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Trip from Pamplico, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 50m

Distance

184.1 mi

296 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 37m ★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 16m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 0m
5 PM
4h 14m
8 PM
3h 43m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Pamplico, SC, SC

Pamplico, SC

대정 김

Downtown Hilton Head Island, SC, SC

Hilton Head Island, SC

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Pamplico, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC covers 184.1 miles and takes about 3h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 95, US 378, Coosaw Scenic Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 106.3 miles on I 95. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.79 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

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

Midpoint

92.1 miles from Pamplico, SC

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 184.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 50m highway drive covering 184.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 95 and US 378. The longest continuous stretch is about 106.3 miles on I 95.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 106.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 95 and US 378. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in near South Friendfield Road.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 184.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles (South Friendfield Road): Navigation decision point; at 10.1 miles (US 378): Navigation decision point; at 36.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

5
5.9 mi into trip | ~13m in | South Friendfield Road

At end of road, turn left onto South Friendfield Road

Navigation decision point

4
10.1 mi into trip | ~23m in | US 378

At end of road, turn right onto US 378

Navigation decision point

6
36.9 mi into trip | ~57m in

Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 95 South: Savannah
5
37.3 mi into trip | ~58m in | I 95

Merge onto I 95

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
143.6 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in

Take the exit toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 95 106.3 mi 1h 53m
US 378 22.3 mi 27m
Coosaw Scenic Drive 9.6 mi 13m
Fording Island Road 9.3 mi 12m
Lowcountry Drive 7.9 mi 10m
Okatie Highway 4.2 mi 4m
South Friendfield Road 4.2 mi 10m
Hyman Road 4 mi 9m
Longest stretch: I 95 — 106.3 mi, about 1h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pamplico, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.

1

Start on State Road S-21-132

40 ft · 8 sec · North Walnut Street
2

Continue on North Walnut Street

75 ft · 4 sec · North Walnut Street
3

Turn right onto SC 51

1.9 mi · 3 min · North Pamplico Highway
4

Turn left onto Hyman Road

4.0 mi · 9 min · Hyman Road
5

At end of road, turn left onto South Friendfield Road

4.2 mi · 10 min · South Friendfield Road
6

At end of road, turn right onto US 378

22 mi · 27 min · US 378
7

Turn slight right onto Clarence Coker Highway

3.5 mi · 4 min · Clarence Coker Highway
8

Continue on US 378

1.1 mi · 1 min · Myrtle Beach Highway
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 95 South: Savannah
10

Merge onto I 95

106 mi · 1 hr 53 min · I 95
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
12

Turn left onto SC 462

9.6 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive
13

Continue on SC 462

7.9 mi · 10 min · Lowcountry Drive
14

Turn right onto SC 170

4.2 mi · 4 min · Okatie Highway
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
16

Merge onto US 278

9.3 mi · 12 min · Fording Island Road
17

Continue on US 278

3.8 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway
18

Keep slight left at fork onto US 278

2.4 mi · 2 min · Cross Island Parkway
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 59 sec
20

Turn left onto Marshland Road

2.3 mi · 5 min · Marshland Road
21

Turn right onto Allen Road

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Allen Road
22

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 92.1 miles from Pamplico, SC, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.3 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 41 miles or 1h 2m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 92.1 miles or 1h 56m 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 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 Pamplico, 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 Pamplico, SC

This is one driving day of about 184.1 miles and 3h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Pamplico, 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 106.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 92.1 mi from Pamplico, SC · 1h 56m into the drive

Downtown Holly Hill, SC, SC

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Holly Hill, SC

92 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

Manning, SC

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Holly Hill, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 92.1 miles from Pamplico, 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 106.3 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

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...

13 mi from route ~34 min detour Free near mile 177.8
View on nps.gov
Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park

National Park

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...

26 mi from route ~65 min detour Free near mile 69.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.79 one way

$57.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $31.48 $62.96
premium $4.70 $34.07 $68.15
diesel $5.61 $40.65 $81.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 64.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 55.2 0 $19.33 $8.84
Efficient EV 46 0 $16.11 $7.36
EV Truck/SUV 73.6 0 $25.77 $11.78

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

22 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 17, 2026

Origin

Pamplico, SC

Night in Pamplico on Friday

Local time

9:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

90°F

Sunny

NW 3 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Hilton Head Island, SC

Night in Hilton Head Island on Friday

Local time

9:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

77°F

Holly Hill, SC

92 mi in

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

9 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

3h 50m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Pamplico, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC covers 184.1 miles and takes about 3h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 95, US 378, Coosaw Scenic Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 92.1 miles from Pamplico, SC. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.79 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 184.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles (South Friendfield Road): Navigation decision point; at 10.1 miles (US 378): Navigation decision point; at 36.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

The route from Pamplico, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and Congaree National 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.

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