A 3-day nature-and-history drive from Carnegie, PA to St. Augustine, FL via I-77 and I-95.
Estimated cost
$610estimated total
Stays
$190
Fuel
$135
Food
$105
Other
$180
Estimates generated at planning time — your actual costs may vary.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
495 km5h 3mDepart 08:00
Start
PA, USA
Drive 355 km in ~3h 15min via I-79 S and US-19 S from Carnegie
342 km3h 19m
1
Attraction
New River Gorge Bridge Overlook
Lansing, United States
11:15–12:451h 30m here
Iconic gorge and bridge photo viewpoint
Great for nature photography; use the Canyon Rim lot and bring a wide lens for bridge scale.
Drive 4.5 km in ~5 min via US-19 S into Fayetteville
5 km5m
2
Food
Pies & Pints - Fayetteville, WV
Fayetteville, United States
13:00–14:001h here$18
Local pizza spot near the gorge
Casual budget lunch after the overlook; try a slice combo and park on Maple Ave if the lot is full.
Drive 34 km in ~27 min via US-19 S and I-77 S
34 km27m
3
Attraction
Tamarack Marketplace
Beckley, United States
14:50–16:051h 15m here$10
West Virginia crafts and regional food hall
Good history-food stop for Appalachian crafts; compact hatchback parking is easy near the main entrance.
Drive 115 km in ~1h 12min via I-77 S and I-81 S
115 km1h 12m
4
Overnight
Sleep Inn Wytheville I-77 and I-81
Wytheville, United States
18:00–19:001h here$85
Budget roadside hotel by I-77
Efficient overnight on the corridor; refuel nearby tonight before the longer Carolina leg.
Day 2
1,714 km16h 27mDepart 08:00
Check out of Sleep Inn Wytheville I-77 and I-81; drive 113 km in ~1h 11min via I-77 S and US-52 S
113 km1h 11m
5
Attraction
Pilot Mountain State Park
Pinnacle, United States
10:00–12:002h here
Scenic summit views and short trails
Fits nature and photography without a long hike; arrive early for summit parking and clearer views.
Drive 74 km in ~1h via US-52 S and I-285 S
74 km49m
6
Food
Lexington Barbecue
Lexington, United States
13:00–14:001h here$18
Classic North Carolina barbecue stop
Regional food landmark on-route; order chopped pork with red slaw for the local style.
Drive 760 km in ~7h 22min via I-85 S and I-77 S
760 km7h 22m
7
Attraction
Riverwalk Park
Columbia, United States
16:10–17:251h 15m here
Relaxed riverside walk and photo stop
Easy sunset-season nature break; park at the Candi Lane entrance for quick river access.
Drive 768 km in ~7h 6min via I-126 W and I-26 W
768 km7h 6m
8
Overnight
Red Roof Inn Columbia, SC Airport
West Columbia, United States
17:55–18:551h here$80
Budget motel near I-26 and I-20
Budget overnight with easy highway access; choose west-side lodging to avoid downtown parking costs.
Day 3
585 km6h 10mDepart 08:00
Check out of Red Roof Inn Columbia West, SC; drive 35 km in ~28 min via SC-48 E and Old Bluff Rd
35 km28m
9
Attraction
Harry Hampton Visitor Center
Hopkins, United States
08:45–10:452h here
Old-growth floodplain forest boardwalk
Peaceful nature and cypress photos; wear repellent and check flood levels before walking the boardwalk.
Drive 70 km in ~1h via SC-48 W and US-601 S
67 km55m
10
Food
Dukes Bar-B-Que | Orangeburg
Orangeburg, United States
11:45–12:451h here$16
Local buffet-style barbecue stop
Low-cost local cuisine break; try hash and rice, a South Carolina Midlands staple.
Drive 180 km in ~2h 15min via I-26 E and I-95 S
193 km1h 56m
11
Attraction
Forsyth Park
Savannah, United States
15:00–16:151h 15m here$5
Historic square park with fountain photos
Adds history and classic photo scenes; use a nearby garage because street spots fill fast in September weekends.
Drive 285 km in ~2h 30min via I-95 S to St. Augustine
289 km2h 47m
12
Attraction
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
St. Augustine, United States
18:45–20:452h here$15
Spanish fort at the final destination
Essential St. Augustine history stop; evening light is best outside, and the nearby garage simplifies parking.
Finish
FL, USA
Before you go
Local tips
- 1Refuel around Wytheville or Columbia before long rural interstate stretches; prices often beat coastal Florida.
- 2Reach Pilot Mountain before midday because summit parking can fill on pleasant September weekends.
- 3Check Congaree flood and mosquito alerts the night before; switch to the visitor center exhibits if trails flood.
- 4Use Savannah city garages rather than hunting street parking; a hatchback fits easily and saves time.
- 5Photograph Castillo de San Marcos from the seawall near golden hour before touring the fort area.
Good to know
- 1Expect toll-free main routing, but budget for paid city parking in Savannah and St. Augustine.
- 2September is hurricane season in Georgia and Florida; monitor forecasts and avoid flooded coastal streets.
- 3I-77 mountain sections in WV/VA can have fog and heavy truck traffic; keep extra following distance.
- 4Congaree trails may flood after storms, and mosquitoes can be intense in warm September weather.
- 5Speed enforcement is common on I-95 through South Carolina and Georgia construction zones.
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