Charlotte to Charleston
 

Will be staying in Isle of Palm/ Charleston in July. The airfares seem to be cheaper to fly into Charlotte (almost 1/2). So we are considering flying to Charlotte and driving to Charleston. I have read the drive is about 3 hours. Could anyone suggest any great places to stop on the way to Charleston, preferably halfway to make the drive more fun. WE have two girls ages 13 and 8.
Thank you.

I don't know about great but Columbia, SC is one thought - they have a zoo and the State museum that I think has some hands on stuff for kids. Alternatively, bring your DVD player and just drive straight through!

I live in Charlotte and drive all the time to Charleston to visit my parents. It's an easy drive. You could stop in Columbia (1/2 way), but there is not anything exciting there unless you want to take the time to do the zoo or musuem as leahinsc suggested. I think those two things are both really good.
There are a few cool places where you could eat and walk around in Five Points near downtown Columbia, but it's not convenient to the interstate. There is a good place called The Gourmet Shop I think. I'd just drive straight through or stop for a quick lunch off of the interstate.
For a quick lunch stop, off of I-77, take Garner's Ferry road (exit 9 I think) to the right. There's a Panera Bread a mile or so down and plenty of other fast food choices. If you continue on Garner's Ferry for about 10 minutes maybe, you'll head into the Five Points area I mentioned which is near the university. I'm not too familiar with that area. The road names may change.
Otherwise, take the Forest Drive exit (#11 or 12 I think) for other fast food choices.

Try an airfare to Savannah. We got the best deal to fly there for our trip to Charleston this June from Boston.

Sorry I meant July !!!!

How far is the drive from Savannah?

About 2 1/2 hours. Check out www.mapquest.com for distances and drive times.

You may also want to try Greensboro, NC. It is almost always cheaper to fly to GSO rather than Charlotte. I'm not sure of the driving distance, though.

The good thing about flying into Charlotte is that it will probably be a non-stop (ergo, shorter trip). The drive to Charleston from Charlotte is so "direct" that just going straight there would be my choice. Spend the time in Charleston. Don't miss the aquarium!

Thank you everybody. Actually I got a great rate today through Independence Air straight into Charleston! Yeaaahhh