South Carolina road trips and scenic drives

6 back-roads routes touch South Carolina, with 48 curated stops along them and 6 ready-made itineraries crossing the state.

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Routes through South Carolina

Kings Highway & the Lowcountry
US 17, the coast road since 1735
Wilmington → Savannah · ~290 mi · 3–4 days · skips I-95
US 301: The Ghost Road
the interstate that time forgot
Emporia → Santee · ~290 mi · 2–3 days · skips I-95 (that's the point)
Sherman's Carolinas Campaign
Columbia to the largest surrender
Columbia → Durham · ~280 mi · 2–3 days · skips I-95 / I-40
Gold, Clay & Longleaf
the Carolina Piedmont crescent
Raleigh → Columbia · ~250 mi · 2–3 days · skips I-85 / I-77
SC 11: The Cherokee Foothills
the peach-shed skyline road
Gaffney → Walhalla · ~115 mi · 1–2 days · skips I-85
The Old Ninety Six District
backcountry crowns and kilns
Augusta → Abbeville · ~100 mi · 1 day · skips I-20

Ready-made itineraries that cross South Carolina

Other states: Alabama · Arkansas · Florida · Georgia · Kentucky · Louisiana · Mississippi · North Carolina · Tennessee · Texas · Virginia · West Virginia.

Frequently asked questions

How many South Carolina road trips are there, and how long do they take?

6 routes cross South Carolina, from 1 day to 4 days each; driven back to back they add up to about 1,325 miles.

What is the longest drive in South Carolina?

Kings Highway & the Lowcountry at about 290 miles (Wilmington → Savannah), a 3–4-day drive.

What is the best weekend drive in South Carolina?

The Old Ninety Six District: about 100 miles, 1 day, Augusta → Abbeville.

Which neighboring states do South Carolina routes continue into?

These routes carry on into North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia.