Who’s up for a drive through the most beautiful state in the country? South Carolina has an insane amount of natural beauty to admire from the comforts of your air conditioned car. Or, if you don’t care how your hair looks along the way, then why not roll down the windows and get some fresh air while you see the sights on these eight beautiful byways in South Carolina? They’re perfect for a scenic drive!
- Savannah River National Scenic Byway
Google Maps [streetview] The Savannah River National Scenic Byway is 100 miles long and involves five different highways that basically run parallel to the Savannah River. It starts in Oconee County and ends on Highway 28 near to where the bridge crosses into Savannah just past Clarks Hill. As you may guess, there are some beautiful charming small towns along the way and many historic sites. Here’s a link to a map to help you navigate this great scenic drive.
- Bohicket Road South Carolina Scenic Byway (S-10-20)
Flickr/rocor If you’ve ever been to see the legendary Angel Oak on Johns Island then you likely traveled Bohicket Road to get there. It’s a gorgeous drive with moss draped oak trees staking claim to both sides of the highway forming a nice shady canopy overhead. This is definitely a top-down kind of drive.
- Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway (SC 11)
Google Maps [streetview]
Flickr/Bill Herndon This is probably the most popular scenic drive in the state, simply because it’s a nice diversion from busy Interstate 85. It crosses five counties and is more than one hundred miles of sheer beauty. The drive offers some great long range views as well as a great view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- Edisto Island National Scenic Byway (SC 174)
SC DOT You’ll skip along the the marsh tops like an airboat on this great 14-mile journey out to Edisto Beach State Park. Bring a lunch and enjoy the park before you head back home.
- The Woodpecker Trail (US 121)
Google Map [streetview] This historical trail is perhaps one of the oldest routes from Charlotte to Florida. You can pick it up in Fort Mill and drive the Woodpecker Trail through South Carolina to where it crosses into Georgia at North Augusta. The entire trail from Charlotte to Florida is just over 200 miles long. More information and maps can be found here.
- Ashley River Road National Scenic Byway (SC 61)
Flickr/Doug Kerr The Ashley River Road National Scenic Byway is loaded with historic plantations that are popular spots to visit in Charleston. The Scenic Byway is only 11 miles long and passes by three plantations: Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and Drayton Hall.
- Falling Waters Scenic Highway (SC 107)
Flickr/Doug Kerr Trails and parks make this drive a great one to plan for many recreational stops. But don’t worry; it’s only 13 miles long so you’ll have plenty of time to gawk at the beautiful vistas or dawdle on the trails along the way.
- Old Sheldon Church Road South Carolina Scenic Byway (S-7-21)
Flickr/sfgamchick Folks who’ve taken the turn onto Old Sheldon Road from Highway 17 in the Lowcountry know just how incredibly beautiful and inspirational the road to Old Sheldon Church is. You may be surprised to learn that this South Carolina Scenic Byway actually extends another five miles beyond the Old Sheldon Church ruins.
Which one of these scenic byways in South Carolina will you be driving on first? We’d love to hear which one is your favorite. Tell us in our comments section.
Google Maps [streetview]
The Savannah River National Scenic Byway is 100 miles long and involves five different highways that basically run parallel to the Savannah River. It starts in Oconee County and ends on Highway 28 near to where the bridge crosses into Savannah just past Clarks Hill. As you may guess, there are some beautiful charming small towns along the way and many historic sites. Here’s a link to a map to help you navigate this great scenic drive.
Flickr/rocor
If you’ve ever been to see the legendary Angel Oak on Johns Island then you likely traveled Bohicket Road to get there. It’s a gorgeous drive with moss draped oak trees staking claim to both sides of the highway forming a nice shady canopy overhead. This is definitely a top-down kind of drive.
Flickr/Bill Herndon
This is probably the most popular scenic drive in the state, simply because it’s a nice diversion from busy Interstate 85. It crosses five counties and is more than one hundred miles of sheer beauty. The drive offers some great long range views as well as a great view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
SC DOT
You’ll skip along the the marsh tops like an airboat on this great 14-mile journey out to Edisto Beach State Park. Bring a lunch and enjoy the park before you head back home.
Google Map [streetview]
This historical trail is perhaps one of the oldest routes from Charlotte to Florida. You can pick it up in Fort Mill and drive the Woodpecker Trail through South Carolina to where it crosses into Georgia at North Augusta. The entire trail from Charlotte to Florida is just over 200 miles long. More information and maps can be found here.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
The Ashley River Road National Scenic Byway is loaded with historic plantations that are popular spots to visit in Charleston. The Scenic Byway is only 11 miles long and passes by three plantations: Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and Drayton Hall.
Trails and parks make this drive a great one to plan for many recreational stops. But don’t worry; it’s only 13 miles long so you’ll have plenty of time to gawk at the beautiful vistas or dawdle on the trails along the way.
Flickr/sfgamchick
Folks who’ve taken the turn onto Old Sheldon Road from Highway 17 in the Lowcountry know just how incredibly beautiful and inspirational the road to Old Sheldon Church is. You may be surprised to learn that this South Carolina Scenic Byway actually extends another five miles beyond the Old Sheldon Church ruins.
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