Asheville to Charleston Road Trip
In the four-hour Asheville to Charleston road trip, you’ll pass through scenic areas, including Greenville and Columbia. Here are the best places to stop!
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
On the Asheville to Charleston road trip, you can find stunning natural attractions, magical Main Streets, and historic houses that will knock your socks off. This scenic four-hour route is straightforward, but the opportunities for adventure are anything but.
North Carolina
and South Carolina
have plenty of hidden nooks just waiting to be discovered. So don’t be afraid to trash the itinerary and follow your heart off the highway! Not literally, of course.Before you go, get roadside assistance with
Jerry
. Add coverage for $6.99 to your car insurance
coverage so you can tackle the Charleston to Asheville drive with confidence.Ready? Let’s hit the road!
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Key trip details
Distance: 302 miles
Driving time: 5 hours and 30 minutes
Suggested length of trip: 2 to 3 days
Even though this trip can be done in one swift afternoon, there are enough things to do and see to make it worth stopping along the way!
Itinerary
- Asheville, NC—Half a day
- Greenville, SC—Half a day
- Spartanburg, SC—Half a day
- Columbia, SC—Half a day
- Charleston, SC—1 to 2 days
Spartanburg, SC and Greenville, SC
99 miles, 2 hours
This vibrant area is known for live entertainment, music, and outdoor parks. Greenville and Spartanburg are friendly cities with plenty of authentic and artistic touches guaranteed to delight visitors of all ages.
If you’re on I-26, you’ll pass directly through Spartanburg. A visit to Greenville requires a slight detour to the west.
Where to eat in Spartanburg
- Carolina Barbeque: To fill you up for the road, look no further than this barbeque joint—you can’t go wrong with their heaping ribs, chicken, brisket or any of their classic side dishes.
What to do in Spartanburg
- Hatcher Garden & Woodland Preserve: An ideal place to go on a walk and take in all the natural plants, flowers, and animals that make up this natural preserve.
- Model Trains Station: Perfect for any family fun, or for train aficionados of all ages, visit here to learn more about the city’s railroad history and even participate in a scavenger hunt!
- Cowpens National Battlefield: History aficionados can visit this battlefield which played a major role in the American Revolution. They hold 3 special events throughout the year—an anniversary in January, Celebration of Freedom in July, and the arrival of the Overmountain men in October.
Where to eat in Greenville
- Coffee Underground($): Greenville is packed full of trendy coffee shops, and this cafe is—as the name suggests—located underground! Their lattes, breakfast offerings, and pastries are delicious and affordably priced.
What to do in Greenville
- Greenville County Museum of Art: Considered one of the premier American art museums in the South, this museum has exhibits ranging from federal portraits to contemporary abstractions.
- Paris Mountain State Park: Located just outside of town, this scenic spot has a waterfall, campgrounds, and easy hiking trails worth exploring.
Pro Tip While Greenville and Spartanburg both have great things to do and see, there is enough similarity between them that if you’re short on time, you can cut one of the stops from your trip!
Columbia, SC
103 miles, 1.5 hours
Not too far from your previous stop, Columbia is full of old Southern magic. Stunning forests, wetlands trails, and historic architecture are all available to you here. It’s steeped in history (both manmade and Mother Nature-made), and there is great shopping and world-class cuisine, too.
To get to Columbia, follow the I-385 S and I-26 E, before taking the exit toward Huger St.
Where to stay in Columbia
- Graduate Columbia: Located in the heart of downtown Columbia, the Graduate combines historic grandeur with contemporary class and comfort. It has easy access to everything you’ll want to do and see in town. Cost per night: from $137.
Where to eat in Columbia
- The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli($): A go-to spot for fresh, delicious sandwiches, pastries, and, of course, cinnamon rolls!
- Mr. Friendly’s New Southern($$-$$$): Well-loved amongst local diners, Mr. Friendly’s serves outstanding seafood and meat with a fun, lively atmosphere. We recommend trying out their Shrimp and Grits!
What to do in Columbia
- State House: Close to a lovely 19th-century quad, you can tour the South Carolina state house and get a close-up look at how the state legislature is run.
- Riverbanks Zoo and Garden: One of America’s best zoos, it’s worth a visit to check out their 2000+ animals and gorgeous botanical gardens.
- Congaree Vista District: If you want to shop, hit up restaurants, or visit art galleries, this district is the perfect place to get out and stretch your legs for the afternoon.
Arrive in Charleston
116 miles, 2 hours
Cobblestone streets, stately buildings, and sandy beaches—it’s all in Charleston. Make sure you bring an empty stomach to this gorgeous Atlantic town, as the cuisine is legendary.
This is a city with a promising future and contemporary culture, and you’re guaranteed to find enough fine art and good eats to keep you satisfied.
To get to Charleston, follow I-26 E, and take exit 221B.
Where to stay in Charleston
- French Quarter Inn: For a luxurious stay after your road trip, book a night or two at this historically-inspired hotel with a touch of modern amenities. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the location makes it well within walking distance of many restaurants and activities. Cost per night: from $439.
Where to eat in Charleston
- Bertha’s Kitchen($): This restaurant serves up top-rated, unpretentious Southern soul food in a casual, lively setting.
- Rodney Scott’s BBQ($): Specializing in pulled pork and slow-smoked meats, this is one of the most popular restaurants in Charleston. It can get crowded at times, but the delicious food is well worth the wait.
What to do in Charleston
- Rainbow Row: No trip to Charleston would be complete without visiting the iconic Rainbow Row, a historic group of 13 Georgian-style houses painted in playful colors. You can find this perfect photo op on East Bay Street.
- Museum Mile: There are 6 museums, 5 nationally renowned historic houses, 4 scenic parks, and much more to see and do just along this one-mile section of Meeting Street. You can spend a whole afternoon here and still not see everything there is to be seen!
Tips for road-tripping in South Carolina
The South Carolina coastline is stunning, so don’t worry if you take a wrong turn—you’ll probably end up somewhere beautiful!
Drive carefully on your Asheville to Charleston road trip. The road quality in South Carolina is not always up to par, thanks to intense weather patterns. Plus, some say that drivers in this state are among the worst in the country! We get it, it’s easy to get distracted when you’re surrounded by this much natural beauty.
Finally, road trips require preparation. Before you go, gather up your
road trip essentials
and see if there are any famous foodie destinations
on your route. The more you prepare in advance, the more you can relax on the trip.RECOMMENDED
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Why you need roadside assistance
Potholes are a road-tripper’s worst enemy. Well, that and outrageously expensive parking. We can’t help with the latter, but the roadside assistance program with
Jerry
offers protection from mishaps like flat tires. For $6.99, you get towing and labor coverage, Uber credits, lockout assistance, flat tire help, and trip interruption credits up to $750—plus so much more! Think of it this way: for the cost of a bag of stale chips from the gas station, you could get roadside assistance coverage in case of emergencies.
Finding cheap car insurance
Jerry
is the best way to find savings on your car insurance premium. In fact, most people are overpaying—and Jerry customers save an average of $879 per year. No matter your state or your driving record, try the Jerry app. It only takes 45 seconds, it’s completely free, and we handle everything. No phone calls, no paperwork, just savings. What do you have to lose, except hundreds of dollars you didn’t need to spend?
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FAQs
What time of year is the best time for a road trip?
It depends on your priorities and your destination! You may wish to consider weather patterns (for instance, avoiding the rainy season or extremely hot temperatures). You may want to schedule your trip for the off-season to avoid tourists, or perhaps you want to enjoy the crowds at a major festival.
What is Charleston known for?
Charleston, also known as the Holy City, is known for its antebellum history. The architecture is incredible. More recently it has become a vacation destination thanks to its beautiful beaches and new restaurants.
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