Origin
Camden, SC
Evening in Camden on Sunday
Local time
6:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Camden, SC to Hilton Head, SC
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
171.8 mi
276 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 8m
★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Camden, SC
Kevin Yang
Hilton Head, SC
Colon Freld
Trip Overview
The drive from Camden, SC to Hilton Head, SC covers 171.8 miles and takes about 3h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Manning Road, Coosaw Scenic Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.1 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.49 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
85.9 miles from Camden, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Camden, SC to Hilton Head, SC covers 171.8 miles and takes about 3h 20m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 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 93.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 43.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 20m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 43.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 43.8 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
43.5 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
5
43.8 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
4
136.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
Take the exit toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
3
154.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
|
SC 170 / Okatie Highway
Turn right onto SC 170 / Okatie Highway
Navigation decision point
3
158.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 93.1 mi | 1h 39m |
| Manning Road | 12.1 mi | 13m |
| Coosaw Scenic Drive | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| Fording Island Road | 9.3 mi | 12m |
| Sumter Highway | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| Camden Highway | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| Lowcountry Drive | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| Thomas Sumter Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 93.1 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camden, SC and Hilton Head, SC.
1
Start on US 521; US 601
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Broad Street
2
Continue on US 521
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Sumter Highway
3
Continue on US 521
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Camden Highway
4
Continue on US 521
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Thomas Sumter Highway
5
Continue on US 521
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Camden Highway
6
Turn slight left onto US 521; US 76 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
7
Turn slight right onto US 521
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bultman Drive
8
Continue on US 521
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Guignard Drive
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 521
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Guignard Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn right onto US 521
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Manning Road
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
12
Merge onto I 95
93 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
I 95
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
14
Turn left onto SC 462
9.6 mi
·
13 min
·
Coosaw Scenic Drive
15
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Lowcountry Drive
16
Turn right onto SC 170
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Okatie Highway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
18
Merge onto US 278
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
Fording Island Road
19
Continue on US 278
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
William Hilton Parkway
Use the none lane.
20
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 85.9 miles from Camden, SC, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.1 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.9 miles or 1h 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 2h 38m
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 Camden, 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 Camden, SC
This is one driving day of about 171.8 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Camden, 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 93.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.9 mi from Camden, SC · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.9 miles from Camden, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.1 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.49 one way
$54.99 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $29.96 | $59.91 |
| premium | $4.78 | $32.32 | $64.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.17 | $76.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.5 | 0 | $18.04 | $8.25 |
| Efficient EV | 43 | 0 | $15.03 | $6.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.05 | $11.00 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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, SC
Evening in Hilton Head on Sunday
Local time
6:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
4 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
3h 20m 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 Camden, SC to Hilton Head, SC covers 171.8 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Manning Road, Coosaw Scenic Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.9 miles from Camden, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.49 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 20m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 43.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 43.8 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Camden, SC to Hilton Head, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Hilton Head, SC
More trips to Hilton Head, SC
Explore more options from Camden, SC or browse trips ending in Hilton Head, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.
Explore maps for Camden, SC or Hilton Head, SC on MapSof.net.