How far is Hilton Head, SC from Pickens, SC?
The driving distance from Hilton Head, SC to Pickens, SC is about 270.2 miles (434.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 215.9 miles (347.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 35m 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 17m.
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.
Human settlement in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hilton Head and Pickens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head and Pickens.
-
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
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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
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7
Take the exit slight left
149 m · 14 sec
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8
Continue on Lowcountry Drive
7.9 mi · 11 min · Lowcountry Drive
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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
57.2 mi · 1 hr 1 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 26 West: Columbia
1864 ft · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left
116.6 mi · 2 hr 7 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 385 North: Laurens, Greenville
29.6 mi · 32 min
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on I 185, US 276: Atlanta, Mauldin, Anderson
2748 ft · 34 sec
-
16
Take the exit slight left toward I 185: Atlanta, Anderson
3027 ft · 1 min
-
17
Merge slight left onto Southern Connector
11.2 mi · 12 min · Southern Connector
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward Easley, Clemson
697 ft · 17 sec
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on Easley, Clemson
156 m · 12 sec
-
20
Merge slight left onto Highway 153
6.8 mi · 11 min · Highway 153
-
21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
8 m · 1 sec
-
22
Exit the roundabout
923 ft · 38 sec
-
23
Merge slight left onto Calhoun Memorial Highway
2.1 mi · 4 min · Calhoun Memorial Highway
-
24
Turn slight right onto East Main Street
3.4 mi · 6 min · East Main Street
-
25
Continue on Gentry Memorial Highway
5.8 mi · 10 min · Gentry Memorial Highway
-
26
Continue on Hampton Avenue
1927 ft · 45 sec · Hampton Avenue
-
27
Turn left onto East Cedar Rock Street
1066 ft · 33 sec · East Cedar Rock Street
-
28
Turn right onto Pendleton Street
125 m · 7 sec · Pendleton Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pendleton Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hilton Head and Pickens.
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
117 mi · 02h 07m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Hilton Head and Sunny near Pickens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hilton Head to Pickens?
The road trip is about 270.2 miles (434.8 km) and usually takes 05h 17m 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?
Gaston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.1 miles from Hilton Head and 135 miles from Pickens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 215.9 miles (347.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.3 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 6:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.75 one way or $75.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Hilton Head and Sunny near Pickens.
Stop Ideas Near Gaston
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 Gaston.
Columbia
Denmark
Camden
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hilton Head and Pickens. Straight-line distance: 215.93 mi (347.5 km).
#1 Hilton Head
Resort town in South Carolina, USA
| Population | 37,099 |
| Coordinates | 32.2163200, -80.7526100 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Pickens
City in South Carolina
| Population | 3,185 |
| Coordinates | 34.8834500, -82.7073600 |
| Altitude | 333 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pickens (-82.70736, 34.88345)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 435 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $37.75 | $75.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $42.21 | $84.42 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $45.53 | $91.07 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $53.60 | $107.19 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.