The drive from Hilton Head Island, SC to North Myrtle Beach, SC covers 212.9 miles and takes about 4h 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 17, Ocean Highway, Highway 17 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 119.2 miles on US 17.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.29 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
106.5 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 212.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 55m highway drive covering 212.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 17 and Ocean Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 119.2 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 34 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 119.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Ocean Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 212.9 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 48.9 miles (US 17): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These 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
5
48.9 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|US 17
Merge onto US 17
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
103.2 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|US 17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17 toward US 17 North: Mount Pleasant, Georgetown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 17 North: Mount Pleasant, Georgetown
7
185 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|US 17
Take the exit onto US 17 toward US 17 North: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 17 North: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hilton Head Island, SC and North Myrtle Beach, SC, road signs point toward Georgetown and Myrtle Beach.
Georgetown
103.2 mi in|~2h 21m|via US 17
Myrtle Beach
185 mi in|~4h 13m|via US 17
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 17
119.2 mi
2h 41m
Ocean Highway
17.4 mi
25m
Highway 17
15.2 mi
20m
Okatie Highway
12.2 mi
13m
Trask Parkway
11.6 mi
14m
Fording Island Road
9 mi
13m
William Hilton Parkway
3.9 mi
4m
North Kings Highway
3.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 17
— 119.2 mi, about 2h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head Island, SC and North Myrtle Beach, 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
53 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto US 17
0.2 mi·28 sec·Septima P. Clark Parkway
17
Continue on US 17
0.5 mi·1 min·Crosstown
18
Continue on US 17
0.6 mi·1 min·Septima Clark Expressway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
9.8 mi·15 min·US 17
Toward US 17 North: Mount Pleasant, GeorgetownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 17
49 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 17
Use the left lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 17
445 ft·5 sec·North Fraser Street
22
Merge onto US 17
1.3 mi·2 min·Church Street
23
Continue on US 17
0.3 mi·25 sec·L. H. Siau Bridge
24
Continue on US 17
17 mi·25 min·Ocean Highway
25
Continue on US 17
3.6 mi·4 min·Highway 17
26
Take the exit onto US 17
7.1 mi·8 min·US 17
Toward US 17 North: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle BeachUse the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 17
1.2 mi·1 min·US Highway 17 Bypass South
28
Continue on US Highway 17 Bypass South
12 mi·16 min·US Highway 17 Bypass South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on US 17
3.7 mi·6 min·North Kings Highway
30
Continue on US 17
3.2 mi·6 min·US Highway 17 South
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Turn right onto 14th Avenue South
0.2 mi·33 sec·14th Avenue South
32
Turn left onto S-26-360
0.9 mi·2 min·Hillside Drive South
33
Turn right onto S-26-358
304 ft·8 sec·6th Avenue South
34
Arrive at destination
S-26-358
Trip Plan
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 106.5 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.2 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 47 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.5 miles or 2h 27m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Myrtle Beach, 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 212.9 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 119.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.5 mi from Hilton Head Island, SC
· 2h 27m into the drive
The midpoint is around 106.5 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 US 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.2 miles.
Arriving in North Myrtle Beach, SC
The final approach into North Myrtle Beach, 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 North Myrtle Beach, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Second State Coffee
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Mt Pleasant, South Carolina
Around the midpoint, right off the route
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Moderately
mile 106.5
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$10
near mile 102.8
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 36.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.29 one way
$66.59 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$36.40
$72.81
premium
$4.70
$39.40
$78.81
diesel
$5.61
$47.01
$94.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.9
0
$22.35
$10.22
Efficient EV
53.2
0
$18.63
$8.52
EV Truck/SUV
85.2
1
$29.81
$13.63
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Hilton Head Island, SC
Afternoon
in Hilton Head Island on Saturday
Local time
12:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North Myrtle Beach, SC
Afternoon
in North Myrtle Beach on Saturday
Local time
12:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
25 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
4h 55m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 North Myrtle Beach, SC covers 212.9 miles and takes about 4h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 17, Ocean Highway, Highway 17. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.5 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 $33.29 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 212.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 48.9 miles (US 17): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hilton Head Island, SC and North Myrtle Beach, SC, road signs point toward Georgetown and Myrtle Beach.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
