Road Trip | Savannah, Georgia to Charleston, South Carolina

There is a certain appeal to packing up the car or RV and heading out on the road – and the deep South makes for the perfect road trip setting. Benefiting from its love of outdoor activities, fine Southern cuisine, and hospitality, with all this in mind, we invite you to join us as we embark on an amazing road trip from Savannah to Charleston. 

Hugging the Georgia and South Carolina coastlines, whether you’re looking for a solo adventure or road tripping with friends and family, this is undoubtedly an opportunity of a lifetime. From incredible dolphin-watching tours and big-wave surfing to exploring the region’s iconic historical charm, there’s something to entertain everyone along the way. 

Start your engines in Savannah, Georgia 

Draped in lush Spanish moss, we start our road trip from Savannah to Charleston on the cobblestone streets and squares of the Savannah Historic District. Spend day one familiarizing yourself with Savannah with a walk around Forsythe Park and the decorative 18th and 19th-century architecture-lined streets before heading to the city’s famous River Street in the afternoon. Home to an impressive array of shopping, fine dining, and bars overlooking the mighty Savannah River, it is the ideal starting point for our road trip adventure. 

Stay at the GLō Best Western Savannah-Gateway I-95, and start the day enjoying one of many of Savannah’s legendary southern-style brunches. With plenty of options to choose from, we recommend heading to River Street to Huey’s Southern Cafe for their delicious Eggs Benedict, Seafood Omelette, or Chicken Pain Perdue. 

Before we hit the road, pay a visit to the magnificent Savannah Bee Company to fuel up on some road trip snacks for the journey ahead. Based on Wilmington Island, visitors on the bee garden tour get a captivating perspective on how the local beekeepers harvest honey and the extraordinary selection of bee-derived products they create. 

A Day Trip to Hilton Head Island 

Heading north towards Beaufort, South Carolina, on our road trip from Savannah to Charleston, our first pit stop along the way is spending the day visiting the striking Hilton Head Island. Known for being a wildlife hotspot, Hilton Head Island is blessed with countless stretches of sandy beaches and lush golf courses.  

As soon as you arrive, take the opportunity to stretch your legs and explore the 12 miles of pristine white beaches, tranquil seas, and fresh sea breeze before heading to meet the team at Kayak Hilton Head. We advise you to join them on a family-friendly kayak or canoeing adventure around the island’s salt marshes and tidal creeks for a chance encounter with some local sea turtles and manatees. 

Afterward, we recommend taking a fantastic trip to meet the area’s local Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin population with the Hilton Head Dolphin Tours crew. Their sunset cruises make for an excellent end to a day trip to Hilton Head Island before heading to the Best Western Sea Island Inn in Beaufort, South Carolina, for a well-deserved night’s sleep.  

Outdoor activities at Beaufort 

Rich in history, with a picturesque Beaufort waterfront and vibrant art scene, you can’t help but feel welcomed by the local hospitality at this relaxing coastal retreat. Taking advantage of Best Western Sea Island Inn’s complimentary breakfast, the best place to head first is the unique Beaufort History Museum. Here, you can gain a fascinating insight into Beaufort’s role in the American Civil War, located on the site of an old armory first constructed in 1799. 

Planning to spend a few days in Beaufort on our road trip from Savannah to Charleston allows us to take in the sights and sounds of this beautiful city on Port Royal Island. However, the best way to view Beaufort in all its glory is to hike, bike, or jog the scenic Spanish Moss Trail, which passes through the surrounding neighborhoods, forests, and saltwater marshes. 

South Carolina is also famous for its world-class golf courses, and it would be rude not to play a round at Beaufort Golf Club’s superb championship golf course. Benefiting from over 200 days of sunshine per year, a round of 18 holes of golf is the perfect way to cap a visit to Beaufort, South Carolina.  

Surfs up at Folly Beach 

Leaving Beaufort and heading towards Charleston, our next day trip sees us stopping at Folly Beach, South Carolina. This striking city is nestled along the shores of Folly Island and makes for a brilliant stopover on our road trip from Savannah to Charleston. 

Folly Beach’s outstanding location on the Atlantic Ocean has made it a popular meeting spot for surfers on the East Coast due to its reliable surf. Once you’ve arrived, we suggest making your way to Isla Surf School to learn how to surf, or get a refresher course before catching a few waves. 

Another appealing advantage of stopping off at Folly Beach is witnessing the astounding number of visiting and native wildlife found on the island. As a result, we recommend exploring the six miles of trails onsite at the Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Folly Island’s low-impact wildlife preserve.

Unwind in style in Charleston 

After a day out on the coast, we head towards our final destination on our road trip from Savannah to Charleston. Booking ahead, be sure to stay at the Best Western Charleston Inn before heading out to explore Charleston’s culinary waterfront delights for the evening. 

Our first port of call in the morning when visiting Charleston, is to visit the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, home to the almighty USS Yorktown aircraft carrier. The USS Yorktown is a specific highlight, offering guests unbelievable behind-the-scenes views of this mighty 888-foot aircraft carrier’s internal workings and cargo. Still, with lots of onsite aircraft, helicopters, and a US Destroyer, there’s an interactive adventure for everyone who visits. 

Our final day’s activities make for the perfect tonic after an action-packed road trip from Savannah to Charleston. Starting with a tour of the Charleston Tea Garden’s tea plantation, you’ll get the opportunity to learn about the production and processes involved in making tea. After you’ve enjoyed a locally grown caffeine beverage or two, we head out next to the Charleston Distilling Company. Here, you can end the road trip in style and taste and take home their locally distilled spirits and cocktails from this first-class Charleston distillery’s tasting room as a memento of your road trip.