The drive from Hilton Head, SC to Union, SC covers 210.2 miles and takes about 4h 12m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 95, Kershaw Highway, US 521 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.1 miles on I 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.87 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
105.1 miles from Hilton Head, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 210.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Hilton Head, SC to Union, SC covers 210.2 miles and takes about 4h 12m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 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 93.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 210.2 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 34.9 miles (I 95; US 17): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 128 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
13.3 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
34.9 mi into trip|~47m in|I 95; US 17
Merge onto I 95; US 17
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
128 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
6
128.3 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
5
140.8 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|US 521 / South Guignard Parkway
Turn left onto US 521 / South Guignard Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hilton Head, SC to Union, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter along the way.
Sumter
128 mi in|~2h 27m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 95
93.1 mi
1h 39m
Kershaw Highway
14.4 mi
16m
US 521
12.4 mi
14m
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.4 mi
12m
Fording Island Road
9 mi
13m
Kershaw Camden Highway
8.9 mi
10m
Sumter Highway
8.4 mi
9m
Camden Highway
8.2 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 95
— 93.1 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head, SC and Union, 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
3.9 mi·4 min·Okatie Highway
7
Take the exit
488 ft·13 sec
8
Continue on SC 462
7.9 mi·10 min·Lowcountry Drive
9
Continue on SC 462
9.4 mi·12 min·Coosaw Scenic Drive
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
11
Merge onto I 95; US 17
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·I 95; US 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter
13
Keep slight left at fork
289 ft·7 sec
Toward US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter
14
Turn left onto US 521
12 mi·14 min·US 521
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto US 521
1.1 mi·1 min·South Guignard Parkway
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 521
3.6 mi·4 min·South Guignard Drive
17
Continue on US 521
0.7 mi·1 min·Bultman Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto US 521; US 76 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·Broad Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn slight right onto US 521
1.9 mi·2 min·Camden Highway
20
Continue on US 521
7.6 mi·8 min·Thomas Sumter Highway
21
Continue on US 521
6.2 mi·7 min·Camden Highway
22
Continue on US 521
8.4 mi·9 min·Sumter Highway
23
Continue on US 521
4.2 mi·8 min·Broad Street
24
Continue on US 521; US 601
14 mi·16 min·Kershaw Highway
25
Continue on US 521; US 601
2.7 mi·3 min·Kershaw Camden Highway
26
Continue on US 521; US 601
0.7 mi·48 sec·South Hampton Street
27
Turn left onto US 521; US 601
1.5 mi·1 min·South Matson Street
28
At end of road, turn left onto US 521 Business
4.8 mi·5 min·Kershaw Camden Highway
29
Continue on US 521
0.8 mi·55 sec·Spring Street
30
Turn right onto US 521
1.0 mi·1 min·Main Street
31
Continue on US 521; SC 522
1.4 mi·1 min·Kershaw Camden Highway
32
Turn slight right onto SC 522
7.7 mi·13 min·Rocky River Road
33
Enter roundabout
196 ft·3 sec
34
Continue
26 ft·0 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 105.1 miles from Hilton Head, SC, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.1 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 46 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.1 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union, 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 210.2 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 93.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105.1 mi from Hilton Head, SC
· 2h 3m into the drive
The midpoint is around 105.1 miles from Hilton Head, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 95 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.1 miles.
Arriving in Union, SC
The final approach into Union, 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 Union, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The Reconstruction era,1861-1900 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economi...
Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and...
23 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 152.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.87 one way
$65.74 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$35.94
$71.88
premium
$4.70
$38.90
$77.81
diesel
$5.61
$46.41
$92.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.1
0
$22.07
$10.09
Efficient EV
52.6
0
$18.39
$8.41
EV Truck/SUV
84.1
1
$29.43
$13.45
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hilton Head, SC
Morning
in Hilton Head on Friday
Local time
7:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Union, SC
Morning
in Union on Friday
Local time
7:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
10 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
4h 12m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Union, SC covers 210.2 miles and takes about 4h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 95, Kershaw Highway, US 521. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 105.1 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 $32.87 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 210.2 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 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 34.9 miles (I 95; US 17): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 128 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Hilton Head, SC to Union, SC, road signs begin pointing toward Sumter along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
