Drive from Charleston to Savannah: The Perfect Lowcountry Road Trip
WRITTEN BY KALYN SALINAS, FOUNDER OF THE CITRINE COMPASS
International travel has always shot to the top of the priority list for me, not only for the exotic nature of different languages, cultures, history and scenery, but because the window between making enough money to afford multiple expensive trips abroad and the early years of starting a family (when long trips anywhere are challenging, if existent at all) is so dang short and I always felt compelled to make the trips count.
But in peak Covid time, I found myself thinking more about traveling here in the good old U-S-of-A. International travel restrictions forced me to press pause on the long hauls and start simmering on some of the U.S. states and cities that could be amazing passport-free options. We knew we wanted to travel in March so I began my research.
I reached out to dude ranches in Bozeman, Montana and Jackson Hole, Wyoming (every single one of which was closed, turns out they are really more of a summer thing), pondered on Austin (no open honkytonks during Covid = no fun), thought about Sedona (we could do that just about anytime being a short trip from the California coast) and thought about a road trip through the five national parks of Utah (an average temperature of 25 degrees in March…in the sun).
I finally landed on Charleston, a faraway city with rich history and southern charm that I had heard about often but knew little about. A quick Google search and I realized that Savannah was only 2 hours away by car, thus the birth of this splendid low country road trip itinerary.
Technically the term “lowcountry” describes the salt marshes of the South Carolina coastline and sea islands (Hilton Head Island, St. Helena Island, Tybee Island, Kiawah Island and Folly Beach being some of the most popular) but Savannah is close enough to get thrown in the mix.
The Civil War began in Charleston in 1861 when shots were fired at Fort Sumter so Downtown Charleston is the perfect place for history buffs that want to feel a taste of old timey America, but those that don’t want an agenda can spend a full day wandering the historic district and admiring the antebellum homes, indulging in amazing food and drink and relaxing in the sprawling Waterfront Park. Savannah, Georgia's oldest city, is nostalgic as well but feels a bit more contemporary than Charleston and has a cutting edge food and art scene to complement the rich history.
Both cities are teeming with southern hospitality and move at a leisurely pace that puts even the busiest bodies at ease. Spanish moss hangs romantically from live oaks, the cobblestone streets and historic homes are reminiscent of both cities' colonial history and good food, kind locals and walkable downtown areas make both cities ideal for leisurely cruising. This southeast road trip is one for the books so pack your paisley best and get ready for a beautiful and relaxing trip through this special area of the country.
7-DAY ITINERARY OVERVIEW
DAY ONE: Savannah
DAY TWO: Savannah
DAY THREE: Savannah
DAY FOUR: Drive Savannah to Charleston
DAY FIVE: Charleston
DAY SIX: Charleston
DAY SEVEN: Charleston
SAVANNAH
Logistics Upon Arrival: One-way flight to Savannah/Hilton Head (you’ll fly home from Charleston); Uber or shuttle to hotel
Logistics Upon Departure: Pick up rental car and visit a plantation on your way in to Charleston, then drop the rental car in Charleston
Accommodations: Perry Lane Hotel (3 nights)
Must Do:
Explore City Market, the Savannah River + River Street District
Rooftop happy hour cocktails (see “Best Cocktails" below)
Walk the twenty-two picturesque squares of Downtown Savannah
Forsyth Park
Colonial Park Cemetery (or Bonaventure Cemetery if you've read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil)
Telfair Academy Museum
Hire a local guide for a historic walking tour (daytime for historic sites, nighttime for a ghost tour)
Best Hearty Breakfast -or- Lunch:
Collins Quarter
Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room (only open 11am-2pm but they’ll close earlier if they sell out of fried chicken)
Little Duck Diner
Best Dinner:
The Grey
Olde Pink House
Common Thread
Husk
Best Cocktails:
Savoy Society
Cotton & Rye
Lone Wolf Lounge
American Legion
Artillery Bar
Peregrin (rooftop)
The Grove (rooftop)
Best Sweets:
Leopold’s Ice Cream (can’t go wrong with the Savannah Socialite flavor)
Back In the Day Bakery
KEEP READING ABOUT SAVANNAH //
CHARLESTON
Logistics Upon Arrival: Plan to drop your rental car upon arrival (you won’t need it in Charleston and it’s expensive to park)
Logistics Upon Departure: One-way flight out of Charleston International Airport
Accommodations: Hotel Emeline (2 nights) + 86 Cannon Historic Inn (2 nights)
Must Do:
Rainbow Row + surrounding neighborhood
Downtown walking tour
Historical Charleston City Market
Bike the streets south of Broad Street
Tour the Williams Mansion and/or Aiken-Rhett House
Shop on Queen Street
South Seventeen Antiques
Tour a plantation along the Ashley River, pick your poison: Magnolia Plantation + Gardens | Drayton Hall | Middleton Place | Boone Hall Plantation
Best Brunch:
Millers All Day
Harken Cafe (grab + go)
Felix Cocktails et Cuisine
Best Lunch:
Gaulart + Maliclet Fast and French
167 Raw
Leon’s Oyster Shop
Rodney Scott BBQ
Best Dinner:
Tempest
FIG
Le Farfalle
The Ordinary
Maison
Frannie & The Fox
Chez Nous
Best Cocktails:
Doar
Citrus Club (rooftop @ The Dewberry Hotel)
The Belmont (also serving up homemade Pop Tarts)
Revelry Brewing Co
Best Sweets:
Le Patisserie
Breizh pan Crepes
Carmella’s Dessert Bar
KEEP READING ABOUT CHARLESTON //
A 3-Day Itinerary for Charleston, the South's Most Charming City
A NOTE ON SEA ISLANDS
We didn’t have time to do the any of the South Carolina islands but the locals raved about them and it may be a fun thing to add to the Charleston and Savannah road trip itinerary if you have extra time. I’ve included dining recommendations we received along the way just in case you find yourself visiting the Sea Islands:
Bowens Island Restaurant | Folly Island
Snapper Jacks | Folly Island
Lowlife Bar | Folly Island
Chico Feo | Folly Island
Bar George | James Island
Saltwater Cowboys (“It’s a scene” - Local Resident) | Shem Creek
Fishcamp on 11th Street | Beaufort
Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks | Hilton Head
The Wyld | near Skidaway Island