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

The driving distance from Williamston, SC to Hilton Head Island, SC is about 254.8 miles (410.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 195.3 miles (314.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 27m 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
254.81 mi
04h 13m
Flight
195.27 mi
314.26 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Williamston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
195.27 mi
Kilometers
314.26 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
254.81 mi
Kilometers
410.07 km
Drive Time
04h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hilton Head Island
Tue, May 12, 11:59 PM EDT
Return by in Williamston
Wed, May 13, 4:13 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Williamston
2026-05-12T19:45
Arrive Hilton Head Island
Tue, May 12, 11:59 PM EDT
Route Timing
04h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 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
8:32 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Williamston
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
Saint Matthews
SC

Town in Calhoun County, South Carolina

From Williamston
127.4 mi
02h 06m
To Hilton Head Island
127.4 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph ENE
Destination
77°F
Tuesday

Cloudy

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
16 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Spring Park

    25 m · 5 sec · Spring Park

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    104 m · 7 sec · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on East Main Street

    1677 ft · 35 sec · East Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn slight left onto Greenville Drive

    1.2 km · 1 min · Greenville Drive

  5. 5

    Continue on South Carolina 20

    537 ft · 12 sec · South Carolina 20

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Courtney Street Extension

    1 mi · 2 min · Courtney Street Extension

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Lebby Street

    1144 ft · 25 sec · Lebby Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Highway 8 East

    3.7 mi · 6 min · Highway 8 East

  9. 9

    Continue on Highway 418

    9.9 mi · 14 min · Highway 418

  10. 10

    Continue on Milacron Drive

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Milacron Drive

  11. 11

    Continue on McCarter Road

    940 ft · 20 sec · McCarter Road

  12. 12

    Take the ramp right

    1748 ft · 43 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Golden Strip Freeway

    22.9 mi · 25 min · Golden Strip Freeway

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    55.8 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Charleston

    60.2 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I 95 South: Savannah

    1.4 km · 2 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward SC 462: Coosawhatchie

    1478 ft · 37 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Coosaw Scenic Drive

    9.6 mi · 13 min · Coosaw Scenic Drive

  20. 20

    Continue on Lowcountry Drive

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Lowcountry Drive

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Okatie Highway

    4.2 mi · 5 min · Okatie Highway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right

    1365 ft · 37 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left onto Fording Island Road

    9.3 mi · 13 min · Fording Island Road

  24. 24

    Continue on William Hilton Parkway

    3.8 mi · 5 min · William Hilton Parkway

  25. 25

    Keep slight left to continue on Cross Island Parkway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Cross Island Parkway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right

    2198 ft · 59 sec

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Marshland Road

    2.3 mi · 6 min · Marshland Road

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Allen Road

    887 ft · 39 sec · Allen Road

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Allen Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Williamston 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
29 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Golden Strip Freeway
78.7 mi · 31%
Charleston
60.2 mi · 24%
I 95 South
57.4 mi · 23%
Highway 418
9.91 mi · 4%
Coosaw Scenic Drive
9.58 mi · 4%
Fording Island Road
9.26 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Charleston

Keep slight right to continue on Charleston

60.2 mi · 01h 06m

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 13m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+59.5 mi
195.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Matthews
02h 06m from Williamston
Leave By
8:32 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Williamston and Cloudy near Hilton Head Island.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 254.8 miles (410.1 km) and usually takes 04h 13m 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?

Saint Matthews is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.4 miles from Williamston and 127.4 miles from Hilton Head Island.

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

The direct path is about 195.3 miles (314.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.5 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 8:32 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.61 one way or $71.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Williamston and Cloudy near Hilton Head Island.

Stop Ideas Near Saint Matthews

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Saint Matthews, 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 Saint Matthews.

RAIL

Columbia

44 mi away
850 Pulaski Street
RAIL

Denmark

51 mi away
200 West Baruch Street
RAIL

Camden

66 mi away
1060 West Dekalb Street
RAIL

Kingstree

88 mi away
101 East Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Williamston and Hilton Head Island. Straight-line distance: 195.27 mi (314.26 km).

Williamston

#1 Williamston

Town in Anderson County, South Carolina

Population4,298
Coordinates34.6184500, -82.4779100
Altitude248
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: Spring Park (-82.477918, 34.618451)
End: Allen Road (-80.737481, 32.193969)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 410 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.99 gal
34.04 L · about $35.61
Round trip
$71.22
17.98 gal · 68.08 L
Estimated CO2
79.9 kg one way
Round trip: 159.8 kg / 352 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $35.61 $71.22
Mid-grade $4.43 $39.82 $79.63
Premium $4.78 $42.95 $85.91
Diesel $5.62 $50.56 $101.12

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Williamston and Hilton Head Island. The current time is 19:45:16.

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.