Is it time to start planning your road trip through the American South?
With its central location in southeastern USA, Atlanta is a great place from which to start an adventure across the American South and beyond. Known as the “Capital of the New South”, this modern exciting city has a rich history and a thriving cultural scene.
Beyond the city limits, Atlanta also serves as a gateway to diverse landscapes and exciting towns and cities. Whether you’re interested in the great outdoors, history, music or simply soaking up the famed southern hospitality, Atlanta is an ideal starting point.
With affordable car rental prices and accessible pick-ups in and around the city your adventure through the American South is just a few clicks away.
Here are ten of the best road trips from Atlanta to fire up your imagination!
Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC
The Great Smoky Mountains are one of the most enchanting and biodiverse regions in the United States. Straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, the mist-shrouded peaks and dense forests of the region are a hiker’s paradise.
Cades Cove is a picturesque valley within the park, where you can enjoy a scenic drive with panoramic views across the mountains. Another place to enjoy outstanding views is Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park. The town of Pigeon Forge is a year-round vacation destination and is famously the home of Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park, Gatlingburg is a popular resort destination with a wide choice of accommodation. Maggie Valley is popular with winter sports and motorcycling enthusiasts.
Covering over 500,000 acres of Southern Appalachian wilderness on one of the oldest uplands on earth, the Great Smoky Mountains are one of the great road trips from Atlanta.
- Total Driving Distance: 250 Miles (402km)
- Driving time: 4 to 5 Hours
Savannah, GA
Savannah, a coastal city in southern Georgia separated from South Carolina by the Savannah River, is widely regarded as one of the gems of the South. With its charming cobblestone streets, antebellum architecture and historic squares, Savannah is a lively mix of the new and the old. Well-preserved 18th and 19th-century buildings draped in Spanish moss help to set the mood, and its 22 historic squares are great places to relax under the shade of oak trees.
Savannah is a fascinating city to explore and also boasts a lively arts and culture scene. River Street, with its cobblestone walkways along the Savannah River, is a bustling waterfront area lined with shops, restaurants, and galleries. In the Historic District, you can take a guided tour of the city’s past, including its role in the Civil War. As a city with a turbulent history, there are also plenty of ghost stories.
The old and new south come together in Savannah, making it a fascinating stop on road trips from Atlanta.
- Total Driving Distance: 270 Miles (435km)
- Driving Time: 4 to 5 Hours
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga has been called the most revitalised city in America and it’s not hard to see why. This lively southern city, nestled along the Tennessee River, has a lively atmosphere, waterfront parks, historic architecture and a growing cultural scene. The Hunter Museum of American Art, situated on the bluff of the Tennesse River, showcases a diverse collection of American art from the colonial period to the present.
Along the riverfront you’ll find the Tennesse Aquarium, providing an immersive journey through underwater ecosystems. Chattanooga’s rich Civil War history is reflected in sites like the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Beyond the city, there’s a host of outdoor activities to enjoy from hiking through the mountains to whitewater rafting, caving and stand-up paddle boarding. Lookout Mountain offers hiking trails and an iconic Incline Railway.
- Total Driving Distance: 130 Miles
- Driving Time: 2.5 Hours
Nashville, TN
No visit to the American South is complete without a visit to Nashville. This is the country music capital of the world, and is often referred to as “Music City, USA”. The city’s iconic Broadway Street is a mecca for music enthusiasts, lined with honky-tonk bars and live music venues showcasing the talents of aspiring and established musicians. Visitors can explore the historic Ryman Auditorium, known as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” where legendary artists like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash have graced the stage. You can learn more about the legends of the genre at The Country Music Hall of Fame
The city’s culinary scene has gained plaudits over recent years, with traditional Southern fare mingling with international and innovative options. The Gulch district and history Germantown neighbourhoods are home to trendy boutiques, cafes and art galleries. Nashville is a great place for anyone with a love of live music, but there’s more to this city than six-string guitars.
- Total Driving Distance: 250 Miles (400km)
- Driving Time: 3.5m to 4.5 Hours
Charleston, SC
With its rich past and vibrant present, Charleston, South Carolina is Southern charm and beauty personified. Known for its well-preserved architecture, cobblestone streets, and antebellum elegance, Charleston is a city that people fall in love with.
The Historic District, with its pastel-painted homes, lush gardens and iconic landmarks like Rainbow Row, are perfect for a relaxed stroll. Along the scenic Cooper River, you’ll find the city’s Waterfront Park with its famous Pineapple Fountain. Boone Hall and Middleton Place provide insights into the complexities of life on a Southern plantation. King Street is lined with great shops, galleries and places to eat and drink. The city’s culinary fusion of Southern comfort food with outside influences has created a buzz beyond the state boundaries.
Charleston is a city that seamlessly blends the history of the South with the vibrancy of the present and is a favourite on road trips from Atlanta.
- Total Driving Distance: 330 Miles (530km)
- Driving Time: 5 Hours
Gulf Shores, AL
Gulf Shores is a sun-kissed resort city where Alabama meets the Gulf of Mexico. It’s loved for its warm turquoise water and white sandy beaches, offering miles of shoreline for visitors to relax, play, swim and soak up the sunshine. On the main public beach, you’ll find The Hangout, a popular seafood restaurant and entertainment venue that hosts an annual music festival. Whether you want to build sandcastles, take leisurely walks along the shoreline, or enjoy activities like kayaking and paddleboarding, Gulf Shores lets you do it.
As well as all the fun of a seaside resort, Gulf Shores is also the gateway to the Gulf State Park, a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. It encompassed miles of hiking and cycling trails, a fishing pier, as well as opportunities for birdwatching. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and the Gulf Shore Museum are great places to visit when you need a break from the beach. Gulf Shores is a classic Gulf Coast getaway suitable for all ages.
- Total Driving Distance: 360 Miles (483km)
- Driving Time: 5 to 6 Hours
Helen, GA
High in the mountains of Georgia, you’ll find a little slice of Alpine Europe. Helen is a quirky Bavarian-style resort town in the Blue Ridge Mountains that celebrates its German heritage. Complete with colourful, timber-framed buildings and cobblestone streets, Helen hosts its own Oktoberfest every autumn and has been voted the No1 Christmas Town in America. Situated along the banks of the Chattahoochee River, it’s a pleasant place to go for a stroll or enjoy riverside dining. In the town, you’ll find shops aimed squarely at visitors selling Bavarian-themed goods, from cuckoo clocks to lederhosen.
Helen’s location in the mountains means it’s a centre for outdoor activities. The nearby Unicoi State Park offers hiking trails, a serene lake, and opportunities for camping and fishing. In the fall, the landscape is transformed into a riot of seasonal colour, making it a perfect backdrop for scenic drives along the winding mountain roads.
- Total Driving Distance: 95 Miles (153km)
- Driving Time: 1.5 to 2 Hours
Montgomery, AL
For a fascinating journey into the history of the South, head for Montgomery, the capital of Alabama. The city played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement, and landmarks and museums compellingly tell the story. The Rosa Parks Museum pays tribute to the civil rights icon and showcases the events of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights. Visitors can explore the Dexter Parsonage Museum, the former home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., where he lived while serving as the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. The church itself, located steps away from the parsonage, was a focal point for civil rights activities, and its pulpit was a platform for Dr. King’s influential speeches.
As well as its historical legacy, modern Montgomery is a lively, diverse and vibrant city with theatres, galleries and a growing restaurant scene. The revitalised downtown area features the Alabama State Capitol, the Civil Rights Memorial, and the Legacy Museum.
Combining history, with culture and great food, a visit to Montgomery is increasingly popular on road trips from Atlanta.
- Total Driving Distance: 175 Miles (282km)
- Driving Time: 3 Hours
Tallulah Gorge State Park, GA
The deep canyons of Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia have been captivating visitors for centuries. One of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern part of the country, Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Once crossed by legendary tightrope walkers, visitors can still see towers used by Karl Wallenda a German-American high-wire artist.
Majestic cascading waterfalls tumble down to the Tallulah River, daring climbers attempt the rocky cliffs, and hiking trails lead on through the lush greenery to panoramic viewpoints. The suspension bridge spanning the gorge provides visitors with dramatic videos as they peer down into the depths below. The challenging Hurricanes Falls Trail leads hikers on an adventure around the gorge, and the Gorge Floor Trail gives access to the canyon floor, where visitors can feel the spray of water from the rushing river. The park’s interpretive centre gives visitors a deeper insight into the park’s flora, fauna and geological history.
This is a natural wonder that you won’t want to miss.
- Total Driving Distance: 100 Miles (161km)
- Driving Time: 2 Hours
Athens, GA
Athens is the cool, cultural capital of Georgia and a favourite among road trips from Atlanta. Home to the state’s flagship university, Athens is sometimes known as the “Classic City” due to its architecture and association with classical learning. The historic downtown area is vibrant, diverse mixture of antebellum architecture, independent shops, and great dining options. This is a city with a proud musical heritage, producing famous bands like R.E.M. and the B-52s, and there’s a host of live music venues where you can catch a band. Annual events like the Athens Film Festival draw crowds.
The Georgia Museum of Art, housed on the university campus, showcases a collection that spans from classical to contemporary works. As well as culture, there are green spaces galore in Athens, with parks, and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia to explore. Blending intellectual pursuits, artistic endeavours, and Southern hospitality, Athen is one of America’s lesser-known gems.
- Total Driving Distance: 80 Miles (129km)
- Driving Time: 1.5 Hours
Is It Time To Start Planning Your Great Southern Road Trip
America’s South is a culturally diverse, vibrant and fascinating region, filled with stunning natural landscapes, quirky towns and historic cities. It’s the perfect territory for an adventure.
Cheaper Than Cars makes it easy to find the right car for your journey. With vehicles for every budget and accessible pick-up locations, your road trip from Atlanta is just a few clicks away.
