Trip from Brookdale, SC to Hilton Head, SC

Drive Time

2h 16m

Distance

114.1 mi

184 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

2h 7m ★

6 AM

2h 16m

8 AM

2h 35m

10 AM

2h 23m

12 PM

2h 21m

3 PM

2h 24m

5 PM

2h 34m

8 PM

2h 10m

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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Brookdale, SC

Colon Freld

Hilton Head, SC

Colon Freld

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Brookdale to Hilton Head, you are looking at a straightforward 114.1-mile journey through the Southeast. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this trip is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay, allowing you the flexibility to complete the drive in one go. Whether you are heading to the coast for a quick getaway or a business trip, this route offers a functional and efficient path across South Carolina.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

57.1 miles from Brookdale, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is primarily highway-focused, with about 70% of your time spent on major arteries like I-95, I-26, and the Coosaw Scenic Drive. You will encounter a significant stretch of open road, with your longest uninterrupted segment covering 56.6 miles on I-95. The experience shifts from the high-speed, multi-lane interstate environment to the more localized transition onto the Coosaw Scenic Drive. While the interstate portions provide a consistent rhythm for covering ground quickly, the final legs of the trip introduce a change in pace. Prepare for a mix of cruising at highway speeds and navigating the transition toward your final destination.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 56.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 26. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Shadow Lawn Drive.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 16m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Shadow Lawn Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Old Cameron Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Shadow Lawn Drive

Turn right onto Shadow Lawn Drive

Navigation decision point

0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | Old Cameron Road

At end of road, turn left onto Old Cameron Road

Navigation decision point

2.1 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward I 26 East: Charleston

Navigation decision point

Toward I 26 East: Charleston

21.8 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 169A Toward I 95 South: Savannah

22.7 mi into trip | ~28m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

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

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 95	56.6 mi	1h
I 26	19.5 mi	20m
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
Russell Street	1.7 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 95 — 56.6 mi, about 1h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Brookdale, SC and Hilton Head, SC.

Start on Dellwood Drive

424 ft · 20 sec · Dellwood Drive

Turn right onto Shadow Lawn Drive

0.2 mi · 1 min · Shadow Lawn Drive

At end of road, turn left onto Old Cameron Road

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Old Cameron Road

Continue on SC 33

1.7 mi · 3 min · Russell Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 26 East: Charleston

Merge onto I 26

19 mi · 20 min · I 26

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 169A Toward I 95 South: Savannah

Merge onto I 95

57 mi · 1 hr · I 95

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie

Turn left onto SC 462

9.6 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive

Continue on SC 462

7.9 mi · 10 min · Lowcountry Drive

Turn right onto SC 170

4.2 mi · 4 min · Okatie Highway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Merge onto US 278

9.3 mi · 12 min · Fording Island Road

Continue on US 278

3.4 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway

Use the none lane.

Arrive at destination

US 278

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 16-minute drive, you have plenty of scheduling freedom. You can easily depart in the morning to maximize your time in Hilton Head without needing to plan for formal stops, as the trip is short enough to drive straight through. Keep in mind that with no official stops required, you should ensure your tank is ready for the 114.1-mile haul before you leave. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider timing your departure to avoid peak interstate traffic, which can occasionally affect flow on I-95. Paying attention to the transition from the interstates onto the Coosaw Scenic Drive will help you stay on track as you approach the coast.

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 57.1 miles from Brookdale, SC, or about 1h 4m 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 57.1 miles or 1h 4m 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 48m

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 Brookdale, 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 Brookdale, SC

This is one driving day of about 114.1 miles and 2h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brookdale, SC.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 57.1 mi from Brookdale, SC · 1h 4m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charleston, SC

57 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

Charleston, SC

Fuel and coffee

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

Charleston, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.1 miles from Brookdale, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.26 one way

$36.52 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$19.90	$39.79
premium	$4.78	$21.46	$42.93
diesel	$5.64	$25.35	$50.70

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	34.2	$11.98	$5.48
Efficient EV	28.5	$9.98	$4.56
EV Truck/SUV	45.6	$15.97	$7.30

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (68% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Brookdale, SC

Night in Brookdale on Sunday

Local time

11:09 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hilton Head, SC

Night in Hilton Head on Sunday

Local time

11:09 PM

EDT

Current temp

85°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

2h 16m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Brookdale, SC to Hilton Head, SC covers 114.1 miles and takes about 2h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 95, I 26, Coosaw Scenic Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 57.1 miles from Brookdale, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.26 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This is a straightforward 2h 16m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Shadow Lawn Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (Old Cameron Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point.

The route from Brookdale, SC to Hilton Head, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.