How far is Socastee, SC from Hilton Head Island, SC?

The driving distance from Socastee, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC is about 194.4 miles (312.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 144.1 miles (231.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
194.4 mi
04h 25m
Flight
144.12 mi
231.94 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Socastee.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
144.12 mi
Kilometers
231.94 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
194.4 mi
Kilometers
312.85 km
Drive Time
04h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hilton Head Island
Thu, Apr 23, 12:36 PM EDT
Return by in Socastee
Thu, Apr 23, 5:02 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Socastee
2026-04-23T08:11
Arrive Hilton Head Island
Thu, Apr 23, 12:36 PM EDT
Route Timing
04h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:26 AM to 12:26 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:08 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Socastee
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
North Charleston
SC

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

From Socastee
97.2 mi
02h 12m
To Hilton Head Island
97.2 mi
02h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Socastee Weather
SC
Live fallback forecast
57°F
Overnight
Using Red Hill as the closest live forecast in the Horry County weather hub.

Clear

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph SW
Destination
62°F
Overnight

Patchy Smoke

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on River Road

    75 m · 12 sec · River Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Socastee Boulevard

    716 ft · 24 sec · Socastee Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Dick Pond Road

    1 km · 1 min · Dick Pond Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Dick Pond Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Dick Pond Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 17 South: Georgetown

    1457 ft · 40 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Highway 17

    9.5 mi · 11 min · Highway 17

  7. 7

    Continue on Ocean Highway

    17.4 mi · 25 min · Ocean Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on L. H. Siau Bridge

    1340 ft · 25 sec · L. H. Siau Bridge

  9. 9

    Continue on Church Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Church Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto North Fraser Street

    56 mi · 1 hr 14 min · North Fraser Street

  11. 11

    Continue on North Highway 17

    4.2 mi · 7 min · North Highway 17

  12. 12

    Continue on Septima P. Clark Parkway

    550 ft · 16 sec · Septima P. Clark Parkway

  13. 13

    Continue on Spring Street

    550 ft · 14 sec · Spring Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Spring Street

    1116 ft · 21 sec · Spring Street

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    708 ft · 21 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Savannah Highway

    29.7 mi · 43 min · Savannah Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Ace Basin Parkway

    17.1 mi · 22 min · Ace Basin Parkway

  18. 18

    Continue on Charleston Highway

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Charleston Highway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right

    1220 ft · 33 sec

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Trask Parkway

    63 m · 3 sec · Trask Parkway

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto Trask Parkway

    12 mi · 15 min · Trask Parkway

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Parris Island Gateway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Parris Island Gateway

  23. 23

    Turn slight right onto Robert Smalls Parkway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Robert Smalls Parkway

  24. 24

    Continue on Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Edward Burton Rodgers Bridge

  25. 25

    Continue on Okatie Highway

    12.3 mi · 14 min · Okatie Highway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right

    1365 ft · 37 sec

  27. 27

    Merge slight left onto Fording Island Road

    9.3 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road

  28. 28

    Continue on William Hilton Parkway

    3.8 mi · 5 min · William Hilton Parkway

  29. 29

    Keep slight left to continue on Cross Island Parkway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Cross Island Parkway

  30. 30

    Take the exit slight right

    2198 ft · 59 sec

  31. 31

    Turn left onto Marshland Road

    2.3 mi · 6 min · Marshland Road

  32. 32

    Turn right onto Allen Road

    887 ft · 39 sec · Allen Road

  33. 33

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Allen Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Socastee 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
33 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Fraser Street
56 mi · 29%
Savannah Highway
29.7 mi · 15%
Ocean Highway
17.4 mi · 9%
Ace Basin Parkway
17.1 mi · 9%
Okatie Highway
12.6 mi · 6%
Trask Parkway
12 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50.3 mi
144.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
North Charleston
02h 12m from Socastee
Leave By
8:08 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Clear leaving Socastee and Patchy Smoke near Hilton Head Island.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 194.4 miles (312.9 km) and usually takes 04h 25m 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 97.2 miles from Socastee and 97.2 miles from Hilton Head Island.

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

The direct path is about 144.1 miles (231.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.3 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 8:08 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.17 one way or $54.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Clear around Socastee and Patchy Smoke near Hilton Head Island.

Stop Ideas Near North Charleston

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 North Charleston and the surrounding midpoint area.
Historic Charleston City Market
Scenic stop 6.3 mi away

Historic Charleston City Market

Charleston , SC
188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
Rating 4.5/5 18,143 reviews Tourist attraction,Historical landmark,Market
City of North Charleston City Hall
Meeting point 6.1 mi away

City of North Charleston City Hall

North Charleston , SC
2500 City Hall Ln, North Charleston, SC 29406
Rating 4.3/5 44 reviews City Hall,City government office
American Red Cross
Nearby stop 6 mi away

American Red Cross

North Charleston , SC
2424- A, City Hall Ln, North Charleston, SC 29406
Rating 4.4/5 21 reviews Non-profit organization,Charity,Volunteer organization
Charleston County Parking Garage
Scenic stop 6.2 mi away

Charleston County Parking Garage

Charleston , SC
85 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
Rating 4.3/5 78 reviews Parking garage

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Charleston.

RAIL

Charleston, South Carolina

3 mi away
4565 Gaynor Avenue
RAIL

Yemassee

84 mi away
9 Main Street
RAIL

Kingstree

91 mi away
101 East Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Socastee and Hilton Head Island. Straight-line distance: 144.12 mi (231.94 km).

Socastee

#1 Socastee

Census-designated place in Horry County, South Carolina

Population19,952
Coordinates33.6835000, -78.9983700
Altitude5
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: Socastee (-78.99837, 33.6835)
End: Hilton Head Island (-80.73816, 32.19382)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 313 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.86 gal
25.97 L · about $27.17
Round trip
$54.34
13.72 gal · 51.94 L
Estimated CO2
61 kg one way
Round trip: 121.9 kg / 269 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $27.17 $54.34
Mid-grade $4.43 $30.38 $60.77
Premium $4.78 $32.78 $65.55
Diesel $5.62 $38.58 $77.16

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 Socastee and Hilton Head Island. The current time is 08:11:02.

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.