Road Trip Along Georgia Florida Historical Coast
With its cozy inns, old quaint villages, unique shops, farm stands, historic forts, cannons, endless miles of seashore, grits and shrimp, your road trip along Georgia and Florida offers a unique glimpse into America’s history and Southern Hospitality.
Our road trip starts from the historic city of St. Augustine, Florida to Savannah, Georgia.
Driving distance:
178 miles
Driving time:
2 hours 56 minutes
St. Augustine
America’s oldest continuous European settlement has old oak trees, Castillo de San Marcos fort, downtown historic districts with the Oldest House, Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse from the earliest days in Colonial Spanish Quarter, Lightner Museum and Indian burial mounds.
Where to stay:
The best location to park your vehicle is at the St. Augustine Visitor Center at 10S. Castillo Dr., off U.S. 1, opposite the famous Castillo de San Marcos fort. For your convenience, here is a link to
hotels located in St. Augustine.
For a great price and location, the Alhambra Inn Saint Augustine is located in St. Augustine, close to Old Florida Museum, Fountain of Youth, and Castillo de San Marcos.
Monterey Inn overlooking the Matanzas River is close to everything in St. Augustine.
What to see:
Walking around St. Augustine is easy or you may want to take a trolley or horse drawn carriage around the historic district. Trolleys or trains stop every 20 minutes at all the points of interest where you can get off and on. Visit Lightner Museum, Colonial Spanish Quarter and Museum, The Oldest House called Gonzalez Alvarez House, The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse in America and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
Also take a walk from the fort and along Matanzas River where you could shop or stop at one of the fine restaurants.
Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia
This is where nature and history meets. According to
National Park Service, you should take Exit 3 from I-95 and follow the signs traveling east into Historic St. Marys to the Ferry dock at 113 St. Marys Street, St Marys, GA 31558 to get to Cumberland Island Ferry dock. (important information)
Your
parking is located behind NPS administrative building, the Bachlot House, across St. Marys Street. It takes
one hour 29 minutes to drive from St. Augustine, FL to St. Marys, GA.
Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island with maritime forest, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes. The ferry is only for passengers (not vehicles).
Here is a link to
hotels in St. Marys, GA.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is known for 21 squares with monuments, fountains, statues and oak trees with impressive 18 and 19-century architecture. It is famous for its Southern Hospitality, Inns and Southern cuisine hosted by American food icon, Paula Deen and family-style restaurant called Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House (Mrs. Wilkes has since passed away).
Where to stay:
Stay at the La Quinta or Fairfield Inn on Abercorn St. or the historic Planters Inn on Reynolds Square. These
hotels are located in the city center and are close to everything.
What to see:
Go on a trolley tour or a horse drawn carriage tour around the historic town of Savannah. Travel back in time to the Civil War era visiting over 1,700 restored buildings, the Gothic revival style building that once served as General Sherman’s office, Mercer-Williams House, Flannery O’Connor House, Andrew Low House and many more.
Walk along River Street and enjoy the waterfront art galleries, stores, restaurants, unique Georgian snacks and sweets and boutiques. This area was once home to the Georgian cotton industry.
Visit Chippewa Square, between Hull and Perry Streets, at the center of the downtown historic district. The square was named after the Battle of Chippewa, a war in 1812. Take a seat at one of the benches in the park because one of the park benches served as a backdrop for the movie Forrest Gump.
The driving distance between St. Marys and Savannah is only
one hour 56 minutes.
Your historical discoveries on your road trip between St. Augustine, FL and Savannah, GA can include river cruises, sun and sand, water sports, spas, history lessons, cooking lessons, culinary adventures and many more. Whatever your pace and interest may lie, you’ll find a way to enjoy your road trip along the Georgia Florida historical coast.
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