How far is Hilton Head, SC from Charleston, SC?
The driving distance from Hilton Head, SC to Charleston, SC is about 98.5 miles (158.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 61.6 miles (99.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 03m 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 01m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in South Carolina, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hilton Head and Charleston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head and Charleston.
-
1
Start on William Hilton Parkway
1601 ft · 29 sec · William Hilton Parkway
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2
Continue on William Hilton Parkway
3.8 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway
-
3
Continue on Fording Island Road
9 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road
-
4
Take the exit slight right
1444 ft · 40 sec
-
5
Keep slight right
45 m · 4 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Okatie Highway
12.2 mi · 14 min · Okatie Highway
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7
Continue on Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
1.7 mi · 2 min · Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
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8
Continue on Robert Smalls Parkway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Robert Smalls Parkway
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9
Turn slight left onto Parris Island Gateway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Parris Island Gateway
-
10
At the end of the road, turn left onto Trask Parkway
11.6 mi · 14 min · Trask Parkway
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11
Take the exit slight right
2391 ft · 1 min
-
12
Merge slight left
52.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right
135 m · 12 sec
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14
Keep slight right
570 ft · 15 sec
-
15
Turn straight onto Lockwood Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · Lockwood Drive
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16
Continue on Broad Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Broad Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hilton Head and Charleston.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Trask Parkway
Merge slight left
52.5 mi · 01h 13m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Hilton Head and Mostly Sunny near Charleston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hilton Head to Charleston?
The road trip is about 98.5 miles (158.6 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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?
Jonesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.2 miles from Hilton Head and 49.3 miles from Charleston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 61.6 miles (99.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.9 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 2:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.78 one way or $27.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Hilton Head and Mostly Sunny near Charleston.
Stop Ideas Near Jonesville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Wilson for City Council
City of Beaufort
City of Beaufort Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Jonesville.
Yemassee
Denmark
Charleston, South Carolina
Savannah
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hilton Head and Charleston. Straight-line distance: 61.57 mi (99.09 km).
#1 Hilton Head
Resort town in South Carolina, USA
| Population | 37,099 |
| Coordinates | 32.2163200, -80.7526100 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charleston
The most populous city in South Carolina.
| Population | 139,714 |
| Coordinates | 32.7765700, -79.9309200 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: Broad Street (-79.930909, 32.776494)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 159 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $13.78 | $27.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $15.41 | $30.83 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $16.63 | $33.25 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $19.57 | $39.14 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.