Driving from HH to Charleston - Better from Rt 17 or 95?

[lat]

I called Hominy Grill at Charleston yesterday to try to get a reservation. I was told that since the speed limit is at least 65 miles per hour, it only takes 1 hour to go from HH to their restaurant in Charleston.

From everything I read, it is about 2 hours. I guess it depends on which part of HH you start the drive.

I am debating if I should take the back road (Rt.17) which is more direct, but slower, or go all the way out to Rt. 95.

Which way do you think is a better way to travel to Charleston (we are going during one of the weekdays, depending on Disney's HH activities).

Thanks in advance!!

 

[iluvdisney]

Last time I did that drive and I took 17 it was a slow go for most of the trip - I would suggest driving 95.

 

[OKWMom]

Where are you thinking of exiting 95 to get to Charleston? I know Hwy 17 can be slow in places, but they have improved the roadway and added passing lanes at regular intervals in the single lane stretches. DH and I discussed it and he said he would take 17.

 

[Disneyaholic]

We have made this drive often. DD goes to the College of Charleston and we go to HH as often as possible.

I would definitely go 170 to 17, just be careful to avoid the rush hours, as you will run into traffic in Charleston, in Beaufort, and getting off and on Hilton Head Island. (You would have to worry about all but the Beaufort traffic even if you take I95, tho.) The drive is really pretty and time-wise not that different from the Interstate.

Mapquest shows it to be over 2 hours. The person who said 1 hour must have not been considering the time to get to I95 from Hilton Head Island??

 

[princessesrule4]

We live here and you definitely need to allow 2 hours from Hilton Head to downtown Charleston. There are pros and cons to both 17 and 95. We take 95 because if there is an accident on 17 in either direction, you could be held up for a very long time. Good luck!

 

[dis-happy]

It's 6 of one, half a dozen of another as far as time goes usually. The 95 drive is a little easier, but a little longer in mileage. You are more likely to be held up with some traffic lights through Beaufort but it's kind of pretty going over some bridges.

There is a small shortcut via Beaufort:
from 170, turn left onto the 280 (there's a light there) then left onto the 17. It cuts off one corner of the square.

I do the drive almost every weekend and usually take the 17 route. Once in a while take 95 just to mix it up a little. You take exit no. 33 from the 95, just fyi.

 

[dis-happy]

PS. Don't speed too much on the 17 (you will be on it regardless of the route you take). They are really cracking down to reduce accidents!

 

[Doctor P]

I would blend it (which is what we did). Go out to I-95 and go north to Exit 33 (about 25 miles) and then catch Route 17 there. Under no circumstances would I go all the way up I-95 to I-26 (I don't think that was the option you were talking about, but that adds over an hour to the trip due to 50-75 extra miles, albeit high speed miles).