Origin
Hilton Head, SC
Night in Hilton Head on Sunday
Local time
10:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive 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
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hilton Head, SC
Colon Freld
Goose Creek, SC
Sefa Demirtaş
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 .
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.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
6 ft
Total Descent
2 ft
Highest Point
21 ft
~17.7 mi in
Elevation Range
6 ft
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 26 West: Columbia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
On the drive from Hilton Head, SC to Goose Creek, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Columbia along the way.
Columbia
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head, SC and Goose Creek, SC.
Start on US 278
Continue on US 278
Continue on US 278
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto SC 170
Continue on SC 170
Continue on SC 170
Turn slight left onto US 21
At end of road, turn left onto US 21
Take the exit
Merge onto US 17
Turn left onto S-10-57
Turn right onto SC 461
Continue on SC 461
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 526
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 26
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on US 52; US 78
Continue on US 52; US 78
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Goose Creek Road
Continue on Old State Road
Continue on Old State Road
Turn left onto The Oaks Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 53.2 miles from Hilton Head, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$17.03 one way
$34.06 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Hilton Head on Sunday
Local time
10:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Goose Creek on Sunday
Local time
10:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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