Hey folks.  One of your brother Alabamians (me) has some questions as the wife and I will be traveling through your state next week on our vacation to Edisto Beach, SC.  We're going to stop for the night halfway in ATL to avoid driving the whole way at one time, and we were wondering which is the best way to go from then on.  Edisto Beach is halfway between Mrtyle Beach and Savannah.  From ATL, should we take 16 to 95 and up, or 20 to 26, to 90 and down?  Or something else?  I appreciate any input.

Sorry I could not get too specific, but here is what I think...

Time Mile Instruction For Toward
Summary:  298.7 miles (4 hours, 54 minutes)
9:00 AM 0.0 Depart near Atlanta on Ramp (East) 0.3 mi I-20 / Augusta
9:00 AM 0.3 Merge onto I-20 [SR-402] (East) 138.3 mi
10:51 AM 138.5 At I-20 Exit 196A, turn off onto Ramp 0.3 mi
10:51 AM 138.8 Merge onto I-520 [SR-415] (South) 14.5 mi
11:03 AM 153.3 At I-520 Exit 16, turn off onto Ramp 0.4 mi
11:03 AM 153.7 Merge onto SR-28 [Sand Bar Ferry Rd] (South-East) 1.6 mi
11:05 AM 155.2 Entering South Carolina
11:05 AM 155.2 Bear RIGHT (East) onto Sand Bar Ferry Rd 1.9 mi
11:08 AM 157.1 Continue (East) on US-278 [Sand Bar Ferry Rd] 21.5 mi
11:30 AM 178.6 Bear LEFT (East) onto Ramp 0.1 mi
11:30 AM 178.7 Merge onto SR-781 (East) 3.6 mi
11:35 AM 182.3 Continue (East) on US-78 [Charleston Hwy] 37.2 mi
12:13 PM 219.5 Bear RIGHT (South-East) onto SR-61 17.2 mi
12:36 PM 236.7 Turn off onto Ramp 0.3 mi
12:36 PM 236.9 Merge onto I-95 (South) 10.6 mi
12:44 PM 247.5 At I-95 Exit 57, turn off onto Ramp 0.3 mi
12:45 PM 247.8 Merge onto SR-64 [Bells Hwy] (East) 2.1 mi
12:48 PM 249.9 Continue (South) on US-15 [N Jefferies Blvd] 0.3 mi
12:48 PM 250.2 Turn LEFT (East) onto US-17 Alt [Wichman St] 0.8 mi
12:50 PM 251.0 Continue (East) on SR-64 [Padgett Loop] 15.1 mi
1:11 PM 266.1 Bear LEFT (East) onto US-17 6.9 mi
1:18 PM 273.1 Turn RIGHT (South) onto SR-174 [HWY-174] 23.6 mi
1:50 PM 296.6 Turn RIGHT (North-West) onto Lybrand St 0.5 mi
1:51 PM 297.2 Bear LEFT (West) onto Docksite Rd 0.8 mi
1:53 PM 297.9 Bear LEFT (South) onto Fairway Terrace 10 yds
1:53 PM 297.9 Turn LEFT (South-East) onto Fairway Dr 0.8 mi
1:54 PM 298.7 Turn LEFT (West) onto Local road(s) 32 yds
1:54 PM 298.7 Arrive Edisto Beach

SUMMARY
Driving distance:  298.7 miles
Trip duration:  4 hours, 54 minutes
Driving time:  4 hours, 54 minutes
Cost:  $24.09


Well, Microsoft Streets and Trips says this...


ByteTheBullet  (-:

Does MicroSoft know gas prices are at a 13-year fvcking high!?

Yahoo maps tells me that from my house in N. ATL (I'm about 40 miles due north) to take I-20.

The last time I went to Charleston (which Edisto Beach isn't far from I think), I took 20 all the way out to 26 into Charleston. These directions look like they save you from having to cut back down the coast from Charleston to get to Edisto.

(......)
15. Take the I-20 EAST/I-20 WEST exit towards ABERNATHY FWY/ATLANTA/AUGUSTA, exit #46 - go 0.3 mi
16. Continue towards I-20 EAST/PURPLE HEART HIGHWAY/AUGUSTA - go 0.9 mi
17. Merge on I-20 EAST - go 151.2 mi
18. Take the SC-19 exit towards AIKEN/JOHNSTON, exit #18 - go 0.4 mi
19. Continue towards SC-19 SOUTH/AIKEN/U.S.C. AIKEN - go < 0.1 mi
20. Bear  on SC-19 - go 4.1 mi
21. SC-19 becomes LAURENS ST NW - go 1.5 mi
22. Turn  on RICHLAND AVE SW - go 0.2 mi
23. Continue on RICHLAND AVE SE - go 1.0 mi
24. Continue on RICHLAND AVE E - go 1.2 mi
25. Continue on US-78 EAST - go 36.9 mi
26. Turn  on S PALMETTO AVE - go 2.1 mi
27. Continue on US-321 - go 8.3 mi
28. Turn  on 3RD ST - go 0.5 mi
29. 3RD ST becomes SC-64 EAST - go 1.8 mi
30. Continue on US-301 SOUTH - go 0.2 mi
31. Continue on SC-64 EAST - go 35.2 mi
32. Turn  on N JEFFERIES BLVD - go 0.4 mi
33. Turn  on PAUL ST - go 0.3 mi
34. Bear  on WICHMAN ST - go 0.6 mi
35. Continue on a local road - go 0.1 mi
36. Bear  on PADGETT LOOP - go 0.4 mi
37. Turn  on HAMPTON ST - go 1.4 mi
38. Continue on SC-64 EAST - go 13.1 mi
39. Bear  on ACE BASIN PKY - go 1.1 mi
40. ACE BASIN PKY becomes US-17 NORTH - go 5.9 mi
41. Turn  on SC-174 - go 24.4 mi
42. Turn  on BILLOW ST - go < 0.1 mi
43. Turn  on ARC ST - go < 0.1 mi
44. Arrive at the center of EDISTO BEACH, SC  

Oh, unless you are coming from the western most part of Alabama, ATL isn't halfway. I think I would try to make it to Augusta before stopping.

Yeah, I put $1.80/gal and 23 miles/gallon. Regular in a Honda.

Amateur.


ByteTheBullet  (-:

Wow, I really appreciate the gruelingly specific routes you guys have posted, but seriously, from one married guy to the next, you all left out a most obvious kink in the aformentioned route stats - the general bleating from the wife every half hour on the hour - "ok we need to stop soon, I have to pee" and corresponding stop.  

Do you think you can be more specific and list each rest stop in thirty minute increments along the way, while making sure to include the extra time in searching for the additional rest stops meeting the cleanliness standards of wifey from the original dirty rest stop points of origin?  I really appreciate it,

Beetle

Quoted: Does MicroSoft know gas prices are at a 13-year fvcking high!?

Having gone both routes, and living in Savannah right now, I would say take I-75 South to Macon, pick up I-16 East to I-95 North.  Once into South Carolina, look for US 17 at about mile marker 35, plus or minus 3 miles.  That takes you to Edisto, I believe.

It might be a little further, but I-16 (about 160 miles worth) is a much more relaxing drive that I-20/I-26.

Quoted: It might be a little further, but I-16 (about 160 miles worth) is a much more relaxing drive that I-20/I-26.

Well said.  Just make sure if your wife really has to pee every 15 minutes, don't pass an exit on 16 and think another is just a mile down the road.  You can drive for a bit on that road with seeing an exit, or at least one with "facilities."

Quoted: Quoted: It might be a little further, but I-16 (about 160 miles worth) is a much more relaxing drive that I-20/I-26. Well said.  Just make sure if your wife really has to pee every 15 minutes, don't pass an exit on 16 and think another is just a mile down the road.  You can drive for a bit on that road with seeing an exit, or at least one with "facilities."

There is a rest area with facilities at about mile marker 47, eastbound.

Quoted: the general bleating from the wife every half hour on the hour - "ok we need to stop soon, I have to pee" and corresponding stop.

Two words: piddle pack

Whatever you do, don't fucking speed through Soperton.  Grab a map, find where it is, slow down before you get there, speed up after you've left.

Also, there's a great seafood restaurant that has some of the best iced tea I've ever had somewhere along I-16.  It's in between Soperton and Savannah just off the interstate.  I think it is past Soperton by about 20 miles or so, and the exit had a BP station and some non-chain restaurant on the info signs.  I can't remember the name of it, but it was damn tasty food, and reasonably priced.

'Preciate it folks.  And also - WTF is up with South Carolina's uncooperation with out-of-state carriers.  And, $50 for a CC permit!?

Quoted: Whatever you do, don't fucking speed through Soperton.  Grab a map, find where it is, slow down before you get there, speed up after you've left. Also, there's a great seafood restaurant that has some of the best iced tea I've ever had somewhere along I-16.  It's in between Soperton and Savannah just off the interstate.  I think it is past Soperton by about 20 miles or so, and the exit had a BP station and some non-chain restaurant on the info signs.  I can't remember the name of it, but it was damn tasty food, and reasonably priced.

As long as he is not 10 over the posted limit, they can't do a damn thing about it if they are using any kind of speed detection device.

Georgia Code 40-14-8.
www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/gl_codes_detail.pl?code=40-14-8

That is true, LarryG, but I personally know of two out-of-staters that were pulled over in Soperton for less than 10 over.  I guess they just figured that such a person wouldn't bother with the research into our state codes, and wouldn't bother to make the trip back for the court date and would rather pay the inconvenience tax.

Quoted: That is true, LarryG, but I personally know of two out-of-staters that were pulled over in Soperton for less than 10 over.  I guess they just figured that such a person wouldn't bother with the research into our state codes, and wouldn't bother to make the trip back for the court date and would rather pay the inconvenience tax.

Completely agree and that is why I try to enlighten out-of-staters.  I have had several friends print that out and have with them when they were coming to visit.

I had Laurens County pull me over for less than 10 over while I was driving a rental car with out-of-state plates.  I asked him if he was aware of 40-14-8 after I asked him what he clocked me at.  Boy, he was not a happy camper.  I told him if he wanted to write the ticket, I would see him in court with a copy of the law and see how the judge liked wasting the court's time.  All he did was mumble something and got in his car and left.

Laurens County is the worst stretch on I-16, but watch out for Bloomingdale as you get near Savannah, about the 145 mile marker.  They extended their city limits to encompass about a mile of I-16 so they could sit out there and write tickets.

Quoted: Laurens County is the worst stretch on I-16, but watch out for Bloomingdale as you get near Savannah, about the 145 mile marker.  They extended their city limits to encompass about a mile of I-16 so they could sit out there and write tickets.

Come to think of it, I had a buddy busted there coming back from Amelia Island a few months back.  96 in a 70, expired tags, no insurance.  They dropped it to 85 in a 70 and ignored the expired tags and insurance because it was best to keep such things "in the county" because it goes a lot easier when things are left "in the county".  The officer told him how much to send, when to send it, and where to send it to, then told him he had a real nice car and sent him on his way.

Quoted: Quoted: Laurens County is the worst stretch on I-16, but watch out for Bloomingdale as you get near Savannah, about the 145 mile marker.  They extended their city limits to encompass about a mile of I-16 so they could sit out there and write tickets. Come to think of it, I had a buddy busted there coming back from Amelia Island a few months back.  96 in a 70, expired tags, no insurance.  They dropped it to 85 in a 70 and ignored the expired tags and insurance because it was best to keep such things "in the county" because it goes a lot easier when things are left "in the county".  The officer told him how much to send, when to send it, and where to send it to, then told him he had a real nice car and sent him on his way.

Was that Laurens or Bloomingdale?

I think it was Bloomingdale, but I could be wrong.

Quoted: I think it was Bloomingdale, but I could be wrong.

Probably was.  I think they are more likely to be crooked than Laurens.

I know the bridge Bloomingdale sits under and every time I go by, I set my speedo right at 79 and wave at them as I go by.