Trip from Hilton Head, SC to Goose Creek, SC

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

106.4 mi

171 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 12m ★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m

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

Downtown Hilton Head, SC, SC

Hilton Head, SC

Colon Freld

Downtown Goose Creek, SC, SC

Goose Creek, SC

Sefa Demirtaş

Trip Overview

Traveling from Hilton Head to Goose Creek covers 106.2 miles of South Carolina terrain, typically taking about 2 hours and 7 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, eliminating the need to book an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $17 for fuel to complete the transit. The route keeps you entirely within the Southeast region, moving through local corridors rather than cross-country interstates. It is a practical, direct connection between these two South Carolina locations, ideal for those who prefer a manageable drive time over long-haul travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

53.2 miles from Hilton Head, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route utilizes 0% highway travel. You will navigate primarily via William Hilton Parkway, Fording Island Road, and Okatie Highway throughout the entire 106.2-mile distance. Because the path relies on local roads, the pace remains steady and demands your full attention at intersections and turns. Unlike long-distance highway stretches, this drive offers a consistent, hands-on experience behind the wheel. The transition between these local roads creates a rhythmic, albeit technical, flow as you move toward 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 32 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 43 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

21 ft 15 ft

Total Climb

6 ft

Total Descent

2 ft

Highest Point

21 ft

~17.7 mi in

Elevation Range

6 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 17 and Okatie Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 98 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 106.4 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 98 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

8
98 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

Take the exit toward I 26: Charleston, Columbia

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 17 Toward I 26: Charleston, Columbia
8
98.2 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 26 West: Columbia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 17 Toward I 26 West: Columbia
8
102.1 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Take the exit toward US 52: Ashley Phosphate Road, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 209B-A Toward US 52: Ashley Phosphate Road, Goose Cree...
8
102.5 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks Corner

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks Corner
9
102.9 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks Corner

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 209A Toward US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks Corner

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Hilton Head, SC to Goose Creek, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Columbia along the way.

Columbia

98 mi in | ~2h 8m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 17 43 mi 56m
Okatie Highway 12.2 mi 13m
Trask Parkway 11.6 mi 14m
Fording Island Road 9 mi 13m
Mark Clark Expressway 4.9 mi 5m
William Hilton Parkway 4.1 mi 4m
Robert Smalls Parkway 3.5 mi 3m
I 26 3.2 mi 4m
Longest stretch: US 17 — 43 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 278

0.3 mi · 28 sec · William Hilton Parkway
2

Continue on US 278

3.8 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway
3

Continue on US 278

9.0 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road
4

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
5

Keep slight right at fork

147 ft · 4 sec
6

Merge onto SC 170

12 mi · 13 min · Okatie Highway
7

Continue on SC 170

1.7 mi · 1 min · Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
8

Continue on SC 170

3.5 mi · 3 min · Robert Smalls Parkway
9

Turn slight left onto US 21

1.2 mi · 1 min · Parris Island Gateway
10

At end of road, turn left onto US 21

12 mi · 14 min · Trask Parkway
11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
12

Merge onto US 17

43 mi · 56 min · US 17
13

Turn left onto S-10-57

2.8 mi · 4 min · Bees Ferry Road
14

Turn right onto SC 461

2.5 mi · 3 min · Glenn McConnell Parkway
15

Continue on SC 461

0.5 mi · 47 sec · Paul Cantrell Boulevard
16

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 53 sec
17

Merge onto I 526

4.9 mi · 5 min · Mark Clark Expressway
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 17 Toward I 26: Charleston, Columbia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 17 Toward I 26 West: Columbia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Merge onto I 26

3.2 mi · 4 min · I 26
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 209B-A Toward US 52: Ashley Phosphate Road, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks Corner Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Exit 209A Toward US 52: Goose Creek, Moncks Corner Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 43 sec
Toward Moncks Corner Kingstree Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25

Continue on US 52; US 78

442 ft · 8 sec · Rivers Avenue
26

Continue on US 52; US 78

1.0 mi · 1 min · Goose Creek Boulevard North
27

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
28

Turn straight onto Goose Creek Road

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Goose Creek Road
29

Continue on Old State Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Old State Road
30

Continue on Old State Road

237 ft · 14 sec · Old State Road
Use the left lane.
31

Turn left onto The Oaks Avenue

38 ft · 1 sec · The Oaks Avenue
32

Arrive at destination

The Oaks Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a non-stop, 2-hour-and-7-minute trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. While no formal stops are required for a drive of this length, keeping your fuel tank in mind is wise, as the estimated $17 cost covers the full distance. Pay close attention to navigation, as the reliance on local roads like Okatie Highway means you will encounter frequent turns rather than long, straight stretches. To ensure a smooth experience, verify your route through the local corridors before leaving Hilton Head. Having a clear plan for your turns will help you navigate the local road network with confidence.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.2 miles from Hilton Head, SC, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43 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 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 53.2 miles or 1h 7m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Goose Creek, 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 106.4 miles and 2h 21m.

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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 17 for about 43 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 53.2 mi from Hilton Head, SC · 1h 7m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charleston, SC

53 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.

Popular next leg

Charleston, SC to Goose Creek, SC

18.1 mi · 27m

Pacing Suggestions

Charleston, SC

Fuel and coffee

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

Charleston, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.2 miles from Hilton Head, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Goose Creek, SC

The final approach into Goose Creek, 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 Goose Creek, 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

$17.03 one way

$34.06 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $18.55 $37.11
premium $4.78 $20.01 $40.03
diesel $5.64 $23.64 $47.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.9 0 $11.17 $5.11
Efficient EV 26.6 0 $9.31 $4.26
EV Truck/SUV 42.6 0 $14.90 $6.81

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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 1 hour from now

Origin

Hilton Head, SC

Night in Hilton Head on Sunday

Local time

10:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Goose Creek, SC

Night in Goose Creek on Sunday

Local time

10:03 PM

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

22 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

2h 21m 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 Goose Creek, SC covers 106.4 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 17, Okatie Highway, Trask Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.2 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 $17.03 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 106.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 98 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Hilton Head, SC to Goose Creek, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Columbia along the way.

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