How far is North Charleston, SC from Hilton Head Island, SC?

The driving distance from North Charleston, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC is about 103.5 miles (166.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 63.8 miles (102.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 11m 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
103.54 mi
02h 05m
Flight
63.73 mi
102.57 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Charleston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
63.73 mi
Kilometers
102.57 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
103.54 mi
Kilometers
166.63 km
Drive Time
02h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hilton Head Island
Sat, May 30, 11:27 AM EDT
Return by in North Charleston
Sat, May 30, 1:33 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Charleston
2026-05-30T09:22
Arrive Hilton Head Island
Sat, May 30, 11:27 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:06 AM to 12:06 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:18 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Charleston
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Yemassee
SC

Town in Beaufort and Hampton Counties, South Carolina

From North Charleston
51.7 mi
01h 02m
To Hilton Head Island
51.8 mi
01h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 6 mph SW
Destination
86°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North Charleston and Hilton Head Island.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Charleston and Hilton Head Island.

  1. 1

    Start on Rivers Avenue

    704 ft · 14 sec · Rivers Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Cosgrove Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Cosgrove Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard

    1.3 km · 1 min · Sam Rittenberg Boulevard

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard

    3 mi · 5 min · Sam Rittenberg Boulevard

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Savannah Highway

    25.2 mi · 34 min · Savannah Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Ace Basin Parkway

    17.1 mi · 22 min · Ace Basin Parkway

  7. 7

    Continue on Charleston Highway

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Charleston Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right

    1220 ft · 33 sec

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Trask Parkway

    63 m · 3 sec · Trask Parkway

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto Trask Parkway

    12 mi · 15 min · Trask Parkway

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Parris Island Gateway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Parris Island Gateway

  12. 12

    Turn slight right onto Robert Smalls Parkway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Robert Smalls Parkway

  13. 13

    Continue on Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge

  14. 14

    Continue on Okatie Highway

    12.3 mi · 14 min · Okatie Highway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right

    1365 ft · 37 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Fording Island Road

    9.3 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road

  17. 17

    Continue on William Hilton Parkway

    3.8 mi · 5 min · William Hilton Parkway

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on Cross Island Parkway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Cross Island Parkway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right

    2198 ft · 59 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Marshland Road

    2.3 mi · 6 min · Marshland Road

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Allen Road

    887 ft · 39 sec · Allen Road

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Allen Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North Charleston and Hilton Head Island.

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
22 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Savannah Highway
25.2 mi · 24%
Ace Basin Parkway
17.1 mi · 17%
Okatie Highway
12.6 mi · 12%
Trask Parkway
12 mi · 12%
Fording Island Road
9.26 mi · 9%
Charleston Highway
5.86 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Savannah Highway

Turn right onto Savannah Highway

25.2 mi · 00h 34m

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 05m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.7 mi
63.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Yemassee
01h 02m from North Charleston
Leave By
2:18 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving North Charleston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Hilton Head Island.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Charleston to Hilton Head Island?

The road trip is about 103.5 miles (166.6 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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?

Yemassee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.7 miles from North Charleston and 51.8 miles from Hilton Head Island.

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

The direct path is about 63.8 miles (102.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:18 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.46 one way or $28.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around North Charleston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Hilton Head Island.

Stop Ideas Near Yemassee

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Yemassee and the surrounding midpoint area.
Wilson for City Council
Practical stop 12.4 mi away

Wilson for City Council

Yemassee
Political party office,Service establishment
City of Beaufort
Meeting point 13 mi away

City of Beaufort

Beaufort , SC
1911 Boundary St, Beaufort, SC 29902
Rating 5.0/5 6 reviews City Hall
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13 mi away

City of Beaufort Public Works Department

Beaufort , SC
16 Burton Hill Rd, Beaufort, SC 29906
Rating 4.0/5 6 reviews Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Yemassee

9 Main Street
RAIL

Savannah

73 mi away
2611 Seaboard Coastline Drive
RAIL

Denmark

76 mi away
200 West Baruch Street
RAIL

Charleston, South Carolina

82 mi away
4565 Gaynor Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Charleston and Hilton Head Island. Straight-line distance: 63.73 mi (102.57 km).

North Charleston

#1 North Charleston

The second most populous city in Charleston County, South Carolina.

Population118,752
Coordinates32.8546200, -79.9748100
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Hilton Head Island

#2 Hilton Head Island

Resort town in South Carolina, USA

Population39,619
Coordinates32.1938200, -80.7381600
Altitude3
CountryUnited States
Start: US 52 (-79.97488, 32.854524)
End: Allen Road (-80.737481, 32.193969)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 167 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 17m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.65 gal
13.83 L · about $14.46
Round trip
$28.92
7.3 gal · 27.66 L
Estimated CO2
32.4 kg one way
Round trip: 64.9 kg / 143 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $14.46 $28.92
Mid-grade $4.43 $16.17 $32.33
Premium $4.78 $17.44 $34.88
Diesel $5.62 $20.53 $41.06

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between North Charleston and Hilton Head Island. The current time is 09:22:19.

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.