The drive from Gloverville, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC covers 159.3 miles and takes about 3h 28m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Savannah Highway, GA 23, Mike Padgett Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.3 miles on Savannah Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.84 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
79.7 miles from Gloverville, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 28m. Total distance: 159.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Gloverville, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC covers 159.3 miles and takes about 3h 28m, 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 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Savannah Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 38.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 159.3 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 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 121 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
15.5 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward GA 56
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward GA 56
6
121 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 North: Florence
6
121.1 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Turn left toward I 95 North: Florence
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 95 North: Florence
5
132.9 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward US 278: Beaufort, Hilton Head Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 278: Beaufort, Hilton Head Island
7
133.2 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 278 East: Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Sun City, Parris Island, Pinckney National Wildlife Refuge, Sergeant Jasper Park, University of South Carolina Beaufort - Hilton Head Island Campus, Technical College of the Lowcountry - New River Campus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 278 East: Beaufort, Hilton Head Islan...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gloverville, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC, road signs point toward Bluffton, Sun City, Parris Island, Pinckney National Wildlife Refuge, Sergeant Jasper Park and University Of South Carolina Beaufort - Hilton Head Island Campus - among others.
Bluffton
133.2 mi in|~2h 51m
Sun City
133.2 mi in|~2h 51m
Parris Island
133.2 mi in|~2h 51m
Pinckney National Wildlife Refuge
133.2 mi in|~2h 51m
Sergeant Jasper Park
133.2 mi in|~2h 51m
University Of South Carolina Beaufort - Hilton Head Island Campus
133.2 mi in|~2h 51m
Technical College Of The Lowcountry - New River Campus
133.2 mi in|~2h 51m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Savannah Highway
38.3 mi
44m
GA 23
19.5 mi
26m
Mike Padgett Highway
13.7 mi
19m
I 95
11.4 mi
12m
Fording Island Road
10.9 mi
14m
North Columbia Avenue
8.7 mi
10m
Millhaven Road
7.5 mi
10m
Bobby Jones Expressway
6.1 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Savannah Highway
— 38.3 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gloverville, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.
1
Start on SC 421
2.5 mi·4 min·Augusta Road
2
Turn right onto Anthony Drive
0.4 mi·57 sec·Anthony Drive
3
Turn left onto US 1; US 78
4.3 mi·6 min·Jefferson Davis Highway
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
5
Merge onto I 520
1.8 mi·2 min·Palmetto Parkway
6
Continue on I 520
6.1 mi·7 min·Bobby Jones Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward GA 56
8
Turn left onto GA 56
14 mi·19 min·Mike Padgett Highway
9
Turn left onto GA 23
19 mi·26 min·GA 23
10
Turn straight onto Millhaven Road
5.6 mi·7 min·Millhaven Road
11
Continue on Girard Millhaven Road
3.4 mi·4 min·Girard Millhaven Road
12
Continue on Milhaven Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Milhaven Road
13
Continue on Millhaven Road
1.9 mi·2 min·Millhaven Road
14
At end of road, turn left onto GA 24
5.2 mi·7 min·Waynesboro Highway
15
Take the ramp onto GA 24
0.3 mi·39 sec·GA 24
16
Merge onto US 301; GA 24; GA 73
4.4 mi·5 min·Burton's Ferry Highway
17
Turn left onto US 301 Business; GA 73
2.6 mi·3 min·US 301 Business; GA 73
18
At end of road, turn left onto GA 21; I 3 FUT
0.3 mi·26 sec·Perimeter Road
19
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
38 mi·44 min·Savannah Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
0.1 mi·7 sec·Augusta Highway
21
Continue on GA 21; I 3 FUT
8.7 mi·10 min·North Columbia Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
202 ft·8 sec
Toward I 95 North: FlorenceUse the left lane.
23
Turn left
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 95 North: FlorenceUse the left lane.
24
Merge onto I 95
11 mi·12 min·I 95
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 278: Beaufort, Hilton Head Island
26
Keep slight right at fork
408 ft·11 sec
Toward US 278 East: Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Sun City, Parris Island, Pinckney National Wildlife Refuge, Sergeant Jasper Park, University of South Carolina Beaufort - Hilton Head Island Campus, Technical College of the Lowcountry - New River Campus
27
Merge onto US 278
6.0 mi·6 min·Independence Boulevard
28
Continue on US 278
11 mi·14 min·Fording Island Road
29
Continue on US 278
3.8 mi·4 min·William Hilton Parkway
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 278
2.4 mi·2 min·Cross Island Parkway
31
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
32
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.3 mi·5 min·Marshland Road
33
Turn right onto Allen Road
0.2 mi·38 sec·Allen Road
34
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 79.7 miles from Gloverville, SC, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.3 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 35 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.7 miles or 1h 49m 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 48m
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 Gloverville, 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 Gloverville, SC
This is one driving day of about 159.3 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Gloverville, 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 Savannah Highway for about 38.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.7 mi from Gloverville, SC
· 1h 49m into the drive
The midpoint is around 79.7 miles from Gloverville, 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.
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 153.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.84 one way
$49.68 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.43
$27.78
$55.55
premium
$4.78
$29.97
$59.93
diesel
$5.62
$35.27
$70.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.8
0
$16.73
$7.65
Efficient EV
39.8
0
$13.94
$6.37
EV Truck/SUV
63.7
0
$22.30
$10.20
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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Gloverville, SC
Evening
in Gloverville on Friday
Local time
5:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hilton Head Island, SC
Evening
in Hilton Head Island on Friday
Local time
5:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
S 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued April 16 at 2:47AM EDT until April 16 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington NC
49°F
Sylvania, GA
80 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
29 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 28m 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 Gloverville, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC covers 159.3 miles and takes about 3h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Savannah Highway, GA 23, Mike Padgett Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.7 miles from Gloverville, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.84 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 20 significant decision points across 159.3 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 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 121 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Between Gloverville, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC, road signs point toward Bluffton, Sun City, Parris Island, Pinckney National Wildlife Refuge, Sergeant Jasper Park and University Of South Carolina Beaufort - Hilton Head Island Campus - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
