The drive from Hilton Head Island, SC to Batesburg, SC covers 159.3 miles and takes about 3h 43m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Fairview Road, Carolina Highway, Grays Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 20.1 miles on Fairview Road.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.91 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 Hilton Head Island, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 43m. Total distance: 159.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (9%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 43m drive with frequent turns across 159.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Fairview Road is the longest continuous segment at about 20.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 159.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 40.4 miles (SC 462 / Morgandollar Road): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
2.4 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
18.2 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
40.4 mi into trip|~57m in|SC 462 / Morgandollar Road
Turn left onto SC 462 / Morgandollar Road
Navigation decision point
4
44.4 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|US 278; SC 462 / Grays Highway
At end of road, turn right onto US 278; SC 462 / Grays Highway
Navigation decision point
5
61.6 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|SC 68 / Yemassee Highway
Turn left onto SC 68 / Yemassee Highway
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Fairview Road
20.1 mi
29m
Carolina Highway
19.7 mi
22m
Grays Highway
17.2 mi
25m
Savannah Highway
15.7 mi
18m
Bufords Bridge Highway
10.9 mi
15m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.7 mi
13m
Fording Island Road
9 mi
13m
Highway 178
8.3 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Fairview Road
— 20.1 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head Island, SC and Batesburg, SC.
1
Start on Allen Road
0.2 mi·41 sec·Allen Road
2
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.2 mi·5 min·Marshland Road
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
4
Merge onto US 278
2.3 mi·2 min·Cross Island Parkway
5
Merge onto US 278
3.9 mi·4 min·William Hilton Parkway
6
Continue on US 278
9.0 mi·13 min·Fording Island Road
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork
147 ft·4 sec
9
Merge onto SC 170
3.9 mi·4 min·Okatie Highway
10
Take the exit
488 ft·13 sec
11
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi·10 min·Lowcountry Drive
12
Continue on SC 462
9.7 mi·13 min·Coosaw Scenic Drive
13
Turn right onto SC 462
0.6 mi·1 min·West Frontage Road
14
Turn left onto SC 462
4.0 mi·6 min·Morgandollar Road
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 278; SC 462
17 mi·25 min·Grays Highway
16
Turn right
177 ft·11 sec
17
Turn left onto SC 68
469 ft·7 sec·Yemassee Highway
18
Continue on US 278
1.1 mi·1 min·Augusta Highway
19
Continue on US 278
2.1 mi·3 min·East Carolina Avenue
20
Continue on US 278
2.7 mi·4 min·Elm Street East
21
Continue on US 278
3.7 mi·5 min·Augusta Highway
22
Continue on US 278
1.4 mi·2 min·Railroad Avenue Southeast
23
Continue on US 278
1.8 mi·2 min·Augusta Highway
24
Continue on US 278
1.1 mi·1 min·Allendale-Hampton Highway
25
Turn right onto US 321
1.0 mi·1 min·Hampton Avenue
26
Continue on US 321
11 mi·15 min·Bufords Bridge Highway
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 321
20 mi·22 min·Carolina Highway
28
Continue on US 321
16 mi·18 min·Savannah Highway
29
Turn left onto US 178
5.4 mi·8 min·North Road
30
Continue on US 178
8.3 mi·11 min·Highway 178
31
Continue on US 178
1.1 mi·2 min·Main Street
32
Continue on US 178
20 mi·29 min·Fairview Road
33
Continue on US 178
1.5 mi·2 min·South Pine Street
34
Turn right onto SC 23
119 ft·3 sec·West Church Street
35
Arrive at destination
SC 23
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 Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.1 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 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 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Batesburg, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hilton Head Island, 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 Hilton Head Island, SC
This is one driving day of about 159.3 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Hilton Head Island, 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 Fairview Road for about 20.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.7 mi from Hilton Head Island, SC
· 1h 57m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 5.5
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 126.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.91 one way
$49.82 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.24
$54.48
premium
$4.70
$29.48
$58.97
diesel
$5.61
$35.17
$70.34
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.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Hilton Head Island, SC
Late night
in Hilton Head Island on Saturday
Local time
2:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
SW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Batesburg, SC
Late night
in Batesburg on Saturday
Local time
2:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
15 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 43m 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 Hilton Head Island, SC to Batesburg, SC covers 159.3 miles and takes about 3h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Fairview Road, Carolina Highway, Grays 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 Hilton Head Island, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.91 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 159.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 40.4 miles (SC 462 / Morgandollar Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Hilton Head Island, SC to Batesburg, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Congaree National 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
