How far is Charleston, SC from Hilton Head Island, SC?
The driving distance from Charleston, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC is about 104.1 miles (167.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 62 miles (99.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 09m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Beaufort and Hampton Counties, South Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charleston and Hilton Head Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charleston and Hilton Head Island.
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1
Start on Broad Street
12 m · 5 sec · Broad Street
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2
Turn right onto Meeting Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Meeting Street
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3
Turn left onto Calhoun Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Calhoun Street
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4
Turn straight onto James Island Expressway
2675 ft · 38 sec · James Island Expressway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward SC 61: Summerville
1.2 mi · 2 min
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6
Turn left onto Wesley Drive
532 ft · 13 sec · Wesley Drive
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7
Turn right onto Savannah Highway
28.8 mi · 41 min · Savannah Highway
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8
Continue on Ace Basin Parkway
17.1 mi · 22 min · Ace Basin Parkway
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9
Continue on Charleston Highway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Charleston Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right
1220 ft · 33 sec
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Trask Parkway
63 m · 3 sec · Trask Parkway
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Trask Parkway
12 mi · 15 min · Trask Parkway
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13
Turn right onto Parris Island Gateway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Parris Island Gateway
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14
Turn slight right onto Robert Smalls Parkway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Robert Smalls Parkway
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15
Continue on Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
1.7 mi · 2 min · Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
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16
Continue on Okatie Highway
12.3 mi · 14 min · Okatie Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right
1365 ft · 37 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Fording Island Road
9.3 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road
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19
Continue on William Hilton Parkway
3.8 mi · 5 min · William Hilton Parkway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Cross Island Parkway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Cross Island Parkway
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21
Take the exit slight right
2198 ft · 59 sec
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22
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.3 mi · 6 min · Marshland Road
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23
Turn right onto Allen Road
887 ft · 39 sec · Allen Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Allen Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charleston and Hilton Head Island.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Savannah Highway
Turn right onto Savannah Highway
28.8 mi · 00h 41m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Charleston and Partly Sunny near Hilton Head Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charleston to Hilton Head Island?
The road trip is about 104.1 miles (167.6 km) and usually takes 02h 09m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Yemassee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.3 miles from Charleston and 51.8 miles from Hilton Head Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 62 miles (99.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.54 one way or $29.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Charleston and Partly Sunny near Hilton Head Island.
Stop Ideas Near Yemassee
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Wilson for City Council
City of Beaufort
City of Beaufort Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Yemassee.
Yemassee
Savannah
Denmark
Charleston, South Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charleston and Hilton Head Island. Straight-line distance: 61.93 mi (99.66 km).
#1 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Hilton Head Island
Resort town in South Carolina, USA
| Population | 39,619 |
| Coordinates | 32.1938200, -80.7381600 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Allen Road (-80.737481, 32.193969)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 168 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $14.54 | $29.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $16.25 | $32.51 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $17.54 | $35.07 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $20.64 | $41.28 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in South Carolina · Apr 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.