Will be flying into Jacksonville (arriving about 430pm) and driving to Hilton Head. Figured we'll be tired after flight from west coast so will pick up a car, start our drive, but stay overnite along the way. Is anyone familiar with any of the above towns/cities? Which would you recommend as a stopping place for overnighting, and for a good seafood dinner? Thanks.

The Jax airport is on the north end, so actually very close to St. Marys. I would not waste time there at all...I've lived there before. You could go up to Brunswick but may want to continue on and go to Savannah instead. I do not know updated info on those towns so will let others help you out there.

Suggestions for lodging/restaurants in Brunswick?

There is relatively new Holiday Inn Express off I-95 in Brunswick a few exits north of the GA/FL border which we stayed at in December on our way back from NC. Nice clean room with breakfast. Everything seems cheaper in Georgia..gas hotels.

Savannah is only two hours from the JAX airport and I'd think would be neater than the towns mentioned, but of course, once you've gotten that far, you are only an hour from Hilton Head! The drive from JAX airport to Savannah is so easy. There's a connector to the interstate and you never even come close to downtown JAX. The trip is 100% interstate. When we lived in Savannah we often got better fares flying from there than from Savannah, and really didn't think twice about the drive. Remember, your bodies will be on west coast time so 4:30 will be 12:30 for you all.

I guess if I were to stop anywhere, it'd be St Simons or that area. There isn't a heck of a lot in St Marys, and Brunswick always struck me as industrial.

Anyway you do it, I do have one tip. State police patrol I-95 very heavily, hunkering down in bushes so don't speed. Our rule is 9 mph over the limit, and so far so good.

About what time does it get dark (arriving on August 18th) and will be doing the drive myself so would prefer to stop somewhere before it gets dark.

Sunset is 8:10, but there is a fair amount of daylight still after that point.

Any restaurant suggestions in Savannah - yes, Eliz. on 37th - any others? Any feedback on Bistro Savannah?

I think I will just "wing" it when I arrive into JAX. Get the rental car, and just drive until I get tired and then find a motel. Thanks for your suggestions.