Drive Time
3h 8m
Distance
160.4 mi
258 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Photo: Emre Acar
The drive from Hilton Head Island, SC to Saint Andrews, SC covers 160.4 miles and takes about 3h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 26, I 95, Coosaw Scenic Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.8 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.67 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
80.2 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
This is a 3h 8m highway drive covering 160.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 61.8 miles on I 26.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 160.4 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 5.1 miles (US 278 / William Hilton Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
Merge onto US 278 / William Hilton Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto I 26
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Saint Andrews Road East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 61.8 mi | 1h 6m |
| I 95 | 57.2 mi | 1h 1m |
| Coosaw Scenic Drive | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| Fording Island Road | 9 mi | 13m |
| Lowcountry Drive | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| Okatie Highway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| William Hilton Parkway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| Cross Island Parkway | 2.3 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head Island, SC and Saint Andrews, SC.
Start on Allen Road
Turn left onto Marshland Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 278
Merge onto US 278
Continue on US 278
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto SC 170
Take the exit
Continue on SC 462
Continue on SC 462
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 95; US 17
Take the exit
Merge onto I 26
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Saint Andrews Road
Turn right onto US 176
Turn left onto Whiteford Road
Arrive at 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.2 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 Saint Andrews, 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 160.4 miles and 3h 8m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.2 mi from Hilton Head Island, SC · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80.2 miles from Hilton Head Island, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.8 miles.
The final approach into Saint Andrews, 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 Saint Andrews, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.67 one way
$51.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $27.97 | $55.94 |
| premium | $4.78 | $30.17 | $60.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.64 | $71.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.1 | 0 | $16.84 | $7.70 |
| Efficient EV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.04 | $6.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.46 | $10.27 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Hilton Head Island on Saturday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Saint Andrews on Saturday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
65°F
Charlotte, NC
80 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Return Trip
Saint Andrews, 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 Saint Andrews, SC.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.
Explore maps for Hilton Head Island, SC or Saint Andrews, SC on MapSof.net.
