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Create accountDrive Time
3h 32m
Distance
182.6 mi
294 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hilton Head Island, SC
Scott Platt
Darlington, SC
Junior Bastos
The drive from Hilton Head Island, SC to Darlington, SC covers 182.6 miles and takes about 3h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Coosaw Scenic Drive, Fording Island Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 135.6 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.22 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
91.3 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
This is a 3h 32m highway drive covering 182.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and Coosaw Scenic Drive. The longest continuous stretch is about 135.6 miles on I 95.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
209 ft
Total Descent
70 ft
Highest Point
150 ft
~182.6 mi in
Elevation Range
141 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and Coosaw Scenic Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 182.6 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 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 39.8 miles (I 95; US 17): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto I 95; US 17
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 52: Florence, Darlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 135.6 mi | 2h 25m |
| Coosaw Scenic Drive | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| Fording Island Road | 9 mi | 13m |
| Lowcountry Drive | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| South Main Street | 5 mi | 6m |
| Okatie Highway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| William Hilton Parkway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| Cross Island Parkway | 2.3 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head Island, SC and Darlington, SC.
Start on Allen Road
Turn left onto Marshland Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 278
Merge onto US 278
Continue on US 278
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto SC 170
Take the exit
Continue on SC 462
Continue on SC 462
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95; US 17
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 52
Continue on US 52
Continue on US 52 Business
Turn left onto Pearl Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.3 miles or 1h 52m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Darlington, SC than in the middle of the route.
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 182.6 miles and 3h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91.3 mi from Hilton Head Island, SC · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 91.3 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.6 miles.
The final approach into Darlington, 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 Darlington, SC.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$29.22 one way
$58.45 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $31.84 | $63.68 |
| premium | $4.78 | $34.35 | $68.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.57 | $81.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.8 | 0 | $19.17 | $8.76 |
| Efficient EV | 45.7 | 0 | $15.98 | $7.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73 | 0 | $25.56 | $11.69 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Hilton Head Island on Sunday
Local time
4:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Darlington on Sunday
Local time
4:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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Return Trip
Darlington, SC to Hilton Head Island, SCPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Hilton Head Island, SC or browse trips ending in Darlington, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.
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