How far is Isle of Palms, SC from Hilton Head Island, SC?
Fastest route
The journey from Isle of Palms, South Carolina to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina is approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes covering a distance of 121 miles via Hwy 17 S. Here are some tips and suggestions for the route:
Directions
- Start by heading southwest on Seagrass Ln.
- Turn left to stay on Seagrass Ln.
- Turn right onto Back Bay Dr.
- Turn left onto Racquet Club Rd.
- Turn right onto Palmetto Dr.
- Turn left toward Palm Blvd.
- Turn right onto Palm Blvd.
- 41st Ave turns slightly right and becomes Palm Blvd.
- Turn right onto SC-517 N/Isle of Palms Con.
- Turn left onto Hungry Neck Blvd.
- Keep left at the fork, follow signs for U.S.17 and merge onto I-526 W.
- Continue on I-526 W. Take Hwy 17 S to US-21 S/Parris Island Gateway in Burton.
- Turn right onto SC-7 S/Sam Rittenberg Blvd (signs for Savannah).
- Pass by Hardee's (on the left).
- Use the right lane to take the US-21 S ramp to Beaufort.
- At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto US-21/Trask Pkwy.
- Get on US-278 E in Okatie from SC-170 W.
- Turn right onto US-21 S/Parris Island Gateway.
- Slight right onto SC-170 W/Robert Smalls Pkwy.
- Continue to follow SC-170 W.
- Use the right lane to take the ramp to S Carolina 170/Beaufort.
- Arrive at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Be prepared for a journey of approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes.
- ⛽ Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel for the trip.
- 🚦 Follow the directions carefully to stay on the correct route.
- 🛣️ Take note of the road signs and exit ramps to ensure you're on the right path.
- 🚧 Check for traffic conditions and adjust your departure time if necessary.
- 📍 Use a navigation device or GPS to help you navigate the route.
- 📱 Consider downloading a traffic app for real-time updates on road conditions.
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 24m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Isle of Palms and Hilton Head Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Isle of Palms and Hilton Head Island.
-
1
Start on Palm Boulevard
1.3 mi · 3 min · Palm Boulevard
-
2
Continue on Jasper Boulevard
1.6 mi · 2 min · Jasper Boulevard
-
3
Turn right onto Station 22 1/2 Street
821 ft · 14 sec · Station 22 1/2 Street
-
4
Continue on Ben Sawyer Boulevard
1.7 mi · 3 min · Ben Sawyer Boulevard
-
5
Turn slight right onto Ben Sawyer Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · Ben Sawyer Boulevard
-
6
Continue on Coleman Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Coleman Boulevard
-
7
Continue on West Coleman Boulevard
1.1 mi · 3 min · West Coleman Boulevard
-
8
Take the ramp straight toward US 17 South: Charleston
2568 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight right onto Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge
3.7 mi · 6 min · Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge
-
10
Continue on Septima P. Clark Parkway
550 ft · 16 sec · Septima P. Clark Parkway
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11
Continue on Spring Street
550 ft · 14 sec · Spring Street
-
12
Continue on Spring Street
1116 ft · 21 sec · Spring Street
-
13
Continue straight
708 ft · 21 sec
-
14
Merge slight left onto Savannah Highway
29.7 mi · 43 min · Savannah Highway
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15
Continue on Ace Basin Parkway
17.1 mi · 22 min · Ace Basin Parkway
-
16
Continue on Charleston Highway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Charleston Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right
1220 ft · 33 sec
-
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Trask Parkway
63 m · 3 sec · Trask Parkway
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Trask Parkway
12 mi · 15 min · Trask Parkway
-
20
Turn right onto Parris Island Gateway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Parris Island Gateway
-
21
Turn slight right onto Robert Smalls Parkway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Robert Smalls Parkway
-
22
Continue on Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
1.7 mi · 2 min · Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
-
23
Continue on Okatie Highway
12.3 mi · 14 min · Okatie Highway
-
24
Take the exit slight right
1365 ft · 37 sec
-
25
Merge slight left onto Fording Island Road
9.3 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road
-
26
Continue on William Hilton Parkway
3.8 mi · 5 min · William Hilton Parkway
-
27
Keep slight left to continue on Cross Island Parkway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Cross Island Parkway
-
28
Take the exit slight right
2198 ft · 59 sec
-
29
Turn left onto Marshland Road
2.3 mi · 6 min · Marshland Road
-
30
Turn right onto Allen Road
887 ft · 39 sec · Allen Road
-
31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Allen Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Isle of Palms and Hilton Head Island.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Savannah Highway
Merge slight left onto Savannah Highway
29.7 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Isle of Palms and Mostly Sunny near Hilton Head Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Isle of Palms to Hilton Head Island?
The road trip is about 121.9 miles (196.2 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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 57.3 miles from Isle of Palms and 64.6 miles from Hilton Head Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 68.5 miles (110.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.4 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 1:40 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.03 one way or $34.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Isle of Palms and Mostly Sunny near Hilton Head Island.
Stop Ideas Near Jonesville
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 Jonesville.
Yemassee
Denmark
Charleston, South Carolina
Savannah
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Isle of Palms and Hilton Head Island. Straight-line distance: 68.57 mi (110.35 km).
#1 Isle of Palms
City in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 4,371 |
| Coordinates | 32.7868400, -79.7948000 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Hilton Head Island
Resort town in South Carolina, USA
| Population | 39,619 |
| Coordinates | 32.1938200, -80.7381600 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Allen Road (-80.737481, 32.193969)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 196 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $17.03 | $34.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $19.04 | $38.09 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $20.55 | $41.09 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $24.18 | $48.37 |
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 06, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.