Columbia SC to Jacksonville drive: Distance, time & best stops
The distance from Columbia SC to Jacksonville is 291 miles, with a 4h9m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Columbia SC to Jacksonville drive are Hilton Head Island, Savannah and Jekyll Island.
Planning a Columbia SC to Jacksonville road trip itinerary
The Columbia SC to Jacksonville drive connects the capital of South Carolina to the biggest city in northern Florida.
Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina. Top attractions include the South Carolina State Museum, which looks at the rich history of the state, but does so in a surprisingly fun way, with a digital planetarium and 4D theater.
But the city’s real appeal is in the numerous parks along the Broad River. These include the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
For well-rated Columbia accommodation options, try the academia-themed Graduate and the characterful Hotel Trundle.
Top Jacksonville experiences include Amelia Island kayak tours, guided art and architecture tours by electric bike and electric skateboard rides along Fernandina Beach.
For cultural attractions, head to the Cummer Museum, where the strength tends to be the rotating temporary exhibitions.
Columbia SC to Jacksonville distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Columbia SC to Jacksonville is 291 miles. That makes for a driving time of around four hours and nine minutes. The quickest route is along the I-26 and I-95.
The best stops to add to a Columbia SC to Jacksonville road trip itinerary are Hilton Head Island, Savannah and Jekyll Island.
Columbia SC to Jacksonville road trip attractions: Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head is an island off the South Carolina coast, best known for its white sand beaches. The Coastal Discovery Museum covers the region’s complex ecology, while the chunky red and white-striped Harbour Town Lighthouse is the island’s icon.
Top Hilton Head activities include a dolphin-watching cruise, a kayak tour, parasailing and a Segway tour.
You can also head out on a shrimp boat trawling cruise, try a mixology and tapas experience and jet skiing.
Best stops between Columbia SC and Jacksonville: Savannah GA
Savannah has a timewarp handsomeness about it. Parks are lined by mossy oak trees, 19th century buildings ooze history and riverboats glide along the rivers.
Great activities in Savannah include the Ghosts and Gravestones trolley tour, riverboat cruises and a true crime pub crawl.
Columbia SC to Jacksonville drive: Jekyll Island
Around the turn of the 20th century, Jekyll Island was an exclusive escape for the super rich, but is now much more egalitarian. For shameless fun, the Summer Waves Water Park has slides and a wave pool.
But Jekyll Island’s highlight is the Georgia Sea Turtle Centre. Here, turtles are rescued and rehabilitated. Visitors can meet the turtles, and learn about the conservation work the Centre is undertaking.
To see slightly bigger creatures, you can hop on board a Jekyll Island dolphin cruise.
More Columbia SC road trips
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