Origin
Myrtle Beach, SC
Late night in Myrtle Beach on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Myrtle Beach, 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
4h 33m
Distance
200.1 mi
322 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 20m
★
6 AM
4h 33m
8 AM
5h 0m
10 AM
4h 43m
12 PM
4h 40m
3 PM
4h 44m
5 PM
4h 59m
8 PM
4h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Hilton Head Island, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head Island covers 200.1 miles of South Carolina’s Southeast coastline. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 4 hours and 33 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, the journey is quite budget-friendly for those looking to hop between these two popular coastal destinations. Because the route is relatively straightforward, you do not need to worry about an overnight split unless you prefer a slower pace. The trip provides a consistent regional experience as you remain within South Carolina the entire time, transitioning between different pockets of the Southeast.
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
100.1 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Fraser Street | 56 mi | 1h 14m |
| Savannah Highway | 29.7 mi | 43m |
| Ocean Highway | 17.4 mi | 25m |
| Ace Basin Parkway | 17.1 mi | 22m |
| Highway 17 | 14.4 mi | 16m |
| Okatie Highway | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| Trask Parkway | 12 mi | 14m |
| Fording Island Road | 9.3 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
North Fraser Street
— 56 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Myrtle Beach, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.
1
Start on this road
69 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
159 ft
·
13 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 17 Business
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Kings Highway
4
Turn left onto 6th Avenue North
489 ft
·
21 sec
·
6th Avenue North
5
Continue on 6th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
6th Avenue North
6
At end of road, turn right onto Alder Street
154 ft
·
6 sec
·
Alder Street
7
Turn left onto US 501
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
US 501
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 17 South: Georgetown
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto US 17
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 17
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 17 Bypass South
11
Continue on US 17
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Highway 17
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 17
17 mi
·
25 min
·
Ocean Highway
13
Continue on US 17
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
L. H. Siau Bridge
14
Continue on US 17
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Church Street
15
Turn left onto US 17
56 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
North Fraser Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 17
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North Highway 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 17
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Septima P. Clark Parkway
18
Continue on US 17
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Spring Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on Spring Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Spring Street
20
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
this road
21
Merge onto US 17
30 mi
·
43 min
·
Savannah Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 17
17 mi
·
22 min
·
Ace Basin Parkway
23
Continue on US 17
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Charleston Highway
Use the left lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
25
Enter roundabout onto Trask Parkway
207 ft
·
2 sec
·
Trask Parkway
26
Continue on Trask Parkway
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Trask Parkway
27
Turn right onto US 21
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Parris Island Gateway
28
Turn slight right onto SC 170
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Robert Smalls Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on SC 170
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
30
Continue on SC 170
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Okatie Highway
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
32
Merge onto US 278
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
Fording Island Road
33
Continue on US 278
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
William Hilton Parkway
34
Keep slight left at fork onto US 278
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
35
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
36
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Marshland Road
37
Turn right onto Allen Road
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Allen Road
38
Arrive at destination
Allen Road
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan to head out early to make the most of your day, as the 4 hour and 33 minute duration leaves you plenty of flexibility. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs rather than trying to power through the entire 200.1-mile distance at once. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning between the main roads, as the route relies heavily on local highways rather than a single major interstate. Given the $31 fuel estimate, you can easily budget for your travel expenses well in advance. My best tip is to monitor your progress on North Fraser Street specifically, as that 56-mile stretch is your longest continuous segment and a great time to settle into a comfortable cruising speed.
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 100.1 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56 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 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.1 miles or 2h 17m 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 44m
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 Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach, SC
This is one driving day of about 200.1 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Myrtle Beach, 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 North Fraser Street for about 56 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 100.1 miles from Myrtle Beach, 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 37.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
At end of road, turn right onto US 17 Business / North Kings Highway
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Alder Street
At end of road, turn right onto Alder Street
Navigation decision point
6
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward US 17 South: Georgetown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 17 South: Georgetown
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 17 / Highway 17
Merge onto US 17 / Highway 17
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
37.3 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
US 17 / North Fraser Street
Turn left onto US 17 / North Fraser Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.29 one way
$62.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $34.21 | $68.43 |
| premium | $4.70 | $37.03 | $74.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.18 | $88.36 |
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: 70 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 | 60 | 0 | $21.01 | $9.60 |
| Efficient EV | 50 | 0 | $17.51 | $8.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80 | 1 | $28.01 | $12.81 |
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
Hilton Head Island, SC
Late night in Hilton Head Island on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°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
23 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
4h 33m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10
near mile 89.7
View on nps.gov
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
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 165.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that keeps you engaged without being overly demanding. You will navigate a combination of North Fraser Street, Savannah Highway, and Ocean Highway, which provides a nice variety of road types rather than a singular, monotonous interstate grind. Only 30% of your time will be spent on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of the journey on local or secondary roads. Be prepared for a longest uninterrupted stretch of 56 miles along North Fraser Street, which serves as a significant portion of your transit. Overall, the road conditions shift as you move through the region, offering a balanced experience behind the wheel.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56 mi on North Fraser Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 early in the drive near US 17 Business / North Kings Highway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 200.1 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: near the start (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Alder Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 200.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56 miles on North Fraser Street. 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.
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: near the start (US 17 Business / North Kings Highway): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Alder Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Hilton Head Island, 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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