How far is Chester, SC from Hilton Head, SC?

The estimated driving distance from Chester, SC to Hilton Head, SC is about 217.5 miles (350 km), with a travel time of about 03h 48m by car.

  • This page is using an estimated road distance while the full route geometry is refreshed.
  • The straight-line flight distance is about 174 miles (280 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance until a routing provider returns the full road geometry.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
217.49 mi
03h 48m · estimated
Flight
173.99 mi
280.01 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chester.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
173.99 mi
Kilometers
280.01 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Estimated road route
217.49 mi
Estimated
Kilometers
350.01 km
Drive Time
03h 48m

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 03h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hilton Head
Sat, Apr 11, 6:25 AM EDT
Return by in Chester
Sat, Apr 11, 10:13 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chester
2026-04-11T02:36
Arrive Hilton Head
Sat, Apr 11, 6:25 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:49 AM to 11:49 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:22 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chester
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Cordova
SC

City in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States of America

From Chester
87 mi
01h 54m
To Hilton Head
130.5 mi
01h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 mph NW
Destination
79°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph NE

Driving Route Map

Road route is being refreshed. This page currently uses an estimated driving distance.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chester and Hilton Head.

Turn-by-turn directions will appear after the road route is refreshed. The current distance is an estimate.

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 48m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.5 mi
174 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cordova
01h 54m from Chester
Leave By
9:22 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Chester and Sunny near Hilton Head.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chester to Hilton Head?

The road trip is about 217.5 miles (350 km) and usually takes 03h 48m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Cordova is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87 miles from Chester and 130.5 miles from Hilton Head.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 174 miles (280 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:22 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.38 one way or $60.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chester and Sunny near Hilton Head.

Stop Ideas Near Cordova

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Cordova, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cordova.

RAIL

Denmark

24 mi away
200 West Baruch Street
RAIL

Columbia

63 mi away
850 Pulaski Street
RAIL

Yemassee

83 mi away
9 Main Street
RAIL

Camden

94 mi away
1060 West Dekalb Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chester and Hilton Head. Straight-line distance: 173.99 mi (280.01 km).

Chester

#1 Chester

Small rural city in Chester County, South Carolina, United States

Population5,363
Coordinates34.7048600, -81.2142600
Altitude163
CountryUnited States
Hilton Head

#2 Hilton Head

Resort town in South Carolina, USA

Population37,099
Coordinates32.2163200, -80.7526100
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: Chester (-81.21426, 34.70486)
End: Hilton Head (-80.75261, 32.21632)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 350 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.67 gal
29.05 L · about $30.38
Round trip
$60.76
15.34 gal · 58.1 L
Estimated CO2
68.2 kg one way
Round trip: 136.3 kg / 300 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $30.38 $60.76
Mid-grade $4.43 $33.97 $67.94
Premium $4.78 $36.65 $73.29
Diesel $5.62 $43.14 $86.27

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Chester and Hilton Head. The current time is 02:36:16.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.