Drive Time
4h 22m
Distance
218.3 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
The drive from Hilton Head Island, SC to Chester, SC covers 218.3 miles and takes about 4h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Marshland Road, Cross Island Parkway, William Hilton Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.04 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
109.1 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 22m drive with frequent turns across 218.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Marshland Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cross Island Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| William Hilton Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Fording Island Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Okatie Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lowcountry Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Coosaw Scenic Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 95 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head Island, SC and Chester, SC.
Start on Allen Road
Turn left onto Marshland Road
Take the ramp right
Merge slight left onto Cross Island Parkway
Merge slight left onto William Hilton Parkway
Continue on Fording Island Road
Take the exit slight right
Keep slight right
Merge slight left onto Okatie Highway
Take the exit slight left
Continue on Lowcountry Drive
Continue on Coosaw Scenic Drive
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 West: Columbia
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward US 1 North: West Columbia
Merge slight left onto Augusta Road
Turn straight onto Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
Continue on Hampton Street
Turn left onto Bull Street
Continue on I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway
Merge slight left onto Charles F Bolden Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward SC 97: Great Falls, Chester
Keep slight left to continue on SC 97: Great Falls, Chester
Turn left onto Great Falls Highway
At the end of the road, turn right onto Columbia Road
Continue on Columbia Street
Turn left onto West End Street
Arrive at your 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.1 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chester, 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 218.3 miles and 4h 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109.1 mi from Hilton Head Island, SC · 2h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 109.1 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Chester, 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 Chester, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$34.04 one way
$68.09 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $38.06 | $76.13 |
| premium | $4.78 | $41.06 | $82.13 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $48.34 | $96.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.5 | 0 | $22.92 | $10.48 |
| Efficient EV | 54.6 | 0 | $19.10 | $8.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.3 | 1 | $30.56 | $13.97 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Hilton Head Island on Saturday
Local time
7:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Chester on Saturday
Local time
7:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
65°F
Charlotte, NC
109 mi in
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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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Return Trip
Chester, 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 Chester, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.
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