How far is Hilton Head Island, SC from Saluda, SC?
The driving distance from Hilton Head Island, SC to Saluda, SC is about 195.9 miles (315.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.5 miles (222.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 07m 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 04h 03m.
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.
Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hilton Head Island and Saluda.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head Island and Saluda.
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1
Start on Allen Road
887 ft · 42 sec · Allen Road
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2
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.2 mi · 5 min · Marshland Road
-
3
Take the ramp right
2176 ft · 53 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Cross Island Parkway
2.3 mi · 2 min · Cross Island Parkway
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5
Merge slight left onto William Hilton Parkway
3.9 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway
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6
Continue on Fording Island Road
9 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road
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7
Take the exit slight right
1444 ft · 40 sec
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8
Keep slight right
45 m · 4 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Okatie Highway
3.9 mi · 5 min · Okatie Highway
-
10
Take the exit slight left
149 m · 14 sec
-
11
Continue on Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi · 11 min · Lowcountry Drive
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12
Continue on Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.4 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive
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13
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
1435 ft · 35 sec
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14
Merge slight left
57.2 mi · 1 hr 1 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 West: Columbia
1864 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left
57.3 mi · 1 hr 2 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward US 1 South: Lexington
860 ft · 21 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Augusta Road
7 mi · 11 min · Augusta Road
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19
Continue on East Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
-
20
Continue on West Main Street
3211 ft · 1 min · West Main Street
-
21
Turn slight right
17.4 mi · 25 min
-
22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Columbia Highway
131 m · 15 sec · Columbia Highway
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Columbia Highway
14.1 mi · 21 min · Columbia Highway
-
24
Turn left onto North Main Street
1900 ft · 36 sec · North Main Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hilton Head Island and Saluda.
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 West
Merge slight left
57.3 mi · 01h 02m
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.
Cloudy leaving Hilton Head Island and Mostly Sunny near Saluda.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hilton Head Island to Saluda?
The road trip is about 195.9 miles (315.2 km) and usually takes 04h 03m 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 98 miles from Hilton Head Island and 97.9 miles from Saluda.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.5 miles (222.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.4 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 8:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.37 one way or $54.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Cloudy around Hilton Head Island and Mostly Sunny near Saluda.
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 Hilton Head Island and Saluda. Straight-line distance: 138.49 mi (222.88 km).
#1 Hilton Head Island
Resort town in South Carolina, USA
| Population | 39,619 |
| Coordinates | 32.1938200, -80.7381600 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Saluda
Town in South Carolina
| Population | 3,566 |
| Coordinates | 34.0015200, -81.7720500 |
| Altitude | 146 |
| Country | United States |
End: Saluda (-81.77205, 34.00152)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 315 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $27.37 | $54.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $30.60 | $61.21 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $33.02 | $66.03 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $38.86 | $77.72 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.