Stay right at JAX. 3 hours max to HHI next day all Interstate. Ocean grand very mice right on beach. You have to pay a few $ to go into Sea Pines, but worth it. You can get into any plantation for dining as well as all the open island areas. Rent bikes.
enjoy

Haven't been in some time, but I believe that the interstate gets you as close as Savannah. The last 30 miles or so is state road.

Some clarification. JAX to HH is approx. 141 miles. Stay on 1-95N to Exit 8/ #278. Will be clearly marked Hilton Head. From the 1-95 exit it is approx. 20 miles to the island on #278 (double lane highway) You may see it called Fording Island Rd. on maps. Easy driving. You will go through a built up area (Bluffton) before you cross two bridges. Once over the bridges you have 2 choices. Continue on William HIlton Pkwy (right lane) or take the Cross Island toll route (exits left) Either way you will end up at Sea Pines traffic circle. Stay on the inside of the circle, and exit at Pope. South on Pope to the Coligny Cirlce -- outside lane, exit onto S. Forest Beach. OG is about 3 min on your left.

Toll road is faster, but the advantage to 278 is you get a better feel for the island, also can stop at the Welcome Centre to pick up maps, restaurant guides etc. Ask them to locate stores etc. on the map to save time later.

One word of caution. There is a small white building that says Visitor/Welcome Center before the official one -- that's not it. The Welcome Centre/Discovery Museum is a large grey building set back from the road about .5 mile from the bridge, on your right.

Savannah is an amazing city, but a "drop In" or stopping for lunch isn't going to give you any perspective. Probably more frustrating than enjoyable. Best you make a day trip from HH. Takes about 40 min going the back way. If you wish, I'll give you info on our usual route/routine for parking etc.

Also, I'm not clear on the plantation debate. We personally enjoy the tranquility of being in a plantation away from the hustle-bustle. It only takes a moment to go through the gatehouse and usually enjoy a friendly smile and wave. Our favourite plantation is probably Sea Pines -- this time we stayed at Lands End, and although it is certainly away from it all the natural beauty was worth the drive, You are still only a short drive to any restaurant. Plus we could walk to The Salty Dog for the best seafood salad I've eaten and .. the view is free!!

Enjoy exploring HH -- a unique destination.

I also enjoy the plantation. The gated community is very nice and you seem to enter into a private well manicured area away from everything. Shipyard Plantation is very nice with beautiful trees and greenery everywhere. Also, in the plantations you have private access to an uncrowded beach. Can't beat that! Claudia

We made our reservations and will fly into JAX and overnight at the Courtyard by Marriott since we're getting in so late. Then head to HHH the next day and spend four nights at the Marriott Ocean Grande, or Grande Ocean - I keep forgetting the proper name. Then back to JAX for the flight home. We'll decide once we get to HHH whether or not to go to Savannah for one of our days. Just plan to play it by ear, and relax, and not plan anything in advance. Thanks for all your advice.

Thanks for the update, hope you have a great trip! Be sure to search out the little "waterways" in the landscaping of the Marriott where the frogs sing at night. It is like nothing I have ever heard before!

The Marriott Grande Ocean has one of the finest locations on Hilton Head. My wife and I have owned a timeshare at Marriott's Monarch at Sea Pines for 26 years and think it's location (a mile or so from the Grande Ocean) is perfect. Sea Pines is the most beautiful plantation in Hilton Head. It may be a little cold in late October but I would strongly recommend renting bicycles and riding on the great bike paths in Sea Pines. Both Harbour Town and South Beach are well worth a visit. For retaurants I would highly recommend Tapas, the Sea Shack, Dye's Gullah Fixins, Redfish and Truffles. Also, the beach is very wide and hard packed sand so you can ride your bike on it, also. For a really different road trip, I would recommend going to Beaufort. It has the charm of Savannah, but is a little closer. Be sure to take a carriage ride in Beaufort to get all the history. Have a great time.

I googled Beaufort and it is definitely an option if we decide to venture off Hilton Head. Thanks for the restaurant recs.

We spend two weeks in HH each spring and your choice for lodging won't disappoint you. It's central to the "main" circle on the island and convenient to the Cross Island Parkway. I would recommend the following restaurants: Redfish; Old Oyster Factory; Alexander's; Eat!. If you happen to be there on a Tuesday, Eat! is a great choice, as their entire tapas menu is half off and their tapas choices are plentiful and very tasty!!