Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach, SC: How Far and Which Way
Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head is about 220 miles, just under four hours by car, from one end of the South Carolina coast to the other: the fastest way is inland on I-95, the slower one runs down the coast through Charleston.
How Far Is Hilton Head from Myrtle Beach?
From downtown Myrtle Beach it is about 220 miles to the bridges onto Hilton Head, and about 229 to Coligny and the beaches at the south end: 3 hours 50 minutes to just over four hours without heavy traffic. So the distance from Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head, SC is about 220 miles either way, and Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach is the same drive in reverse. The two sit at opposite ends of the South Carolina coast: Myrtle Beach near the North Carolina line, Hilton Head at the southern tip, beside Georgia.
That makes Myrtle Beach too far for a day trip from Hilton Head: it is nearly eight hours of driving there and back. Plan it as an overnight, or as two stays in one trip.
Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head: Which Way to Drive
US 378 west to I-95 south
Cross inland to the interstate, drive south to exit 8, then US 278 east past Bluffton and onto the island.
US 17 south
The shortest by distance, but slower through the towns. It runs through Georgetown and Charleston, so it is the road to take if you want to stop.
I-95 most of the way
More highway and fewer lights, for the longest time of the three.
Whichever way you drive, the last stretch is the same: US 278 across the bridges, the only road onto the island. The Hilton Head Island map shows where to go once you are on it.
Stopping in Charleston on the Way
Charleston is almost exactly halfway, and US 17 runs straight through it. A lunch stop turns the drive into two two-hour legs, with Rainbow Row, the Battery and the City Market in between. See Hilton Head to Charleston for where to park and what to see, and Charleston to Hilton Head for the second leg.
Deciding between the two beaches rather than driving between them? See Hilton Head vs Myrtle Beach.
When to Arrive on Hilton Head
US 278 is the only road onto Hilton Head, so arrival time matters more than the route. Saturday is changeover day for most vacation rentals, and in summer traffic onto the island backs up from late morning into the afternoon. Leaving Myrtle Beach by 7 gets you across the bridges before the worst of it; leaving after lunch puts you there after it clears.
Your First Day on Hilton Head
Places to stay on Hilton Head Island: how resorts, hotels, rentals, timeshares and RV sites compare, plus Sea Pines vs Palmetto Dunes.
Every named beach on Hilton Head Island — Coligny, Driessen, Folly Field, Burke's, and more — with parking, amenities, and which one is right for your trip.
Harbour Town, Hilton Head: the red-and-white lighthouse, the marina, waterfront dining and shops, and Harbour Town Golf Links, home of the RBC Heritage.
Where to eat on Hilton Head Island: restaurants by meal, cuisine and area, from Sea Pines and Coligny to Shelter Cove, plus private chefs and catering.
After four hours in the car, the beach is the first stop. Every beach on Hilton Head is public from the ocean to the high-water mark, and the town’s beach parks have parking and restrooms; the Hilton Head beaches guide compares them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Hilton Head from Myrtle Beach?
About 220 miles from downtown Myrtle Beach to the bridges onto Hilton Head, and about 229 to Coligny at the south end: just under four hours by car.
What is the fastest way from Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head?
US 378 west to I-95 south, then exit 8 and US 278 onto the island: about 3 hours 50 minutes without heavy traffic.
Is Myrtle Beach a day trip from Hilton Head?
Not really. It is nearly four hours each way. Stay a night, or stop in Charleston, which is about halfway.
Is Hilton Head near Myrtle Beach?
No. They are at opposite ends of the South Carolina coast: Myrtle Beach near North Carolina, Hilton Head at the southern tip, next to Georgia and about 45 minutes from Savannah.
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