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Trip from Anderson, SC to Hilton Head, SC

Drive Time

5h 12m

Distance

264.7 mi

426 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 59m ★
6 AM
5h 13m
8 AM
5h 40m
10 AM
5h 22m
12 PM
5h 19m
3 PM
5h 24m
5 PM
5h 38m
8 PM
5h 5m

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, SC, SC

Anderson, SC

HedMidia Notícias

Downtown Hilton Head, SC, SC

Hilton Head, SC

Colon Freld

Trip Overview

The drive from Anderson, SC to Hilton Head, SC covers 264.7 miles and takes about 5h 12m 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 $42.36 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

132.4 miles from Anderson, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 12m highway drive covering 264.7 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 27 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 early in the drive near SC 28 Business / South Main Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 264.7 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: near the start (SC 28 Business / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.5 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.4 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | SC 28 Business / South Main Street

Turn left onto SC 28 Business / South Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
33.5 mi into trip | ~50m 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
56.4 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

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

Use the slight right lane.
7
112.2 mi into trip | ~2h 16m 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
172.4 mi into trip | ~3h 22m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 169A Toward I 95 South: Savannah

Towns Along This Route

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

Charleston

112.2 mi in | ~2h 16m | 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, SC and Hilton Head, SC.

1

Start on East Whitner Street

31 ft · 8 sec · East Whitner Street
2

Turn left onto SC 28 Business

0.2 mi · 34 sec · South Main Street
3

Turn left onto US 76; US 178

3.9 mi · 5 min · East River Street
4

Continue on US 76; US 178

4.7 mi · 6 min · Belton Highway
5

Continue on US 76; US 178

2.3 mi · 3 min · Anderson Street
6

Turn left onto SC 20

374 ft · 14 sec · North Main Street
7

Turn right onto SC 247

1.3 mi · 2 min · River Street
8

Continue on SC 247

3.6 mi · 4 min · Highway 247
9

Continue on SC 247

5.6 mi · 8 min · Cooley Bridge Road
10

At end of road, turn left onto US 25

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Augusta Road
11

Turn right onto SC 418

9.9 mi · 14 min · Highway 418
12

Continue on SC 418

1.3 mi · 2 min · Milacron Drive
13

Continue on SC 418

0.2 mi · 19 sec · McCarter Road
14

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
15

Merge onto I 385

23 mi · 24 min · Golden Strip Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
16

Merge onto I 26

56 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 26
Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 26

60 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 26
Toward Charleston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 169A Toward I 95 South: Savannah
19

Merge onto I 95

57 mi · 1 hr · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
21

Turn left onto SC 462

9.6 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive
22

Continue on SC 462

7.9 mi · 10 min · Lowcountry Drive
23

Turn right onto SC 170

4.2 mi · 4 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

3.4 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway
27

Arrive at destination

US 278

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 132.4 miles from Anderson, SC, or about 2h 38m 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 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 132.4 miles or 2h 38m 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 11m

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 Anderson, 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, SC

This is one driving day of about 264.7 miles and 5h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Anderson, 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 132.4 mi from Anderson, SC · 2h 38m into the drive

Downtown Belmont, NC, NC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Belmont, NC

132 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

Inman Mills, 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 132.4 miles from Anderson, 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, SC

The final approach into Hilton Head, 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, 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 136.9
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...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free near mile 264.7
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.36 one way

$84.72 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $46.16 $92.31
premium $4.78 $49.79 $99.59
diesel $5.64 $58.81 $117.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.4 0 $27.79 $12.71
Efficient EV 66.2 0 $23.16 $10.59
EV Truck/SUV 105.9 1 $37.06 $16.94

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 8 hours ago

Origin

Anderson, SC

Morning in Anderson on Monday

Local time

7:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hilton Head, SC

Morning in Hilton Head on Monday

Local time

7:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

64°F

Belmont, NC

132 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 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 12m 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, SC to Hilton Head, SC covers 264.7 miles and takes about 5h 12m 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 132.4 miles from Anderson, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.36 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 16 significant decision points across 264.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (SC 28 Business / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.5 miles (I 385 / Golden Strip Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.4 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Anderson, SC to Hilton Head, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Charleston along the way.

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