Charlotte, NC to Charleston SC - Suggested routes

Hi all
I'm planning on driving from Charlotte, NC to Charleston, SC (via Columbia) in one day, mid-May. I'd prefer not to drive on the interstate all the time (I'd prefer none at all, but don't think I'll make it if I include stops), but also see some nice smaller towns along the way. Things I'd be interested in is meeting locals at quirky roadside attractions, town museums, quaint city centres, that sort of stuff.

Looking at the map, US Routes 321 and 21 appear to be options, but I'm not sure whether these are worth it in view of my interests (or which one would be best).

Does anyone have any suggestions as to the route that's nice to take? Any towns / highlights that I definitely shouldn't miss? And if I do one half via the interstate (either Charlotte>Columbia or Columbia>Charleston), which should I choose?

Thanks!

Roan

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

Charlotte to Charleston via Columbia is only a shade over 200 miles, so can be easily driven in a day even if you stick to the back roads. You know exactly what you'll see if you take I-77/I-26. So if you want a bit of adventure and some sights other than exit ramp fast food joints, then don't hesitate to take a different route even if you don't know (or actually, precisely because you don't know) what you'll see. From Charlotte to Columbia, I agree that your best bet is US-321/US-21 roughly following the Catawba River. At the very least, stop at Landsford Canal and/or Lake Wateree State Parks.

From Columbia to Charleston, you've got a great alternative. Leave Columbia on US-76 east and take US-601/SC-267/SC-6 past Congaree National Park and along the shores of Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie to Moncks Corner and Old Santee Canal Park. Then enter Charleston from the north via US-52.

As far as town museums and quaint towns go, they're pretty much everywhere in the South, but a few of the museums on the routes I mentioned are the Catawba Cultural Preservation Project and the Elloree Heritage Museum & Cultural Center, to name just two.

AZBuck

Thanks a lot, AZBuck! I'll take US-321 and then US-601 (and do some strawberry u-pick on the route as well). And you're right: not knowing what's ahead makes for more interesting trips :)

Love this forum btw: lots of useful tips!

Best

Roan