South Carolina road guide
The best motorcycle roads in South Carolina
The best motorcycle roads in South Carolina split into two worlds. In the Upstate, the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, US 276, US 178 and SC 107 climb the Blue Ridge Escarpment toward North Carolina. On the coast, US 17, SC 61, SC 174 and US 21 roll through marsh and live oaks. Here are 13, with the region, why each is worth it, what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 13
- Regions
- 3
- Highest point
- Sassafras Mountain, 3,553 ft
- Check before you go
- SC 511
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in South Carolina
South Carolina is compact, and its best riding sits at opposite corners. The curves are in the northwest, where the Blue Ridge Escarpment rises sharply from the Piedmont and the roads climb it toward North Carolina. The scenery is on the coast, where slow two-lanes run under live oaks and over tidal creeks. The Midlands between them are rolling farm and lake country, good for relaxed loops.
Conditions change with the weather. Hurricane Helene brought down trees and power lines across the Upstate in 2024, coastal roads flood at very high tides and in storms, and hurricane season runs June to November. Check SC 511 before a long ride. For regions, laws and events in one place, start at the South Carolina motorcycle rides hub.
The Upstate
Upstate mountain roads
- 1. Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (SC 11)Why: The Upstate's backbone, running more than 100 miles near the base of the mountains, with Table Rock's granite face, Keowee and Jocassee country and peach stands along the way. It connects to almost every other mountain road on this list. Watch for: Farm trucks, cars pulling out of fruit stands, and weekend traffic near the state parks. Best season: March to May, October to November.
- 2. US 276 to Caesars HeadWhy: The escarpment climb of the Upstate. US 276 leaves the foothills and switchbacks up past Caesars Head State Park, where the overlook at the top looks out over the Piedmont, then crosses into North Carolina toward Brevard. Watch for: Hairpins just below the summit, sightseers pulling in and out at the overlook, and leaves on the pavement from October on. Best season: April to November.
- 3. US 178 to Rocky Bottom and Sassafras MountainWhy: North of Pickens, US 178 gets steep and tight on its way to Rocky Bottom and the state line. A spur climbs to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina at 3,553 feet, where an observation tower looks out over the mountains into North Carolina and Georgia. Watch for: Blind corners, narrow lanes and the steep summit road. Best season: April to November.
- 4. SC 130 to Whitewater FallsWhy: Runs north from the Salem area past the turnoff for Lake Jocassee to the North Carolina line, where it becomes NC 281 and reaches Upper Whitewater Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the East. Watch for: Boat trailers on summer weekends, gravel and deer. Best season: April to October.
- 5. SC 107 through the Sumter National ForestWhy: Branches off SC 28 above Walhalla and climbs through the national forest past Oconee State Park toward Cashiers, North Carolina. Cool forest, little traffic and steady curves. Watch for: Damp, shaded pavement, gravel at pullouts, and deer. Best season: April to November.
- 6. SC 28, Walhalla to the ChattoogaWhy: From Walhalla, SC 28 climbs Stumphouse Mountain past Issaqueena Falls and the old Stumphouse Tunnel, then runs to the Chattooga River on the Georgia line and on toward Highlands, North Carolina. Watch for: Curves that tighten, river traffic at the Chattooga crossing, and leaves in the shade. Best season: April to November.
Midlands and the western lakes
Lakes and back roads in the middle of the state
- 7. Savannah River Scenic BywayWhy: A designated state byway that follows the Georgia border past Lake Hartwell, Lake Russell and Lake Thurmond, through small towns and state parks on a string of quiet state roads. Gentle curves, water views and very little traffic. Watch for: Boat trailers, deer and long gaps between fuel. Best season: Spring and fall.
- 8. SC 6 over the Lake Murray DamWhy: West of Columbia, SC 6 runs right across the top of the dam with Lake Murray spreading out to one side, part of an easy lake loop from the city. A good after-work ride. Watch for: Commuter traffic at rush hour, people on the dam walkway, and summer storms. Best season: Any mild day, best in spring and fall.
The coast
Grand Strand and Lowcountry roads
- 9. US 17, Murrells Inlet to GeorgetownWhy: Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park sit on either side of the road near Murrells Inlet, then the Waccamaw Neck narrows toward Pawleys Island and Georgetown's river crossings. South of Georgetown, US 17 runs through the Francis Marion National Forest toward Charleston. Watch for: Heavy Grand Strand traffic, frequent lights and rally-week crowds in May. Best season: March to May, October to November.
- 10. Ashley River Road (SC 61)Why: One of the oldest roads in the state, running northwest from Charleston under live oaks past Drayton Hall, Magnolia and Middleton Place. Short, slow and beautiful. Watch for: No shoulders, trees right at the edge of the pavement, and tour traffic turning in and out. Best season: March to May, October to December.
- 11. Edisto Island Scenic Byway (SC 174)Why: The road crosses the Dawhoo River bridge onto Edisto Island and then slows right down: shrimp docks, farm stands, old churches and moss-hung oaks all the way to the state park at Edisto Beach. Watch for: Low spots that flood at high tide, slow island traffic and wildlife. Best season: Spring and fall.
- 12. US 17 through the ACE BasinWhy: Between Charleston and Beaufort, US 17 crosses the ACE Basin, a huge protected estuary of marsh, rivers and old rice fields. A short detour on Old Sheldon Church Road leads to the brick ruins of Old Sheldon Church under the oaks. Watch for: Fast traffic on US 17, narrow back roads and deer. Best season: Spring and fall.
- 13. US 21 to Hunting IslandWhy: From Beaufort, US 21 hops across the marsh through Lady's Island and St. Helena Island, a center of Gullah Geechee culture, to Hunting Island State Park and its black and white lighthouse. Watch for: Slow island traffic, flooding on low causeways and storm closures. Best season: Spring and fall.
Put them together
Three South Carolina loops worth a day
For the months that fit each region, see the best time to ride a motorcycle in South Carolina.
- Escarpment loop: SC 11 west from the Table Rock area, up US 178 to Rocky Bottom, then back down and over to US 276 and Caesars Head. A full day of the state's best curves.
- Walhalla waterfalls loop: SC 28 up Stumphouse Mountain, SC 107 through the national forest, and back via SC 11 past Lake Keowee.
- Lowcountry oaks: Ashley River Road out of Charleston, then US 17 south to SC 174 and Edisto Beach, and home the way you came. Time it away from high tide.
Summary
South Carolina motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (SC 11) | Upstate | Mar to May, Oct to Nov |
| US 276 to Caesars Head | Upstate | Apr to Nov |
| US 178 and Sassafras Mountain | Upstate | Apr to Nov |
| SC 130 to Whitewater Falls | Upstate | Apr to Oct |
| SC 107, Sumter National Forest | Upstate | Apr to Nov |
| SC 28, Walhalla to the Chattooga | Upstate | Apr to Nov |
| Savannah River Scenic Byway | Western lakes | Spring and fall |
| SC 6, Lake Murray Dam | Midlands | Any mild day |
| US 17, Murrells Inlet to Georgetown | Grand Strand | Mar to May, Oct to Nov |
| Ashley River Road (SC 61) | Charleston | Mar to May, Oct to Dec |
| Edisto Island Scenic Byway (SC 174) | Lowcountry | Spring and fall |
| US 17, ACE Basin | Lowcountry | Spring and fall |
| US 21 to Hunting Island | Beaufort | Spring and fall |
In the app
South Carolina roads riders added in Rippin'
Right below this section is the live list of South Carolina roads that riders have added to Rippin' and a person on our team has checked. Rippin' started in Southern California, so South Carolina is early and most of these 13 roads are waiting for their first rider to add them.
Ride one with Rippin' recording, then open Segments and tap Create a Segment: set a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. Once it's approved it goes live with your name on it, every rider who rides through it lands on its board, and a crown goes to the rider who owns the road. Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads. Read about segments and leaderboards.
The escarpment loop above closes back on itself, so riding it claims the land inside as your turf on the live map. Most of South Carolina is still unclaimed. See how Turf Wars works.
Live from the app
South Carolina on Rippin' right now.
26 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in South Carolina on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
- Fri Nov 6AMA Partzilla Arenacross East Rounds 3-4Florence
- Sat Nov 7Military Appreciation Day at Harley-Davidson of GreenvilleGreenville
- Sat Nov 7Americas 250th Birthday Ride and Car/Truck/Bike ShowNorth Myrtle Beach
- Sat Nov 14American Legion Post 25 Riders 6th Annual Toy DriveLaurens
- Sat Nov 14New Carolinas Ride & Vybe Car and Bike ShowLancaster
- Mon Nov 1636th Annual Greenwood Toy RunGreenwood
- Mon Nov 1623rd Annual Motorcycle Toy RunSimpsonville
- Thu Nov 19November Bike Night at HootersCharleston
- Fri Nov 20LCHD Bike Night at Taco BoySummerville
- Sat Nov 21Precision Track DaysKershaw
- Sat Nov 2124th Annual Motorcycle Toy RunGreenville
- Sun Nov 22Toys for Tots at Low Country Harley-DavidsonNorth Charleston
- Sat Nov 2817th Annual Toy Run RideMyrtle Beach
- Sat Dec 5Cookies & Pictures with SantaGreenville
- Sun Dec 1326th Annual Dorn VA Hospital Vets' Christmas Charity RideColumbia
Showing the next 15 of 26. See every meet on the live map.
No South Carolina roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in South Carolina?
SC 11, the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, is where most riders start. For tighter curves, add US 178 to Rocky Bottom or the climb to Caesars Head. On the coast, Ashley River Road and SC 174 on Edisto Island are favorites.
Where are the curviest roads in South Carolina?
In the Upstate's northwest corner: US 178 above Pickens, US 276 at Caesars Head, and SC 28 and SC 107 above Walhalla, where the roads climb the Blue Ridge Escarpment.
Can you ride to the top of Sassafras Mountain?
Yes. A paved spur off US 178 near Rocky Bottom climbs to the summit, the highest point in South Carolina, with an observation tower at the top. It's steep, so take it slow.
Are Lowcountry roads good for motorcycles?
For relaxed, scenic riding, yes. Roads like SC 61, SC 174 and US 21 are slow and flat, with oaks and marsh views. Watch for tidal flooding and narrow shoulders.
Can you ride the Upstate and the coast in one weekend?
You can, but it's a long haul across the state. Most riders pick one region and ride it properly, then save the other for another weekend.
Can I add a South Carolina road to Rippin'?
Yes. Any rider can add a road with Create a Segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it.
Put a South Carolina road on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride one of these roads with it recording and add it. Your name stays on it.
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