We have concrete plans for vacation in Charleston SC from November 5th through the 12th. We will be flying home from Raleigh, NC on the 14th, which leaves us 2 days for driving from Charleston to Raleigh.

We would appreciate any suggestions for the most scenic/ interesting route as well as whether it’s preferable to reach Raleigh as quickly as possible and spend the remaining time there (How?). Thank you much.

A quick suggestion--the Monet in Normandy exhibition opens Oct. 17 and
the previews are superb. This show will only be seen in 3 places in the US and will be worth a visit.

Sorry--it is a the North Carolina Museum of Art on Blue Ridge Road.
If you're into sports, catch a football
game since NC State, UNC, and Duke are
within 25 miles of each other. The Carolina Hurricanes have hockey exhibition matches then as well.

How about these plans for Raleigh? See the Monet exhibition that Pilgrim mentioned and then go to a hockey game. November 13 is a Monday, so the museum shouldn't be overly crowded. The two are literally right down the street from one another (about a 2-3 minute drive minus thick traffic). Regular season for the Hurricanes starts this week. November 13 could be a super game, as the Canes square off again against Buffalo in a rematch of last years hard-fought semi-final round. You may want to get tickets ahead of time, but there might be a few left on game day.

The museum isn't open on Mondays. Maybe early Tuesday before the flight.

This is a special exhibit and costs $$ ($15 adults, $12 students), the rest of the museum is free.

You realize this is only a four hour drive tops and you can make it in under four? Stretching it out for two days just doesn't make sense to me.

I would just skip the sightseeing and haul ass down to Charleston via I-40 to I-95 to I-26.

I would spend the extra two days driving to Savannah from Charleston or staying in Charleston.

Saba,

as far as getting to Raleigh from Charleston . . .

the quick (most unscenic)way would be to take 26 West from Charleston to I-95 North (extreme yuck) and then take I-40 West to Raleigh. You can do mapquest to get a decent time estimate, but I'm guessing it's under 5 hours.

If you want to take a more leisurely route, I suggest taking Hwy 17 North from Charleston. About 2 hours into your drive you'll hit Georgetown, which has a nice little waterfront (river, not ocean), and a great restaurant for lunch, The Rice Paddy.

From there, continue north on 17 and you could take a little tour of Pawleys Island and/or a little further up the road you could stop at Brookgreen Gardens, awesome. Alternatively, you might find Murrells Inlet interesting--beautiful marsh views and some great casual seafood places/bars.

I suggest by-passing Myrtle Beach (great to stay at but not really a drive by and look kind of place) by taking Hwy 544 West a short distance to pick up Hwy 31 (Carolina Bays Parkway). Hwy 31 basically by-passes Myrtle Beach and puts you near Little River (which has a great little restaurant/bar called the Cockney Cheddar at its waterfront--best fish & chips I've had in the states). When Hwy 31 ends, take Hwy 9 East towards Little River & Wilmington (& the sign may say toward Myrtle Beach, that's ok, you won't go that far). From Hwy 9, bear right after you pass the medical center to get back onto Hwy 17 North. That will take you through Little River that I just mentioned.

The reason I am taking you on 17 is because it is interesting. Interstates are not. Also, I am thinking you could stay the night in or near Wilmington NC, a great little port city. Two choices: either stay in Wilmington's historic waterfront area (lots of neat shops and galleries and several very good restaurants, including the Pilot House with a deck overlooking the Cape Fear River). Or if you want a little beach fix, drive about 30 minutes to Wrightsville Beach.

Wilmington has great access to Raleigh via I-40 West. It should take you 3 hours or less.

Have a great trip!