How far is Murrells Inlet, SC from Hilton Head, SC?
The driving distance from Murrells Inlet, SC to Hilton Head, SC is about 178.5 miles (287.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.5 miles (218.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 03m 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 01m.
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
Patchy Smoke
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Murrells Inlet and Hilton Head.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Murrells Inlet and Hilton Head.
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1
Start on US 17 Business
1660 ft · 59 sec · US 17 Business
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2
Turn right onto Wachesaw Road
1253 ft · 36 sec · Wachesaw Road
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3
Turn left onto Highway 17
1.8 mi · 2 min · Highway 17
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4
Continue on Ocean Highway
17.4 mi · 25 min · Ocean Highway
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5
Continue on L. H. Siau Bridge
1340 ft · 25 sec · L. H. Siau Bridge
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6
Continue on Church Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Church Street
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7
Turn left onto North Fraser Street
56 mi · 1 hr 14 min · North Fraser Street
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8
Continue on North Highway 17
4.2 mi · 7 min · North Highway 17
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9
Continue on Septima P. Clark Parkway
550 ft · 16 sec · Septima P. Clark Parkway
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10
Continue on Spring Street
550 ft · 14 sec · Spring Street
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11
Continue on Spring Street
1116 ft · 21 sec · Spring Street
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12
Continue straight
708 ft · 21 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Savannah Highway
29.7 mi · 43 min · Savannah Highway
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14
Continue on Ace Basin Parkway
17.1 mi · 22 min · Ace Basin Parkway
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15
Continue on Charleston Highway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Charleston Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right
1220 ft · 33 sec
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Trask Parkway
63 m · 3 sec · Trask Parkway
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Trask Parkway
12 mi · 15 min · Trask Parkway
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19
Turn right onto Parris Island Gateway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Parris Island Gateway
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20
Turn slight right onto Robert Smalls Parkway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Robert Smalls Parkway
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21
Continue on Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
1.7 mi · 2 min · Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge
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22
Continue on Okatie Highway
12.3 mi · 14 min · Okatie Highway
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23
Take the exit slight right
1365 ft · 37 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Fording Island Road
9.3 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road
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25
Continue on William Hilton Parkway
3.4 mi · 4 min · William Hilton Parkway
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · William Hilton Parkway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Murrells Inlet and Hilton Head.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North Fraser Street
Turn left onto North Fraser Street
56 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 Murrells Inlet and Patchy Smoke near Hilton Head.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Murrells Inlet to Hilton Head?
The road trip is about 178.5 miles (287.3 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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 89.2 miles from Murrells Inlet and 89.2 miles from Hilton Head.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.5 miles (218.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 43 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 8:56 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.95 one way or $49.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Murrells Inlet and Patchy Smoke near Hilton Head.
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 Murrells Inlet and Hilton Head. Straight-line distance: 135.5 mi (218.07 km).
#1 Murrells Inlet
Town in Georgetown County and Horry County, South Carolina, United States
| Population | 7,547 |
| Coordinates | 33.5510000, -79.0414300 |
| Altitude | 1 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Hilton Head
Resort town in South Carolina, USA
| Population | 37,099 |
| Coordinates | 32.2163200, -80.7526100 |
| Altitude | 3 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hilton Head (-80.75261, 32.21632)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.95 | $49.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.90 | $55.81 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $30.10 | $60.20 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.43 | $70.86 |
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.