Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just unwind? Turn on some soothing music and hit the road for some breathtaking views along these South Carolina roads and highways. You’ll come back refreshed, relaxed and ready to conquer your next challenge.
- Bennetts Point Road
Flickr/BobIsTraveling Take a 90 degree turn off US 17 South near the community known as Green Pond and you’ll discover a short drive through the Ace Basin that doles out some amazing views. The Donnelley Wildlife Management Area will be immediately on your right as you pass through forested wetlands on this 12.7 mile drive with an end point that drops you at Bear Island WMA, and breathtaking views of wispy wet marshland. Here’s a link to the Google Map for this drive.
- Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway
Flickr/Scott Ritchie When most people think of this national scenic byway they probably think about show-stopping views of the mountains. But hop on the byway (a.k.a. SC-11) from the southernmost end where it begins at I-85 just over the border from Georgia and you’ll find yourself gawking at the rusty red shores of beautiful Lake Hartwell. Keep moving and in less than an hour you’ll have those mountain views. Here’s a link to the Google map for this drive.
- Edisto Island National Scenic Byway
SCDOT This may be 14 of the most beautiful coastal miles in the whole state. Also known as SC-174, or simply, ’the road to Edisto,’ this gorgeous stretch of highway includes signature Lowcountry views and stops (farms stands, historic churches, farm pastures and huge old moss covered oak trees) along the way to the end point at the beach. The Google route drops you at the entrance to Edisto Beach State Park.
- Highlands Highway (Highway 28)
Google Maps [streetview] Head west out of Walhalla on SC-28 and just after you pass Dakota Grill (on the left) the road gets windy and begins to climb. It wraps around the side of a mountain delivering incredible views (and some small overlooks) all the way to a small hop through Georgia and then on into North Carolina. View the route from Dakota Grill (Walhalla) to Mountain Rest here.
- U.S. Route 29 (Old Georgia Highway)
Google Maps [streetview] U.S. 29, an alternate route for I-85 all the way from the North Carolina state line to the Georgia border, has some beautiful rural stretches. Hop on this road in Gaffney and head southwest to the community of Converse. The Google mapped route stops right in front of the ruins of Clifton Mills in the community of Converse. Check it out.
- Botany Bay Road
Flickr/Gary Scott Put down the car top or roll down the windows and enjoy the slow ride under a canopy of live oak trees dripping in Spanish moss as you make your way to Botany Bay Plantation. On the way, if the season is right, you may pass a huge field of sunflowers, all seeming to wave a bright smile your way as you pass. Here’s a link to the Google map for this route.
- Callahan Mountain Road
Flickr/Art The road to historic Poinsett Bridge is beautiful any time of year, but especially in the fall as the leaves wisp under your car as your make your way to the park with the oldest stone bridge in this part of the country. It’s a short 2.2 mile drive from where the road begins at old Highway 25. Find the Google route here.
Do you have other favorite roads with fantastic views? Add them to the list in our comments!
Flickr/BobIsTraveling
Take a 90 degree turn off US 17 South near the community known as Green Pond and you’ll discover a short drive through the Ace Basin that doles out some amazing views. The Donnelley Wildlife Management Area will be immediately on your right as you pass through forested wetlands on this 12.7 mile drive with an end point that drops you at Bear Island WMA, and breathtaking views of wispy wet marshland. Here’s a link to the Google Map for this drive.
Flickr/Scott Ritchie
When most people think of this national scenic byway they probably think about show-stopping views of the mountains. But hop on the byway (a.k.a. SC-11) from the southernmost end where it begins at I-85 just over the border from Georgia and you’ll find yourself gawking at the rusty red shores of beautiful Lake Hartwell. Keep moving and in less than an hour you’ll have those mountain views. Here’s a link to the Google map for this drive.
SCDOT
This may be 14 of the most beautiful coastal miles in the whole state. Also known as SC-174, or simply, ’the road to Edisto,’ this gorgeous stretch of highway includes signature Lowcountry views and stops (farms stands, historic churches, farm pastures and huge old moss covered oak trees) along the way to the end point at the beach. The Google route drops you at the entrance to Edisto Beach State Park.
Google Maps [streetview]
Head west out of Walhalla on SC-28 and just after you pass Dakota Grill (on the left) the road gets windy and begins to climb. It wraps around the side of a mountain delivering incredible views (and some small overlooks) all the way to a small hop through Georgia and then on into North Carolina. View the route from Dakota Grill (Walhalla) to Mountain Rest here.
U.S. 29, an alternate route for I-85 all the way from the North Carolina state line to the Georgia border, has some beautiful rural stretches. Hop on this road in Gaffney and head southwest to the community of Converse. The Google mapped route stops right in front of the ruins of Clifton Mills in the community of Converse. Check it out.
Flickr/Gary Scott
Put down the car top or roll down the windows and enjoy the slow ride under a canopy of live oak trees dripping in Spanish moss as you make your way to Botany Bay Plantation. On the way, if the season is right, you may pass a huge field of sunflowers, all seeming to wave a bright smile your way as you pass. Here’s a link to the Google map for this route.
Flickr/Art
The road to historic Poinsett Bridge is beautiful any time of year, but especially in the fall as the leaves wisp under your car as your make your way to the park with the oldest stone bridge in this part of the country. It’s a short 2.2 mile drive from where the road begins at old Highway 25. Find the Google route here.
If you’d prefer to take a hike, check out this waterfall hike located right off the highway in number four above.
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