Trip from Hilton Head Island, SC to Beaufort, SC

Drive Time

54m

Distance

40 mi

64 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min

4 AM

0h 50m ★

6 AM

0h 55m

8 AM

1h 3m

10 AM

0h 58m

12 PM

0h 57m

3 PM

0h 58m

5 PM

1h 3m

8 PM

0h 52m

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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Trip Overview

If you are looking to travel from Hilton Head Island to Beaufort, you are in for a quick 40-mile journey that typically takes about 54 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend approximately $6 on fuel, making this an incredibly economical excursion through the Southeast. You will primarily navigate via Okatie Highway, Fording Island Road, and Robert Smalls Parkway. Because the transit is so efficient, it serves as an excellent way to connect these two distinct South Carolina coastal destinations without the stress of a long-haul drive.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

20 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC

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

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 29% of your time spent on highways, the experience feels much more grounded in the local landscape. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 12.2 miles while traveling along the Okatie Highway, which provides a brief reprieve from the frequent navigation changes. As you transition between the main roads, the character of the drive shifts from busy island corridors to the more steady flow of the parkways. It is a practical, functional road experience that keeps you engaged with the local geography throughout the entire 54-minute duration.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Okatie Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.2 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Marshland Road.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 40 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.2 miles (Marshland Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (US 278 / Cross Island Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

3

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Marshland Road

Turn left onto Marshland Road

Navigation decision point

4

2.4 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

3

2.8 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 278 / Cross Island Parkway

Merge onto US 278 / Cross Island Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining

5

5.1 mi into trip | ~9m in | US 278 / William Hilton Parkway

Merge onto US 278 / William Hilton Parkway

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

Use the none lane.

5

18.2 mi into trip | ~27m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Okatie Highway	12.2 mi	13m
Fording Island Road	9 mi	13m
Robert Smalls Parkway	5.2 mi	6m
William Hilton Parkway	3.9 mi	4m
Cross Island Parkway	2.3 mi	2m
Marshland Road	2.2 mi	5m
Boundary Street	2.1 mi	3m
Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge	1.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Okatie Highway — 12.2 mi, about 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head Island, SC and Beaufort, 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

Use the none lane.

6

Continue on US 278

9.0 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road

Use the none lane.

7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

8

Keep slight right at fork

147 ft · 4 sec

9

Merge onto SC 170

12 mi · 13 min · Okatie Highway

10

Continue on SC 170

1.7 mi · 1 min · Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge

11

Continue on SC 170

5.2 mi · 6 min · Robert Smalls Parkway

Use the none lane.

12

Turn right onto US 21

2.1 mi · 3 min · Boundary Street

13

Continue on US 21 Business

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Carteret Street

14

Turn left onto Port Republic Street

39 ft · 1 sec · Port Republic Street

15

Arrive at destination

Port Republic Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a short, 40-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic on the main parkways is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the duration is manageable without a break. Make sure your tank is prepped for the $6 fuel cost before heading out, as there is no reason to stall your progress once you hit the road. Because the route is quite short, you can easily turn this into a round trip if you start your morning early. Keep a close eye on your GPS when navigating the frequent turns on the local stretches to ensure you stay on the path toward Beaufort.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 20 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 29m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.2 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 40 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 20 miles or 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 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beaufort, 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 40 miles and 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on Okatie Highway for about 12.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 20 mi from Hilton Head Island, SC · 29m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charleston, SC

20 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.

Popular next leg

Charleston, SC to Beaufort, SC

70.9 mi · 1h 39m

Pacing Suggestions

Charleston, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Charleston, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 20 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Beaufort, SC

The final approach into Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, 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

$6.40 one way

$12.80 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$6.97	$13.95
premium	$4.78	$7.52	$15.05
diesel	$5.64	$8.89	$17.77

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$31–$56

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 14 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	12	$4.20	$1.92
Efficient EV	10	$3.50	$1.60
EV Truck/SUV	16	$5.60	$2.56

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Hilton Head Island, SC

Afternoon in Hilton Head Island on Sunday

Local time

4:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Beaufort, SC

Afternoon in Beaufort on Sunday

Local time

4:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°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

2 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

54m 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 Hilton Head Island, SC to Beaufort, SC covers 40 miles and takes about 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Okatie Highway, Fording Island Road, Robert Smalls Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 20 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 $6.40 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 40 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.2 miles (Marshland Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (US 278 / Cross Island Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining.

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