How far is Chester, SC from Hilton Head Island, SC?
The driving distance from Chester, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC is about 225.9 miles (363.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 175.7 miles (282.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 36m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 South Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chester and Hilton Head Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chester and Hilton Head Island.
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1
Start on West End Street
6 m · 5 sec · West End Street
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2
Turn right onto Columbia Street
1 mi · 1 min · Columbia Street
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3
Continue on Columbia Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Columbia Road
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4
Turn left onto Great Falls Highway
12 mi · 21 min · Great Falls Highway
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5
Take the ramp slight right
2063 ft · 50 sec
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6
Merge slight left
11.5 mi · 12 min
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7
Continue straight
24.5 mi · 26 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Charles F Bolden Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Charles F Bolden Freeway
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9
Continue on William Earle Berne Beltway
12.3 mi · 14 min · William Earle Berne Beltway
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10
Continue on Veterans Memorial Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Veterans Memorial Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 26 East: Charleston
1.3 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight right
51.9 mi · 56 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Savannah
1.4 km · 2 min
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14
Merge slight left
56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
1478 ft · 37 sec
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16
Turn left onto Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.6 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive
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17
Continue on Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi · 11 min · Lowcountry Drive
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18
Turn right onto Okatie Highway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Okatie Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right
1365 ft · 37 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Fording Island Road
9.3 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road
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21
Continue on William Hilton Parkway
3.8 mi · 5 min · William Hilton Parkway
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Cross Island Parkway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Cross Island Parkway
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23
Take the exit slight right
2198 ft · 59 sec
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24
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.3 mi · 6 min · Marshland Road
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25
Turn right onto Allen Road
887 ft · 39 sec · Allen Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Allen Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chester 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.
I 95 South
Merge slight left
56.6 mi · 01h 01m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Chester and 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 Chester to Hilton Head Island?
The road trip is about 225.9 miles (363.6 km) and usually takes 03h 36m 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?
Bowman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.7 miles from Chester and 116.2 miles from Hilton Head Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 175.7 miles (282.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.2 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 9:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.57 one way or $63.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chester and Sunny near Hilton Head Island.
Stop Ideas Near Bowman
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bowman.
Denmark
Yemassee
Columbia
Charleston, South Carolina
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chester and Hilton Head Island. Straight-line distance: 175.66 mi (282.69 km).
#1 Chester
Small rural city in Chester County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 5,363 |
| Coordinates | 34.7048600, -81.2142600 |
| Altitude | 163 |
| 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: 364 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $31.57 | $63.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $35.30 | $70.60 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $38.08 | $76.16 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $44.82 | $89.65 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.