How far is Columbia, SC from Hilton Head Island, SC?
The driving distance from Columbia, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC is about 166.5 miles (267.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 126 miles (202.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 25m 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 42m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in South Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia and Hilton Head Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia and Hilton Head Island.
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1
Start on Gervais Street
132 m · 18 sec · Gervais Street
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2
Continue on Gervais Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Gervais Street
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3
Turn right onto Huger Street
2055 ft · 48 sec · Huger Street
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4
Turn left onto Taylor Street
913 ft · 23 sec · Taylor Street
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5
Continue on Hampton Street
1826 ft · 26 sec · Hampton Street
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6
Continue on Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
2.6 mi · 3 min · Jarvis Klapman Boulevard
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7
Continue on Augusta Road
1.1 km · 52 sec · Augusta Road
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Charleston
927 ft · 23 sec
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9
Merge slight left
56.8 mi · 1 hr 2 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Savannah
1.4 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left
56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
1478 ft · 37 sec
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13
Turn left onto Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.6 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive
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14
Continue on Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi · 11 min · Lowcountry Drive
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15
Turn right onto Okatie Highway
4.2 mi · 5 min · Okatie Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right
1365 ft · 37 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Fording Island Road
9.3 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road
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18
Continue on William Hilton Parkway
3.8 mi · 5 min · William Hilton Parkway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Cross Island Parkway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Cross Island Parkway
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20
Take the exit slight right
2198 ft · 59 sec
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21
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.3 mi · 6 min · Marshland Road
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22
Turn right onto Allen Road
887 ft · 39 sec · Allen Road
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Allen Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia and Hilton Head Island.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Charleston
Merge slight left
56.8 mi · 01h 02m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Hilton Head Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia to Hilton Head Island?
The road trip is about 166.5 miles (267.9 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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?
Saint George is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80 miles from Columbia and 86.4 miles from Hilton Head Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 126 miles (202.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.29 one way or $46.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbia and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Hilton Head Island.
Stop Ideas Near Saint George
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 Saint George.
Denmark
Yemassee
Charleston, South Carolina
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia and Hilton Head Island. Straight-line distance: 126.02 mi (202.81 km).
#1 Columbia
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 132,130 |
| Coordinates | 34.0007100, -81.0348100 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| 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: 268 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.29 | $46.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $26.04 | $52.09 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $28.09 | $56.19 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $33.07 | $66.14 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.