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Charlotte to Atlanta drive is an easy 4-hour hop with much to see. This connects two major cities between Georgia and North Carolina. It also allows you to explore South Carolina.
South Carolina is definitely an underrated state and this road trip allows you to explore it further. There are several cities in South Carolina and Georgia that are fun stops! For a little detour, head into the mountains in North Carolina before heading into Atlanta. But if stops aren’t your speed this is definitely a drive that can be done in one day.
How Long Is The Charlotte To Atlanta Drive?
The drive from Charlotte to Atlanta is 4 hours long. You can visit the South Carolina capital of Columbia for an added hour. Currently, there is a lot of construction on I-85 South which may delay your drive a little. Luckily the construction won’t be forever.
Charlotte To Atlanta Road Trip Route
It’s a straight shot taking I-85 South. Once you get closer to Georgia you’ll exit off I-85S to I-285W then exit GA-400S Towards Atlanta. Finally, GA-9N would drop you off in Atlanta.
Best Stops Along The Drive
Charlotte and Atlanta are big cities with lots to offer. The drive along the way can offer a lot to see and do without much deviation. There are stops in South Carolina and in Georgia. With a little bit of a deviation, you can add an additional stop in South Carolina and Georgia. Finally, with a detour towards the mountain, there is an additional stop in North Carolina.
Check out all the things that makes Atlanta worth visiting!
1. Greenville, SC
Greenville is the first town you pass through on the Charlotte to Atlanta drive. As the “friendliest town in America,” there are many things to do in Greenville as a stop along the drive.
From the quaint Main Street to the outdoor sculpture museum, here are some of our favorite Greenville activities. Head to Main Street and go for a stroll. Go on an “A-Z Food Tour.” This allows you to build your own food tour in Greenville to experience all the different kinds of food they have to offer. Definitely try some pimento cheese!
Additionally, Greenville is very dog friendly! It also has over 20 breweries and a winery. There are even water parks with dog days. Some other unique Greenville activities are the BMW Performance Center to speed drive some BMWs. There’s also Artifact Greenville for some amazing antiques, they also have some chickens running the place.
2. Athens, GA
The hometown of the University of Georgia has a lot to offer. College football is not the only thing Athens has for its many visitors. But there are also many free activities, kid-friendly activities, and romantic outings. Of course, there are many restaurants for foodies.
One of the most popular activities in Athens is the Athens Beer Trail. If you decide to do the trail, then definitely get a passport guide. In each location, you get a stamp, and then at the end, you get your own swag! On Thursdays and Fridays, there is even a free hop-on, hop-off beer trolley.
One of our favorite activities is going to brunch! The top two that come to mind are Mama’s Boy and Big City Bread Cafe. Athens also has their very own chocolate confectionery that is also a must-try.
Finally, some additional activities that don’t include food are the botanical garden, live music, or heading to the art museum. For some fun outdoor activity head to the Firefly Trail. Firefly Trail is home to the world-famous Twilight Cycle.
3. Columbia, SC
Instead of taking the most direct route from Charlotte to Atlanta, drive towards Columbia. The capital of South Carolina AKA Soda City does not disappoint. There are many unique things to do and see for all sorts of travelers.
There are more things to do than there are hours in Columbia during this drive. This is a city that has many festivals, events, and activities. One of my favorite festivals is the summer Tasty Tomato Festival. There are workshops, live music, and mostly lots and lots of tomatoes. Another unique activity is glass-blowing classes with One Eared Cow.
As another agricultural state, the best place to meet locals and enjoy the best food is at the Soda City Farmers Market. This market sells local produce and artisan-made items. It is truly the place to get to know South Carolina.
Some other fun things are the Columbia zoo, Museum of History, and the South’s largest Children’s museum. You can actually get a combined pass with the CoolPass. Additionally, the CulturePass gives a bundle to some additional museums and Historic Columbia.
The food and shopping scene in Columbia is incredible. There are many local shops and restaurants. Pimento Cheese is a way of life in South Carolina so it is definitely a must-try.
Mathias Sandwich Shop is famous for sandwiches, specifically the pimento cheese. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have buffets as well as sandwiches. Higher Ground Char House is known for its handmade burgers. For the ultimate American diner feel head to Zestos.
Where to Stay in Columbia
Since there is so much to do in Columbia, staying here during your Charlotte to Atlanta drive could be a great option.
📍Cambia Hotel – This hotel has 24-hour fitness and is conveniently located in Columbia near several museums and activities.
📍Hotel Trundle – This conveniently located hotel puts you in the middle of Columbia close to all the action. This hotel features a bar.
4. Augusta, GA
Located on the River, Augusta makes the most of their warm weather with lots of outdoor shopping, dining, and activities. The city has got it all. Finally, it is family-friendly and has nightlife, history, food, and many activities.
One of the must-see attractions of Augusta is the indoor wall murals. They are absolutely incredible, there is of course a ton of outdoor murals to explore along the river walk and downtown.
Take yourself outdoors for the scenic Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve. It is an enjoyable 1.9 mile loop, dog friendly too. FATS– Forks Area Trail System – is an intertwined system of trails for 37 miles.
Like we said before, no place is worth visiting without good food! Some notable eats is the Taj of India for some delicious Indian food. Dolce Darlin for some delicious treats and then check out the Dolly Bread! Knuckle Sandwich for some hearty sandwiches. Finally for a hearty family-style restaurant head to Ruth’s Family Restaurant.
5. Asheville, NC
Asheville is tucked away in the mountains and has lots of activities and incredible food. Since its located in the mountains the winter and summer activities can widely differ. I do believe Asheville is a trip on its own.
Check out our post about the best winter activities in Asheville here.
Near Asheville there is the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s an excellent place for sunset picnics overlooking the mountains. There are also many waterfalls in the area. There truly is so much to do.
Some of my favorite places to eat are Chai Pani, Tupelo Honey, Jerusalem Garden Cafe, and The Corner Kitchen. Downtown Asheville has so much to offer. There are also the Biltmore Estates nearby to check out.
Where to Stay in Asheville
📍Renaissance Asheville – Located in the heart of downtown and about 3 minutes from the Biltmore Estates. There are on-site dining options and an indoor pool to lounge by.
📍Cambria Hotel – Located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains and about 2 miles from Biltmore Estates. There are restaurants and a fitness center on-site.
FAQs: Charlotte And Atlanta Road Trip
What is the cheapest way to get from Charlotte to Atlanta?
🚗- By car, you have the price of gas, car maintenance, and any snacks. There are no tolls. Making this the cheapest option.
🚌- By bus its about $120+ for a round trip. There are about 6 bus time options a day. But it is longer than driving.
🛩- By plane its about $130+ for a round trip. There are 11-14 flights between Charlotte and Atlanta every day. But also the most expensive option.
What is the fastest way to get from Charlotte to Atlanta?
🛩- By plane, the flight is just over an hour which makes it the fastest. However, when you factor in the time that you’ll spend at the airport, the drive may be the fastest option.
🚗- By car, the drive is about 4 hours with as many stops as you’d like.
🚌- By bus, the ride is about 6 hours as there are pre-scheduled stops.
Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Charlotte?
According to a cost of living calculator, it is pretty on par to live in Atlanta or Charlotte. Atlanta comes out barely cheaper than Charlotte. Atlanta also has a larger airport with many more flight options. Charlotte is closer to the mountains and beach.
Personally, we live in North Carolina and enjoy the Charlotte area. Charlotte is a younger city. There are more young people and young families living here. This is likely due to the proximity to several universities.
Check out the local day trips from Charlotte!
What is halfway between Atlanta to Charlotte?
Clemson or Anderson South Carolina is halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte. Anderson is right off the highway while Clemson is a little off the highway. Clemson is home to Clemson University and a great college town to visit.
Conclusion: Charlotte To Atlanta Drive
The Charlotte to Atlanta drive can be done in a day or can be done with several fun stops along the way. Both Charlotte and Atlanta are great cities with so much to offer so seeing some of the smaller towns in between can be a great contrast.
There are many ways to get to Atlanta, but I would recommend going by car as it’ll be the fastest, least expensive, and gives you the flexibility to stop in these towns.
