6 Most Scenic Drives in Georgia

There's nothing quite like hitting the road, especially when that road is a scenic Georgia highway. From the Appalachian Mountains of the north to the coastal plains in the south, the state’s beautiful drives are a great way to see its stunning scenery, meet its people, and experience some of its vivid heritage and culture. Cruising around Georgia also provides a fun introduction to its many charming small towns where classic Antebellum architecture meets old-fashioned Southern hospitality.

Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway

This 56-mile route through northwest Georgia only takes an hour or so, but you’ll want to stretch it out and make this beautiful byway last. Starting in Cohutta, the drive winds through the dense canopy of the Chattahoochee National Forest and several small towns before reaching its end at Ellijay.

Notable stops along the way include Prater’s Mill Historic Site. The mill was built in 1855 and is now a popular recreational area where you can explore hiking trails, nature walks, fishing, and picnic grounds. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk, year-round. You’ll find more history at the Chief Vann House State Historic Site, a Cherokee plantation home built in 1804. Self-guided tours of the beautifully restored mansion are available from Thursday to Sunday. Nearby Fort Mountain State Park is another popular spot boasting 27 miles of hiking and biking trails and a crystal clear 17-acre lake.

Historic Dixie Highway

The 62-mile-long Historic Dixie Highway covers a section of the first interstate highway to link north and south in the early 1900s. The route starts in the timless town of Albany and travels south to Thomasville, which has many fascinating attractions and picturesque views along the way. Just south of Albany, you’ll find one of Georgia’s natural wonders, the Radium Springs Gardens, where gallons of clear, warm water flow from an underground cave.

The highway runs through the towns of Baconton, Camilla, and Pelham - all of which have Commercial Historic Districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Check out the imposing McRae Hall in Camilla, an elegant 1907 mansion, and the town’s tree-lined Courthouse Square Park. Several of the earliest train depots are also dotted along the route, including those in the quaint towns of Meigs and Ochlocknee.

Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway

Cruise through 65 miles of rolling farmland on the Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway. This beautiful, pastoral route takes you into the heart of rural South Georgia through the small towns of Hawkinsville, Pineview, Rochelle, and Abbeville. The route runs from Hawkinsville to Abbeville and is lined with horse pastures, pecan groves, and key heritage sites. If you’ve time, stop for a look around the Old Opera House in Hawkinsville and wander the town’s historic district. For a sweet treat, stop by the family-owned Copeland Strawberry Farm in Rochelle, where you can pick your own fruit.

Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway

The 17-mile Altamaha Historic Scenic Byway, which runs along State Route 99 and US Highway 17, runs parallel to Georgia’s Atlantic coastline, showing off the best of the state’s coastal ecosystems, heritage sites, and coastal attractions. The byway runs from Meridian, south through Darien, and towards Sapelo Island. It passes the Fort King George State Historic Site, the oldest remaining British fort on Georgia’s coast, where you can tour barracks built in 1721, visit the gift shop, or explore the site’s beautiful nature trail. Also on the route is the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation on the Altamaha River, dating back to the 1800s when the coastal marshes were worked as rice plantations. The site is now a museum and visitors center.

Meriwether-Pike Scenic Byway

Spanning 55 miles, the Meriwether-Pike Scenic Byway takes visitors on a scenic loop, starting and ending in the timless town of Warm Springs, where you’ll find The Little White House — built by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932 who came to the springs hoping to find a cure for his Polio. The house is now open to the public as a museum and heritage site. Just outside the town of Woodbury, there’s another local landmark, the Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge. An ideal spot for a vacation photo shoot, this rustic bridge was built in the 1840s and is the oldest and longest-covered bridge in Georgia. Continue north to the town of Gay, a tranquil farming community. Make a pitstop and fuel up at the Towerhouse Farm Brewery, which serves hearty meals and craft beers.

Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway

For dazzling views of the southern Appalachians, take the 40.6-mile Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway through northeast Georgia. This stunning highway meanders through valleys, climbs gentle mountain peaks, and runs alongside rippling alpine streams. The route is a loop, beginning and ending just north of Robertstown on State Highway 75. For the best views, stop at Brasstown Bald, the highest point in the state at over 4,000ft above sea level. An observation deck offers 360-degree views at cloud level, and if the weather cooperates, you can see four states. The Visitors Centre also contains natural history exhibits, a gift shop, and hiking trails to the mountain’s summit. For more beautiful views, stop at Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area north of Helen. The falls plunge 150ft into a rocky gorge, best seen from the area’s moderate-level hiking trail, which also offers views of Mount Yonah in the distance.

Explore the Peach State's Scenic Drives

Picture yourself on the open road, the scent of Georgia orchards in the warm air, sun-drenched rolling hills speeding by, towering Appalachian peaks on the horizon. If you’re looking to get away from it all and enjoy the peaceful tranquility of southern scenery, Georgia is the ultimate vacation destination. With coastal plains, alpine peaks, lush farmlands, and thick forests, the state is breathtaking in every season, whether you’re enjoying the fall colors or soaking up the summer sun. Take a drive in Georgia, and it’ll lead you to new experiences, new views and vistas, and new friends.