Hit the road this summer with these close-to-home but far-from-ordinary escapes

Story by Lance Hanlin

Looking to escape the summer crowds on Hilton Head Island or Bluffton? These scenic road trips offer the perfect blend of fresh air, quiet charm and unforgettable adventure — all within driving distance of the Lowcountry. Whether you’re craving a mountain getaway, a peaceful island, or a forest full of wonder, we’ve rounded up the best weekend getaways and day trips from Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort and beyond. From the misty peaks of Highlands, North Carolina to the wild beaches of Cumberland Island, Georgia, each destination promises a cool change of pace and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments. Ready to hit the road? Let the journey begin.

Escape to driftwood dreams

Jekyll Island, Georgia

Drive time: 2 hours (130 miles)

If you love the beach but not the bustle, Jekyll Island offers a peaceful retreat with a rich and storied past. Once the exclusive playground of America’s wealthiest families — including the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Pulitzers — this barrier island now welcomes all who crave a slower, more refined kind of coastal escape. Stroll along beautiful pathways, tour preserved landmarks from the island’s Gilded Age heyday, and experience the grandeur of Jekyll Island Club Resort. 

Slow down by the sea

• Wander the driftwood monuments that line the waterfront along Driftwood Beach. 
• Visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to meet rescued turtles. 
• Explore the island’s 20-plus miles of scenic bike paths. 
• Walk along Millionaire’s Row of opulent winter cottages built between 1888 and 1928 by the country’s elite. 
• Treat the kids to slides and splash zones at Summer Waves Water Park. 

Escape to the forest primeval

Congaree National Park

Drive time: 2.5 hours, 156 miles

Just outside Columbia, this under-the-radar national park offers a strikingly different kind of natural beauty. Home to the largest intact stretch of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the Southeast, it protects an ecosystem that was once widespread but is now increasingly rare. Towering bald cypress and loblolly pines soar above a lush, water-shaped landscape of blackwater creeks, seasonal floods and thriving biodiversity. It’s a haven for nature lovers in search of stillness, solitude and the quiet awe of walking among giants.

Let the forest lead

• Walk the Boardwalk Loop Trail for an elevated view of the forest floor and its cathedral-like canopy.
• Paddle Cedar Creek through a maze of cypress knees and tupelo trees.
• Join a ranger-led full moon hike or owl prowl for a glimpse of the park’s nocturnal life.
• Take the quieter Weston Lake Loop to spot deer, barred owls and possibly a wild hog.

Escape to the mountains

Highlands, North Carolina

Drive time: 5.2 hours, 332 miles

When Lowcountry heat and humidity hit their peak, many locals head for the hills, and Highlands is a favorite refuge. Tucked high in the Blue Ridge Mountains at over 4,000 feet above sea level, this town was founded in 1875 as a planned mountain resort, so city dwellers could escape the summer swelter. Today it still delivers on that promise, offering cool breezes, stunning waterfalls and a refined mix of nature and luxury.

Rise above it all 

• Hike through Nantahala National Forest for panoramic views and crisp mountain air.
• Walk behind the cascade at Dry Falls, or admire the roadside beauty of Bridal Veil Falls.
• Browse for mountain-chic goods, art and antiques in Highlands’ boutique-lined downtown.
• Indulge in a spa treatment at Old Edwards Inn & Spa, a historic European-style retreat.

Escape to the wild side

Cumberland Island, Georgia

Drive time: 2.5 hours plus ferry, 155 miles

Looking to fully disconnect? Cumberland Island is the ultimate back-to-nature escape. With no cars, no crowds and no cell service, this remote barrier island offers raw beauty and deep quiet, a rare kind of wilderness that feels like stepping back in time. Once the retreat of the Carnegie family, the island is now preserved as a national seashore, its wild horses, live oaks and historic ruins telling stories of both opulence and isolation.

Unplug in the wild

• Roam the Dungeness ruins, remnants of the Carnegies’ once-grand estate, now overtaken by vines and time.
• Catch glimpses of wild horses grazing near the dunes and drifting through maritime forests.
• Follow sandy trails and boardwalks to wide, untouched beaches where your footprints may be the only ones.
• Step inside Plum Orchard, the island’s last-standing Carnegie mansion.
• Camp beneath a canopy of stars in a setting so quiet, you’ll hear the Atlantic before you see it.

Other great escapes

More destinations worth the drive, sorted by vibe and distance from Hilton Head.

Beach escapes

• Hunting Island State Park (1.15 hours, 52 miles)
• Tybee Island (1.25 hours, 60 miles) 
• Edisto Beach (2.25 hours, 105 miles)
• Folly Beach (2.25 hours, 110 miles)
• Amelia Island, Florida (2.5 hours, 131 miles)

Nature escapes

• Savannah National Wildlife Refuge (1 hour, 40 miles)
• Lake Warren State Park (1.5 hours, 64 miles) 
• Skidaway Island State Park, Georgia (1.5 hours, 75 miles)
• Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia (3 hours, 142 miles)
• Little Talbot Island, Florida (3 hours, 150 miles)

Cultural escapes 

• Savannah (45 minutes, 40 miles)
• Charleston (2 hours, 100 miles)
• Augusta, Georgia (3 hours, 140 miles)
• Columbia (3 hours, 160 miles)
• St. Augustine, Florida (3.5 hours, 195 miles)

Mountain escapes

• Greenville (3.5 hours, 206 miles) 
• Brevard, North Carolina (4.5 hours, 240 miles)
• Asheville, North Carolina (5 hours, 265 miles) 
• Helen, Georgia (5 hours, 265 miles)
• Blue Ridge, Georgia (5 hours, 280 miles)