Roadtrip in the South. Help on when to go!
 

My husband and I are trying to plan a trip to the south. Not 100% on the states but we are thinking Louisiana, North and South Carolina, Georgia and maybe Mississippi and Alabama. The part that is holding us up is when to go. We can't figure out when the best time would be. We are deciding between Sept or Oct. I like the heat more then the cold and humidity doesn't bother me. My husband likes it a little cooler but is willing to go whenever. What I am looking for is hot but not too hot that we can't function. I want to experience the south the way I see it in my head, humid with a mint julep in my my hand. But at the same time I don't want to be so hot that I can't muster up the energy to do anything but also I am afraid if we wait until October that it will be too cold.
Does anyone have any idea if it is still nice out in October? I think I read that hurricane season goes up till September but I could be wrong.
Help I need suggestions from someone who either lives there or has visited during these times.

Thank you so much in advance.

Only you can decide on what "good" hot is for you. Check out weather.com for averages and you can decide.

For me - no hot is good and I have found NO to be too hot in Feb and in Nov. FL was not so bad in early March but I definitely wouldn't want it any hotter.

Have been to Atlanta several times at different times of year - but business so didn't really go outdoors except for a few minutes. And haven't tried the other states you mention.

But I am heat averse and can't really deal with anything much more than 72. Perhaps you will love Sept or Oct.

October. After the 15th.

I lived in Mississippi, Florida, both the Carolinas, and Virginia. Oh, Tennessee as well.

Only in Tennessee or in the mountains elsewhere would you be likely to have a chilly morning (60 F).

The further into October, the less likelihood of hurricanes.

I wouldn't worry so much about hurricanes, but who knows. Fall in the south is a beautiful time--October at the beach (SC/NC) is our very favorite time.
I think "humidity" is much over used--you are on a vacation.

October is my favorite month in the south (heck, in most parts of the country).

Heat, humidity, and potential for hurricanes extends through September. I think as late in October as you can go would be lovely.
Definitely come to Charleston and I would also recommend Asheville, NC. Mid-October there is GORGEOUS (but busy).
Have fun!

I agree with the recommendation of Charleston in October. It is a great time to be there.

Atlantic hurricane season runs all the way through November, with September being statistically the most active month.

That said, I don't really think you should plan based on that, because you never know when or if a hurricane will arise.

I also agree that you will not be too cold in October, or cold at all! Choose the date that works best for you in that time frame.

I'd choose later in September or earlier in October, for heat with lower rain chances.

If you're specifically looking for hot, I'd go in September, but either will probably be great. In no way will it be too cold during the day in early to mid-October, unless you're in the mountains and it's a real cold snap; depending on how late you go, where you go and your personal tolerance, the nights might start to get a tad chilly. (But as Lariana mentioned, if you pick October and want to include the Smokies or Blue Ridge mountains, go ahead and book now - that's one of the most popular times to visit there.)

Last two weeks in October for cooler temps (not cold but possibly sweater-weather) and fall foliage.

Thank you all so much! I guess what I am really looking for is to have it on the warmer side. I would prefer to go late sept but my husband was offered a 2 day job right smack on sept 25th and 26th that would give us a chunk of money that we could use on the trip. I personally would rather have warm weather then more money but I know he wants the money ha! If it is chilly in October then I would talk him into not doing the job just for tank top weather.

Depending on where you're from and what you're used to, early October could still be quite warm to you, especially as far south as you're thinking about going. I'm in Nashville and the average high here in early October is mid-70s; further south it'll obviously be even warmer, on average. I'd plan on leaving a day or two after his job is done, and I think you'll have a great time.

www.wunderground.com has monthly averages for whatever location you pick - look under the Almanac section.

What is "hot"? If you're from Scotland, the southern US may be hot until November.

I'd go in October. Fall weather in the South is still pretty warm, and fall colors will be starting in mid-month. And you should try to go to a major college football game, those are fun.

We are from Los Angeles.

If you are from Los Angeles you will most likely hate hot in the South. It might seem romantic to be sitting on a porch fanning yourself while drinking a mint julep, but in the summer you will just be a hot sweaty mess. Plus, nobody really does that except in the movies. Everything inside is full blast air conditioned, which I find just as uncomfortable as the humidity. October is by far the best month in the South. Grew up in the deep south and now live in California.

Guys, c'mon. It will be absolutely delightful in October. In the south it can be 75* on Christmas Day--and humid.
And if anyone has been in NYC in the summer they might recognize "humid". On any given day it can be delightful, or very hot but you don't need to be a hot sweaty mess. This is silly.
Today the humidity is delightful--very little. yesterday, not so much.

October. It should still be warm enough for you without being too sticky humid. As Gretchen says, it could be quite warm up through Christmas--or it might not, but October is usually the best.

For a touch of southern heat, I would go in September. As others have said, October is really nice too but will probably be a more mellow kind of warm.

October is beautiful in SC.

I suggest driving parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway (suggested drive includes the Viaduct around Grandfather Mountain in Linville, NC) around October 15, which is give or take the prime time leaf-watching best time. Mornings and evenings you may need a jacket, but the days are fine, with the bluest of skies...the area known as the "High Country" in NC is all beautiful.