimated at $20, you have flexibility for a late start or spontaneous detours in the final few miles.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 63.6 miles from Manning, SC, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.8 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 28 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.6 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hilton Head, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Manning, 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 Manning, SC
This is one driving day of about 127.3 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Manning, SC.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 95 for about 89.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.6 miles from Manning, 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 89.8 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 65 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 114.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 95 South: Savannah
Navigation decision point
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
5
2.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
92.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
3
110.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
|
SC 170 / Okatie Highway
Turn right onto SC 170 / Okatie Highway
Navigation decision point
3
114.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.91 one way
$39.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $21.77 | $43.53 |
| premium | $4.70 | $23.56 | $47.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.11 | $56.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.37 | $6.11 |
| Efficient EV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.14 | $5.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.9 | 0 | $17.82 | $8.15 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Hilton Head, SC
Late night in Hilton Head on Tuesday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Ridgeland, SC
64 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
26 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 27m 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
near mile 127.3
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 17.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 73% of the total distance on major roads. You'll experience an 89.8-mile stretch on I 95, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. After leaving the interstate, you'll transition to surface roads like Coosaw Scenic Drive and Fording Island Road, offering a change of pace. Expect a more rural feel as you approach the coast.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.8 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Coosaw Scenic Drive. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Manning, SC to Hilton Head, SC is easy. At 2h 27m with 73% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
About the Cities
Arriving 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 2h 27m. Total distance: 127.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.8 miles on I 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 2.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Congaree National 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, 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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