A Charleston to Savannah Guide From the Company Curating More Inclusive American Road Trips

Last year, as the walls began to close in on my work from home station and my passport collected dust, it was a wide road and exit signs that helped me reimagine possibility. The California coast that connected the dots between ocean salt and open air became my playground, a reminder that I could still find adventure in travel behind the wheel— and that never again would I take for granted how much I got to see the world before 2020. This freedom inspired what would become my biggest passion project to date: creating road trip guides with my company CrushGlobal Travel. If you’re imagining the great American pastime of a highway leading to nothing but possibility, you’re halfway there. My goal was to take that image a step further to create more inclusive road trip experiences, where Black and queer travelers could feel safe, where money was put back into the hands of your favorite taco truck, woman-owned winery, local bookstore, and farmer. Call it the great American road trip 2.0, one that recognizes that travelers are not one size fits all, and that respecting communities—from wearing masks to empowering local business people—would always be a vital part of the experience.

With the help of tourism boards, inclusive car rental companies like Drive Kyte, and insight from locals around the country, my team and I have curated customized road trips across the U.S. that included private vineyard tastings, cooking lessons, Black history walking tours, and even alleged UFO sightings to note on Route 50. Travelers can also choose from eight ready-to-use themed road trip guides, with routes up the California coast, in the Northeast, and South.

One of my favorite road trips to highlight is the drive from Charleston to Savannah. The journey between these two coastal Southern cities is roughly 108 miles and takes just under two hours to complete via Highway 17 and I-95. This is a route that speaks to the interests of a diverse range of travelers, as there are ample dining, historical, and drinking options, as well as room for outdoor adventure.