How to Get to Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Island is off I-95 at exit 8, over the bridges on US 278, the only road onto the island; the nearest big airport is Savannah’s, about an hour away.
Directions to Hilton Head Island
Yes, you can drive to Hilton Head Island: it is joined to the mainland by bridges. From I-95, north or south, take exit 8 near Hardeeville and follow US 278 east through Bluffton, over the bridges across the marsh and onto the island. US 278 is the only road on and off, and it becomes William Hilton Parkway once you cross.
The north end of the island is just over the bridges; Coligny and the beaches at the south end are another 15 minutes. Summer Saturdays, when most vacation rentals change over, are the slowest time to arrive, and weekday evening rush hour is the other. The Hilton Head Island map shows the island once you are here.
How Far Is Hilton Head from Me?
| From | Miles | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Bluffton, SC | 6 | 10 minutes |
| Savannah, GA | 29 | 45 minutes |
| Beaufort, SC | 33 | 50 minutes |
| Summerville, SC | 94 | 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Charleston, SC | 96 | 2 hours |
| Augusta, GA | 131 | 2 hours 40 minutes |
| Columbia, SC | 151 | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Jacksonville, FL | 169 | 2 hours 35 minutes |
| Florence, SC | 172 | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 220 | 3 hours 50 minutes |
| Charlotte, NC | 246 | 3 hours 50 minutes |
| Greenville, SC | 249 | 3 hours 50 minutes |
| Atlanta, GA | 279 | 4 hours 10 minutes |
| Asheville, NC | 302 | 4 hours 50 minutes |
| Orlando, FL | 309 | 4 hours 35 minutes |
| Raleigh, NC | 314 | 4 hours 45 minutes |
| Richmond, VA | 461 | 6 hours 50 minutes |
| Cleveland, OH | 758 | 11 hours 30 minutes |
Distances and times are from each city center to the bridges onto Hilton Head, without traffic. Add about 15 minutes to reach Coligny or Sea Pines at the south end. Several cities of the Southeast are a half-day’s drive: Columbia and Jacksonville are about two and a half hours, and Charlotte, Greenville and Atlanta about four.
Flying to Hilton Head
The airport most visitors use, with the most flights, on the west side of Savannah: about 39 miles to the bridges, 50 minutes to an hour by car.
On the north end of the island itself, with daily nonstops from Charlotte on American and Atlanta on Delta, and United from Chicago in season.
In North Charleston, about two hours up the coast, and the easy way in for a trip that starts with a few days in Charleston.
Rental cars, cabs, ride-share and shuttles between the airports and the island are on Hilton Head transportation.
Getting to Hilton Head from Nearby Cities
Savannah to Hilton Head is about an hour's drive: the route, how far it is from downtown and the SAV airport, and when to cross the bridges.
Charleston to Hilton Head is about 100 miles, two hours on US 17: the route, the drive from the Charleston airport, a stop on the way, when to arrive.
Beaufort to Hilton Head is about 33 miles, under an hour: the route over the Broad River, when to cross the bridges and which beaches to pick.
Atlanta to Hilton Head is about 280 miles, four and a half hours on I-75 and I-16, or a nonstop Delta flight. The route, a Savannah stop and timing.
Charlotte to Hilton Head is about 250 miles, four hours on I-77, I-26 and I-95, or a nonstop flight to the island. The route, stops and timing.
Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head is about 220 miles, just under four hours: the fastest route on I-95, the coast road through Charleston, and when to arrive.
Already here and heading out for the day? See day trips from Hilton Head.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Hilton Head Island?
By car, leave I-95 at exit 8 and follow US 278 east through Bluffton and over the bridges onto the island. By air, most visitors fly into Savannah, about an hour away, or into the small airport on the island.
Can you drive to Hilton Head Island?
Yes. Bridges carry US 278 from the mainland onto the island. It is the only road on and off.
How far is Hilton Head from I-95?
About 19 miles. From exit 8, near Hardeeville, US 278 runs east through Bluffton to the bridges onto the island, roughly 25 minutes without traffic.
What is the closest airport to Hilton Head?
Hilton Head Island Airport, on the island, has daily nonstops from Charlotte and Atlanta. Savannah/Hilton Head International, about an hour away, has many more flights.
How far is Hilton Head from Bluffton?
About 6 miles from Old Town Bluffton to the bridges onto the island, roughly 10 minutes without traffic, and about 25 minutes to Coligny at the south end.
Local guides like this come standard for Guests of Partner Properties — one small part of what a Partner Property gives every guest.
Book Partner Properties