The Most Affordable South Carolina Road Trip Takes You To 9 Stunning Sites For Under $100
It wouldn’t take long when spending any amount of time in South Carolina to fall in love with the beauty of the Palmetto State. No matter where in the state you find yourself, there is something to be enjoyed. We are going to explore one option today for an affordable South Carolina road trip to consider when you want to get out and experience first-hand some of the most stunning sites in the state while spending very little of your hard-earned cash. In fact, given that most of the attractions on this itinerary are free, it’s one of the most affordable trips in South Carolina you can take!
For this road trip, we suggest starting at sunrise and ending at sunset, with the possibility of seven stops in between. If you were to drive the trip straight through, it would only take you about five and a half hours. You can, of course, pick and choose which sites you’d like to visit if you do not necessarily want to include all of them. Let’s begin!


The easiest option for viewing the lighthouse is from the beaches off the northeastern end of Folly Island, where there are plenty of public access points. You can gauge the approximate time for sunrise on the date you are planning to visit using the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s Solar Calculator on their website.
Cost: $0
Check out this gorgeous drone footage to see the Morris Island Lighthouse from a new perspective!

If seeing this monstrosity in person isn’t your "cup of tea" or idea of the stunning site it is for some, however, feel free to move along to the next stop instead. There are, of course, no hard and fast rules, per se, for this road trip. Fewer stops mean you could spend a little more time at those you would most enjoy or take a longer break to eat lunch! Learn more about why Summerville is considered to be the friendliest town in South Carolina.
Cost: $0

The Rose Garden features award-winning roses of 187 varieties. The Angel of Hope Garden is home to the only angel sculpture in South Carolina, one of over 90 around the country and dedicated to the children who lost their lives through natural causes or accidents.
There’s no shade in the rose garden area, so you may want to bring along a sun parasol if you’re going during hotter seasons.
Cost: $0

There used to be a waterfall in the park and the fountain may not be working if you visit before the upcoming much-needed $18 million revamp is completed. It is scheduled to break ground in early 2023 and finish up in 2024.
Cost: $0


Cost: $0

Cost: $0 to view from outside; Tour cost varies depending on age, please visit Historic Columbia's website for more details and pricing.
By now, you may be ready to grab some lunch. There are some excellent options in downtown Columbia we are happy to suggest, including Top Of Carolina, a rotating restaurant on top of the Capstone Building, or Villa Tronco, the oldest Italian restaurant in the state.

Cost: $0

Situated on over 50 acres, you will find so much to explore, including an 1845 gristmill, restored log cabins, a blacksmith shop, cotton gin, moonshine still, nature trails, a gift shop featuring local crafters, musicians, authors, and the South Carolina Petroglyph Site, the state's only protected and most accessible collection of rock art.
Cost: Varies based on age and event at the site. Please check the Hagood Mill Historic Site website for details and more information.

Jumping Off Rock is said to have gotten its name from a heartbreaking situation whereby a young Cherokee Indian maiden had gotten news that her young Indian Chief had been killed in battle, so she climbed to the edge of the rock and jumped off. Legend has it that on moonlit nights, the ghost of the maiden can be seen on Jumping Off Rock.
Cost: $0
Check out the spectacular footage of the area surrounding Jumping Off Rock Overlook in the YouTube video below:
What a way to end this day of site seeing across South Carolina, spending little more than gas expenses! Have you ever been to any of these amazing sites? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments below. For related content, check out this scenic road trip through South Carolina.
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affordable trips in SC
What are the most beautiful natural wonders in South Carolina?
One of the best ways to experience South Carolina is to explore the great outdoors. The Palmetto State is teeming with gorgeous natural wonders, and each of them is bucket-list-worthy. Some of the best natural wonders in South Carolina include the following:
- Jocassee Gorges
- Hilton Head Island
- The Angel Oak of St. Johns Island
- ACE Basin
- Edisto River
- Raven Cliff Falls
- Carolina Bays
- Boneyard Beach
- Congaree National Park
Is Congaree National Park worth visiting?
Yes! Congaree National Park is a treasure trove of natural beauty. Located just 30 minutes from Columbia, it's the only national park in South Carolina. And the best news of all? It's free to visit! Over half the park's land is considered to be wilderness area, which means it has been thoughtfully preserved. While you're there, be sure to enjoy the park's 20 miles of hiking. One of the best hikes in Congaree National Park is the Boardwalk Loop Trail. This scenic trek is good for most skill levels and is 2.4 miles in length.
What are the best parks in South Carolina?
Some of the best parks to experience in South Carolina include:
- Table Rock State Park, Pickens County, SC
- Caesars Head State Park, Greenville County, SC
- Hunting Island State Park, Beaufort Co., SC
- Lynches River County Park, Florence Co., SC
- Sesquicentennial State Park, Columbia, SC
- Paris Mountain State Park, Greenville, SC
- Andrew Jackson State Park, Lancaster, SC
- Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, Cross Anchor, SC
- Huntington Beach State Park, Georgetown Co., SC