The drive from North Myrtle Beach, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC covers 213.3 miles and takes about 4h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Fraser Street, Savannah Highway, Highway 17 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56 miles on North Fraser Street.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.36 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
106.7 miles from North Myrtle Beach, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 213.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from North Myrtle Beach, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC covers 213.3 miles and takes about 4h 53m, 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.
North Fraser Street is the longest continuous segment at about 56 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 0.1 miles in near S-26-521 / Hillside Drive South.
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 17 significant decision points across 213.3 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 0.1 miles (S-26-521 / Hillside Drive South): Navigation decision point; at 7.9 miles (US 17 / Highway 17): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.5 miles (US 17 / North Fraser Street): 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.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|S-26-521 / Hillside Drive South
Turn left onto S-26-521 / Hillside Drive South
Navigation decision point
5
7.9 mi into trip|~15m in|US 17 / Highway 17
Turn straight onto US 17 / Highway 17 toward US 17 North: Conway, Georgetown
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward US 17 North: Conway, Georgetown
5
50.5 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|US 17 / North Fraser Street
Turn left onto US 17 / North Fraser Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
111.3 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|US 17 / Savannah Highway
Merge onto US 17 / Savannah Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
164 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|Trask Parkway
Enter roundabout onto Trask Parkway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Fraser Street
56 mi
1h 14m
Savannah Highway
29.7 mi
43m
Highway 17
22.3 mi
27m
Ocean Highway
17.4 mi
25m
Ace Basin Parkway
17.1 mi
22m
Okatie Highway
12.3 mi
14m
Trask Parkway
12 mi
14m
Fording Island Road
9.3 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
North Fraser Street
— 56 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Myrtle Beach, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.
1
Start on S-26-358
304 ft·13 sec·6th Avenue South
2
Turn left onto S-26-521
0.9 mi·2 min·Hillside Drive South
3
Turn right onto 14th Avenue South
0.2 mi·27 sec·14th Avenue South
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 17
3.2 mi·6 min·US Highway 17 South
5
Continue on US 17
3.6 mi·6 min·North Kings Highway
6
Turn straight onto US 17
12 mi·15 min·Highway 17
Toward US 17 North: Conway, GeorgetownUse the left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on US 17
1.3 mi·1 min·US Highway 17 Bypass South
8
Continue on US 17
11 mi·12 min·Highway 17
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 17
17 mi·25 min·Ocean Highway
10
Continue on US 17
0.3 mi·25 sec·L. H. Siau Bridge
11
Continue on US 17
1.4 mi·2 min·Church Street
12
Turn left onto US 17
56 mi·1 hr 14 min·North Fraser Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 17
4.2 mi·6 min·North Highway 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 17
0.1 mi·15 sec·Septima P. Clark Parkway
15
Continue on US 17
0.1 mi·13 sec·Spring Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on Spring Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Spring Street
17
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·20 sec·this road
18
Merge onto US 17
30 mi·43 min·Savannah Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 17
17 mi·22 min·Ace Basin Parkway
20
Continue on US 17
5.6 mi·7 min·Charleston Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
22
Enter roundabout onto Trask Parkway
207 ft·2 sec·Trask Parkway
23
Continue on Trask Parkway
12 mi·14 min·Trask Parkway
24
Turn right onto US 21
1.2 mi·1 min·Parris Island Gateway
25
Turn slight right onto SC 170
3.5 mi·3 min·Robert Smalls Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on SC 170
1.7 mi·1 min·Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
27
Continue on SC 170
12 mi·14 min·Okatie Highway
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
29
Merge onto US 278
9.3 mi·12 min·Fording Island Road
30
Continue on US 278
3.8 mi·4 min·William Hilton Parkway
31
Keep slight left at fork onto US 278
2.4 mi·2 min·Cross Island Parkway
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
33
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.3 mi·5 min·Marshland Road
34
Turn right onto Allen Road
0.2 mi·38 sec·Allen Road
35
Arrive at destination
Allen Road
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 106.7 miles from North Myrtle Beach, SC, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56 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 47 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.7 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hilton Head Island, SC than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Myrtle Beach, 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 North Myrtle Beach, SC
This is one driving day of about 213.3 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from North Myrtle Beach, 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 North Fraser Street for about 56 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.7 mi from North Myrtle Beach, SC
· 2h 27m into the drive
The midpoint is around 106.7 miles from North Myrtle Beach, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hilton Head Island, SC
The final approach into Hilton Head Island, 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 Hilton Head Island, SC.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
K1 Speed - Indoor Go Karts, Food, Games, and Things to Do In Myrtle Beach
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to...
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 176.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.36 one way
$66.71 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$36.47
$72.94
premium
$4.70
$39.48
$78.95
diesel
$5.61
$47.09
$94.19
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: 74.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64
0
$22.40
$10.24
Efficient EV
53.3
0
$18.66
$8.53
EV Truck/SUV
85.3
1
$29.86
$13.65
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
North Myrtle Beach, SC
Late night
in North Myrtle Beach on Saturday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hilton Head Island, SC
Late night
in Hilton Head Island on Saturday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°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
25 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
4h 53m 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 North Myrtle Beach, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC covers 213.3 miles and takes about 4h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Fraser Street, Savannah Highway, Highway 17. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.7 miles from North Myrtle Beach, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.36 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 17 significant decision points across 213.3 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 0.1 miles (S-26-521 / Hillside Drive South): Navigation decision point; at 7.9 miles (US 17 / Highway 17): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.5 miles (US 17 / North Fraser Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from North Myrtle Beach, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
