This road trip felt like a dream come true. My husband and I finally made the Aiken-to-Charleston run and checked it off our bucket list. I write and photograph road trips for a living, so I planned a simple route with low-stress stops, good food and great light. This recommended itinerary for a road trip from Aiken to Charleston offers guidance on when to travel and where to stop for history, relaxation and luxury. Follow along and turn your South Carolina drive into a relaxed, memory-rich experience.
Best Route for a Road Trip From Aiken to Charleston
The best route for a road trip from Aiken to Charleston, South Carolina, depends on what you look for in a road trip through the South. The most direct and scenic route from Aiken to Charleston is via US-78. That historic corridor runs into downtown Charleston.
The fastest route with the most freeway is Interstate 20 to Interstate 26, which runs around Columbia to Charleston. The drive takes about three hours from Aiken to Charleston, covering the 132 miles between cities.
However, a road trip allows you to travel at a slower pace, giving you time to see the sights and learn interesting things along the way. Since we visited a friend in Sumter, South Carolina, we drove through Columbia to get to Sumter, then on to Charleston.
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The Best Times Of Year To Take A Road Trip From Aiken To Charleston
Spring or late fall offer the best conditions for walking and outdoor activities in South Carolina. Summers bring heat and humidity, and hurricane season runs from June through November. We visited the South in early May, and the timing was perfect.
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Must-See Attractions Along The Way From Aiken and Charleston
Aiken
One night in Aiken delivered a full itinerary. After touring the Historic Horse District and strolling under the canopy of live oak trees, I ducked into the Visitor Center and Train Museum for maps, stories and rail history.
Evening settled at The Willcox Hotel—cocktails, a gracious dining room and a plush night’s sleep. The following morning, dodging raindrops, we lingered a couple of hours inside the Aiken County Historical Museum, tracing Winter Colony legacies room by room.
Compact, walkable and rich with equestrian soul, Aiken rewards even a quick stay with character and charm.
Things to Know about Aiken
- Known as the “Horse Capital of the South”
- Equestrian history dates back to the mid-1800s–polo, steeplechasing, training, equine rescue and a museum.
- Legacy as a winter haven for Northern families seeking a warm escape from cold weather.
- Hosts many horse shows and events throughout the year.
Attractions in Aiken
- Aiken County Historical Museum – Named Banksia after the Banksia Roses gracing the brick wall near the entrance. Two homes joined together: the older home, dating back to 1840, and the brick portion built in 1931 as a Winter Colony home.
- Aiken Visitor Center and Train Museum – your source for everything to know about Aiken in a rebuilt railroad depot.
What I liked best
- Bruce’s Field (Aiken Horse Park) – watching the thoroughbreds prance around the fields.
- The unpaved clay roads, ideal for horseback riding, but messy when it rains.
- Imagining myself rubbing elbows with the horsey crowd during the off-season in the Winter Colony.
Columbia
We arrived in Columbia in time for dinner, stayed overnight, and briefly drove around the USC Campus on the day the students were moving out.
Things to know about Columbia
- Capital of South Carolina since 1786
- Second-largest city in the state
- It is an important cultural and economic hub
The top three attractions in Columbia
According to Experience Columbia SC, these are the three top attractions in Columbia.
- Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
- South Carolina State Museum
- Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park
What I liked best
- Easy access to an excellent sushi restaurant
Charleston
Things to Know About Charleston
- Charleston, a walkable city on a peninsula, features uneven pavement and brick streets, so wear supportive shoes.
- Signature foods, including Lowcountry staples such as shrimp & grits and she-crab soup, headline many menus.
- Spoleto Festival USA (major annual performing arts festival) fills theaters and churches for 17 days each spring. Book early.
- With more than 20 museums in the city and metro area combined (art, history, house museums, forts, historic houses, parks etc.) Charleston delivers a more in-depth sense of the Lowcountry.
Things To Do in Charleston
With only two days in Charleston, we made the most of our time by staying close to the action in the Historic District.
375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
The Charleston Visitors Centers provide extensive details on Charleston activities, including themed packages and other offerings.
375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
843-722-4444
Grayline Tours offers entertaining and informative minibus day-trip tours of Charleston’s historic district, partnering with numerous local attractions. All tours depart and end at the Charleston Visitor Center.
360 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 29403
843.722.2996
Established in 1773, The Charleston Museum, America’s First Museum, discovers, preserves, interprets, celebrates and shares the rich history of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Its diverse collections, engaging exhibitions, educational programs and special events spark curiosity and encourage conversation about defining stories.
3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC, 29414
843-571-1266
Since the 1600s, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens belonged to the Drayton family. The wealth accumulated by the Draytons came from rice, not cotton, like we might think. Enslaved people tended the operation and ran the house. When the Romantic gardens were developed, enslaved people also tended to them. After the Civil War, when funds were needed, the gardens opened to the public and became one of Charleston’s first attractions. Former enslaved people conducted the tours.
The Magnolias’ gardens bloom every day now, and the plantation and gardens are open year-round. Visitors can explore six miles of walking and biking trails throughout the property.
What I liked best
- The combined men’s and women’s restroom at the Visitor Center. While it was initially shocking and uncomfortable, it made total sense after I used it a couple of times.
- The Charleston Museum, located near the Hampton Inn and Visitor Center, offers one of the best introductions to the region’s history and culture.
- The bicycle rickshaw ride. Seeing Charleston after dark, cocooned in silence, was a totally different experience from the noisy, vibrant daytime.
- The Nature Train tour at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, where we saw many alligators in the swamp.
Where To Stay
If you are looking for affordable accommodations on your road trip from Aiken to Charleston, count on
100 Colleton Ave SW, Aiken, SC, 29801
Things to know about The Willcox Hotel
- Opened in the late 1890s to host the Winter Colony set (vacationers from northern climes)
- On the National Register of Historic Places
- Steeped in horse country and lifestyle
- Close to 2,100-acre Hichcock Woods, perfect for morning walks before polo, golf or garden visits
- Some historic rooms and suites feature fireplaces and deep soaking tubs
- On-site restaurant and bar, salon and spa and seasonal outdoor pool
- Ambiance is old-world, unhurried hospitality with a modern touch
What I liked best
- The Gilded Age charm with vintage style.
- The welcoming hospitality of all the staff and the owner.
- The vintage yet modern, elegant touches in the hotel room–lavender-scented spray for our pillows, turndown service with citrus-infused water, the old-fashioned room key and the desk drawer stocked with stationery supplies.
- The availability of on-site dining.
Hampton Inn – Columbia-Downtown Historic Dist, SC
822 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC, 29201
803-231-2000
Things to know about The Hampton Inn
- Conveniently located in the historic downtown area of Columbia
- 10-minute walk to the University of South Carolina and the Metropolitan Convention Center
- On the Gervais Street Corridor, with many popular local restaurants and bars
- Close to the EdVenture Children’s Museum, South Carolina State Museum and Riverbanks Zoo
What I liked best
- It’s a
Hilton brand - Walking distance to a popular sushi restaurant
- Easy to relax here
Hampton Inn, Charleston Historic District, Charleston
345 Meeting St., Charleston, SC, 29403
843-723-4000
Things to know about The Hampton Inn
- Directly across the street from the Charleston Visitors Center in the heart of Downtown Charleston
- Concierge on-site
- Free hot breakfast
- Fitness Center and outdoor pool
What I liked best
- It’s a
Hilton brand - Convenient to the Grayline hub at the Visitor Center across the street
- Easy parking in the attached parking structure
- Many popular eateries surround the hotel
- Close to the city center and attractions
Where To Eat
Are there any good restaurants to stop at between Aiken and Charleston, SC?
You bet, there are! We found our top bites at these stops along the route.
Aiken
The Willcox Restaurant – on-site, ground-floor restaurant
100 Colleton Ave SW, Aiken, SC, 29801
What I liked best
- The outstanding service with dedication to the guest
- The decor – refined and elegant
- The gluten-free and vegan options, plus The Willcox Private Label Caviar
- The pat of butter shaped into a dome, served on a small square of black slate, made an understated artistic statement
Columbia
Tsunami – Gervais Street Corridor, a few steps from Hampton Inn
700 Gervais St A, Columbia, SC 29201
803-312-9911
What I liked best
- The generous portions of sushi
- The friendly manager
- Seeing many college students arrive for dinner
Charleston
The Rarebit
474 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
843-974-5483
What I liked best
- The owner prepared our adult beverages exactly the way we liked them
- Delicious vegan options
- Ambiance – friendly and relaxed
JK Grill and Bar
428 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
843-483-5940
What I liked best
- Icy, cold beer served promptly
- Regional food – Lowcountry Po’boy (shrimp or flounder with lettuce and tomato on a grilled Amoroso roll)
- Sitting outside on the busy street corner, people-watching
Victor’s Seafood & Steak
Hutson Alley
39F John St, Charleston, SC 29403
843-203-3000
What I liked best
- The sophisticated ambiance just a few steps away from the hotel, hidden in an intriguing alleyway
- Their specialty – seasoned and seared steaks
- The meal was enough to feed four people
Hilton hosted my husband and me at the Hampton Inn in Charleston, South Carolina. All opinions are my own.
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