Origin
Hilton Head Island, SC
Afternoon in Hilton Head Island on Sunday
Local time
4:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hilton Head Island, SC to Ridgeland, SC
Drive Time
51m
Distance
39.1 mi
63 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 0m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 49m
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
Ridgeland, SC
Just a Couple Photos
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Hilton Head Island to Ridgeland, you are looking at a straightforward 39.1-mile journey that typically takes about 51 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you do not need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. With a fuel budget of just $6, it is an economical way to navigate between these two South Carolina locations. The drive transitions you through the Southeast region, moving from the coast toward the inland area. Because the trip is short and efficient, it offers great flexibility for your schedule, whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery. You will find this to be a practical, no-nonsense transit that gets you to your destination with minimal fuss.
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
19.6 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate this 39.1-mile path, which relies on a combination of Fording Island Road, Independence Boulevard, and I-95. Roughly 46% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on the highway, providing a balance between local transit and faster interstate travel. You can anticipate a fairly consistent pace throughout the drive, with the longest uninterrupted stretch occurring on I-95 for 11.9 miles. The road’s personality shifts from the local arteries of the island and surrounding areas to the more structured environment of the interstate. It is a functional drive that trades scenic complexity for direct, steady progress toward your destination in Ridgeland.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 11.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 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 39.1 miles you will encounter 8 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 5.1 miles (US 278 / William Hilton Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese 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
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.
4
25.9 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 95 North: Florence
6
38.2 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Take the exit toward SC 336: Ridgeland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward SC 336: Ridgeland
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 11.9 mi | 12m |
| Fording Island Road | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| Independence Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| William Hilton Parkway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| Cross Island Parkway | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Marshland Road | 2.2 mi | 5m |
| East Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Allen Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 11.9 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head Island, SC and Ridgeland, 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
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Fording Island Road
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 278
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Independence Boulevard
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 95 North: Florence
9
Merge onto I 95
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 95
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward SC 336: Ridgeland
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto SC 336
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
12
Turn right onto US 17; US 278
22 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Jacob Smart Boulevard
13
Arrive at destination
US 17; US 278
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 51-minute trip, you have the advantage of being able to leave whenever fits your schedule best without needing to plan for meal stops or overnight fatigue. You won't need to worry about multiple rest breaks, as the entire distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that with 46% of your route on highways like I-95, traffic flow can dictate your arrival time, so checking local road reports before you pull out of your driveway is a smart move. Because the fuel cost is a modest $6, you can easily top off your tank before you leave Hilton Head to ensure you don't have to worry about refueling during the transit. Take advantage of the trip's brevity to maintain a flexible itinerary throughout your day.
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 19.6 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.9 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 39.1 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.6 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ridgeland, 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 39.1 miles and 51m.
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 I 95 for about 11.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.6 mi from Hilton Head Island, SC · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.6 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ridgeland, SC
The final approach into Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, 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
$6.26 one way
$12.52 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $6.82 | $13.64 |
| premium | $4.78 | $7.36 | $14.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.69 | $17.37 |
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: 13.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.11 | $1.88 |
| Efficient EV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.42 | $1.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.47 | $2.50 |
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.
Destination
Ridgeland, SC
Afternoon in Ridgeland on Sunday
Local time
4:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°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
23 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
51m 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 Ridgeland, SC covers 39.1 miles and takes about 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Fording Island Road, Independence Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.6 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 $6.26 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 39.1 miles you will encounter 8 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 5.1 miles (US 278 / William Hilton Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Hilton Head Island, SC to Ridgeland, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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