Charleston to Savannah: stops worth making on the drive
A relaxed Lowcountry route between two of the South's prettiest old cities, with five stops that earn their time, and a plan for a Thanksgiving-week drive.
Who this is for: Couples and families driving Charleston to Savannah (or back) who have a day, not a weekend, and would rather see something than sit on I-95.
Typical drive: roughly two hours without stops; the scenic route takes a good deal longer (our estimate; the planner shows live times).
AI-assisted summary
Photo: Chris Pruitt, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Charleston and Savannah are about two hours apart, which makes the drive easy to rush. The interstate is the fast way, but the Lowcountry between them is the point: tidal marsh, live oaks, and a few places with real stories. Pick two or three stops, not all five, and the day stays relaxed.
How to pace the day
- Leave Charleston mid-morning, after the commuter traffic, and take the scenic route toward Beaufort. Ruins and a historic town fill the first half of the day.
- Have a late lunch in Beaufort, then decide: a beach walk at Hunting Island if the weather is good, or head straight on to Savannah.
- Fort Pulaski is on the east side of Savannah, past downtown on the way to Tybee Island, so treat it as an extra stop after you reach the city, or skip it and arrive for the evening.
- Going the other way (Savannah to Charleston)? Reverse the order. Fort Pulaski is a short drive east of downtown Savannah, so it works as a morning start before you head north.
Stops worth making
Old Sheldon Church Ruins
Roughly an hour from Charleston, near Yemassee · Time to allow: quick
The brick walls and columns of a colonial-era church that was burned in the Revolutionary War, rebuilt, and burned again during the Civil War. It sits in a quiet clearing under old oaks. It is a short, atmospheric stop that suits photographers and anyone who likes history without a museum.
Beaufort
About halfway, a short drive off the main route · Time to allow: an hour or two
A small waterfront town of porches, moss-draped oaks and a walkable historic district, often described as quieter than Charleston and Savannah. Good for a late lunch and a stroll along the water. It suits travelers who like small towns more than attractions.
Hunting Island State Park
East of Beaufort, on the sea islands · Time to allow: an hour or two
A barrier-island state park with a long beach, a historic lighthouse and a stretch of weathered dead trees at the shoreline that photographers love. In late November it is a place to walk and breathe, not to swim. Check the park's own page for current conditions and any fees before you go.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
East of downtown Savannah, on the road to Tybee Island · Time to allow: an hour or two
A brick fort on the Savannah River approach, famous for how quickly rifled cannon fire breached its walls in the Civil War. The grounds are open and easy to walk, and kids tend to like the moat and the ramparts. A good stop that is outside downtown Savannah's crowds.
Tybee Island
A few minutes past Fort Pulaski · Time to allow: an hour or two
Savannah's beach town: a long public beach, a pier and a lighthouse. In the off-season it is calm and uncrowded. Treat it as an optional extension if you reach this side of Savannah with daylight left.
Thanksgiving-week tips
- Thanksgiving week is among the busiest driving weeks of the year. The day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after tend to be the heaviest on I-95; the quieter coastal roads can help, though no route is guaranteed to be clear.
- Daylight is short in late November and the sun sets in the early evening, so do the outdoor stops first.
- Many small-town restaurants and attractions change their schedules around the holiday. Check each place's own website or call before you commit; this page does not state opening times.
- Use the Carribou road trip planner for live drive times and stops that fit your exact start and end.
Plan your own version
Enter your exact start and end in the road trip planner to see live drive times and stops along your route, then hand the drive to Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze. Carribou does not do turn-by-turn navigation; don't use it while driving.