Quickest route from Hilton Head to Beaufort NC

[marlin magnet]

I don't like the mapquest directions. anyone have a better driving direction, would be appreciated.

[anthony]

I don't know what mapquest gave you but you can always just go up 17 to Jacksonville, NC the go East on 24 (I think it's 24). That is certainly the scenic way to go but stoplights and towns slow you down.

[cape_fisherman]

Hilton Head...the close proximity to 95 lends to that being the quickest, but by a small margin. You'll also use more gas at 80mph than you will traveling a little slower.

I've not traveled all the way to Hilton Head much in the past 10 months or so...but the previous two years saw me traveling down to Charleston, Beaufort, Blufton/Hilton Head close to 100 times.

I tried the 95 route to Beaufort a couple of times...I really didn't save much time and I used a heck of alot more gas.

Other than those couple of trips I traveled 17 every single time. Takes me about 6 1/2 hours to get from Beaufort to Beaufort (NC to SC). Hilton Head would be another 30 minutes or so down 170.

Traveling on 17 is much less stressful...and you're always close to a small town somewhere. The trip is slower MPH wise, but nearly the same "time wise" as taking the Interstate. Plus it is A TON more scenic!!! Nothing prettier than driving through the Lowcountry.

Jay

[cape_fisherman]

To save yourself some trouble when traveling 17...be sure to take the three bypasses.

I'm assuming you're traveling north from SC to NC.

Interstate 526 can save you some around Charleston if you're traveling during rush hours. If you're going when traffic isn't bad, 526 doesn't save THAT much time over 17 business through town. I526 is a spur so you'll get on at one end and travel all the way to the opposite end. You'll get off 526 in Mount Pleasant and exit directly onto 17N.

Myrtle Beach...my least favorite place in the world. You'll want to exit off of 17N onto 544 which should be one of the Surfside Beach exits (the last one you'll come to I think). Exit off of 17 and turn left onto 544 at the light. You'll go down 544 maybe 4 miles and exit off onto highway 31. The 31 bypass is another road that you'll get on at one end and travel all the way to the other end. Once on 31 you simply drive until you get to Little River. You'll exit off of 31 at Hwy 9. Once on 9 you'll go a couple of miles and take the exit for 17N again. Then you're off to NC.

When you get close to Wilmington...actually right after you pass the exit for the town of Leland you want to exit off of 17N again onto 421. This will be the next exit after you pass Leland. Go down 421 about 3 miles and exit onto Interstate 140. This is another spur that you get on at one end and drive all the way to the far end. At the other end you'll simply be dumped right back off onto 17N. Drive until you get to Jacksonville, NC.

Once you get up on Jacksonville, you'll be taking an exit for Hwy24/Morehead City. Stick on 24 until you reach Hwy70 in Morehead City...exit off to the right onto 70W and go straight to Beaufort.

Those three bypasses are easy...all three you get on at one end and travel to the far end...no exiting off anywhere in between.

These are important if you want to shave time off the 17 route from Beaufort to Beaufort...especially the Myrtle Beach and Wilmington bypasses.

It's really easy.

Jay

[Capt_John]

I just moved from Hilton Head and had to make that trip a million times to go home to visit family. The easiest way was I-95N and then take exit 94 or 87(can't remember) in NC to Hwy 74E. But it's boring and nothing to see. Now if you have some free time, you can go my favorite route. I take Hwy 278 out of HHI to Beaufort. Then take Hwy 17N all they way to Wilmington. This way you can stop in Charleston,MB,and Wilmington and eat,check out the tackle shops,etc. Then just stay N through Jacksonville and then take Hwy 24 right on into Morehead.

[cape_fisherman]

John, how long does it take on the 95 route? I don't remember...all I remember is it was only marginally shorter (I was going to Beaufort, not HHI). The biggest thing to me was the amount of gas I used. A few gallons this day and time means alot...to me anyway.

I can do Beaufort, NC to Charleston in an honest 5 1/2 hours on 17...Beaufort, SC is about 45 minutes to an hour south of there if I'm thinking right.

I only did the 95 route a couple of times. But then maybe my mistake was this...I would do 95 to 40 then straight to 24 from there. Possibly part of my problem.

Jay

[team oldschool]

You are pretty much on the money.

[Capt_John]

John, how long does it take on the 95 route? I don't remember...all I remember is it was only marginally shorter (I was going to Beaufort, not HHI). The biggest thing to me was the amount of gas I used. A few gallons this day and time means alot...to me anyway.

I can do Beaufort, NC to Charleston in an honest 5 1/2 hours on 17...Beaufort, SC is about 45 minutes to an hour south of there if I'm thinking right.

I only did the 95 route a couple of times. But then maybe my mistake was this...I would do 95 to 40 then straight to 24 from there. Possibly part of my problem.

Jay

You're pretty much right Jay,but the difference between taking Hwy 17 and taking I-95 is about an hour if you drive non stop each way. But like I said earlier, 95 is great if you're in a hurry and just want to get there. 17 is good if you're not in a hurry and you want to check other places out. 95 you can just fly on up, while taking 17 you're gonna go through a million little towns and speed traps on the way and not to mention MB,Charleston,and Wilmington traffic depending on what time of day you hit it. DON'T make this trip if you have to go through any of these bigger towns during rush hour.

[marlin magnet]

Thanks Guys. Very helpful. I'm not into sight seeing other then getting to my boat and bringing her north. she is having an extreme makeover at Jarrett Bay, and I'm not needing any ****** to get the oven stoked to see her in the completed stage. I'm certain after I get there, I will need to see my doctor if the issue persists for more then 48 hours.