Driving from Boston to Sarasota, FL - Good Place in SC To Stay Overnight? (Florence: hotels)

[scarlett68]

Hi,

I'm driving down from Boston to Sarasota, FL on Thursday to help someone move furniture down there. We want to drive about 15-16 hours and end up somewhere in South Carolina and then stay overnight and drive the rest of the way the next morning.

Does anyone have any suggestions about safe areas in SC off I-95, with a good amount of hotels, to stay overnight? And, any suggestions as to nice and not too expensive hotels in those areas?

Thanks

[waccamatt]

The South Carolina portion of I-95 is the least heavily populated part of the state. The "biggest" city on I-95 in South Carolina is Florence (near the junction with I-20), but it is still fairly small. Florence would have the biggest choice of hotels and restaurants.

[Mary Ann789]

I agree with Waccamatt. I can't remember what exit it is but where I-95 meets I-20 at Florence, there are a number of hotels and restaurants (Outback etc). There is also a mall at that hub with Barnes and Noble etc. Plus it's right off the interstate so you won't have to drive out of your way.

[scarlett68]

Thanks for the replies. Is Florence a safe spot? I don't know the area at all and I don't want to be pulling in at 10PM when it's dark and have no idea that I'm in an unsafe spot. Thanks

[Buckeye in SC]

You could also consider Ridgeland which is a little more than halfway between the I-95/I-26 interchange and Hilton Head/Savannah. There is a decent amount of hotels right there off of I-95 @ exits 22 & 21. Also, you may want to consider Fayetteville, NC or Savannah, GA depending on how far you want to drive the first day. I'm not familiar w/Fayetteville, but I know it's a decent sized city with Fort Bragg, so I would imagine it has lots of hotels to choose from.

[innovator82]

Another option is the Santee, SC exit off of I-95--Exit 98 (Highway 6). It's the first exit after I-95 crosses the large Lake Marion which you should see on a map. It's actually pretty well known as a typical overnight spot for folks who travel back and forth from the Northeast to Florida. Nothing special--just an exit with a handful of hotels, gas stations, and fast food restaurants--but lots of travelers stop there. It's about 15 hours from Boston per Mapquest.

[SXMGirl]

Another option might be a bed and breakfast. The motels along I-95 in SC are substandard in my opinion. If you are interested, try The Columns in Dillon or Abington Manor in Latta. Both are just across the state line from NC. I think by the time you got to them that you would be ready to stop for the night. I have not stayed in either, but The Columns was the old Bethea home and I grew up visiting that home often. It was turned into a b&b about 15 years ago and was done very well. Those people have sold but the website and the outside of the home look lovely. Abington Manor is a little out of the way but very private.