Trip from Forest Acres, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC

Drive Time

3h 13m

Distance

161 mi

259 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

3h 2m ★

6 AM

3h 14m

8 AM

3h 37m

10 AM

3h 22m

12 PM

3h 20m

3 PM

3h 23m

5 PM

3h 36m

8 PM

3h 7m

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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Forest Acres, SC

Abstrakt Xxcellence Studios

Hilton Head Island, SC

Scott Platt

Trip Overview

The drive from Forest Acres, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC covers 161 miles and takes about 3h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 95, I 26, Coosaw Scenic Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.6 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.77 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

80.5 miles from Forest Acres, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 13m highway drive covering 161 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and I 26. The longest continuous stretch is about 56.6 miles on I 95.

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

There are about 24 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

351 ft 11 ft

Total Climb

147 ft

Total Descent

388 ft

Highest Point

351 ft

~23 mi in

Elevation Range

340 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near SC 16 / Beltline Boulevard.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 161 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 1.7 miles (SC 16 / Beltline Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 10.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 11.1 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

1.7 mi into trip | ~3m in | SC 16 / Beltline Boulevard

Keep slight right at fork onto SC 16 / Beltline Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

10.3 mi into trip | ~15m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 26 East: Charleston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 26 East: Charleston

11.1 mi into trip | ~17m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

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

Use the right lane.

63 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 169A Toward I 95 South: Savannah

63.9 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 95	56.6 mi	1h
I 26	51.9 mi	55m
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	3.8 mi	4m
South Beltline Boulevard	2.8 mi	5m

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forest Acres, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.

Start on SC 16

47 ft · 2 sec · North Beltline Boulevard

Turn slight left onto SC 16

1.7 mi · 3 min · North Beltline Boulevard

Keep slight right at fork onto SC 16

0.8 mi · 1 min · Beltline Boulevard

Continue on South Beltline Boulevard

2.8 mi · 5 min · South Beltline Boulevard

Turn left onto SC 48

451 ft · 9 sec · Bluff Road

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Merge onto I 77

1.8 mi · 1 min · William Earle Berne Beltway

Continue on I 77

2.8 mi · 3 min · Veterans Memorial Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 26 East: Charleston

Merge onto I 26

52 mi · 55 min · I 26

Use the right lane.

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 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

3.8 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 278

2.4 mi · 2 min · Cross Island Parkway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 59 sec

Turn left onto Marshland Road

2.3 mi · 5 min · Marshland Road

Turn right onto Allen Road

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Allen Road

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 80.5 miles from Forest Acres, SC, or about 1h 32m 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 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 80.5 miles or 1h 32m 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 31m

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 Forest Acres, 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 Forest Acres, SC

This is one driving day of about 161 miles and 3h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Forest Acres, 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 80.5 mi from Forest Acres, SC · 1h 32m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlotte, NC

81 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

Charlotte, NC

Fuel and coffee

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

Charlotte, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.5 miles from Forest Acres, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

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

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 27.8

Caution: Backcountry Trail Conditions

Park Closure: Boardwalk Partially Closed for Construction

View on nps.gov

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 155.4

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.77 one way

$51.53 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$28.07	$56.15
premium	$4.78	$30.29	$60.57
diesel	$5.64	$35.77	$71.54

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	48.3	$16.90	$7.73
Efficient EV	40.3	$14.09	$6.44
EV Truck/SUV	64.4	$22.54	$10.30

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (66% 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 5 hours ago

Origin

Forest Acres, SC

Evening in Forest Acres on Sunday

Local time

5:29 PM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Sunny

SE 1 to 7 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Hilton Head Island, SC

Evening in Hilton Head Island on Sunday

Local time

5:29 PM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Sunny

SE 2 to 7 mph 0% chance 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

9 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

3h 13m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Forest Acres, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC covers 161 miles and takes about 3h 13m 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 80.5 miles from Forest Acres, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.77 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.

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

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Return Trip

Hilton Head Island, SC to Forest Acres, SC

Plan the drive back the other way.

160.8 mi 3h 13m

Explore more options from Forest Acres, SC or browse trips ending in Hilton Head Island, SC.

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Trip from Forest Acres, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Hilton Head Island, SC

National Parks Near This Route

Congaree National Park

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Forest Acres, SC

Hilton Head Island, SC

Same local time

9 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 13m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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