When you travel the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway with your rent a car in South Carolina, you will find yourself winding your way through the upper part of the state. The highway is surrounded by peach orchards, sleepy villages, and parks, and makes a great alternative to the I-85 when you are in the area. The Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway has been featured by magazines such as National Geographic and Southern Living, so it is a must-see when you are in the area.

How it got its name

When you travel the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway with your rent a car in South Carolina, you will find that the highway was once part of the Cherokee Path, which is the route that was used by the Cherokee Indians as well as French and English fur traders from Tennessee to Charleston. The National scenic byway passes through towns such as Walhalla, Marietta, Chesnee, and others. The heritage of the area can also be seen in names such as Seneca, Savannah, and Keowee. Gaffney is the biggest town along the route.

What you need to know

The whole highway is 112 miles and will take you about 3 hours to drive with your rent a car in South Carolina. It can be found beyond the low Piedmont hills and the Blue Ridge escarpment. The Cherokee called this the “Great Blue Hills of God. A one-day trip can take you from King’s Mountain National Military Park to Keowee-Toxaway State Park, all within South Carolina. King’s National Military Park marks the site where the colonial Patriots defeated Loyalist troops in 1780 and the park also gives a military history of the area during the Civil War, which is a must-see for those interested in the Civil War.

Continuing the journey

Further down the road with your rent a car in South Carolina, you will find Cowpens National Battlefield. This is the site of the 1781 battlefield where the Patriots overwhelmed the British at the Battle of Cowpens. There is a mile-long trail where you can see the fields of victory and enjoy a picnic. About 50 miles from this stop you will also see the last covered bridge in the state, Campbell’s Bridge. There is also Caesar’s Head State Park, which has impressive waterfalls and hiking trails. Raven Cliff Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States.

At the end of the road

The final stop on the tour is Keowee-Toxaway State Park with your rent a car in South Carolina. The park has great rock features, views, and outdoor recreation.

What you need to know

When you travel the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway with your rent a car in South Carolina, you will find there are several gas stations along the way, but there are few places to stop and eat. Most of the places to eat are at the terminal ends of the highway and in the western half of the route. The speed limit along the highway is 50mph. The best time to see the area is in the spring when the fruit trees and wildflowers are in full bloom. Peach stands can be found along the highway from mid-June through September. The busiest time along the highway is the spring and summer.

When you are here with your rent a car in South Carolina, you will find there is a lot to see and learn along the highway from the first inhabitants of the area (the Cherokee) through the Civil War.

Find out more about renting a car to take this journey by visiting our online car rental center.

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