7 Great Road Trips to Take in Georgia
Georgia’s scenic landscapes are truly mesmerizing, and road trips offer a unique way of enjoying as many sights and sweet experiences as possible in a few hours. With the Blue Ridge Mountains on one side and the gorgeous Atlantic Coast on the other, there are plenty of views to take in and sensations to relish. As the drive winds through these landscapes, be sure to slide down the windows to take in everything from sights to sounds and sensations. For a more immersive experience, stop by rivers, lakes, foothills of mountains, beautiful beaches, rolling hills, and quaint towns to savor the myriad of temptations in them. With that said, here are seven great stretches of roads in the Peach State to explore now.
Savannah to Jekyll Island
Savannah to Jekyll Island is a fascinating and quick trip visitors to the state’s oldest city would love. Stretching for about 95 miles, this drive follows route I-95 south and goes through the towns of Richmond Hill, Darien, and Brunswick until it reaches the entrance to Jekyll Island State Park. Make the drive memorable by exploring some of the top attractions on the way, like Forsyth Park in Savannah, Fort McAllister State Park in Richmond Hill, B&J’s Steaks & Seafood in Darien, and Sansavilla Wildlife Management Area in Brunswick. Whether it's a hearty meal or some outdoor fun, these spots have got you covered.
Once you arrive at Jekyll Island, visit the Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum for an immersion in the area’s rich history dating back centuries. Next, head to the island’s 10 miles of shoreline to stroll on the sand, soak in views of the Atlantic Ocean, ride horses, ride bikes, and play at the water park. Don’t forget to enjoy waterfront dining at the Wharf Restaurant and also see sea turtles at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.
Atlanta to Pine Mountain
One of the best road trip experiences out of Atlanta is driving to the town of Pine Mountain, home to the magnificent Callaway Gardens. The trip is almost 80 miles long and takes less than two hours to complete. However, it offers a blissful scenic indulgence featuring some of nature’s finest landscapes in Georgia and some historic attractions. Travelers will bypass beautiful towns and cities like La Grange, Warm Springs, and Lithia Springs. Interesting stops and detours along the route include Panola Mountain State Park, Saltwater Creek State Park, and Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary (slight detour), among others. Each offers a unique insight into Georgia’s outdoors so road trippers can choose the one that best matches their route. On arriving at Pine Mountain, the experience goes up a notch with many fascinating attractions to explore, such as the Callaway Gardens and Wild Animal Safar. These attractions all feature mind-blowing sights, adventurous activities, dining experiences, and recreational pursuits.
Interstate 185
The Interstate 185 highway heads north from Columbus towards La Grange and offers Columbus residents an escape from its hustle and bustle while serving as an alternative to route I-85. This road trip is particularly fit for those seeking to bond with nature as it weaves through the natural scenery of elegant trees, creeks, and pine mountains for the most part. The highway runs for nearly 50 miles, incorporating Muscogee, Harris, and Troup counties, including a few scenic small towns. It begins with a historic attraction - Fort Moore in Columbus- and travels through a series of creeks, highlighting the natural essence of this route for nature lovers. Some of these creeks include Bull, Lindsey, Mulberry, Little, Mountain Oak, Ingram, and House Creeks. While there aren’t many towns along the route, it only spans an hour, so adventurers can grab a bite near the end in La Grange, which boasts delicious spots like Brickhouse Grille and Karvelas Pizza Co.
Georgia’s Antebellum Trail
The Georgia Antebellum Trail is a 100-mile route that immerses travelers in the historical and architectural grandeur of the state. Travelers will drive past historic small towns brimming with iconic Antebellum mansions that narrate tales of bygone eras. Nature will also reveal itself in various ways along the route, with a critical point of interest at Lake Oconee, where travelers can stop to enjoy the views, fish, boat, and kayak on the water. The Antebellum Trail begins from the city of Athens and heads south, passing through towns such as Eatonton, Watkinsville, Madison, Old Clinton, Milledgeville, and Macon. Highlights and interesting stops include Eagle Tavern Museum (Watkinsville), Church-Waddel-Brumby-House Museum (Athens), Georgia’s Writers Museum (Eatonton), and Lake Oconee. If you have some extra time, take the Historic District Tour in Eatonton to experience history at its finest.
Historic Dixie Highway Scenic Byway
The Historic Dixie Highway Scenic Byway runs 62 miles across historic, natural, and cultural attractions. History buffs can see this road trip as a unique and refined historic immersion while hopping towns in Dougherty, Mitchell, and Thomas counties. The route begins from Albany to Thomasville, passing through towns such as Camilla, Baconton, Meigs, Pelham, and Ochlocknee, all lavishly endowed with historic sites like train depots, landmarks, and mansions. One notable landmark is The Bridge House, an 1858 landmark near the start of this route. Further along, plenty of natural areas shine, such as Riverfront Park in Albany and the Flint Riverquarium are other attractions and charming sights on the route.
After ending the trip to Thomasville, leverage your free time before returning to Albany to explore this historic and beautiful town. The town is full of restaurants where one can enjoy meals and local shops for purchasing souvenirs. Empire Bagel & Delicatessen is great for a quick bite, while Rock Bottom Seafood & Grill will surely fill your belly for the ride back.
Woodpecker Trail
The Woodpecker Trail was named after the massive assemblage of woodpeckers that dominate the pine forests along it. This scenic drive travels through Georgia State Routes 25/121 for 204 miles, beginning from Augusta to Folkston. It is one of the oldest planned routes and most scenic drives in the U.S., making it more historic and charming. Travelers will pass through the beautiful towns of Augusta, Homeland, Folkston, Waynesboro, Metter, and Reidsville, where they can stop, explore these towns, eat, and rest. A great rest stop along this route is the Camino Real Mexican Restaurant in Waynesboro, known for its delicious food and ambiance.
Further highlights to experience on the route include the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Folkston, which is home to many endangered bird species like woodpeckers, cranes, and robins. The Guido Gardens in Metter is a recommended stop to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of waterfalls, brooks, and flowers, while a praying chapel is available 24 hours a day. Also, check out the 928 Lumber Commissary along the shores of a pretty lake, which houses the Metter Town Welcome Center.
Atlanta to Tallulah Gorge State Park
Just 97 miles north of Atlanta lies one of Georgia’s most iconic attractions, Tallulah Gorge State Park. Covering an area of more than 2,600 acres, this park preserves a two-mile-long, nearly 1,000-foot-deep gorge sliced through by the Tallulah River. The gorge also hosts the picturesque Tallulah Falls while offering opportunities for kayaking, white water rafting, picnicking, swimming, rock climbing, camping, fishing, hiking, and biking. To get to this park from Atlanta, drive north on routes I-85 and I-985 to Gainesville, then continue on US-23. The journey takes less than two hours to complete; it can consume far more time as there are plenty of things to see along the way. A few to check out include - The Orient Garden Restaurant in Suwanee (offering incredible Chinese meals) and the Quinlan Visual Arts Center and Green Street Historical District in Gainesville.
At Tallulah Gorge, travelers will be met with a world of adventures and natural beauty, especially around the six waterfalls known as Tallulah Falls. Get the best views of the park by hiking the two-mile Hurricane Falls Loop Trail, which descends to the gorge floor and leads to the powerful Hurricane Falls after crossing a beautiful suspension bridge. Other hikes to explore in the park include - the Shortline Trail (2.8 miles round trip) and High Bluff Trail (5 miles). Don’t forget to swim at Bridal Veil Falls before leaving.
Conclusion
Soak in nature’s raw beauty, embark on adventures in diverse landscapes, experience culinary wonders, and relate with locals on a road trip across the enchanting terrains of Georgia. Drive past some of the state's most prestigious landmarks and landscapes that ignite awe and appreciation for nature, and take in some of these views with a camera. Whether on the Woodpecker Trail or Interstate 185, each road trip is a blissful memory. Plus, there is no shortage of things to do along these scenic drives, and the trips can pass for full-fledged vacations.
