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Trip from Anderson County Airport, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC

Drive Time

5h 31m

Distance

276.1 mi

444 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

29 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 18m ★
6 AM
5h 32m
8 AM
5h 58m
10 AM
5h 41m
12 PM
5h 38m
3 PM
5h 42m
5 PM
5h 57m
8 PM
5h 24m

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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Downtown Anderson County Airport, SC, SC

Anderson County Airport, SC

Jimmy Liao

Downtown Hilton Head Island, SC, SC

Hilton Head Island, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Anderson County Airport, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC covers 276.1 miles and takes about 5h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 26, I 95, Golden Strip Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 116 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.19 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

138.1 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 31m highway drive covering 276.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 116 miles on I 26.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 26 is the longest continuous segment at about 116 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 39.3 miles in near I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 276.1 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: at 39.3 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.2 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.9 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
39.3 mi into trip | ~59m in | I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway

Merge onto I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway

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

Use the slight right lane.
5
62.2 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

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

Use the slight right lane.
7
117.9 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in | I 26

Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Charleston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Charleston
5
178.2 mi into trip | ~3h 31m 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
179 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Anderson County Airport, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.

Charleston

117.9 mi in | ~2h 24m | via I 26

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 26 116 mi 2h 7m
I 95 56.6 mi 1h
Golden Strip Freeway 22.9 mi 24m
Highway 418 9.9 mi 14m
Coosaw Scenic Drive 9.6 mi 13m
Fording Island Road 9.3 mi 12m
Lowcountry Drive 7.9 mi 10m
Cooley Bridge Road 5.6 mi 8m
Longest stretch: I 26 — 116 mi, about 2h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anderson County Airport, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.

1

Start on this road

293 ft · 21 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Airport Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Airport Road
3

Turn right onto SC 24

0.7 mi · 1 min · Highway 24
4

Continue on SC 24

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Whitner Street
5

Turn right onto SC 28

2.2 mi · 2 min · Highway 28 Bypass
6

Continue on SC 28

0.5 mi · 33 sec · Pearman Dairy Road
7

Turn left onto US 29

0.1 mi · 20 sec · South Murray Avenue
8

Turn right onto US 29

2.0 mi · 2 min · West Shockley Ferry Road
9

Turn right onto US 29; US 76; US 178

2.6 mi · 3 min · East River Street
10

Continue on US 76; US 178

4.7 mi · 6 min · Belton Highway
11

Continue on US 76; US 178

2.3 mi · 3 min · Anderson Street
12

Turn left onto SC 20

374 ft · 14 sec · North Main Street
13

Turn right onto SC 247

1.3 mi · 2 min · River Street
14

Continue on SC 247

3.6 mi · 4 min · Highway 247
15

Continue on SC 247

5.6 mi · 8 min · Cooley Bridge Road
16

At end of road, turn left onto US 25

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Augusta Road
17

Turn right onto SC 418

9.9 mi · 14 min · Highway 418
18

Continue on SC 418

1.3 mi · 2 min · Milacron Drive
19

Continue on SC 418

0.2 mi · 19 sec · McCarter Road
20

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
21

Merge onto I 385

23 mi · 24 min · Golden Strip Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
22

Merge onto I 26

56 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 26
Use the slight right lane.
23

Keep slight right at fork onto I 26

60 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 26
Toward Charleston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 169A Toward I 95 South: Savannah
25

Merge onto I 95

57 mi · 1 hr · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
27

Turn left onto SC 462

9.6 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive
28

Continue on SC 462

7.9 mi · 10 min · Lowcountry Drive
29

Turn right onto SC 170

4.2 mi · 4 min · Okatie Highway
30

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
31

Merge onto US 278

9.3 mi · 12 min · Fording Island Road
32

Continue on US 278

3.8 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway
33

Keep slight left at fork onto US 278

2.4 mi · 2 min · Cross Island Parkway
34

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 59 sec
35

Turn left onto Marshland Road

2.3 mi · 5 min · Marshland Road
36

Turn right onto Allen Road

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Allen Road
37

Arrive at destination

Allen Road

Trip Plan

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 138.1 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116 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 80 miles or 1h 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 138.1 miles or 2h 47m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 23m

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 Anderson County Airport, 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 Anderson County Airport, SC

This is one driving day of about 276.1 miles and 5h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Anderson County Airport, 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 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 138.1 mi from Anderson County Airport, SC · 2h 47m into the drive

Downtown Belmont, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Belmont, NC

138 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

Mauldin, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Belmont, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 138.1 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116 miles.

Arriving in Hilton Head Island, SC

The final approach into Hilton Head Island, SC usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Hilton Head Island, SC.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Congaree National Park

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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 142.8
Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions
Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction
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...

14 mi from route ~35 min detour Free near mile 266.6
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.19 one way

$88.37 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $48.14 $96.29
premium $4.78 $51.94 $103.87
diesel $5.64 $61.34 $122.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

29 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Hilton Garden Inn - Tesla Supercharger

Anderson, SC

Tesla

16 DCFC

Columbia, SC - Harbison Boulevard - Tesla Supercharger

Columbia, SC

Tesla

16 DCFC

Cracker Barrel - Tesla Supercharger

Orangeburg, SC

Tesla

16 DCFC

B&T's Fresh Food Market - Tesla Supercharger

Ridgeland, SC

Tesla

16 DCFC

Cayce Crossing - Tesla Supercharger

Cayce, SC

Tesla

12 DCFC

Food Lion - Tesla Supercharger

St. George, SC

Tesla

12 DCFC

Shoppes of Walterboro - Tesla Supercharger

Walterboro, SC

Tesla

12 DCFC

Target - Tesla Supercharger

Bluffton, SC

Tesla

12 DCFC

Tesla: 11 ChargePoint Network: 5 EV Connect: 4 eVgo Network: 4 Electrify America: 2 Non-Networked: 2 CIRCLE_K: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 82.8 1 $28.99 $13.25
Efficient EV 69 0 $24.16 $11.04
EV Truck/SUV 110.4 1 $38.65 $17.67

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 14 hours ago

Origin

Anderson County Airport, SC

Afternoon in Anderson County Airport on Monday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hilton Head Island, SC

Afternoon in Hilton Head Island on Monday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

64°F

Belmont, NC

138 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

4 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

5h 31m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Anderson County Airport, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC covers 276.1 miles and takes about 5h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 26, I 95, Golden Strip Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 138.1 miles from Anderson County Airport, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 276.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.3 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.2 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.9 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Anderson County Airport, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.

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