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

The driving distance from Sumter, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC is about 155.9 miles (250.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 121.5 miles (195.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 04m 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
155.88 mi
02h 32m
Flight
121.49 mi
195.52 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sumter.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
121.49 mi
Kilometers
195.52 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
155.88 mi
Kilometers
250.87 km
Drive Time
02h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hilton Head Island
Thu, Apr 23, 1:33 AM EDT
Return by in Sumter
Thu, Apr 23, 4:05 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sumter
2026-04-22T23:01
Arrive Hilton Head Island
Thu, Apr 23, 1:33 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:32 AM to 12:32 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:26 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sumter
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Walterboro
SC

City in South Carolina

From Sumter
74.6 mi
01h 16m
To Hilton Head Island
81.3 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW
Destination
78°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Liberty Street

    20 m · 8 sec · East Liberty Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1633 ft · 34 sec · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Manning Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Manning Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Manning Road

    13.1 mi · 15 min · Manning Road

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Savannah

    1962 ft · 48 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    93.1 mi · 1 hr 40 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie

    1478 ft · 37 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Coosaw Scenic Drive

    9.6 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive

  9. 9

    Continue on Lowcountry Drive

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Lowcountry Drive

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Okatie Highway

    4.2 mi · 5 min · Okatie Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    1365 ft · 37 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Fording Island Road

    9.3 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road

  13. 13

    Continue on William Hilton Parkway

    3.8 mi · 5 min · William Hilton Parkway

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Cross Island Parkway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Cross Island Parkway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right

    2198 ft · 59 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Marshland Road

    2.3 mi · 6 min · Marshland Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Allen Road

    887 ft · 39 sec · Allen Road

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Allen Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sumter 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
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 95 South
93.4 mi · 60%
Manning Road
13.1 mi · 8%
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.58 mi · 6%
Fording Island Road
9.26 mi · 6%
Lowcountry Drive
7.89 mi · 5%
Okatie Highway
4.43 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 95 South

Merge slight left

93.1 mi · 01h 40m

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 32m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.4 mi
121.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Walterboro
01h 16m from Sumter
Leave By
1:26 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Sumter and Partly 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 Sumter to Hilton Head Island?

The road trip is about 155.9 miles (250.9 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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?

Walterboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.6 miles from Sumter and 81.3 miles from Hilton Head Island.

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

The direct path is about 121.5 miles (195.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.4 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 1:26 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.79 one way or $43.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sumter and Partly Sunny near Hilton Head Island.

Stop Ideas Near Walterboro

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Walterboro, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Yemassee

29 mi away
9 Main Street
RAIL

Charleston, South Carolina

62 mi away
4565 Gaynor Avenue
RAIL

Denmark

64 mi away
200 West Baruch Street
RAIL

Savannah

102 mi away
2611 Seaboard Coastline Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sumter and Hilton Head Island. Straight-line distance: 121.49 mi (195.52 km).

Sumter

#1 Sumter

City in and county seat of Sumter County, South Carolina, United States

Population39,439
Coordinates33.9204400, -80.3414700
Altitude52
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: East Liberty Street (-80.341474, 33.920409)
End: Allen Road (-80.737481, 32.193969)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 251 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.5 gal
20.82 L · about $21.79
Round trip
$43.57
11 gal · 41.64 L
Estimated CO2
48.9 kg one way
Round trip: 97.8 kg / 216 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $21.79 $43.57
Mid-grade $4.43 $24.36 $48.72
Premium $4.78 $26.28 $52.56
Diesel $5.62 $30.93 $61.86

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

There is no time difference between Sumter and Hilton Head Island. The current time is 23:01:15.

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.