How far is Hilton Head, SC from Lake City, SC?
The driving distance from Hilton Head, SC to Lake City, SC is about 162.1 miles (260.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.1 miles (206.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 20m 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 10m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hilton Head and Lake City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head and Lake City.
-
1
Start on William Hilton Parkway
1601 ft · 29 sec · William Hilton Parkway
-
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
3.9 mi · 5 min · Okatie Highway
-
7
Take the exit slight left
149 m · 14 sec
-
8
Continue on Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi · 11 min · Lowcountry Drive
-
9
Continue on Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.4 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive
-
10
Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence
1435 ft · 35 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
106.4 mi · 1 hr 54 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 378: Turbeville, Sumter
1475 ft · 36 sec
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on US 378 East: Turbeville, Lake City, Myrtle Beach
88 m · 7 sec
-
14
Merge slight left onto Myrtle Beach Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · Myrtle Beach Highway
-
15
Continue on Clarence Coker Highway
3.5 mi · 5 min · Clarence Coker Highway
-
16
Continue on Main Street
2637 ft · 1 min · Main Street
-
17
Continue on Turbeville Highway
12.9 mi · 16 min · Turbeville Highway
-
18
Turn right onto West Main Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
-
19
Turn right onto South Acline Avenue
732 ft · 18 sec · South Acline Avenue
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Acline Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hilton Head and Lake City.
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 North
Merge slight left
106 mi · 01h 54m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Hilton Head and Mostly Sunny near Lake City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hilton Head to Lake City?
The road trip is about 162.1 miles (260.8 km) and usually takes 03h 10m 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 George is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.1 miles from Hilton Head and 81 miles from Lake City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.1 miles (206.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34 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 10:40 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.66 one way or $45.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Hilton Head and Mostly Sunny near Lake City.
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 Hilton Head and Lake City. Straight-line distance: 128.09 mi (206.14 km).
#1 Hilton Head
Resort town in South Carolina, USA
| Population | 37,099 |
| Coordinates | 32.2163200, -80.7526100 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake City
City in South Carolina, USA
| Population | 6,497 |
| Coordinates | 33.8710000, -79.7553500 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake City (-79.75535, 33.871)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 261 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.66 | $45.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.33 | $50.67 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.33 | $54.66 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.17 | $64.34 |
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.