How far is Hilton Head, SC from Sumter, SC?

The driving distance from Hilton Head, SC to Sumter, SC is about 144.5 miles (232.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 120.1 miles (193.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
144.45 mi
02h 26m
Flight
120.12 mi
193.32 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hilton Head.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
120.12 mi
Kilometers
193.32 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
144.45 mi
Kilometers
232.47 km
Drive Time
02h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sumter
Thu, Apr 23, 1:14 AM EDT
Return by in Hilton Head
Thu, Apr 23, 3:40 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hilton Head
2026-04-22T22:48
Arrive Sumter
Thu, Apr 23, 1:14 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:26 AM to 12:26 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hilton Head
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Smoaks
SC

Human settlement in Colleton County, South Carolina, United States of America

From Hilton Head
72 mi
01h 13m
To Sumter
72.5 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph S
Destination
84°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Hilton Head and Sumter.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head and Sumter.

  1. 1

    Start on William Hilton Parkway

    1601 ft · 29 sec · William Hilton Parkway

  2. 2

    Continue on William Hilton Parkway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway

  3. 3

    Continue on Fording Island Road

    9 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right

    1444 ft · 40 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right

    45 m · 4 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Okatie Highway

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Okatie Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left

    149 m · 14 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on Lowcountry Drive

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Lowcountry Drive

  9. 9

    Continue on Coosaw Scenic Drive

    9.4 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 95 North, US 17 North: Florence

    1435 ft · 35 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    93.1 mi · 1 hr 40 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 521: Alcolu, Sumter

    1660 ft · 41 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on US 521 North: Alcolu, Sumter

    88 m · 7 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left

    15.1 mi · 19 min

  15. 15

    Continue on South Main Street

    1633 ft · 39 sec · South Main Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto East Liberty Street

    20 m · 1 sec · East Liberty Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Liberty Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Hilton Head and Sumter.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 North
93.4 mi · 65%
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.39 mi · 6%
Fording Island Road
9.27 mi · 6%
Lowcountry Drive
7.89 mi · 5%
William Hilton Parkway
4.06 mi · 3%
Okatie Highway
4.04 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 95 North

Merge slight left

93.1 mi · 01h 40m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.4 mi
120.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Smoaks
01h 13m from Hilton Head
Leave By
1:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Hilton Head and Mostly Sunny near Sumter.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hilton Head to Sumter?

The road trip is about 144.5 miles (232.5 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?

Smoaks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72 miles from Hilton Head and 72.5 miles from Sumter.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 120.1 miles (193.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.20 one way or $40.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Hilton Head and Mostly Sunny near Sumter.

Stop Ideas Near Smoaks

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Smoaks, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Smoaks.

RAIL

Denmark

40 mi away
200 West Baruch Street
RAIL

Yemassee

45 mi away
9 Main Street
RAIL

Charleston, South Carolina

80 mi away
4565 Gaynor Avenue
RAIL

Columbia

103 mi away
850 Pulaski Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hilton Head and Sumter. Straight-line distance: 120.12 mi (193.32 km).

Hilton Head

#1 Hilton Head

Resort town in South Carolina, USA

Population37,099
Coordinates32.2163200, -80.7526100
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Sumter

#2 Sumter

City in and county seat of Sumter County, South Carolina, United States

Population39,439
Coordinates33.9204400, -80.3414700
Altitude52
CountryUnited States
Start: US 278 (-80.752607, 32.216333)
End: East Liberty Street (-80.341474, 33.920409)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 232 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.1 gal
19.3 L · about $20.20
Round trip
$40.40
10.2 gal · 38.6 L
Estimated CO2
45.3 kg one way
Round trip: 90.6 kg / 200 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $20.20 $40.40
Mid-grade $4.43 $22.59 $45.18
Premium $4.78 $24.37 $48.74
Diesel $5.62 $28.68 $57.36

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

There is no time difference between Hilton Head and Sumter. The current time is 22:48:11.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.