DC to Savannah roadtrip

[Anonymous]

We're got a week to do this in winter with the aim of three nights in Savannah. We're not in a hurry. What routes would you recommend? What stopovers or hotels would you recommend en route?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're got a week to do this in winter with the aim of three nights in Savannah. We're not in a hurry. What routes would you recommend? What stopovers or hotels would you recommend en route?

You get on 95 and go south. That is your answer. There is nothing close enough to detour for. If you have more time. Just throw in a couple of days on Hilton Head.

If you require entertainment on your trip, just stop at Buccees.

[Anonymous]

If you have young kids, Smithfield NC and St. George SC both have great playgrounds.

[Anonymous]

I-95 is a straight shot down towards Savannah, but it is not scenic and it is boring.

From the DMV, you can take US-17 from Warrenton VA to Savannah. It will take a long time, but it is more scenic than I-95, and once you get south of Fredericksburg VA, US-17 generally parallels the coast and takes you into downtown Savannah.

[Anonymous]

We’ve done I-40 to Wilmington then 17 onto Charleston then 17/95 to Savannah. Would probably skip Wilmington unless you’re a fan of something that was filmed there. We liked Charleston a lot more than Savannah.

[Anonymous]

We did 2 nights in Savannah and it was more than enough 😅 it's overly touristic and not the vibe we were looking for. I agree with pp about spending time in Charleston.

[Anonymous]

A week?? There’s nothing to see on the way there. You do that drive in one day. You spend more time in Savannah and do day trips from there maybe. You do not under any circumstances take multiple days to get TO Savannah.

[Anonymous]

Yes, really no where you need/ want to stop. We do this drive a lot because of family. It’s 8 hrs on google but really more like 9+ with traffic or stops. Just leave early and drive straight through.

Two days in Savannah is probably enough. Maybe add in Charleston. They are both the same distance from DC because Sav is right off 95 but Charleston you get off head east. So you can choose which to do first.

[Anonymous]

Are you going with kids?
If you haven’t been to Richmond, stop in and go to Maymont Park or the Science museum. You could stop in Roanoke Rapids, Wilson, Smithfield or Florence for a park or playground and some good barbecue. Florence has Wholly Smokes—which is really good and nice inside. DH is a huge barbecue fan so we’ve stopped in lots of places on way to cousins in the south, but lots of the places are not that nice or relaxing inside, and we’ve actually been to a couple of nice/clean/table service places in Florence.
I would absolutely go to Charleston.

[Anonymous]

We just did the drive to Charleston. I'd definitely add Charleston to the list. It is only an 8 hour drive from DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A week?? There’s nothing to see on the way there. You do that drive in one day. You spend more time in Savannah and do day trips from there maybe. You do not under any circumstances take multiple days to get TO Savannah.

NP. I think this reflects travel style and preferences. I might do similar to the poster suggesting Richmond and other places poster above, depending where I'd already been. I've been to a bunch of those.

I'd also go a bit out of the way through Greensboro (which I did on a trip a few years ago) to see the lunch counter/ museum, plus I just like old cities. There's a nice little children's museum there too.

I've never made it to Raleigh but want to go there to see the Capitol and would be happy to spend a few days there.

Also like Charleston and Wilmington better than Savannah. They have a ton to do.

I can't relate at all to someone saying there's nothing to see on the way there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A week?? There’s nothing to see on the way there. You do that drive in one day. You spend more time in Savannah and do day trips from there maybe. You do not under any circumstances take multiple days to get TO Savannah.

NP. I think this reflects travel style and preferences. I might do similar to the poster suggesting Richmond and other places poster above, depending where I'd already been. I've been to a bunch of those.

I'd also go a bit out of the way through Greensboro (which I did on a trip a few years ago) to see the lunch counter/ museum, plus I just like old cities. There's a nice little children's museum there too.

I've never made it to Raleigh but want to go there to see the Capitol and would be happy to spend a few days there.

Also like Charleston and Wilmington better than Savannah. They have a ton to do.

I can't relate at all to someone saying there's nothing to see on the way there.

Thanks for the constructive comments. We're not traveling with kids. We do like stopping along the way to see historic and natural sites. (We're the weird type of people who can find interesting things to do in Falls Church and Fairfax County).

We don't need to rush down in one day, and don't want to spend 9 hours straight in the car.

[Anonymous]

If anyone wants to do the Greensboro lunch counter, plan around dates they're closed: https://www.sitinmovement.org/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A week?? There’s nothing to see on the way there. You do that drive in one day. You spend more time in Savannah and do day trips from there maybe. You do not under any circumstances take multiple days to get TO Savannah.

NP. I think this reflects travel style and preferences. I might do similar to the poster suggesting Richmond and other places poster above, depending where I'd already been. I've been to a bunch of those.

I'd also go a bit out of the way through Greensboro (which I did on a trip a few years ago) to see the lunch counter/ museum, plus I just like old cities. There's a nice little children's museum there too.

I've never made it to Raleigh but want to go there to see the Capitol and would be happy to spend a few days there.

Also like Charleston and Wilmington better than Savannah. They have a ton to do.

I can't relate at all to someone saying there's nothing to see on the way there.

Thanks for the constructive comments. We're not traveling with kids. We do like stopping along the way to see historic and natural sites. (We're the weird type of people who can find interesting things to do in Falls Church and Fairfax County).

We don't need to rush down in one day, and don't want to spend 9 hours straight in the car.

I’m the pp who recommended Richmond. If you’re traveling without kids, I’d skip Richmond and drive to Raleigh and spend the night at the Marriott City Center. It’s walkable to some live music venues including the Lincoln theater and to restaurants. (I had lots of friends who lived in Raleigh when we were young and free. Ah, memories!) Then head back over to 95 the next day and drive about 5 hours to Savannah. After Savannah, on the way back, drive to Charleston and spend the night there, then the next day drive the 8 hours back to DC stopping in Smithfield for a meal at the Low and Slow Smokehouse which is this really great barbecue place that overlooks a small airport.

I’d read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil before going to Savannah. I’ve only been once, for a long weekend, but I enjoyed the architecture, city parks, food and shopping. It really gets maligned every time it is mentioned on this board.

[Anonymous]

If you like barbecue, Skykight Inn is worth the hour or so detour off I-95 in North Carolina.