Quick Definition
The SC coast from the Grand Strand to Beaufort is one of the most varied and underappreciated RV road trips in the Southeast — 175 miles from Myrtle Beach south to Beaufort, with US-17 as the historic coastal highway. You'll pass through Grand Strand beach resorts, the rice plantation coast near Georgetown, Charleston's 1670 historic district, the ACE Basin estuary, and the raw barrier islands of the Sea Islands. This route weaves between Lowcountry marshlands and Atlantic beaches, offering a rare combination of natural beauty, colonial history, and genuine coastal culture that most highway travelers miss. For detailed park information throughout this region, visit South Carolina Lowcountry RV Parks.
Route Overview
The road runs Myrtle Beach → US-17 south → Georgetown (25 miles) → McClellanville (65 miles) → Charleston (90 miles) → Edisto Island (130 miles) → Beaufort (175 miles). Total drive time without stops is 3.5–4 hours, but plan for a 5–10 day trip to actually experience the coast. US-17 is a 2-lane highway threading through forests and marshes — beautiful but slow at 45–55 mph. US-501 is faster but misses the coastal scenery entirely. If you're in an RV, stay on US-17; the extra drive time is worth every minute.
Stop 1 — Grand Strand: Myrtle Beach (Days 1–2)
Myrtle Beach is where the SC coast announces itself: 60 miles of continuous sandy beaches, 14 million visitors annually, and the kind of boardwalk energy that draws families year-round. Base your RV at Myrtle Beach State Park for a natural beach experience ($30–$42/night) or Ocean Lakes for full-service resort amenities ($55–$75/night). The park itself sits on pristine state-protected shoreline with pines backing the dunes.
Book ahead in summer; this stop fills fast. Spend Day 1 settling in and exploring the beach or boardwalk. Day 2 gives you time for deeper exploration — Huntington Beach State Park is 35 miles south and worth the drive if you want more solitude. Most RVers skip further north beaches and jump straight to the historic coast, which makes Myrtle your reset point before the road gets quiet.
Stop 2 — Georgetown: Rice Heritage Coast (Day 3)
Georgetown, founded 1729, is South Carolina's third-oldest city, and driving through it means crossing a landscape shaped by one of North America's most consequential (and darkest) agricultural systems. By 1840, this region produced 40% of the nation's rice — grown on 80,000+ acres of tidal floodplain by enslaved workers who engineered the marshes into production.
Stop at the Rice Museum on Front Street for honest context. Visit Hobcaw Barony, a 16,000-acre nature preserve that was once plantation land and is now open for guided tours. Walk the waterfront. This is history written into the landscape, and it demands attention. Book your RV site ahead at Georgetown RV Parks. The town itself is small but absorbs attention; plan a full day here.
Stop 3 — Francis Marion National Forest (Day 4)
Thirty miles south, Francis Marion National Forest covers 260,000+ acres of Lowcountry wilderness — named for Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox" who conducted Revolutionary War guerrilla warfare from these same marshes and forests. Buck Hall Campground ($18–$24/night) sits on the Intracoastal Waterway and is an excellent mid-trip anchor for an RV.
The Swamp Fox Passage trail runs 47 miles through the forest, connecting the interior to coastal and maritime heritage. You don't need to hike the whole thing — even 3–5 miles reveals the ecosystem that defines this region. Wildlife is abundant, and the forest is genuinely wild. This stop breaks up the coast-hugging drive and reminds you that the Lowcountry is as much about water, forest, and wilderness as it is about historic towns.
Stop 4 — Charleston (Days 5–6)
Charleston, founded 1670, is the oldest city in South Carolina and arguably the cultural anchor of the entire Southeast coast. Base your RV at James Island County Park, which has 124 sites ($38–$52/night) and sits just 8 miles from the Fort Sumter ferry — where the Civil War began on April 12–13, 1861.
Spend Day 5 exploring the Historic District on foot: the Battery waterfront promenade, Rainbow Row's pastel antebellum homes, Magnolia Plantation (1676, America's oldest plantation garden), and dozens of historic churches and civil rights sites. Charleston's food scene is nationally recognized, and the city deserves two full days. Day 6 can be a leisurely morning before you head south, or time for a second museum or neighborhood you missed.
Charleston is also the cultural and economic hub of the Lowcountry. RV parks fill fast, and rates are higher than smaller stops. Book well ahead, and consider staying outside the city proper if you can't secure a waterfront site.
Stop 5 — ACE Basin + Edisto Island (Day 7)
The ACE Basin — named for the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Rivers — is one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast: 350,000 acres of salt marsh, tidal rivers, and barrier islands. It's a National Estuarine Research Reserve and feels genuinely remote.
Edisto Island sits within the basin and is worth slow exploration. Edisto Beach State Park (112 sites, $28–$42/night) is your RV base. The island has no chain restaurants — a deliberate community covenant to preserve character. Pon Pon Chapel ruins (1706) sit inland; the shell and brick structure is one of the oldest church ruins in the US. The island's roads are narrow, so confirm RV-friendly routes with park staff. Plan a full day here; the pace is intentionally slow.
Stop 6 — Beaufort + Hunting Island (Days 8–10)
Beaufort, founded 1711, is South Carolina's second-oldest city and one of the most livable small towns on the coast. Historic architecture, waterfront parks, and a genuine community feel make it a worthy final anchor. Beaufort RV Parks offer multiple options within easy reach of downtown.
Hunting Island State Park sits 15 miles east and deserves its own 1–2 days. The park covers 5,000 acres, features an 1875 lighthouse that's still operational, and offers 5 miles of natural beach. Campsites run $25–$42/night. The park is RV-friendly, though confirm length restrictions before pulling in. Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot has limited visitor access; call ahead if military history interests you.
The Gullah Geechee cultural heritage is strong throughout this region — the communities descended from enslaved and free African people who have maintained distinct language, food, and cultural traditions for 300+ years. St. Helena Island (adjacent to Beaufort) is the heart of Gullah culture; visit the Penn Center or join a guided cultural tour to understand this living heritage.
Practical Tips + CTA
Best Season: April–May or September–October. Summer is hot and crowded; winter is mild but some parks limit hours.
Hurricane Season: June–November. Check forecasts before booking. Most RV parks are in safe zones, but road flooding on barrier islands is possible.
RV Length: US-17 is wide enough for all sizes. Narrow bridges on barrier island roads (especially Edisto and Hunting Island access routes) may be tight for 40+ footers. Call parks ahead and ask about your specific length.
Reservations: Book Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Edisto ahead, especially April–May and September–October. Georgetown, Francis Marion, and Beaufort-area parks are less crowded.
Gas and Supplies: Fill up in Myrtle Beach and Georgetown. McClellanville is tiny; Charleston has everything. Edisto Island has limited services.
| Stop | Town | Campsite | Rate | Drive from Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Myrtle Beach | Myrtle Beach State Park | $30–$42 | Start |
| 2 | Georgetown | Georgetown RV Parks | $35–$50 | 25 miles / 0.5 hrs |
| 3 | Francis Marion | Buck Hall Campground | $18–$24 | 40 miles / 1 hr |
| 4 | Charleston | James Island County Park | $38–$52 | 50 miles / 1.25 hrs |
| 5 | Edisto Island | Edisto Beach State Park | $28–$42 | 40 miles / 1 hr |
| 6 | Beaufort | Hunting Island State Park | $25–$42 | 45 miles / 1.25 hrs |
FAQ
How long is the SC coast RV road trip? The full route is 175 miles and takes 3.5–4 hours of driving without stops. Plan 5–10 days to actually experience each stop. Most RVers spend 2 days at Myrtle Beach, 1 day at Georgetown, 1 day at Francis Marion, 2 days in Charleston, 1 day on Edisto, and 2–3 days in Beaufort.
What is the best time to drive the SC Lowcountry coast? April–May and September–October offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and manageable rates. Summer is hot (90s) and crowded; Myrtle Beach especially fills with families. Winter is mild (50s–60s) but some parks reduce hours or close seasonally.
Do I need reservations for this SC road trip? Yes, for Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Edisto Island. Book 2–3 months ahead if you're traveling in peak season. Georgetown, Francis Marion, and Beaufort have more availability but still benefit from advance booking, especially on weekends.
What is the ACE Basin? The ACE Basin is a 350,000-acre estuary formed by three rivers (Ashepoo, Combahee, Edisto) and represents one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the US East Coast. It's a National Estuarine Research Reserve supporting diverse wildlife and fisheries. Edisto Island sits within the basin and offers the best RV access.
Can I drive to Hunting Island State Park in an RV? Yes, but confirm your RV length with the park first. The entrance road is navigable for most RVs, but access roads to some sites may have height or length restrictions. Call ahead: standard sites accommodate most Class A and B motorhomes.
What is special about Georgetown, SC? Georgetown is the third-oldest city in South Carolina (founded 1729) and was the center of North American rice production for 100+ years. Its Historic District preserves colonial and antebellum architecture. The city is also significant for its enslaved labor heritage and rice plantation history. The Rice Museum and Hobcaw Barony preserve this complex history.
Jenna Reed · jenna@rv-parks.org · /sell
Ready to explore the SC Lowcountry? Start your road trip at South Carolina Lowcountry RV Parks.