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<\/a><\/a><\/a>Pacific Coast Highway <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
One of the most iconic road trips you can take in the United States, and a classic drive both locals and visitors in California adore, the Pacific Coast Highway is also very customizable and scenic around every bend in the road.<\/strong> Most people consider the PCH just a stretch on the California coast, but by hopping on Highway 1 and Highway 101\u2014the first federal route that connected both Canadian and Mexican borders\u2014you can make it from Washington to Southern California.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people start in the south and work their way north, but if you drive in the other direction, you\u2019ll be on the closest lane to the water. Regardless, you\u2019ll be driving almost always on the coastline and will constantly want to stop to take pictures. See what comes and stop randomly along the way, or preplan your day with time to take in the sights and cities along the way.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n California <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Oregon <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s the scoop on this customized road trip: you\u2019ll have to bring out the map or finagle your phone\u2019s navigation app of choice to follow along on our recommended journey.<\/strong> However, if you simply pop the two cities into your GPS, you\u2019re still going to have a great time with some seriously scenic views.<\/em> The beauty is, you\u2019re covering four states with a ton of amazing destinations you can take a detour to at any point.<\/strong> Plus, you can start in either city since both have airports that offer non-stop flights to many cities around the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For our recommended route, start in Charlotte<\/strong> and head southwest on HWY 85 towards Greenville, SC,<\/strong> before continuing toward Atlanta, GA.<\/strong> Here\u2019s your first choice: you can totally drive through Atlanta, and swing upwards on HWY 75 to Chattanooga, or<\/em>, take our back road recommendation that\u2019ll take you through Clemson<\/strong>, and past beautiful Lake Hartwell<\/strong> and Lake Keowee<\/strong>. You\u2019ll cut through a small portion of northeastern Georgia (HWY 76), but will follow along some mountain roads and past rafters rushing down the Ocoee River <\/strong>(HWY 64 to 74). Definitely take advantage of rest stops along the river to stretch your legs and explore the area. This route will take just over seven hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the way back from Chattanooga, take the northern route through Tennessee and North Carolina. <\/strong>Following the Ocoee River back (HWY 74) will take a little longer, but if you choose to head north to Knoxville, TN, <\/strong>(HWY 75 to 40), you can choose to extend your trip and stop in Pigeon Forge<\/strong> or Gatlinburg<\/a><\/strong> for a day or two of exploring before making the gorgeous drive through the Great Smoky Mountains<\/strong> back into North Carolina. Regardless of which direction you take, HWY 40 will bring you right to Asheville\u2019s doorstep<\/a>, so why not stop for a day or at least for a few hours?<\/strong> Enjoy the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains<\/strong> before heading back down to Charlotte, NC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n North Carolina<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n South Carolina<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Georgia<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tennessee <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking to fully experience the Lowcountry, a trip from Charleston, SC, to Savannah, GA, should be in your future! <\/strong>Taking just under two hours if you don\u2019t make any stops or detours, you\u2019ll pass through idyllic landscapes made up of bright green marsh and clear blue skies. The best news? This route has plenty of opportunities to explore coastal towns and barrier islands to fully immerse yourself in the region\u2019s culture and history.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The fact of the matter is, each town and city within range of this relatively short jaunt between port cities is worth exploring for at least a day or two, so if you only have the weekend to explore, choose carefully! Our favorite stop will always be our lovely, Hilton Head Island, located almost in the middle of two.<\/strong> Palmera Vacation Club members will know that it is worth staying at least a week in, it makes a great starting point for a road trip in either direction! <\/strong>Along the way, we recommend visiting Folly Beach<\/strong>, Beaufort<\/strong>, and Bluffton<\/strong> in addition to Hilton Head Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch this episode of Palmera GO to learn more about exploring the Lowcountry.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n South Carolina <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Georgia <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Find a travel guide on Savannah, Georgia, here. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n If you thought Pacific Coast Highway was on the water, you\u2019ll be amazed by the Overseas Highway in Florida. This Highway 1 connects the Florida Keys from Key Largo all the way to Key West.<\/strong> If bridges make you nervous, this road trip might not be for you, since there are 42 bridges that aren\u2019t too far up over the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The entire drive is just over 2 hours long, so while you don\u2019t have to make the road trip the entire vacation, you can easily take your time either getting to your accommodations or take an afternoon exploring with your rental car. <\/strong>There is one international airport located on Key West that welcomes commercial flights, but many visitors wanting to experience the \u201cHighway to the Sea,\u201d<\/strong> will fly into either Miami<\/strong>, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood<\/strong>, or even other larger airports in Florida to add more stops to their road trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The shortest road trip on our list,<\/strong> this drive is 65 miles long and connects the Cape Cod towns between Sandwich and Orleans.<\/strong> Also known as Route 6A, you\u2019ll be able to explore this National Scenic Byway is historic as it is beautiful, with four centuries of architecture and stretches of coastline to admire. Technically starting and ending in Cape Cod, you are more than welcome to extend the road trip by starting in other locations like Providence or Boston.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n On the bay side of the Cape, you\u2019ll see the historic villages of Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster, and Orleans.<\/strong> As you hop from village to village, you\u2019ll find countless picture-perfect places that\u2019ll you want to break out the camera for, as well as detours to quaint harbors and beaches if you want to walk along the water. Take this leisurely drive if you love finding delicious local eateries, shopping in antique stores, and taking in all of the beautiful traditional Cape Cod houses.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPlaces of Interest:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/a><\/a>Charlotte to Chattanooga Loop <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Places of Interest: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/a><\/a>Charleston to Savannah <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Places of Interest: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/a><\/a>Overseas Highway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Places of Interest: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/a><\/a>Old King’s Highway <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Places of Interest: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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