Getting Around Hilton Head Island
If you have never been to Hilton Head, then there are definitely some things that you need to know about getting around town in your own car or rental car. While in most towns and cities you can expect to see well-lit streets and prominent signage, you won't find that to be the case on Hilton Head.
The master plan for the Island calls for all homes, shops, restaurants, and buildings to carefully blend in with their environment. This means that when you are driving down the road you will find that many establishments are hidden behind Palmetto trees, foliage, and landscaping.
Relying upon signage can also be tricky if you have not vacationed here before. Town ordinances prevent neon or interior illuminated signs and limit the size of the signage. Most signs are made of carved wood, and at night they rely on spotlights for illumination. So, just how do you get around the Island to wherever it is you're going?
Your New Best Friend: A Hilton Head Map
The best way to get around Hilton Head Island is to know exactly where you are going before you even get in your car! Before you hit the road, plan your route by looking at your Hilton Head map. Be sure to familiarize yourself with any landmarks along the way so that you have plenty of time to react when you need to turn. One of the greatest contributors of traffic accidents in the area are vacationers suddenly slowing down to make a turn. Nothing puts a damper on your Hilton Head vacation like getting in to a car accident!
Traffic, Traffic, Everywhere
Keep in mind that Hilton Head is a small Island of only 42 square miles. The main road is Highway 278 and starts in Bluffton and spans the entire length of the Island. In recent years, the Cross Island Expressway has opened and has eased the flow of traffic from the north end down to the south end of the Island. If you are staying anywhere from the Palmetto Dunes area on down to the end of Hilton Head, your best bet is to spend the $1.00 toll and take the Cross Island Expressway to get to your destination.
With only one main thoroughfare and the Expressway, traffic can get heavy on the Island. To avoid frustration, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
Avoiding The Heaviest Traffic
During vacation season, Saturdays are the most difficult time to travel in Bluffton and Hilton Head. Why? Saturday afternoons are check-in days for the villas and condos on the Island. Traffic will back up all the way off of the Island and well in to Bluffton beginning around noontime and will stay that way through the early evening. If you are renting a villa or condo and not staying in a hotel, your best choice is to arrive on Friday and stay in a hotel for one night, then check in to your villa the next morning. Even if your villa is not available, you can usually pre-register and then enjoy the rest of your day on the beach, playing golf, or sightseeing.
Good News On The Horizon
The good news is that there are some things being done to alleviate the heavy traffic. Beginning in 2005 the South Carolina Department of Transportation is widening Highway 278 from two to four lanes beginning in Bluffton all the way to the bridge to the Island. The construction is taking place at night, which eliminates most construction delays. The project is scheduled to be completed in late 2006.