You can make Charlotte to Universal Orlando in about 8 hours, but the people who love this drive never do it in one straight shot. At around 530 miles on I-77, I-95 and I-4, it is short enough to start after breakfast and long enough to earn a night somewhere memorable.
Open this route in XCRSNLeaving Charlotte
Aim to clear Charlotte before the morning rush, or after it, never in it. Fill the tank on the edge of town where prices usually drop, set the playlist, and settle in for the first 245 miles to Savannah.
The headline stop on this route is Savannah's riverfront. Leave real time for it; it sets the tone for the whole trip.
Savannah
Savannah sits about 245 miles in. It is the natural place to stop for the night: hotels are plentiful, rates beat the big-city ends of the route, and you wake up with the hardest miles already behind you.
Nearby, St. Augustine's old town is worth the short detour if the day is going well.
Jacksonville, the last stretch
Jacksonville sits about 386 miles in. It is the natural place to stop for the night: hotels are plentiful, rates beat the big-city ends of the route, and you wake up with the hardest miles already behind you.
Rolling into Universal Orlando
The final 145 miles always go faster than you expect. Save a little energy for Universal's Epic Universe; it is a fitting finish.
By the end you will have seen Savannah's riverfront, St. Augustine's old town and Universal's Epic Universe, and you will understand why this corridor is a classic.
When to go and how to pace it
One night is the sweet spot. Savannah, GA or Jacksonville, FL is where most people stay, so book ahead on summer weekends.
Check live gas prices along I-77, I-95 and I-4 before you go; they can swing a lot from one state or county to the next. XCRSN prices every leg for your exact car.
