How far is Hilton Head, SC from Surfside Beach, SC?
The driving distance from Hilton Head, SC to Surfside Beach, SC is about 184.7 miles (297.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141 miles (226.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 25m 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 12m.
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.
The second most populous city in Charleston County, South Carolina.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hilton Head and Surfside Beach.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hilton Head and Surfside Beach.
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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
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4
Take the exit slight right
1444 ft · 40 sec
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5
Keep slight right
45 m · 4 sec
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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
-
11
Take the exit slight right
2391 ft · 1 min
-
12
Merge slight left
53 mi · 1 hr 14 min
-
13
Turn straight onto Septima P. Clark Parkway
1026 ft · 29 sec · Septima P. Clark Parkway
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14
Continue on Crosstown
2825 ft · 1 min · Crosstown
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15
Continue on Septima Clark Expressway
3047 ft · 1 min · Septima Clark Expressway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on US 17 North: Mount Pleasant, Georgetown
9.8 mi · 16 min
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17
Continue straight
49.4 mi · 1 hr 3 min
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on North Fraser Street
136 m · 6 sec · North Fraser Street
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19
Merge slight left onto Church Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · Church Street
-
20
Continue on L. H. Siau Bridge
1340 ft · 25 sec · L. H. Siau Bridge
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21
Continue on Ocean Highway
17.4 mi · 25 min · Ocean Highway
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22
Continue on Highway 17
3.6 mi · 4 min · Highway 17
-
23
Turn straight onto US 17 Business: Garden City Beach, Surfside Beach
3.9 mi · 7 min
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24
Turn slight right
73 m · 9 sec
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25
Turn straight onto Surfside Drive
3249 ft · 1 min · Surfside Drive
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Surfside Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hilton Head and Surfside Beach.
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
53 mi · 01h 14m
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.
Sunny leaving Hilton Head and Sunny near Surfside Beach.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hilton Head to Surfside Beach?
The road trip is about 184.7 miles (297.2 km) and usually takes 04h 12m 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?
North Charleston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.3 miles from Hilton Head and 92.3 miles from Surfside Beach.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141 miles (226.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.7 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 8:34 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.83 one way or $51.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hilton Head and Sunny near Surfside Beach.
Stop Ideas Near North Charleston
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic Charleston City Market
City of North Charleston City Hall
American Red Cross
Charleston County Parking Garage
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Charleston.
Charleston, South Carolina
Yemassee
Kingstree
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hilton Head and Surfside Beach. Straight-line distance: 140.97 mi (226.87 km).
#1 Hilton Head
Resort town in South Carolina, USA
| Population | 37,099 |
| Coordinates | 32.2163200, -80.7526100 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Surfside Beach
City in Horry County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 4,580 |
| Coordinates | 33.6060000, -78.9730900 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Surfside Beach (-78.97309, 33.606)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 297 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.83 | $51.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $28.88 | $57.75 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $31.15 | $62.31 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $36.67 | $73.34 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.