Which of these roadtrip route options is better (from Iowa to Hilton Head)?

[Amy]

We're visiting HH for the first time next May, and given the high airfares we're looking into whether it would be worthwhile to drive from Iowa. Airline tickets to Savannah are showing roughly $440 right now and we need four tickets. I am also considering flying into/out of Charleston as there is a savings of about $90 pp but that'll temp me to stay at least a night in Charleston, so that'll be added cost on the lodging front. (We are always stuck with higher airfare prices because we try to travel around times that would fit with our kids' routines so we can ensure pretty well behaved kids on the flights, so that means no really early morning or late flights.)

I maped the route on both Google Maps and Mapquest and came up with three different routes. I sought the advise of former Iowan JLB and he helped me narrow the choices down to the two Google Maps offers. [The reason there are two routes via Google Maps is because the search results show one route for Iowa to South Carolina and another route for the return (when you click on the reverse directions button).]

Here is the Google Maps link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Iowa+City,+IA+52245&daddr=45+Waters ide+Dr,+Hilton+Head+Island,+SC+29928+(Waterside+By +Spinnaker)&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=36.914764,-86.088867&sspn=16.939295,39.550781&ie=UTF8&ll=36.9 14764,-86.044922&spn=16.939295,39.550781&z=5

If we do this, we would break the trip down to three days each way to make it easier on us (as we don't know how well DS2, who will be 23 months at the time of the trip, would take to long driving days). Which route is more scenic, offering better stops that might be entertaining to kids? Is one better than the other from a traffic standpoint? Does anyone have an alternative routing to propose?

Thanks in advance!

[clsmit]

My vote is the return trip one. Avoid Atlanta if you can-- it's too congested all the time. Day 2 can end in the Pigeon Forge area of TN (near Knoxville) can be pretty and full of really touristy stuff. And also you might be able to rent a TS in that area for 1 night depending on when you're there. If you get farther along, Asheville, NC is very pretty. Don't think the kids would be up for the Biltmore Estate, but running around in the mountains is very different from Iowa. Have a great trip!

[rcshelton]

It's amazing that the distances and travel times for these two routes are almost identical. To me, the return trip (South Carolina to Iowa) is much more scenic as it goes through the mountains and the Bluegrass Horse Farm country around Lexington, Ky. If I was doing this, I probably would go one way and return the other just for a change of scenery.

[LisaRex]

First of all, I'd keep checking airfares as the fares will undoubtedly come down. May is low season in HHI and you should be able to do far better than $440, esp with oil prices bottoming out.

Secondly, I'd caution you on taking "scenic" routes if you are prone to car sickness. The Appalachian Mountain roads are some of the most beautiful roads you'll ever drive...unless you get car sick. After one memorable "scenic" route where I ended up having to clean up Juicy Juice vomit from pillows and blankets and a portable DVD player, we now stick to major interstates.

Good luck with your trip. I've been going to HHI regularly now for 20 years.

[Ann-Marie]

Some people have flown into Jacksonville, fl. You might want to research that. I think it would be about a 3 hour drive.

[Enrico]

JAX might be a good alternative...larger airport, more nonstops, etc. 175 mostly interstate miles to HHI.

[Amy]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll keep them all in mind as I continue to consider our options.