Scenic Drives in South Carolina
Routes
59
Avg Distance
313 mi
Avg Drive
6h 6m
Destinations
33
South Carolina offers scenic drives that showcase a range of terrain, from the gently rolling hills of the upstate to flatter coastal routes. With 59 routes averaging 312.9 miles, drivers can expect experiences rated up to a 9 on our drive score. Elevations can reach over 1000 feet, and many routes offer access to state parks, making for a varied and engaging drive.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$3.75/gal
Diesel: $4.80/gal
Typical trip cost
$36–$367
One-way, ~313 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~110 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-07-13
Climate through the year: South Carolina
South Carolina peaks at around 91°F in Jul and cools to 60°F / 39°F in Jan. Wettest month is Aug at ~7 in of rain.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60 | 39 | 3.4 | 0.2 |
| Feb | 64 | 42 | 3.1 | 0.1 |
| Mar | 70 | 47 | 3.4 | — |
| Apr | 77 | 55 | 3.3 | — |
| May | 84 | 63 | 3.3 | — |
| Jun | 89 | 70 | 6.2 | — |
| Jul | 91 | 74 | 6.6 | — |
| Aug | 90 | 73 | 7 | — |
| Sep | 85 | 68 | 6 | — |
| Oct | 78 | 58 | 4.3 | — |
| Nov | 69 | 47 | 2.7 | — |
| Dec | 63 | 42 | 3.4 | — |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for SC — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
- Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
- Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Scenic Routes
Editor's pick
Hilton Head Island, SC → Huston, ID
Through: Birmingham → Chattanooga → Kennesaw +5 more
For a truly extensive exploration, this long-haul drive spans 2,487.5 miles and features high-altitude sections with notable climbs, reaching up to 7,159 feet. It's a route that promises dramatic elevation shifts and includes park access.
Editor's pick
Hilton Head Island, SC → Fashing, TX
Through: Danville → Montgomery → Baton Rouge +2 more
This 1217.8-mile journey sticks to mostly flat terrain, with a maximum elevation of just 482 feet. It provides a different kind of scenery, focusing on expansive, lower-elevation landscapes across multiple states, and also includes park access.
Editor's pick
Walhalla, SC → Hilton Head Island, SC
Through: Charleston
This route earns a high drive score of 9 and traverses gently rolling terrain for nearly 300 miles. Starting in Walhalla and ending on Hilton Head Island, it provides access to parks and offers a significant elevation change up to 1029 feet.
Walhalla, SC → Myrtle Beach, SC
Clemson, SC → Hilton Head Island, SC
Through: Charleston
Hilton Head Island, SC → Westminster, SC
Through: Savannah → Lexington → Washington +3 more
Clemson, SC → Hilton Head, SC
Through: Charleston
Clemson, SC → Myrtle Beach, SC
Anderson, SC → North Myrtle Beach, SC
Through: Myrtle Beach
Liberty, SC → Hilton Head Island, SC
Through: Charleston
Anderson County Airport, SC → Garden City, SC
Hilton Head Island, SC → Landrum, SC
Through: Spartanburg
Easley, SC → Hilton Head Island, SC
Through: Charleston
Homeland Park, SC → Hilton Head, SC
Through: Charleston
Anderson County Airport, SC → Socastee, SC
Hilton Head Island, SC → Travelers Rest, SC
Through: Greenville
Homeland Park, SC → Myrtle Beach, SC
Hilton Head Island, SC → Welcome, SC
Through: Greenville → Mauldin → Anderson
Blacksburg, SC → Hilton Head Island, SC
Anderson, SC → Myrtle Beach, SC
Westminster, SC → Mount Pleasant, SC
Through: Charleston → Hanahan
Mount Pleasant, SC → Walhalla, SC
Through: Greenville → Mauldin → Anderson +2 more
Greenville, SC → North Myrtle Beach, SC
Through: Myrtle Beach
Little River, SC → Greenville, SC
Through: Marion
Hilton Head Island, SC → Judson, SC
Through: Greenville
Belton, SC → Hilton Head Island, SC
Through: Charleston
Greer, SC → North Myrtle Beach, SC
Through: Myrtle Beach
Chesterfield, SC → Anderson County Airport, SC
Through: Greenville → Pelzer
Charleston, SC → Walhalla, SC
Through: Greenville → Mauldin → Anderson +2 more
Bluffton, SC → Easley, SC
Through: Greenville → Mauldin → Anderson
Hilton Head, SC → Welcome, SC
Through: Greenville → Mauldin → Anderson
Westminster, SC → Charleston, SC
Travelers Rest, SC → Myrtle Beach, SC
Gantt, SC → Hilton Head Island, SC
Through: Charleston
Hilton Head Island, SC → Williamston, SC
Through: Greenville → Pelzer
Hilton Head Island, SC → East Gaffney, SC
Through: Union
Hilton Head Island, SC → Lyman, SC
Through: Spartanburg
Hilton Head Island, SC → Gaffney, SC
Through: Union
Welcome, SC → Myrtle Beach, SC
Parker, SC → Myrtle Beach, SC
Anderson, SC → Port Royal, SC
Through: Charleston → Yemassee
Dunean, SC → Myrtle Beach, SC
Westminster, SC → North Charleston, SC
Through: Charleston
Belton, SC → Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach, SC → Powdersville, SC
Through: Greenville → Mauldin → Anderson
Gantt, SC → Hilton Head, SC
Through: Charleston
Anderson, SC → Red Hill, SC
Hilton Head Island, SC → Clover, SC
Through: York
North Myrtle Beach, SC → Spartanburg, SC
Through: Marion
Hilton Head, SC → Lyman, SC
Through: Spartanburg
Greer, SC → Murrells Inlet, SC
Seneca, SC → Charleston, SC
Anderson, SC → Conway, SC
Utica, SC → Charleston, SC
Hilton Head Island, SC → Mauldin, SC
Through: Greenville
Gantt, SC → Myrtle Beach, SC
Loris, SC → Greenville, SC
Wade Hampton, SC → Bluffton, SC
Through: Charleston
Simpsonville, SC → North Myrtle Beach, SC
Through: Myrtle Beach