How far is Cowpens, SC from Hilton Head Island, SC?
The driving distance from Cowpens, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC is about 262.9 miles (423.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 204.4 miles (329 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 09m 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 05h 04m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Calhoun County, South Carolina
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cowpens and Hilton Head Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cowpens and Hilton Head Island.
-
1
Start on the route
13 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn left onto East Church Street
32 m · 7 sec · East Church Street
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3
Turn right onto North Main Street
1082 ft · 26 sec · North Main Street
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4
Turn slight left onto Battleground Road
1.9 mi · 4 min · Battleground Road
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5
Take the ramp left toward I 85 South: Spartanburg
1314 ft · 32 sec
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6
Merge slight left
11.9 mi · 13 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 East, I 26 West: Columbia, Asheville
1004 ft · 24 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 26 East: Columbia
1.3 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
89.4 mi · 1 hr 38 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Charleston
60.2 mi · 1 hr 6 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Savannah
1.4 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left
56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie
1478 ft · 37 sec
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14
Turn left onto Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.6 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive
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15
Continue on Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi · 11 min · Lowcountry Drive
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16
Turn right onto Okatie Highway
4.2 mi · 5 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 Cowpens 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 26 East
Merge slight left
89.4 mi · 01h 38m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Cowpens and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Hilton Head Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cowpens to Hilton Head Island?
The road trip is about 262.9 miles (423.1 km) and usually takes 05h 04m 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?
Saint Matthews is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.5 miles from Cowpens and 131.4 miles from Hilton Head Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 204.4 miles (329 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.5 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 6:50 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.76 one way or $73.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Cowpens and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Hilton Head Island.
Stop Ideas Near Saint Matthews
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 Matthews.
Columbia
Denmark
Camden
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cowpens and Hilton Head Island. Straight-line distance: 204.46 mi (329.05 km).
#1 Cowpens
Town of the United States
| Population | 2,465 |
| Coordinates | 35.0167900, -81.8039900 |
| Altitude | 262 |
| 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: Hilton Head Island (-80.73816, 32.19382)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 423 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $36.76 | $73.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $41.10 | $82.20 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $44.34 | $88.68 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $52.19 | $104.38 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.