The South Carolina Lowcountry is defined by its sense of place—slow-moving tides, stately oaks draped in Spanish moss, and the enduring charm of towns that have grown thoughtfully with the tides. Stretching from the golden marshes of Savannah north through Bluffton, Hilton Head, and Beaufort, the region offers travelers a rich blend of coastal beauty, historic preservation, and quiet refinement.
For those flying into Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, the experience doesn’t end at baggage claim. In fact, one of the best ways to understand the character of the Lowcountry is by traveling its roads, especially the route connecting these distinct communities. The airport serves as a hub for visitors heading to this string of towns, each with its own personality, story, and rhythm.
From the Tarmac to the Tides: A Route Steeped in Character
The journey from Savannah to Beaufort, Bluffton, or Hilton Head isn’t just about logistics—it’s a drive through centuries of Southern culture. The roads pass tidal rivers, barrier islands, and long-established live oak canopies that form tunnels of green. Travelers heading north from the airport will cross the Savannah River, briefly brush the edge of Hardeeville, and then branch east or north depending on their final destination.
These roads aren’t just functional—they’re historical. U.S. Route 278, the primary artery into Bluffton and Hilton Head, has evolved from a coastal passageway into a modern gateway. And for those heading to Beaufort, the route north on Highway 170 winds past old rice fields and through small Gullah communities that continue to preserve their cultural heritage.
Bluffton: Where the Old South Meets the New
Once a quiet oyster town perched above the May River, Bluffton has emerged as one of the fastest-growing towns in South Carolina. Yet, despite its growth, it has maintained a unique blend of past and present. Old Town Bluffton, with its antebellum homes, art galleries, and weekly farmers market, sits just minutes from modern neighborhoods like Palmetto Bluff, a master-planned community that’s home to wooded trails, riverside cottages, and one of the Lowcountry’s most luxurious resorts.
Visitors arriving via shuttle or private transfer often notice Bluffton’s deliberate pace. It’s a town where shrimp boats still idle at the dock, and residents greet one another in corner cafés. As a waypoint between Savannah and Hilton Head, Bluffton is both a destination and a storybook detour.
Hilton Head Island: Elegance on the Atlantic
Crossing the bridge to Hilton Head Island marks a transition into one of the Southeast’s premier coastal destinations. Renowned for its 12 miles of beaches and 24 championship golf courses, the island is also a network of carefully curated communities such as Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, and Shipyard.
The layout of Hilton Head is purposeful—roads curve around old-growth trees, signage is subdued, and even the lighting is designed to protect the island’s nesting sea turtles. For first-time visitors, the island’s attention to detail feels as luxurious as its resorts.
A shuttle route from the airport to Hilton Head offers views of wide waterways, oyster reefs, and pine forests—setting the tone for a stay that is as tranquil as it is refined. Many travelers return annually, their first experience often beginning on that initial ride across the causeway.
Beaufort: The South’s Best-Kept Secret
Farther north lies Beaufort, one of the oldest towns in South Carolina and arguably one of its most beautiful. With its deepwater harbor and Civil War-era homes, Beaufort offers a more historic and contemplative experience than its southern neighbors. The town has served as a backdrop for films like The Big Chill and Forrest Gump, and it retains an authenticity that’s increasingly rare in coastal towns.
Arriving in Beaufort is like stepping back in time. The streets are walkable, shaded, and quiet. Carriage tours still roll past tabby ruins and centuries-old churches. And nearby, the Sea Islands—St. Helena, Lady’s Island, and Fripp—continue to support communities rooted in generations of Gullah-Geechee culture.
Travelers headed to Beaufort often arrive through Savannah due to its proximity and flight availability. From there, a drive through the salt marshes and pine lowlands becomes a kind of orientation to the landscapes and legacy they’re about to explore.
The Lowcountry in Motion
The experience of traveling through the Lowcountry is shaped by more than just destination markers. It’s in the stillness of a riverbank glimpsed from the window, the scent of pine in the air, and the subtle shift in tempo that occurs once you cross into South Carolina from Georgia. For many visitors, the drive from Savannah Airport into this treasured stretch of coast is their first encounter with the Lowcountry—and often the one that leaves the deepest impression.
Whether bound for the galleries of Bluffton, the fairways of Hilton Head, or the porches of Beaufort, the journey through this region is a reminder that travel is about more than arrival. It’s about appreciating the land between here and there—the inlets, the roadside farm stands, and the enduring presence of the Southern tide.
