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10-Day US Coastal South Road Trip Itinerary: Myrtle Beach to St Augustine Florida
This epic road trip through the US Coastal South follows U.S. Highway 17, known as the Coastal Highway. This stretch of road runs almost 1,932 kilometers from Florida to Virginia and is the best way to explore the southeastern coast. Along the Coastal South road trip, you will find beaches, boardwalks, lighthouses, oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, cobblestone streets, secret gardens, fountains, hidden alleys, historic homes, pastel row houses, Southern hospitality, and amazing food.
You are excited to begin your road trip through the Coastal South and want to know the best time of year to visit, where to stay, must-see attractions, and where to eat while there. Researching the best things to do on a US Coastal South road trip while working full time is overwhelming and you don’t have hours to spend on the internet. Save time and plan an unforgettable trip full of top activities with this ultimate Coastal South road trip itinerary.
Myrtle Beach to St Augustine Florida Coastal South Road Trip Itinerary Planner
When is the Best Time to Visit the Coastal South?
Spring is the best time to visit the US Coastal South. Temperatures are cooler, flowers are in bloom and there are fewer crowds. Autumn is also a good time to plan your trip due to cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. July and August are the hottest months with an incredible amount of humidity. If you travel during the summer be sure to pack lightweight clothing in light colors with your typical beach vacation wardrobe.
What is the Best Way to Travel the Coastal South?
You will need your own transportation to follow this 10-day Coastal South road trip itinerary. Save precious PTO by flying from your home to Myrtle Beach South Carolina and renting a car to continue the journey. Be sure to book the return from Jacksonville Florida.
How Long Do I Need for a Coastal South Road Trip?
The United States Coastal South region borders the Atlantic Ocean in the Southeastern section of the US. It includes the states of Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. This itinerary is a 10-day road trip through coastal South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. If you have two weeks of PTO, extend the road trip into North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
How Expensive is the Coastal South?
According to Budget Your Trip, the average cost for a week-long Coastal South road trip is for 2 people is $1,900 this includes gas, a rental car, lodging, food, drink, and entry fees.
What should I eat in the Coastal South?
A low country broil and Carolina BBQ are not to be missed on this road trip. Also be on the lookout for shrimp and grits, pimento cheese sandwiches, she crab soup, and pralines. See specific recommendations below.
Day-by-Day Guide for a Road Trip to the Coastal South
ROUTE AT A GLANCE: Myrtle Beach – Charleston – Hilton Head – Savannah – Tybee Island – Jacksonville – St Augustine
MILES: 482 miles
HOW MANY DAYS: 10 Days
Day 1 Myrtle Beach South Carolina: Broadway at the Beach
Fly into Myrtle Beach. Pick up the rental car and check into the hotel.
Spend the evening at Broadway at the Beach. Do some shopping, grab dinner, eat fancy ice cream, and ride the Ferris Wheel.
Overnight in Myrtle Beach.
Day 2 Myrtle Beach South Carolina: Beach and Brookgreen Gardens
Have an unstructured day to unwind from all the pre-trip planning. Use the below options to plan the day:
Relax on the beach, take a walk on the pier, grab lunch on the promenade, and enjoy the amusements.
Bring a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon walking Brookgreen Gardens and exploring the sculptures.
Head to Murrell’s Inlet and stroll the Marsh Walk before enjoying a seafood lunch at Drunken Jacks Restaurant.
Overnight in Myrtle Beach.
Day 3 Charleston South Carolina: Sullivan Island, Boone Hall Plantation, and Cypress Gardens
7 am Grab a coffee and walk the beach at Sullivan’s Island or Isles of Palms.
9 am Arrive at Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, tour the home, enjoy the tractor ride around the property, and listen to the educational talks. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds.
1 pm Arrive at Cypress Gardens. Walk the footpaths and enjoy a guided boat tour through the swamp
5 pm Drive out the Sheem Creek for a low country boil on the water at Red’s Ice House. Take a walk on the boardwalk before returning to the hotel.
Overnight in Charleston.
Day 4 Charleston South Carolina: Folly Beach, Middleton Place, and Magnolia Gardens
7 am Grab a coffee and explore Folly Beach. Stop at the Morris Island Lighthouse before making your way to the famous Angel Oak Tree.
9 am Arrive at Middleton Place, do not miss the Beyond the Fields Enslavement at Middleton Place presentation. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds.
Noon Arrive at Magnolia Gardens. Stroll through the gardens and take the “From Slavery to Freedom” tour.
4 pm Arrive at the Old Slave Mart Museum, you have 1 hour to explore the presentations. Or, browse the City Market stalls for souvenirs.
5 pm Explore the city center. See the famous Pineapple Fountain and waterfront. Take a walk past the Rainbow Row houses and the Battery Mansions. Check out Broad Street and King Street.
7 pm Have a traditional southern dinner at Poogan’s Porch. Alternatively, head to Jim ‘n Nicks BBQ for their cheddar muffins (So Good!).
Overnight in Charleston.
Read How to Spend Two Days in Charleston South Carolina
Day 5 Hilton Head South Carolina: Sea Pines Resort and Harbor Town
Sometimes you have heard about a destination so many times you just have to check it out. That’s Hilton Head. Hilton Head is a resort popular for golfing and water sports. Not interested in either of those? Skip this stop and add time elsewhere. Or, make a quick lunch stop at the Salty Dog for fish and hush puppies followed by a shopping stop at Harbor Town.
Overnight in Savannah.
7 am Drive out to Tybee Island. Stop by the Tybee Oaks shops for a cup of coffee and take a walk on the beach.
9 am Photograph the Cockspur Island Lighthouse ad climb the 178 steps to the top of the Tybee Island Light Station.
10 am Stop by the Bonaventure Cemetery on the way back to Savannah and check out the ornate headstones.
11 am Photograph the Gingerbread House on the way to Forsyth Park. Park and spend the afternoon exploring the Victorian District. See the Candler Oak, Magnolia Hall, and the Mercer-Williams House. Walk the pretty Jones Street from Drayton to Tattnall. Eat traditional Southern food at the famous Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room.
2 pm Tour the Andrew Low House Museum. Grab an afternoon treat and relax in Lafayette Square before visiting the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Photograph the headstone display at Colonial Park Cemetery. Walk through more Victorian homes on the way to Chippewa Square. If time allows, tour the Harper Fowlkes House.
6 pm Splurge on dinner at Olde Pink House.
Overnight in Savannah.
Day 7 Savannah Georgia: Wormsloe Historic Site, City Market, and River Street
7 am Photograph Rainbow Row before driving to the Thunderbird Inn to take a selfie with the Welcome to Savannah mural before the crowds arrive. Check out the street art in the Historic District before the area gets busy.
9 am Photograph the Majestic Oak Tree on the way to Wormsloe Historic Site, arrive early before the crowds.
11 am Return to Savannah and tour the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters.
1 pm Head to City Market for lunch. Browse for souvenirs and stop to tour the American Prohibition Museum. Be sure to try Byrd’s Famous Cookies.
3 pm Check out the Factors Walk footbridges, the Cluskey Vaults, and Old City Hall. Ride the Savannah Belles Ferry across the river for skyline photos. Grab a cocktail to go and take a walk along River Street. Stop for pralines at River Street Sweets or beignets at Huey’s.
6 pm Photograph the Cotton Exchange Tavern on the way toward Savannah Seafood Shack for dinner. Order the low country boil, fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, and fried oysters.
Overnight in Savannah.
Read How to Spend Two Days in Savannah Georgia
Day 8 Jacksonville Florida: Gardens and Art
7 am Drive to Jacksonville. Make a quick stop to see the St Simons Tree Spirits, take a walk on the beach at Amelia Island, or photograph driftwood beach on the way.
11 am Visit the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.
12:30 pm Have lunch at Sweet Pete’s Candy Shop. Wander downtown. Check out the Floridian Theater, view the sculptures at James Weldon Johnson Park, and browse the Museum of Contemporary Art.
4 pm Use the St John’s water taxi service to see the city from the water and jump off at one of the stops for dinner with a view https://www.jaxrivertaxi.com/restaurants.
Overnight in Jacksonville.
Read How to Spend One Day in Jacksonville Florida
Day 9 St Augustine: St George Street, Pirates, and Flagler College
9 am Visit the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
11 am Take a walk down St George Street past the oldest wooden schoolhouse and old city gate. Visit the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum and grab a popsicle at Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops.
1 pm Have lunch at the Columbia Restaurant, order a half Cuban sandwich and 1905 salad.
2:30 pm Visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine.
4 pm Tour Flagler College and explore the grounds of Lightner Museum.
6 pm Check out the Bridge of Lions and have dinner at River & Fort Restaurant & Roof Top Lounge.
Overnight in Jacksonville.
Read How to Spend Three Days in St Augustine Florida
Day 10 Jacksonville Florida: Beach and Fresh Seafood
7 am Check out of the hotel and drive the A1A down the coast stopping at Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, or the Jacksonville Beach Pier to take a walk on the shore. Grab lunch at Safe Harbor Seafood Market before returning to town.
Drop off the rental car and take the last return flight home.
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