If you are looking to trade the quiet charm of Saint Matthews for the coastal atmosphere of Hilton Head Island, this 129-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the South Carolina landscape. Plan for about 2 hours and 38 minutes of drive time, making it an ideal day trip that doesn’t require an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily through local roads, including Bridge Street, Harry C Raysor Drive, and Saint Matthews Road, rather than sticking to major interstates. Budgeting around $21 for fuel should comfortably cover your transit between these two Southeast locations. Because the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best.
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
64.5 miles from Saint Matthews, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
56.6 mi
1h
I 26
22.8 mi
24m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.6 mi
13m
Fording Island Road
9.3 mi
12m
Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi
10m
Saint Matthews Road
6.9 mi
10m
Okatie Highway
4.2 mi
4m
William Hilton Parkway
3.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 56.6 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Matthews, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.
1
Start on this road
28 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto SC 6
292 ft·12 sec·Bridge Street
3
Turn right onto US 601
1.2 mi·2 min·Harry C Raysor Drive
4
Continue on US 601
6.6 mi·9 min·Saint Matthews Road
5
Continue on US 601
0.3 mi·26 sec·Saint Matthews Road
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
7
Merge onto I 26
23 mi·24 min·I 26
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 169AToward I 95 South: Savannah
9
Merge onto I 95
57 mi·1 hr·I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
11
Turn left onto SC 462
9.6 mi·13 min·Coosaw Scenic Drive
12
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi·10 min·Lowcountry Drive
13
Turn right onto SC 170
4.2 mi·4 min·Okatie Highway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
15
Merge onto US 278
9.3 mi·12 min·Fording Island Road
16
Continue on US 278
3.8 mi·4 min·William Hilton Parkway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 278
2.4 mi·2 min·Cross Island Parkway
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
19
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.3 mi·5 min·Marshland Road
20
Turn right onto Allen Road
0.2 mi·38 sec·Allen Road
21
Arrive at destination
Allen Road
Trip Plan
Since your journey takes nearly 2 hours and 40 minutes, you should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the turn-heavy segments. Leaving early in the day is a smart strategy to avoid fatigue, especially given the technical nature of the local road network. Keep your fuel gauge in mind before you head out, though your $21 estimate provides a clear baseline for your travel costs. Because you are navigating local streets like Harry C Raysor Drive, pay close attention to your GPS or map to ensure you stay on course through the various turns. Staying flexible with your timing is the best way to enjoy this regional transition at your own pace.
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 64.5 miles from Saint Matthews, SC, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 28 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.5 miles or 1h 14m 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 4m
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 Saint Matthews, 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 Saint Matthews, SC
This is one driving day of about 129 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Saint Matthews, 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 95 for about 56.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 88.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|SC 6 / Bridge Street
Turn left onto SC 6 / Bridge Street
Navigation decision point
4
8.1 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 26 East: Charleston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
5
31.1 mi into trip|~37m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 169A
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
5
32 mi into trip|~39m in|I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
88.5 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.17 one way
$40.35 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$22.06
$44.11
premium
$4.70
$23.88
$47.75
diesel
$5.61
$28.48
$56.96
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: 45.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.7
0
$13.54
$6.19
Efficient EV
32.3
0
$11.29
$5.16
EV Truck/SUV
51.6
0
$18.06
$8.26
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Saint Matthews, SC
Morning
in Saint Matthews on Sunday
Local time
6:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hilton Head Island, SC
Morning
in Hilton Head Island on Sunday
Local time
6:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Ridgeland, SC
65 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
32 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 38m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since this route maintains a 0% highway share, you will spend the entire 129 miles navigating local roads that demand your full attention. The road's personality is defined by frequent turns and a slower, more deliberate pace through the South Carolina countryside. You won't find any long, uninterrupted highway stretches here, so be prepared for a drive that changes constantly as you transition from Saint Matthews toward the coast. It is a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the local geography for the duration of the trip.
66% 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: 56.6 mi on I 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 26. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near SC 6 / Bridge Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 129 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 6 / Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 129 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.6 miles on I 95. 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: near the start (SC 6 / Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hilton Head Island, SC before heading back.
