Origin
Hilton Head Island, SC
Afternoon in Hilton Head Island on Tuesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hilton Head Island, SC to Kiawah Island, SC
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
2h 50m
Distance
114.2 mi
184 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 40m
★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hilton Head Island, SC
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Hilton Head Island, SC to Kiawah Island, SC covers 114.2 miles and takes about 2h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 17, Okatie Highway, Trask Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 43.5 miles on US 17. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.86 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
57.1 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 2h 50m highway drive covering 114.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 17 and Okatie Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 43.5 miles on US 17.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 43.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Okatie Highway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 114.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 36.8 miles (US 21 / Trask Parkway): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese 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
36.8 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
US 21 / Trask Parkway
At end of road, turn left onto US 21 / Trask Parkway
Navigation decision point
4
109.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
|
Kiawah Island Parkway
Enter roundabout onto Kiawah Island Parkway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
114 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
|
Turtle Point Lane
Turn left onto Turtle Point Lane
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 17 | 43.5 mi | 57m |
| Okatie Highway | 12.2 mi | 13m |
| Trask Parkway | 11.6 mi | 14m |
| Fording Island Road | 9 mi | 13m |
| Bohicket Road | 7.3 mi | 17m |
| Main Road | 6.5 mi | 11m |
| Kiawah Island Parkway | 4.4 mi | 9m |
| William Hilton Parkway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 43.5 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head Island, SC and Kiawah Island, 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
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
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Robert Smalls Parkway
12
Turn slight left onto US 21
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Parris Island Gateway
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 21
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Trask Parkway
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
15
Merge onto US 17
44 mi
·
57 min
·
US 17
16
Turn right onto Main Road
6.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Main Road
17
Continue on Bohicket Road
7.3 mi
·
17 min
·
Bohicket Road
18
Continue on Betsy Kerrison Parkway
3.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Betsy Kerrison Parkway
19
Enter roundabout onto Kiawah Island Parkway
308 ft
·
8 sec
·
Kiawah Island Parkway
20
Continue on Kiawah Island Parkway
4.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Kiawah Island Parkway
21
Turn right onto Green Dolphin Way
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Green Dolphin Way
22
Turn left onto Turtle Point Lane
374 ft
·
17 sec
·
Turtle Point Lane
23
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
43 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 57.1 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.5 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.1 miles or 1h 15m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kiawah Island, 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 114.2 miles and 2h 50m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 17 for about 43.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.1 mi from Hilton Head Island, SC · 1h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.1 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kiawah Island, SC
The final approach into Kiawah 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 Kiawah Island, 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
$17.86 one way
$35.72 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $19.53 | $39.05 |
| premium | $4.70 | $21.14 | $42.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.21 | $50.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.3 | 0 | $11.99 | $5.48 |
| Efficient EV | 28.6 | 0 | $9.99 | $4.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.7 | 0 | $15.99 | $7.31 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Kiawah Island, SC
Afternoon in Kiawah Island on Tuesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 50m 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 Kiawah Island, SC covers 114.2 miles and takes about 2h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 17, Okatie Highway, Trask Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.1 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 $17.86 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.
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 114.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 36.8 miles (US 21 / Trask Parkway): Navigation decision point.
The route from Hilton Head Island, SC to Kiawah Island, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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