Origin
Hilton Head, SC
Evening in Hilton Head on Sunday
Local time
5:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hilton Head, SC to Ridgeland, SC
Drive Time
42m
Distance
34.2 mi
55 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 39m
★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 45m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 46m
5 PM
0h 50m
8 PM
0h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hilton Head, SC
Colon Freld
Ridgeland, SC
Just a Couple Photos
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition from the coast to the inland Lowcountry, this 34.2-mile journey from Hilton Head to Ridgeland is an ideal day trip. You can expect to spend about 42 minutes behind the wheel, making it a straightforward drive that doesn't require an overnight stay. By utilizing Fording Island Road, Independence Boulevard, and I-95, you will navigate through the Southeast region efficiently. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is a very economical excursion. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this route is simple enough to complete in a single morning or afternoon.
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
17.1 miles from Hilton Head, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that transitions quickly from local thoroughfares to the interstate. You will spend 47% of your time on highways, providing a balanced experience between suburban navigation and faster travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-95, spanning 11.9 miles, which allows you to settle into a steady rhythm after leaving the coast. As you move away from Hilton Head, the road character shifts from local city streets to the more open, high-speed environment of the interstate system. Expect a functional drive that prioritizes directness over complex topography.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 10 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 11.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 278 / William Hilton Parkway.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 42m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 278 / William Hilton Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 21.4 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 278 / William Hilton Parkway
Continue onto US 278 / William Hilton Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
21 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward I 95 North: Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 95 North: Florence
3
21.4 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
I 95
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining
6
33.3 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward SC 336: Ridgeland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward SC 336: Ridgeland
3
34.2 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
US 17; US 278 / North Jacob Smart Boulevard
Turn right onto US 17; US 278 / North Jacob Smart Boulevard
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 95 | 11.9 mi | 12m |
| Fording Island Road | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| Independence Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| William Hilton Parkway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| East Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Jacob Smart Boulevard | <0.1 mi | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 11.9 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head, SC and Ridgeland, 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
Use the none lane.
3
Continue on US 278
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Fording Island Road
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on US 278
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Independence Boulevard
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 95 North: Florence
6
Merge onto I 95
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 95
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward SC 336: Ridgeland
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto SC 336
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
9
Turn right onto US 17; US 278
22 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Jacob Smart Boulevard
10
Arrive at destination
US 17; US 278
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with zero scheduled stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 34.2-mile trek without needing to plan for rest breaks or mid-journey refueling. Keep in mind that I-95 serves as the backbone of the latter half of your drive, so monitor traffic reports for any congestion before you head out. Because the drive is under an hour, you don't need to worry about complex pacing; simply enjoy the efficiency of the route. Use the $5 fuel estimate as a baseline for your trip budget and keep your tank topped off before leaving Hilton Head to ensure a smooth transition onto the interstate.
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 17.1 miles from Hilton Head, SC, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.9 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 34.2 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.1 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ridgeland, 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 34.2 miles and 42m.
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 I 95 for about 11.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.1 mi from Hilton Head, SC · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.1 miles from Hilton Head, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ridgeland, SC
The final approach into Ridgeland, 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 Ridgeland, 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
$5.47 one way
$10.95 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $5.96 | $11.93 |
| premium | $4.78 | $6.43 | $12.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.60 | $15.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.59 | $1.64 |
| Efficient EV | 8.6 | 0 | $2.99 | $1.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.79 | $2.19 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
Ridgeland, SC
Evening in Ridgeland on Sunday
Local time
5:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°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
23 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
42m 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 Ridgeland, SC covers 34.2 miles and takes about 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Fording Island Road, Independence Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.1 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 $5.47 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 straightforward 42m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 278 / William Hilton Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 21.4 miles (I 95): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from Hilton Head, SC to Ridgeland, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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