Road trip Canton, GA to Charleston, SC
 

We're planning on renting a car next May after visiting with our son in Canton, GA. We would like to end up in Charleston and fly home from there. My question is if we have about 5 days for the trip how many days should we spend on stops, like Savannah, I would like to see Hilton Head my maybe we should just drive through on our way to Charleston. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

Driving through Hilton Head is the best idea--or just not at all.
I would go to Charleston for 3 days and Savannah for 2, driving back to the airport from there.

That is a good plan.

If you do want to stop along the way, there are things to see. Lots of ideas in Atlanta obviously, but Canton to the coast is not a bad drive.

I would drive from Canton to Savannah - because it's closer - and then a stop in HHI before continuing to Charleston.

I agree - that's a better route. Is there some specific reason you want to stop in HHI? It's great for a long beach vacation, but not really good for a day trip IMO.

OK, I will skip Hilton Head, just hear that's it's beautiful so thought we would see it but since everyone disagrees we will skip it. Should we spend 1 night in Savannah, 1 in Beauford and 3 in Charleston, or 2 nights Savannah and 3 Charleston??

You can do a drive-through Hilton Head if you want. You won't see much because of the way HHI is arranged. You'll see a lot of entrances to "plantations" or communities but it looks like driving past a series of suburban gated communities. Not much to see. The beach itself is fine, but no prettier than the other coastal island beaches in GA/SC. I wouldn't spend the night in Beaufort, SC. Split the 2/3 nights either Savannah/Charleston or Charleston/Savannah. Either way is fine. I would base that on the cost(s) of the hotels in each location and/or the time of your flight out the last day.

I'd do 2 nights Savannah and 3 Charleston.

If you decide you want to drive through HHI, drive down to Coligny Circle, turn right, pay the $6 gate fee to enter Sea Pines and you'll drive through some of the most beautiful natural areas on the east coast (though you won't see the beach). Stop at South Beach Marina for some touristy shops or a 1-hour dolphin viewing trip on Commander Zodiac's small boats. Eat lunch in Sea Pines, or if you're early enough, on the way off the island at Skull Creek Boathouse.

To me, this diversion isn't really worth the extra travel time, but it may be to you. If you just want to see the beach, it would be easier just to drive out to Tybee (Savannah) or Isle of Palms or Folly (Charleston).