Uncover the best of the Lowcountry region as you drive from Charleston to Savannah. Historic attractions framed by an impeccable coastal landscape will make you feel like you’re traveling through time. Let’s go!
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- Total distance: 173 mi / 278 km
- Total driving time: 4 h
1. Charleston
While Charleston may be a city, it feels like an enormous open-air museum. Do yourself a favor and allow plenty of time to explore this Lowcountry hub.
Highlights:
- The Battery – Stroll along the historic promenade with a pleasant harbor breeze in your hair.
- Fort Sumter – Board a boat to Fort Sumter, where the Civil War kicked off.
- Magnolia Plantation – Blend colorful gardens with bone-chilling stories about the past.
Stay:
Pick Harbourview Inn for the view or Andrew Pinckney Inn simply for the coziness factor.
Want sand under your feet? Consider day tripping to Folly Beach, a 12-mile (19 km) drive from downtown Charleston.
2. Kiawah Island
- Driving distance: 26 mi / 42 km
- Driving time: 45 min
Kiawah Island is a Lowcountry gem with maritime forests, marshes and beaches. Most of it is out of reach if you don’t stay at the island’s gated luxury resort, though.
Highlights:
- Kiawah Island Golf Resort – Check into the luxury resort that occupies most of the island.
- Beachwalker Park – Access the only public beach, and maybe walk east along the shoreline to see more.
Stay:
Book a unit at Kiawah Island Golf Resort to enjoy the areas the public can’t reach, or stay at nearby Andell Inn.
Halt! If you have time, drive the 14-mile (23 km) Edisto Island National Scenic Byway to Edisto Beach and back (adding an hour to the itinerary). This scenic route is lined with oaks draped in Spanish moss, and Edisto Beach is a nice spot for a seafood meal.
3. Beaufort
- Driving distance: 81 mi / 130 km
- Driving time: 1 h 45 min
Immerse yourself in both the history and the nature in Beaufort, the Lowcountry’s heart.
Highlights:
- Downtown Beaufort – Walk or take a carriage ride on streets lined by antebellum homes.
- Old Sheldon Church Ruins – Witness the magic of old ruins surrounded by live oaks.
- Hunting Island State Park – Delve into an untouched coastal landscape crowned by a black-and-white lighthouse.
Stay:
You’ll want to be in the heart of Beaufort. Try The Beaufort Inn or BW Sea Islands Inn.
4. Hilton Head Island
- Driving distance: 35 mi / 56 km
- Driving time: 45 min
Slow down a little bit: You don’t want to travel through the Lowcountry too quickly. For a relaxing time under the sun, few places can compare to the tennis court-dotted Hilton Head Island.
Highlights:
- Coastal Discovery Museum – Discover an area that, despite the surrounding development, has managed to remain exactly the same.
- Harbour Town Lighthouse – Climb the landmark red-and-white striped beacon for brilliant views of the sound.
- Coligny Beach – Appreciate a lively beach with all the essential facilities.
Stay:
Relish beachfront living at Omni Hilton Head or consider beautiful Coral Sands Resort at Coligny Beach.
5. Savannah
- Driving distance: 31 mi / 50 km
- Driving time: 45 min
It’s not over quite yet. Finish your Lowcountry road trip in style in Savannah, where history awaits around every corner.
Highlights:
- Forsyth Park – Snap a photo of the centerpiece fountain in a leafy park as pretty as they come.
- Fort Pulaski – Uncover a Civil War landmark characterized by the castle-like moat and drawbridge.
- River Street – Celebrate your Lowcountry road trip along the riverfront, brimming with restaurants and bars.
Stay:
Choose from an array of atmospheric accommodation in downtown Savannah, including Olde Harbor Inn and East Bay Inn.
You might wonder…
Our ultimate Charleston to Savannah road trip is 173 mi (278 km) long, taking roughly 4 hours excluding the stops along the way.
The main stops are Charleston, Kiawah Island, Beaufort, Hilton Head Island and Savannah. We also highly suggest adding Edisto Island, between Kiawah Island and Beaufort.
There isn’t a scenic drive connecting Charleston and Savannah. Instead, you need to take several in-and-out detours to enjoy the scenery of the Lowcountry’s barrier islands.
For the best experience, we recommend allowing a week or more. Keep in mind that just Charleston and Savannah require a couple of days each, at least.
Keep exploring the South
- Tick off the best things to do in the Smokies
- Find out where to stay at Shenandoah National Park
