Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
160.8 mi
259 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Photo: Scott Platt
The drive from Saint Andrews, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC covers 160.8 miles and takes about 3h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 26, I 95, Coosaw Scenic Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.6 miles on I 26. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.73 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
80.4 miles from Saint Andrews, SC
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
This is a 3h 11m highway drive covering 160.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 26 and I 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 61.6 miles on I 26.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 26 and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Saint Andrews Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 160.8 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 0.2 miles (Saint Andrews Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (I 26; US 76): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 26): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Saint Andrews Road
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 26; US 76
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26 toward Charleston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 95 South: Savannah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto I 95
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 26 | 61.6 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 95 | 56.6 mi | 1h |
| 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 |
| William Hilton Parkway | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Cross Island Parkway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Andrews, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.
Start on Whiteford Road
Turn right onto US 176
Turn left onto Saint Andrews Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 26; US 76
Keep slight right at fork onto I 26
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95
Take the exit
Turn left onto SC 462
Continue on SC 462
Turn right onto SC 170
Take the exit
Merge onto US 278
Continue on US 278
Keep slight left at fork onto US 278
Take the exit
Turn left onto Marshland Road
Turn right onto Allen Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.4 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hilton Head Island, SC than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Saint Andrews, 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 Saint Andrews, SC
This is one driving day of about 160.8 miles and 3h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.4 mi from Saint Andrews, SC · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80.4 miles from Saint Andrews, SC, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.6 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$25.73 one way
$51.47 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $28.04 | $56.08 |
| premium | $4.78 | $30.25 | $60.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.72 | $71.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.88 | $7.72 |
| Efficient EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.07 | $6.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.51 | $10.29 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Saint Andrews on Saturday
Local time
6:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Hilton Head Island on Saturday
Local time
6:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
65°F
Charlotte, NC
80 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
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.
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Return Trip
Hilton Head Island, SC to Saint Andrews, SCPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Saint Andrews, SC or browse trips ending in Hilton Head Island, SC.
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