Visiting Savannah, GA has been on my bucket list forever. For years, I’ve thought about planning a weekend trip here, but never got the time to go. However, when I found myself in Charleston this past February with an extra day off and no travel plans, I jumped on the chance to take a spontaneous road trip from Charleston to Savannah!
I never realized how close Charleston is to Savannah. There are about 100 miles and a little over 2 hours worth of driving between the two cities. The drive itself is beautiful and a great way to experience the Lowcountry marshlands.
There’s a lot of similarities between Charleston and Savannah – magnificent draping oak trees, cobblestone streets, architectural beauty, and delicious Southern food. However, there is so much history and culture you can only find in Savannah which makes it a unique, must-visit destination!
In this post, I’m covering everything you need to know for your road trip from Charleston to Savannah – the best time to travel, details about the drive, cool stops along the way, and a full day trip itinerary for Savannah! You will also find a free printable PDF of my Savannah day trip itinerary that you can download & print for your trip!
Note that this itinerary will be a little more heavy on the drive to Savannah and things to do there. If you’re looking for an in-depth itinerary for Charleston, check out this post on how to spend 1 day in Charleston!
Please note that this post is NOT sponsored and I have not received any monetary compensation for including any of the listings. These are genuinely my favorite places & experiences in Savannah!
Ready to plan your road trip from Charleston to Savannah? Let’s get started!
Download a Free PDF of the Savannah Day Trip Itinerary
Get a free PDF version of the Savannah 1-Day Itinerary for easy printing and use on mobile devices!
The PDF contains both a color copy as well as a black & white copy that is printer-friendly!
The Best Time to Visit Savannah, GA
Gorgeous oak trees lining a pathway in Savannah, GA
The biggest thing you have to be mindful of when planning your road trip from Charleston to Savannah is of course – the weather.
Since both cities are coastal, they can experience hurricanes from June-November, although sometimes the hurricane season can start even as early as May. It can also get quite hot and humid during the summer months. You can still have a great trip even in the summer, but just keep those two things in mind.
I personally think that the best time to visit Savannah is in the spring when the weather is milder with less chance for a hurricane. The city is blooming with beautiful flowers in the spring! You may also find festivals & events to enjoy during your trip if you visit around this time.
Late winter is another great time to visit both Charleston and Savannah, especially if you’re looking for a winter escape to warmer weather! Plus, the crowds will be less and prices tend to be lower. You may not find as many flowers, but I still think there’s plenty to enjoy in Savannah during this time!
Map of Savannah, GA
Here is an interactive map of Savannah, GA that shows all of the sites mentioned in the post & itinerary. You can also see how close Savannah is to Charleston!
The Drive from Charleston to Savannah
Outside a historical home in Charleston, SC
About the Drive
The drive from Charleston to Savannah takes a little over 2 hours, depending on traffic.
The most scenic and direct route is via US-17 South, which winds through the Lowcountry marshes and coastal small towns throughout South Carolina. Midway through the drive, this coastal highway turns into I-95 South for the remainder of the journey. This is the route that we took, and found it to be easy to navigate with lots of things to see along the way!
You could take I-26 West and then I-95 South, but it ends up taking the same amount of time and isn’t as scenic of a drive!
Travel Tips for the Drive:
- Cell service can be spotty in the marshy stretches, so download offline maps when you can
- Leave early especially if you’re going and coming back the same day, or if you plan to stop/take excursions during your road trip. Aim to hit the road by 7-8 AM to make the most of your day and avoid heavy traffic
- Watch for speed changes and local traffic enforcement in the smaller towns
- Gas stations can be hard to find along some stretches of I-17 South, so I recommend leaving Charleston with a full tank of gas
- Bring bug spray and sunscreen, especially if you plan to walk around the marshlands or other outdoor areas. Download my free, complete 7-page road trip packing checklist so you don’t forget anything on your road trip!
The Best Stops Along the Way:
- Carolina Cider Company – this is such a cute stop along I-17 South, about 45 minutes outside of Charleston. It’s a family-owned store that sells fresh-baked goods, homemade jams, ciders, and old-fashioned snacks. They also have a coffee shop that makes amazing lattes. I have pictures of the store and coffee shop below in the itinerary part of this post!
- Beaufort, South Carolina – we decided to make a little detour here because we had heard so much about this place! We stopped here for about an hour along our road trip from Charleson to Savannah, and I think it added about 45 extra minutes to our journey. This is an absolutely beautiful waterfront town full of shops and restaurants. Definitely a must-visit stop if you have some extra time on your road trip!
- Savannah National Wildlife Refuge – we didn’t get a chance to stop here along the road trip but it’s definitely on my list for next time! This nature preserve offers a scenic 4-mile wildlife drive where you can spot alligators, herons, and egrets in the marshes. Entrance is free!
- Old Sheldon Church Ruins – These hauntingly beautiful ruins of a pre-Revolutionary War church make for a quick, photogenic stop just off US-17. Spanish moss hangs from the trees surrounding the stone columns—great for photos and a little history. Entrance is free and it’s open 24/7.
Getting Around Savannah, GA
Getting Around by Foot
Once you reach Savannah, there’s many ways you can explore the city. Savannah’s Historic District is incredibly walkable and most major sights, restaurants, and squares are fairly close together. This is the best way to see the city so you can stop, shop, and eat along the way!
As mentioned earlier, I definitely recommend wearing comfortable shoes since there are many cobblestone streets and brick sidewalks around.
Getting Around by Bus
The DOT free shuttle bus loops through popular tourist spots like the Historic District, River Street, and Forsyth Park. The shuttle runs every 15-20 minutes with a modified schedule on the holidays. Click here to see the shuttle routes and timetables.
There is also a free ferry that goes from Savannah to Hutchinson Island! Click here for more information.
Getting Around by Bicycle
Savannah is bike-friendly and relatively flat. You can rent bikes through local shops or via the Savannah Pedicab service. It’s a fun way to ride around the squares and waterfront!
General Travel Tips for Savannah, GA
- Dress comfortably! You’ll be walking a lot in Savannah, so bring comfy shoes. It’s also important to dress for the weather depending on what season you’ll be visiting in
- Fill up and carry around a reusable water bottle, especially in warmer months to stay hydrated and cool
- Public restrooms can be hard to find, so take advantage when you’re in museums or restaurants. Check out this post for more information on the Flush app which you can use to find free public restrooms on any trip! Plus, learn about 9 other free travel apps you need to download before your next trip!
- Need to take a break? There are 22 historic squares in Savannah with fountains, monuments, and shady spots where you can rest and cool down. Take advantage of these peaceful places to rest or take short breaks between attractions!
Charleston to Savannah Day Trip Itinerary
A few key points about this itinerary before we start:
- This itinerary is geographically clustered to make it easy to follow and cover all the major sights in one day
- I’ve designed this itinerary to be a road trip from Charleston to Savannah, then back to Charleston on the same day. But you can easily adapt it to fit your travel plans!
- This road trip itinerary takes the scenic, coastal route through I-17 South, but feel free to alter if you choose to go a different way
- I didn’t include time-stamps, but I highly recommend leaving Charleston between 7-8am in order to make the most of your day trip. This itinerary was created with the intention of being back in Charleston by 9pm.
- This post is not sponsored, and I haven’t received any compensation for featuring these spots. These are genuinely my favorite places & experiences!
Morning: Drive from Charleston to Savannah
Photos of the Carolina Cider Company: the storefront, homemade jams, and the coffee shop
Rise and shine! Time to start your epic day trip from Charleston to Savannah. Grab some coffee and quick bite at home (or your hotel!) and let’s hit the road. The drive will take about 2-3 hours, depending on traffic and how many stops you make along the way.
I recommend taking the scenic coastal highway which goes through I-17 South and then I-95 South. It’s the fastest route with beautiful scenery and many cool stops along the way! You can also stop to take photos of mossy oaks and marshland views on your drive.
Stop at Carolina Cider Company, which is a roadside stop right along I-17 South (see pictures above). Here you can pick up another cup of coffee or some freshly baked desserts to indulge in. We got some fresh cherry cider donuts and they were so delicious! I also got their peach mint iced tea and my mom got a latte which were both yummy.
From here, drive another 1.5 hours to reach Savannah. If you have time, I highly suggest checking out these other stops along the way!
Mid-Morning: Brunch on River Street & Waterfront Views
Views along the Savannah Waterfront & along River Street
Welcome to Savannah! We’re going to start off on River Street, which was my favorite place in all of Savannah! Parking here can get a little difficult, but there are many garages nearby that you can park at.
River Street is truly a feast for the eyes. It’s full of historical charm, cobblestone streets, boutique stores, and of course breathtaking views of the Savannah River. Make sure you walk along the promenade for fresh air and gorgeous views of boats & ships along the river.
This is also a great place to stop for brunch. Cafe M makes delicious baguette sandwiches if you’re looking for a light bite, or you can check out Olympia Cafe if you’re in the mood for Greek food. For a little sweet treat after lunch (and to beat the heat!), stop into Leopold’s Ice Cream for a scoop or some old-fashioned soda fountain treats!
After lunch, take a walk to one of the historical squares nearby such as Reynolds Square or Washington Square. Savannah has 22 historical squares, so don’t worry if you skip these two!
Afternoon: Savannah Historic District
Top photo: Savannah Theatre & Forsyth Park
Bottom row: Inside of the Cathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist
Images are courtesy of Pexels
Once you’re done exploring the Savannah Waterfront, keep making your way south until you hit Chippewa Square. This is where the iconic Forrest Gump bench is! Nearby is the Savannah Theatre, which is one of the oldest running theaters in America.
After taking your photos, keep walking south until you reach The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. This 19th century Roman Catholic church is a marvel of neo-Gothic architecture with beautiful stained glass windows. Sit inside the church for a few peaceful moments before continuing your journey.
Next, we’re going to make our way to the iconic Forsyth Park! Along the way, you can stop by the charming Madison Square to snap some photos or rest. The Colonial Park Cemetery is adjacent to the Cathedral Basilica, so feel free to stop there before you make your way to the park.
Forsyth Park is the largest and most picturesque green space in the city. This is a great place to have a picnic, stroll under a canopy of oak trees, or admire the famous white fountain. Nearby is the Mercer Williams House, a historic home from the 1800s that offers guided tours for those interested in learning more.
Evening: City Market & Back to the Waterfront
Historic Savannah District & sunset views along River Street
Head back north and spend some time wandering the City Market, a lively pedestrian area with street performers, art galleries, and gift shops. This is a great place to grab a souvenir! The line might be long—but it moves quickly, and it’s totally worth it.
Finish your day back at the Savannah Waterfront where you parked. If you plan to grab dinner before you head out, check out Treylor Park for a creative take on Southern comfort food or The Cotton Exchange Tavern which offers dining inside an old cotton warehouse!
After dinner, take some photos of gorgeous sunset views along River Street before you head back on the road to Charleston!
Download a Free PDF of the Savannah Day Trip Itinerary
Get a free PDF version of the Savannah 1-Day Itinerary for easy printing and use on mobile devices!
The PDF contains both a color copy as well as a black & white copy that is printer-friendly!
I hope you got some ideas and inspiration for planning your road trip from Charleston to Savannah! Even though I just went for a small day trip, I definitely want to come back and explore this historic city even more next time. As always, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below – let me know how your trip went or if you find other hidden gems that are worth exploring! Safe travels!
Looking for more travel guides & free printable itineraries?
