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Trip from Forest Acres, SC to Hilton Head, SC

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 3m

Distance

155.3 mi

250 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 52m ★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 56m

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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city in Richland County, South Carolina, United States of America

Forest Acres, SC

Wikimedia Commons

resort town in South Carolina, USA

Hilton Head, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Forest Acres, SC to Hilton Head, SC covers 155.3 miles and takes about 3h 3m 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 $24.29 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

77.7 miles from Forest Acres, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 155.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 3m highway drive covering 155.3 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 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 56.6 miles.

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.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 155.3 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 11 key points

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

4
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

5
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
5
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.
5
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
5
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 3.4 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, SC.

1

Start on SC 16

47 ft · 2 sec · North Beltline Boulevard
2

Turn slight left onto SC 16

1.7 mi · 3 min · North Beltline Boulevard
3

Keep slight right at fork onto SC 16

0.8 mi · 1 min · Beltline Boulevard
4

Continue on South Beltline Boulevard

2.8 mi · 5 min · South Beltline Boulevard
5

Turn left onto SC 48

451 ft · 9 sec · Bluff Road
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
7

Merge onto I 77

1.8 mi · 1 min · William Earle Berne Beltway
8

Continue on I 77

2.8 mi · 3 min · Veterans Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 26 East: Charleston
10

Merge onto I 26

52 mi · 55 min · I 26
Use the right lane.
11

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 169A Toward I 95 South: Savannah
12

Merge onto I 95

57 mi · 1 hr · I 95
Use the 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
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 77.7 miles from Forest Acres, SC, or about 1h 29m 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 34 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.7 miles or 1h 29m 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 25m

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 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 155.3 miles and 3h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 77.7 mi from Forest Acres, SC · 1h 29m into the drive

city in South Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Walterboro, SC

78 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

Gaston, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Walterboro, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.7 miles from Forest Acres, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Corner Perk Hilton Head

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 155.3

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18433045363

Visit website

Indah Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia, South Carolina

2.8 mi

Poindexter Coffee

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+18037797779

Visit website

Corner Perk Hilton Head

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 155.3

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18433045363

Visit website

Indah Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18037080275

Visit website

Piecewise Coffee Co. - Cayce

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 11.1

Cayce, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18037641044

Visit website

Mays Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18037338596

Visit website

Island Skiff Adventure Tours

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 155.3

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18438165976

Visit website

Robert Mills House and Gardens

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 12–1 pm

+18032527742

Visit website

Columbia Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+18037992810

Visit website

The Game Show Challenge - Columbia

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18034701112

Visit website

Escapology Escape Rooms Columbia (Vista)

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18039004144

Visit website

Hilton Head Distillery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 155.3

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Hours: 12–7 pm

+18436864443

Visit website

Craft Axe Throwing

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Columbia, South Carolina

Hours: 4–9 pm

+18032813803

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

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 26.8
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...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free near mile 155.3
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.29 one way

$48.57 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $26.55 $53.11
premium $4.70 $28.74 $57.49
diesel $5.61 $34.29 $68.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.6 0 $16.31 $7.45
Efficient EV 38.8 0 $13.59 $6.21
EV Truck/SUV 62.1 0 $21.74 $9.94

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Forest Acres, SC

Evening in Forest Acres on Thursday

Local time

5:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hilton Head, SC

Evening in Hilton Head on Thursday

Local time

5:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°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

9 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 3m 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 Forest Acres, SC to Hilton Head, SC covers 155.3 miles and takes about 3h 3m 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 77.7 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 $24.29 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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 155.3 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 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.
The route from Forest Acres, SC to Hilton Head, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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