Best Road Trips From Charleston

🚗 270 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 30 minutes

A charming Southern escape, Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia. Visit for a buzzing food and drink scene, fantastic hospitality, and an intriguing history full of ghosts and folklore.

Make sure to put aside a good amount of time for this road trip, because it will take you island-hopping from Kiawah Island and Edisto Island to beautiful Hilton Head Island en route.

🚗 555 miles ⏱️ 8 hours, 30 minutes

Nashville is a big city with a small-town feel. It's the hometown of country music but all genres and types of people are welcome here. Visit “The Music City”, where you can find buzzing nightlife, live music at every turn, southern food and great hospitality.

Traveling inland from Charleston, you will have plenty of amazing places to visit en route, including Augusta Riverwalk, World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta and scenic Red Top Mountain State Park.

🚗 590 miles ⏱️ 9 hours, 5 minutes

Miami has world-class beaches with amazing restaurants and a hip and happening nightlife scene. This city is where you come to party and be entertained alongside the rich and famous, set on the gorgeous Florida Coast.

This is the ultimate coastal drive with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. We recommend also visiting St Augustine, Daytona Beach and Palm Bay on the way.

🚗 385 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 15 minutes

Orlando is a year-round warm weather destination known for its world-class entertainment, including the iconic Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studio theme parks.

This road trip is packed with amazing things to do on the Atlantic Coast. Take some time to visit Jacksonville, St Augustine and enjoy the sun in Palm Beach.

🚗 345 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 40 minutes

This scenic drive through the Smoky Mountains has a whole range of attractions, from nature and Dollywood amusement park in Pigeon Forge to shows and museums in Knoxville and scenery in Gatlinburg.

You will enjoy the perfect mix of urban fun like visiting Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, small-town charm in Spartanburg and breathtaking scenery near Asheville en route.

🚗 500 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 45 minutes

Panama City boasts one of the most stunning beaches on the Gulf Coast with white sands and emerald-green water. Gulf Coast beaches are very different from the Atlantic Coast, plus Panama City has endless entertainment and nightlife.

On your way to Panama City, you can make detours to Savannah and Jacksonville and visit the Florida Historic Capitol Museum in Tallahassee.

🚗 100 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 5 minutes

Known for its white sandy beaches, surf-ready waves and relaxed atmosphere, Hilton Head Island is a great destination if you crave some time off the grid. The island community makes this beach town unique.

This drive is perfect for a day trip, and we recommend extending your road trip adventure by making stops at Dungannon Plantation Heritage Preserve and Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center en route.

🚗 210 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 20 minutes

Charlotte is a fun Southern city with plenty of culture and beautiful parks, set in the beautiful sandhills. The central city of North Carolina, Charlotte has Southern roots with rich Native American and Civil War history.

On the way to Charlotte, you will have beautiful scenery to discover at Lake Marion and Congaree National Park. We also recommend exploring Columbia en route.

🚗 300 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 20 minutes

Asheville is a mountainside city known for its art scene and history, with scenic views and a mecca of outdoor recreation. Enjoy the scenery of the Smoky Mountains while you explore this quaint town.

En route to Asheville, you will get the opportunity to spend some time in Congaree National Park, and then discover cities and charming towns like Columbia, Spartanburg and Greenville.

🚗 355 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 40 minutes

Atlanta is a highlight of the South known for its scenic beauty as well as great food, culture and downtown attractions. Atlanta has it all; rich history, craft beer, glittering skylines, and eye-catching street art.

On the way, visit Savannah to wander around its historic streets and make a pitstop in Macon to explore the fascinating Tubman Museum which celebrates African American art.

🚗 360 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 15 minutes

This part of the world has plenty of attractions for road trippers, including unspoiled surrounding public lands for hiking and scenic vistas. Blowing Rock will also give you easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This road trip might start off with town vibes in Columbia and Asheville, but you will soon be treated to stunning landscapes ad scenery; check out Linville Falls on BRP.

🚗 100 miles ⏱️ 2 hours

Visit Myrtle Beach for endless entertainment and lively nightlife along the picturesque boardwalk. It is an iconic beach town with amusement parks, arcades, golf courses, and pristine white sands with choppy waves great for surfing.

There is something for everyone on this road trip, including Santee Coastal Reserve, charming town of Georgetown, Atalaya Castle and Huntington Beach State Park.

🚗 115 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 50 minutes

Columbia packs a punch for bustling nightlife and entertainment. Surrounded by old hardwood forests and rivers, this lowlands city holds plenty of thrills while but maintaining its classic history and charm.

This relatively short drive inland will take you past the beautiful landscapes of Lake Marion, Santee State Park, both short detours, and Congaree National Park.

🚗 45 miles ⏱️ 1 hour

Edisto Island is a pristine island with sandy beaches. See historic plantations, sea turtles nesting on beaches, pristine marshland, and large oak trees surrounding the quaint town of Edisto Island.

You will have plenty of detours to make on this short drive that are perfect for history buffs, such as McLeod Plantation Historic Site and Dungannon Plantation Heritage Preserve.

🚗 210 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 10 minutes

Greenville has a great arts and entertainment scene, with highlights like the Greenville County Museum of Art and the Carolina Music Museum. Enjoy the local shopping, dining, and visit the central scenic waterfall.

En route to Greenville, we recommend adding Lake Marion, Congaree National Park, Columbia and Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests to your itinerary.

🚗 30 miles ⏱️ 1 hour

Enjoy seaside golf courses, beach walks, and nature parks on beautiful Kiawah Island. This island is renowned for its manicured golf courses with ocean views and for its nature and wildlife conservation.

We recommend taking this beautiful yet short drive slowly and visiting McLeod Plantation Historic Site and the impressive Angel Oak Tree on the way.

🚗 40 miles ⏱️ 50 minutes

McClellanville is a small fishing town where you can get fresh Lowcountry seafood. Nearby you will find Francisc Marion National Forest, where you can hike boardwalk trails through the swamps, fish in remote ponds and learn about conservation.

On your way to the cute town of McClellanville, you can make stops at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park andBoone Hall Plantation & Gardens.

🚗 50 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 10 minutes

This quaint Lowcountry town is a short drive from Charleston and offers plenty of charm and hospitality without throngs of tourist crowds - it's great for history lovers.

This short drive is perfect for anyone interested in history, because you will get to visit Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and Middleton Place Historic Landmark en route.

🚗 70 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 30 minutes

Beaufort is a lesser-known southern town set against picturesque moss-draped live oaks and winding colonial streets. Visit this coastal town and explore the historical homes, breathtaking scenery, and Southern charm.

Both Dungannon Plantation Heritage Preserve and Pon-Pon Chapel of Ease are located just off this route, so you can extend your road trip if you have a little more time.

🚗 85 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 50 minutes

Hunting Island State Park is a chance to step away from civilization and experience the natural beauty of the forested sea islands. This pristine white sand coastline is popular yet remains beautifully unspoiled.

On your way, make sure to check out Dungannon Plantation Heritage Preserve and Pon-Pon Chapel of Ease, which are short detours from the route.

🚗 175 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 35 minutes

A buzzing city on the beach, travel to Wilmington for access to the Cape Fear Coast and River District. Known for its vibrant riverfront and island beaches, this city is a waterfront paradise.

There is plenty to discover on this drive to Wilmington, including Georgetown, Atalaya Castle, Huntington Beach State Park and Myrtle Beach.