Trip from Hilton Head, SC to Blythewood, SC

Drive Time

3h 20m

Distance

172 mi

277 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 8m ★

6 AM

3h 20m

8 AM

3h 44m

10 AM

3h 29m

12 PM

3h 26m

3 PM

3h 30m

5 PM

3h 43m

8 PM

3h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Hilton Head, SC

Colon Freld

Blythewood, SC

Colon Freld

Trip Overview

Traveling from Hilton Head to Blythewood covers 172 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is well within the limits of a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes I-95 and I-26, making it a straightforward trek through the Southeast region of South Carolina. Budgeting roughly $28 for fuel should comfortably cover your trip. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this highway-focused drive offers a reliable and efficient way to transition from the coast toward the Midlands.

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

86 miles from Hilton Head, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is defined by a highway-focused profile, with 78% of your travel occurring on major interstates. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-95, which features a 57.2-mile stretch that serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the journey. Once you transition onto I-26 and incorporate Coosaw Scenic Drive, the pace remains consistent and fast-moving. Expect a predictable experience behind the wheel, as the road prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding backroads. Overall, the drive feels like a standard interstate cruise that steadily carries you inland.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 25 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 57.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and I 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 172 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 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 92.5 miles (I 26): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

13.3 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

92.5 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in | I 26

Merge onto I 26

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

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

149.6 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in

Take the exit toward US 1 North: West Columbia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 111B Toward US 1 North: West Columbia

149.8 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in | US 1 / Augusta Road

Merge onto US 1 / Augusta Road

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

Use the none lane.

171.2 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in

Take the exit toward Blythewood Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 27 Toward Blythewood Road

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 95	57.2 mi	1h 1m
I 26	57.1 mi	1h 1m
Coosaw Scenic Drive	9.4 mi	12m
Fording Island Road	9 mi	13m
Lowcountry Drive	7.9 mi	10m
Charles F Bolden Freeway	7.9 mi	8m
I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway	7.6 mi	8m
William Hilton Parkway	4.1 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 95 — 57.2 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 278

0.3 mi · 28 sec · William Hilton Parkway

Continue on US 278

3.8 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 278

9.0 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road

Use the none lane.

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

57 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 95; US 17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min

Toward I 26 West: Columbia

Merge onto I 26

57 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 26

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Exit 111B Toward US 1 North: West Columbia Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto US 1

0.6 mi · 42 sec · Augusta Road

Use the none lane.

Turn straight onto SC 12

2.7 mi · 3 min · Jarvis Klapman Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Continue on SC 12

1.4 mi · 2 min · Hampton Street

Turn left onto US 76

1.3 mi · 2 min · Bull Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on SC 277

7.6 mi · 8 min · I. DeQuincey Newman Freeway

Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 77

7.9 mi · 8 min · Charles F Bolden Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 27 Toward Blythewood Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

304 ft · 7 sec

Turn slight right onto Blythewood Road

0.4 mi · 54 sec · Blythewood Road

At end of road, turn left onto US 21

72 ft · 1 sec · Main Street

Arrive at destination

US 21

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 172-mile trip, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion on the major interstates. While the drive is short enough to handle in one go, you should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the 3-hour and 20-minute journey. Since you are navigating high-speed corridors, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the longer stretches of I-95. Because the route offers great flexibility, you have the freedom to adjust your pace depending on your personal comfort. A helpful tip is to check traffic reports for I-26 before you head out, as this segment can be a key factor in your total arrival time.

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 86 miles from Hilton Head, SC, or about 1h 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.2 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 86 miles or 1h 42m 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 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blythewood, SC than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Hilton Head, 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, SC

This is one driving day of about 172 miles and 3h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hilton Head, 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 57.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 86 mi from Hilton Head, SC · 1h 42m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlotte, NC

86 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 86 miles from Hilton Head, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Blythewood, SC

The final approach into Blythewood, 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 Blythewood, 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

$27.53 one way

$55.05 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$29.99	$59.98
premium	$4.78	$32.35	$64.71
diesel	$5.64	$38.21	$76.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	51.6	$18.06	$8.26
Efficient EV	43	$15.05	$6.88
EV Truck/SUV	68.8	$24.08	$11.01

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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 3 days ago

Origin

Hilton Head, SC

Evening in Hilton Head on Sunday

Local time

8:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Blythewood, SC

Evening in Blythewood on Sunday

Local time

8:15 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

4 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 20m 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, SC to Blythewood, SC covers 172 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 95, I 26, 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 86 miles from Hilton Head, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.53 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.

The route from Hilton Head, SC to Blythewood, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Blythewood, SC to Hilton Head, SC

Plan the drive back the other way.

172.5 mi 3h 20m

Explore more options from Hilton Head, SC or browse trips ending in Blythewood, SC.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse SC road trips.

Explore maps for Hilton Head, SC or Blythewood, SC on MapSof.net.

Trip from Hilton Head, SC to Blythewood, SC

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Blythewood, SC

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hilton Head, SC

Blythewood, SC

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 20m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Blythewood, SC

More from Hilton Head, SC

More trips to Blythewood, SC