Interstate 85 — Petersburg, VA to Montgomery, AL

Hampton Inn Greenville I-85

246 Congaree Rd, Greenville, SC 29607 · $$

Greenville is the hidden gem of I-85 and the Hampton Inn here puts you close to that incredible downtown. If you're connecting from I-75 in Atlanta to I-77 in Charlotte, Greenville is the natural midpoint overnight. Pool, breakfast, and a downtown that's genuinely fun to walk around in the evening. The food scene here punches way above its weight class. Don't sleep on Greenville — unless you're literally sleeping here, in which case, do.

Discovery Place Science - Charlotte

301 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 · $$

Charlotte's science museum is right in uptown and the hands-on exhibits are designed for exactly the age range that's been losing it in your back seat for the past four hours. The rainforest dome has live butterflies landing on your kids. The physics labs let them build things and break things. If you're passing through Charlotte and the back seat is approaching DefCon 1, Discovery Place is the pressure release valve. They'll come out tired and happy.

Falls Park on the Reedy - Greenville

601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601 · $

Greenville's downtown has a waterfall. A real one. In the middle of the city. Falls Park has a suspension bridge over the falls, a walking trail along the river, and the entire Main Street is lined with restaurants and ice cream shops. If you need to stop for lunch between Atlanta and Charlotte, Greenville is the answer. The kids walk, you eat, everyone sees a waterfall, and for thirty minutes you forget you're on a road trip. Free to visit.

BMW Zentrum Museum - Greer

1400 Hwy 101 S, Greer, SC 29651 · $

Every BMW X-model SUV sold in America is built right here in Greer, South Carolina. The Zentrum museum has classic BMWs, concept cars, and an art gallery that's surprisingly good. Free admission. Your car-obsessed teenager will think this is the coolest stop on the trip. Your six-year-old will be bored in fifteen minutes. Know your audience. Right off I-85 between Greenville and Spartanburg.

Chateau Elan Winery & Resort

100 Rue Charlemagne Dr, Braselton, GA 30517 · $$$

A French-style chateau winery sitting off I-85 in Braselton, Georgia. Is it what you'd expect between Atlanta and Greenville? No. Is it a welcome surprise? Absolutely. The wine tastings are good, the grounds are gorgeous, and there's a spa if your co-pilot has been accumulating road trip resentment. Kids will be bored. This is a grown-up stop. Grown-ups have earned it.

Tanger Outlets - Commerce, GA

800 Steven B Tanger Blvd, Commerce, GA 30529 · $$

Right off I-85 between Atlanta and the South Carolina line, the Commerce outlets are the 'we need to buy swimsuits because someone forgot to pack them' stop. Also works for replacing the shoes your kid outgrew during the drive, grabbing a phone charger at the electronics store, and the obligatory Nike outlet visit that your teenager has been lobbying for since departure. Quick, painless, right off the highway.

Buc-ee's - Auburn

2500 Buc-ee's Blvd, Auburn, AL 36832 · $

The Auburn Buc-ee's sits right on I-85 between Atlanta and Montgomery, which is prime 'everyone needs to get out of this car right now' territory. You're about two hours from Atlanta heading south, the kids have exhausted their screens and their patience, and the beaver appears on the horizon like a gas station guardian angel. Standard operating procedure applies: bathroom, brisket, beaver nuggets, back in the car. War Eagle.

Beacon Drive-In - Spartanburg

255 John B White Sr Blvd, Spartanburg, SC 29306 · $

The Beacon has been serving Spartanburg since 1946 and the move-in line is legendary. You walk up, the guy behind the counter yells 'Call it!' and you'd better know what you want because the line behind you does not have patience. The Chili Cheeseburger A-Plenty is a burger buried under onion rings and fries. Your cardiologist would not approve. Your road trip self doesn't care. Right off I-85. Closed Sundays.