By admin 
South Carolina didn’t score all that well on WalletHub’s survey of best states for road trips — middle of the pack.
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Overall, South Carolina scored 51.63, compared to No. 1 Minnesota with 61.11.
South Carolina outpaced Minnesota 7 to 16 on cost, but its score for safety dragged it down. It scored 47 outpacing only Missouri 48, Florida 49 and New Mexico 50.
The safety score was based on a number of factors including population density, traffic on interstates, road and bridge quality, traffic fatalities, car theft and violent crime.
South Carolina scored 27 on activities.
“This year, nearly 72% of American adults are planning some kind of road trip, with more than one-third expected to take more than one trip,” Wallet Hub said.
WalletHub said of concern are gas prices — the national average is above $4.50 per gallon — and the cost of accommodations, dining, and activities.
“All of which continue to feel the effects of inflation,” WalletHub said.
WalletHub said Minnesota is “great for people who want to be outdoors because it has the fourth-highest spending per capita on parks and recreation.”
It also has the fourth-most fairs and festivals per capita, driving is safe (second-fewest vehicle fatalities per million miles traveled).
Utah came in as the second-best state with scenic byways through beautiful areas, outdoor recreation, and safe driving conditions.
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“Utah has the second-highest spending per capita on parks and recreation. It also has the fifth-largest number of national park recreation visitors per capita, reflecting the strong appeal of its national parks and outdoor attractions,” WalletHub said.
Factored in was the number of amusement and theme parks per capita and good roads.
Third was Louisiana with attractions like zoos, botanical gardens and amusement parks and the second highest number of nightlife activities in the country.
The other states in the top 10 were:
- New York
- Florida
- Texas
- Maine
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- Ohio
The worst states were 50 Rhode Island, 49 Delaware and 48 Connecticut.
But all is not lost for all of you who want to stay in South Carolina and drive a bit.
There is lots to see, according to South Carolina travel organizations.
Take the Upstate — Discover South Carolina recommends 112 miles of scenic highways through Clemson (Fort Hill, South Carolina Botanical Garden), Six Mile (The Scoop Ice Cream Shop), Pickens ( Pickens Bargain Exchange Flea Market), Pumpkintown (Pumpkintown General Store), Greenville (M. Judson Booksellers and O.P. Taylor’s toy store), Spartanburg (Hub City Railroad Museum), Cowpens (Bluegrass BBQ) and Blacksburg (Kings Mountain National Military Park.
Discover South Carolina also has an out of the ordinary list for the Midlands, including Ninety Six (Ninety Six National Historic Site), Prosperity (348-acre Dreher Island State Park) Columbia (Devine Street’s Cantina 76, The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deliand Craft and Draft), Hopkins (Congaree National Park) ’Yemassee (Old Sheldon Church) Bluffton (last remaining hand-shucking oyster house in South Carolina, Bluffton Oyster Factory Park) and Hilton Head (Hilton Head Island Beach and Sea Pines Forest Preserve.).
Travel South USA suggests a coastal road trip, north of Charleston its on Highway 17, from Kiawah Island to Myrtle Beach, during which you can see Drayton Hall, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site, USS Yorktown, Hampton Plantation State Historic Site, Hopsewee Plantation, Georgetown harbor walk, Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet and Myrtle Beach.
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