Spend a few miles on a Southern highway and everything changes.
What many people don’t realize, especially first-time visitors, is just how diverse this region really is. The South isn’t one landscape or one story. It’s white sand beaches with water so clear it rivals the Caribbean. It’s cool mountain air that feels like medicine when the humidity rises. It’s backroad barbecue joints and critically acclaimed dining establishments, front-porch music, cultural markers, and cities humming with creativity and oozing with culture.
These are five of our favorite Southern road trips, all within easy reach of hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, Nashville, and beyond.
- Scenic Highway 30A
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Mississippi Blues Trail
- Lowcountry love
- Texas Hill Country
- The Tennessee Bourbon Trail
SCENIC HIGHWAY 30A
THE TRIP:
Exit U.S. Highway 98, turn onto Scenic Highway 30A, and just…cruise west.
Rosemary Beach → Alys Beach → Seaside Beach → Watercolor Beach → Grayton Beach → Blue Mountain Beach
SUMMARY:
When you’re in the South, and you head south, it can only mean one thing: water. And trust us —when you reach the Gulf, that first step into the surf feels like instant relief: cool saltwater washing away the weight of a relentless summer afternoon. Tucked into Florida’s panhandle is a roughly 24-mile stretch of coastal highway called Scenic Highway 30A, where beach towns unfold one after another, each with its own style and rhythm.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
Powder-soft sand, water in impossible shades of turquoise and emerald, and a string of beach towns that each feel like their own little world. Along 30A, you can bike from one coastal community to the next, hopping between beach bars, seafood shacks, and architectural gems. It’s laid-back but beautiful, casual but quietly chic, the kind of place that earns a spot in people’s summer traditions year after year.
WORTH THE STOP:
- Red Fish Taco (Blue Mountain Beach, FL): A casual favorite for fish tacos, cold margaritas, and live music on the patio. Order the black beans!
- Grayton Beach State Park (Grayton Beach, FL): Wild coastal dunes, clear water, and one of the prettiest stretches of shoreline on the Gulf.
Pescado (Rosemary Beach, FL): A rooftop seafood spot in Rosemary Beach where sunset cocktails and Gulf views steal the show.
More to explore: Just down the coast, you’ll find Miramar Beach
BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS
THE TRIP:
Wind through the Southern Appalachian highlands, hopping on and off the Blue Ridge Parkway as you cruise north to higher altitudes, passing through Georgia, North Carolina, all the way up to Virginia.
Blue Ridge → Ellijay → Asheville → Blowing Rock → Boone → Floyd → Roanoke
SUMMARY:
The Blue Ridge Mountains deliver the kind of Southern road trip that climbs above the heat and settles into cooler air and long-range views. Winding through Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia, the route weaves together ridgeline drives, including parts of the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, with waterfall hikes, scenic overlooks, and a string of mountain towns that make it easy to pull over and stay awhile. It’s a high-country escape where the pace slows, the temperatures drop, and every curve opens to another layered-blue horizon.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
Cooler temps when the lowlands are sweltering. Long spans of protected mountain scenery. And easy access to towns filled with the good stuff: locally owned cafés, craft breweries, antique stores, outfitters, bookstores, and the kind of main streets where you can’t help but get out and explore.
Spend the morning on a trail, the afternoon treasure hunting through vintage finds and record bins, and the evening with a local pint and live music drifting out onto the sidewalk. The parkway makes it easy to mix fresh air with real places, real people, and small-town character.
WORTH THE STOP:
- Folk Art Center (Asheville, NC): This gallery and working craft hub showcases traditional Appalachian art, from handwoven textiles to woodwork and pottery.
- Outer Space Restaurant (Floyd, VA): A funky Floyd hangout known for wood-fired pizza, craft beer, and live music — an easy place to refuel after a day of exploring.
- 34th Degree Wine Merchant (Blue Ridge, GA): A North Georgia wine shop stocked with boutique and hard-to-find bottles, where friendly experts help you discover something new—perfect for picking up a great bottle for the adventures ahead.
More to explore: Don’t miss detours into quaint mountain towns like Dahlonega, Georgia, Clayton, Georgia, and Brevard, North Carolina, with plenty more tucked along the way.
MISSISSIPPI BLUES TRAIL
THE TRIP:
Roll down stretches of storied U.S. Route 61, stopping in the towns where blues legends lived, recorded, and played, with museums, historic sites, and live-music venues tracing the route. Start in the northern part of the state and follow the rhythm south.
Tunica → Clarksdale → Cleveland → Indianola → Greenwood → Vicksburg
SUMMARY:
Some Southern roads come with a soundtrack. The Mississippi Blues Trail winds through the Delta and beyond, linking the towns, crossroads, and clubs that shaped America’s most influential music. What began in cotton fields and front porches grew into a legacy that still hums through these communities today (and beyond the globe). Following the trail means tracing history mile by mile: roadside markers, small-town main streets, and storied venues all telling the story of the blues where it was born.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
One thing about Southerners: we know music. It’s part of our storytelling, our gatherings, our history. And nowhere is that legacy more deeply rooted than along the Mississippi Blues Trail.
This drive moves through the places where blues was shaped and shared, where songs carried across front porches, church halls, and late-night juke joints before they ever reached a record player. One minute you’re reading a marker on a quiet stretch of highway, the next you’re hearing live music in a room that’s been echoing songs for generations. It’s equal parts road trip and cultural pilgrimage—grounded, soulful, and unmistakably Southern.
WORTH THE STOP:
- Delta Blues Museum (Clarksdale, MS): A tribute to the birthplace of the blues, with guitars, recordings, and even the restored cabin where Muddy Waters once lived.
- Airport Grocery (Cleveland, MS): A longtime favorite known for Delta soul food, cold drinks, live music, and a relaxed, bluesy atmosphere.
- Club Ebony (Indianola, MS): A historic blues club where legends like B.B. King and Ray Charles once played, still carrying the intimate spirit of Delta blues.
More to explore: Find the legendary Crossroads in Clarksdale, visit Dockery Farms outside Cleveland—often called the birthplace of Delta blues—and, for a worthwhile 1.5-hour detour east, stop in Tupelo, where Elvis Presley was born.
THE LOWCOUNTRY
THE TRIP:
Follow the Hammock Coast through South Carolina and ride the Lowcountry all the way into Georgia.
Pawleys Island → Murrells Inlet → Georgetown → Charleston → Beaufort → Bluffton → Hilton Head Island → Savannah
SUMMARY:
Where the land meets the tide, everything is softened by salty air and time. The Lowcountry unfolds across coastal South Carolina into Georgia, where marshlands, moss-draped oaks, and quiet waterfront towns set the scene for one of the South’s most atmospheric drives. This is a road trip shaped by tidal creeks, historic streets, and layers of coastal culture.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
It’s the kind of trip that invites you to slow down without asking twice. Long marsh views replace skylines. Seafood comes straight from the docks lining local waters. And towns feel preserved in the best way: walkable, welcoming, and rich with historical charm. Marshes glow at golden hour, church bells carry across quiet streets, and long meals turn into longer conversations with the locals.
WORTH THE STOP:
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- Ace Basin (near Yemassee, SC): One of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast, where winding tidal creeks, quiet marshes, and abundant wildlife capture the wild beauty of South Carolina’s Lowcountry.
- Old Sheldon Church Ruins (Beaufort, SC): Majestic brick ruins framed by towering oaks, this once-grand parish church dates to the 1700s and carries layers of Revolutionary and Civil War history.
- Leopold’s Ice Cream (Savannah, GA): An iconic Savannah institution since 1919, serving old-fashioned ice cream in a nostalgic soda-fountain setting—worth the line for a scoop of Tutti Frutti.
- Harborwalk (Georgetown, SC): A breezy waterfront boardwalk along the Sampit River lined with shrimp boats, galleries, and seafood spots. An easy place to soak up Georgetown’s coastal charm.
More to explore: Wander the windswept beaches of Botany Bay, cross the tidal creeks of Edisto Island, stop in the shrimping village of McClellanville, take in a bluegrass jam session at Awendaw Green, and stroll beneath the oaks and sculptures of Brookgreen Gardens.
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
THE TRIP:
Hit the backroads west of Austin and travel through the heart of Hill Country. You’ll find wildflower-lined highways, swimming holes, wineries, barbecue stops, and plenty of lovely small-town detours.
Dripping Springs → Fredericksburg → Luckenbach → Johnson City → Marble Falls → Gruene
SUMMARY:
Big skies, winding backroads, and rolling green hills set the tone in the Texas Hill Country, where scenic two-lanes give way to a pace that feels refreshingly slow. Stretching across Central Texas, this region blends German heritage towns, natural swimming holes, vineyards, and dance-hall culture into one easygoing drive.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
You can float the river and cool off on a hot afternoon, spend the evening tasting your way through one of the country’s fastest-growing wine regions, and catch live music under the stars at night. The vineyards here are shaping a serious wine scene, with tasting rooms, scenic estates, and backroad winery hops that turn the drive into an experience. Pair that with welcoming small towns, standout food, and wide-open landscapes, and you’ve got a road trip that feels relaxed but richly layered. Classic Texas, just the way we like it.
WORTH THE STOP:
- Luckenbach General Store and Dance Hall (Luckenbach): A Hill Country landmark known for its historic general store and open-air dance hall, where live country music and cold beers keep the good times going.
- Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar (Gruene): Set inside a historic cotton gin overlooking the Guadalupe River, this beloved spot is known for hearty Texas fare, breezy views, and an easygoing vibe. Then wander next door to Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas, for live music and a little two-stepping.
- William Chris Vineyards (Hye): Just outside Fredericksburg, this standout winery focuses on 100% Texas-grown grapes. Pull up for a tasting and sweeping Hill Country views that show why Texas wine is earning national attention.
More to explore: Roughly an hour southeast of Austin, Luling is worth the drive for legendary brisket at City Market. You can also cool off in New Braunfels, where tubing the Guadalupe River is a Hill Country summer tradition.
TENNESSEE BOURBON TRAIL
THE TRIP:
Scenic countryside views, historic town squares, and plenty of memorable pours. Start in Nashville and follow the backroads south, where rolling farmland and small-town squares lead you from one legendary distillery to the next.
Nashville → Franklin → Columbia → Shelbyville → Lynchburg → Tullahoma
SUMMARY:
Some Southern traditions come with a little patience…and a proper pour. The Tennessee Whiskey Trail traces a path through rolling countryside and character-rich small towns, connecting the distilleries that helped shape America’s whiskey story. From legacy distilleries to inventive craft, this road trip is built on heritage, guided by craftsmanship, and best enjoyed one stop at a time.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
Let’s just say Tennessee knows its way around a good pour. Generations of distillers, family stories, and hands-on methods come together in working facilities where the process still feels personal. One stop might be legendary and larger-than-life, the next intimate and experimental, but each reflects the pride and precision behind Tennessee whiskey. The drives are easy, the welcomes are warm, and the towns along the way make it simple to settle in for the night and sip responsibly.
WORTH THE STOP:
- Arrington Vineyards (Arrington, TN): Rolling hills, live music, and picnic-perfect views make this a favorite detour just outside Nashville. It’s an easy place to slow down, spread out a blanket, and stay awhile.
- Short Springs State Natural Area (Tullahoma, TN): A quiet hiking escape just outside Tullahoma where a short woodland trail leads to Machine Falls, one of Middle Tennessee’s most beautiful hidden waterfalls.
- Columbia Square (Columbia, TN): A beautifully preserved courthouse square lined with vintage storefronts, local shops, and coffee spots.
More to explore: Stop by Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. (George Dickel) near Tullahoma for another legendary Tennessee whiskey experience. Peruse the tiny town of Bell Buckle, about 25 minutes from Shelbyville, for antiques, bakeries, and artisanal crafts.
