The Atlantic Coast Route Across Georgia

The marshes and barrier islands that line the Atlantic Ocean along the Georgia coast are among the lesser-known treasures of the eastern United States.

Geographically, the coastline consists of mostly roadless and largely unconnected islands, which makes coastal driving nearly impossible; the nearest north-south routes, I-95 and the older US-17, run roughly 15 mi (24 km) inland, and only a few roads head east to the Atlantic shore. The lack of access has kept development to a minimum and has also been a boon to wildlife—well over half the coastline is protected within state and federal parks, preserves, and refuges.

The “you can’t get there from here” aspect can make it more than a little frustrating for casual visitors, but if you have the time and inclination, it also makes the Georgia coast a wonderful place to explore. One of the main car-friendly destinations along the Georgia coast is Tybee Island in the north, east of Savannah.

Farther south, take time to explore the beautiful and history-rich Golden Isles, east of Brunswick. Both are great places to visit, and they offer an appetizing taste of the 100 miles of isolated shoreline Georgia otherwise keeps to itself.