Located along the southeastern coast of South Carolina, Hilton Head Island is just a stone's throw away. The Island is just 35 minutes from Savannah, 45 minutes from Beaufort, and 1.5 hours from Charleston. To make your trip easy, there are numerous ways to get to Hilton Head Island.
Other than driving, you may choose to fly, arrive by bus, or venture in through the Inter-Coastal Waterway by private or charter boat. If you plan on flying, take a commercial flight to the Hilton Head Island Airport. You can connect in Charlotte, NC (4 hours away) on USAIR Express, or fly straight into Savannah, GA (35 minutes away). Unfortunately, there are no current direct flights to the Island from Atlanta, GA. Once at the Hilton Head Island Airport, rental cars, taxi, and limousine service is available. Accommodations are also provided for private aircraft to include parking and tie-down facilities with advance notice.
Travel by Interstate
If you are traveling from the north, take Interstate 95 south. Next, take Exit 8 to Highway 278 towards Hilton Head Island. You will travel approximately 30 minutes from I-95 and follow the signs to the Hilton Head Island Bridge. If you are traveling from the South, take Interstate 95 north. Next, take Exit 8 and follow the signs in. Highway 278 goes straight to Hilton Head Island.
Directions to our Welcome Center - View Map
From Interstate 95, take South Carolina Exit 8 onto Highway 278 heading east towards Hilton Head Island. Follow the signs. From I-95 proceed on Hwy 278 East for approximately 25 minutes to reach the only bridge onto the Island (you will pass by several outlet malls and golf courses). Once you reach the Island, stay on Highway 278 Business (right lane). Do not take the Toll Bridge (left lane). Continue approximately 10 miles on Highway 278 to the Sea Pines Traffic Circle. Follow traffic circle around to the third exit, Pope Avenue. Once on Pope Avenue, proceed through two traffic lights. Hilton Head Guest Services Is located on the left side of the road. You will need to U-Turn at the first available opening in the median. The Check-In Center is located at 71 Pope Avenue (Suite B) between Pedals Bike Rentals and Evelyn’s Deli.
Navigating the local roadways...
U. S. Route 278 is the only highway coming to Hilton Head Island. 278 extends all the way to I-95 (Exit #8). After you cross the large bridge (which spans the Intercoastal Waterway), you are now on the Island. About 2 miles onto the Island, you'll see signs for the New Cross Island Parkway, (stay in the left lanes) or Business 278 (stay in the right lanes). Until 1998, Business 278 was the only way you could go. It was the only road traversing the Island, and ended at Sea Pines Circle. The speed limit is 45 mph, and there are many stoplights along the way. It used to take between 25 & 30 minutes to get to the Sea Pines Circle on Business 278. With the new Cross Island Parkway ( speed limit 55 mph and no lights ), it now takes only 5-6 minutes to get to Sea Pines Circle. The new Parkway is about 6 miles long, and there is a $1 toll. The toll booth is located just before you cross Broad Creek.
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If you are going to stay in Shipyard Plantation, Long Cove or Wexford, along North or South Forest Beach Drive, or anywhere in Sea Pines Plantation, you will get there much quicker by using the Cross Island Parkway.
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If you are going to Indigo Run, Hilton Head Plantation, Palmetto Hall, Beach & Tennis Resort or Port Royal Plantation, it is best to use Business 278.
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If you are going to Palmetto Dunes, it's kind of a toss-up. Under normal traffic conditions, it's probably no faster to use the Cross Island Parkway. On the other hand, if there is an accident on Business 278 in the direction you are going, and you haven't yet reached Palmetto Dunes, you may want to turn around and get on the Cross Island Parkway. Either way you go, take your time, drive safely, and enjoy our beautiful Island!