Charlotte, NC to Valdosta, Ga

JJnLilly wrote:
Going to be headed south from Charlotte on the 26th and looking for best rout towing a 34' 5r. In past have gone all the way east to 95 from Columbia but 95 through South Carolina is a bear. Google maps runs me on I20 out of Columbia to Augusta and then US1 to Waycross. Just wondering how that route would be as an alternative.

Google Maps will pick a route depending on traffic so it depends when you pick your route. 77S to 75/20S looks good. 6hrs, 47 min

I agree that you want to avoid I95. I26 from Columbia to I95 is getting pretty bad too. I'll give you a couple of options once you get to Columbia and you can decide. Only reason you would go through Waycross is if you take Option 1. My preference would be option 2 or 3 with a slight nudge to Option 3 because less interstate. I've been over most of these roads and they are all good roads, none just little county roads.

Option 1: I77 to end. Left on 321 until you get to 301 south. Stay on 301 until you get to 84 south. 84 is a very nice road all the way to Valdosta. Google maps use Charlotte, Ulmer SC, Jesup GA, Valdosta (7:21 / 398)

Option 2: Using google maps, use Charlotte to Waynesboro GA to Valdosta. (6:35/ 378)

Option 3: using google maps, use Charlotte to Allentown GA to Valdosta. (6:41 / 412)

If you hit Columbia with heavy traffic, make sure you get in the left lane on I20 after you cross the river since 2 miles later you will hit I26 and sometimes the traffic really backs up getting onto I26.

Options 2 and 3 look promising but not sure how those secondary roads would be pulling my 5r.

JJnLilly wrote:
Going to be headed south from Charlotte on the 26th and looking for best rout towing a 34' 5r. In past have gone all the way east to 95 from Columbia but 95 through South Carolina is a bear. Google maps runs me on I20 out of Columbia to Augusta and then US1 to Waycross. Just wondering how that route would be as an alternative.

I would go I-77 to I-20 in Columbia to West to x-113 and pickup rt 83 thru Monticello to I-75 and straight down to Valdosta...C

That is the route I use all the time. Watch for I think it is 277 north of Columbia as it goes to I20. Rt 1 is mostly 4 lane 60 mph road. Of course you have to slow down thru a number of small towns but no big deal. From Waycross take rt 84 to Valdosta.

How are fuel stops along US1?

I'd top off at the Circle K exit 5 in South Carolina (lower fuel tax), they have truck lanes. There is a truck stop where US-1 crosses I-16. Big Flash Foods with Diesel lanes on US-82 on the west side of Waycross GA. 2 places in Homerville GA on US-84 (1 on each end of town). Most of the larger towns have at least 1 place to fuel a 18 wheeler.

Edit to correct exit number to exit 5

Thanks, Jaycocamprs those spots look good. We like to travel no more than 2 1/2 to 3 hours before stopping so those fuel stops are about right.

Looks like we will go cross-country on 1/221 from west of columbia.

Trip Report: Took I77 to I20 to I520 in Augusta and then jumped on US1. Intended on crossing over to US221, but US 1 was four lane and no traffic. We stayed on US1 all the way to Waycross where we ran into the only issue - com construcyion on US84. Good way to avoid that I26/I95 mess in South Carolina.

I-85 south to US 441 (4 lane) south to Madison Ga. In Madison Ga 83 south to Forsyth. Forsyth get I-75 south (bypass Macon) to Valdosta.

no need to go nearly to the coast in all that 95 traffic. This will get you around an below Atlanta