Trip from Hilton Head Island, SC to Stateburg, SC

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

3h 15m

Distance

161.8 mi

260 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

3h 4m ★

6 AM

3h 16m

8 AM

3h 39m

10 AM

3h 24m

12 PM

3h 22m

3 PM

3h 25m

5 PM

3h 38m

8 PM

3h 9m

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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Hilton Head Island, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Stateburg, SC

Ken Jacobsen

Trip Overview

This 161.8-mile journey from Hilton Head Island, SC, to Stateburg, SC, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused drive, you'll spend about 74% of your time on major interstates and highways, including I-95 and US-521. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, this route offers a straightforward and efficient way to transition within the Southeast region. It's a manageable distance that allows for a relaxed pace, especially if you're looking for a day trip without an overnight commitment.

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

80.9 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 161.8-mile trip, with 74% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-95. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 93.1 miles on I-95, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. While the initial and final segments may involve different road types, the core of this drive is about efficient travel. The landscape will largely be defined by the interstate experience, punctuated by the transition onto US-521 and the Coosaw Scenic Drive as you approach your destination.

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.

I 95 is the longest continuous segment at about 93.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and US 521. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 161.8 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 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; at 132.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

18.2 mi into trip | ~27m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

39.8 mi into trip | ~56m in | I 95; US 17

Merge onto I 95; US 17

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

132.9 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in

Take the exit toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter

133.2 mi into trip | ~2h 37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter

145.7 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in | US 521 / South Guignard Parkway

Turn left onto US 521 / South Guignard Parkway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Hilton Head Island, SC to Stateburg, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter along the way.

Sumter

132.9 mi in | ~2h 36m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 95	93.1 mi	1h 39m
US 521	12.4 mi	14m
Coosaw Scenic Drive	9.4 mi	12m
Fording Island Road	9 mi	13m
Lowcountry Drive	7.9 mi	10m
US 76	6.4 mi	9m
Okatie Highway	3.9 mi	4m
William Hilton Parkway	3.9 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 95 — 93.1 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Allen Road

0.2 mi · 41 sec · Allen Road

Turn left onto Marshland Road

2.2 mi · 5 min · Marshland Road

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Merge onto US 278

2.3 mi · 2 min · Cross Island Parkway

Merge onto US 278

3.9 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway

Continue on US 278

9.0 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Keep slight right at fork

147 ft · 4 sec

Merge onto SC 170

3.9 mi · 4 min · Okatie Highway

Take the exit

488 ft · 13 sec

Continue on SC 462

7.9 mi · 10 min · Lowcountry Drive

Continue on SC 462

9.4 mi · 12 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence

Merge onto I 95; US 17

93 mi · 1 hr 39 min · I 95; US 17

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter

Keep slight left at fork

289 ft · 7 sec

Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter

Turn left onto US 521

12 mi · 14 min · US 521

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto US 521

1.1 mi · 1 min · South Guignard Parkway

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 521

3.6 mi · 4 min · South Guignard Drive

Continue on US 521

0.7 mi · 1 min · Bultman Drive

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto US 521; US 76 Business

3.3 mi · 5 min · Broad Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 76; US 378

6.4 mi · 9 min · US 76; US 378

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto SC 261

1.1 mi · 1 min · North Kings Highway

Arrive at destination

SC 261

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 15-minute duration, this 161.8-mile trip is easily achievable as a single-day excursion from Hilton Head Island to Stateburg. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially on I-95. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your drive. The fuel cost is estimated at $25, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-95 to US-521, as this is where the road character shifts, and be mindful of the Coosaw Scenic Drive for a different driving experience.

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 80.9 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 1h 40m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.1 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 80 miles or 1h 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 80.9 miles or 1h 40m 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 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stateburg, 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 161.8 miles and 3h 15m.

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 I 95 for about 93.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 80.9 mi from Hilton Head Island, SC · 1h 40m into the drive

city in and county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlotte, NC

81 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

Charlotte, NC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Charlotte, NC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.9 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.1 miles.

Arriving in Stateburg, SC

The final approach into Stateburg, 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 Stateburg, SC.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

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 5.6

View on nps.gov

Congaree National Park

National Park

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...

17 mi from route ~42 min detour Free near mile 161.8

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.30 one way

$50.60 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$27.67	$55.33
premium	$4.70	$29.95	$59.89
diesel	$5.61	$35.72	$71.45

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: 56.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	48.5	$16.99	$7.77
Efficient EV	40.5	$14.16	$6.47
EV Truck/SUV	64.7	$22.65	$10.36

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Hilton Head Island, SC

Late night in Hilton Head Island on Wednesday

Local time

3:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Stateburg, SC

Late night in Stateburg on Wednesday

Local time

3:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°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

19 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 15m 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 Stateburg, SC covers 161.8 miles and takes about 3h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 95, US 521, Coosaw Scenic Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 80.9 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 $25.30 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.

On the drive from Hilton Head Island, SC to Stateburg, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter along the way.

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