For GPS Devices, use 706 Craven Street, Beaufort, South Carolina as the address for the visitor center. Directions to the visitor center and Penn Center starting from Hilton Head, Savannah, or Charleston are listed below.
Hilton Head
Visitor Center from Hilton Head
(about 33 miles, approximately 45 minutes)
Take U.S. 278, west about 10 miles,
Exit onto S.C.170/Okatie Highway toward Beaufort, continue 19.5 miles,
Slight right onto Boundary Street/U.S. 21 Business, continue 2 miles,
Continue through sharp right curve onto Carteret Street,
Continue .4 miles, then take right on Craven Street.
The visitor center is at 706 Craven Street, across the street from the Beaufort Arsenal. On-street parking available in vicinity.
Penn Center from Hilton Head
(about 41 miles, approximately 1 hour)
Take U.S. 278 west
Exit onto S.C. 170 towards Beaufort
Turn right onto S.C. 170 E, follow signs for Beaufort, 14.3 miles
Turn right onto S.C. 128, continue straight onto Parris Island Gateway and then straight on Ribault Rd, 5.8 miles
Turn right onto US 21 S/Ladys Island Dr., 2.9 miles
Turn right onto US-21/ Sea Island Parkway, 4.7 miles
Follow Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr/State Rd S-7-45 to Penn Center Cir W
Savannah
Visitor Center from Savannah
(about 40 miles, approximately 1 hour)
Take U.S. 17 north, entering South Carolina,
Turn right onto S.C. 315 north/South Okatie Highway, continue 8.9 miles,
Continue onto May River Road,
At the traffic circle, take the third exit onto S.C. 170 east, continue 19.5 miles,
Slight right onto Boundary Street/U.S. 21 Business, continue 2 miles,
Continue through sharp right curve onto Carteret Street,
Continue .4 miles, then take right on Craven Street,
The visitor center is at 706 Craven Street across the street from the Beaufort Arsenal. On-street parking available in vicinity.
Penn Center from Savannah
(about 50 miles, approximately 1 hour)
Take U.S. 17 north, entering South Carolina,
Turn right onto S.C. 315 north/South Okatie Highway, continue 8.9 miles,
Continue onto May River Road,
At the traffic circle, take the third exit onto S.C. 170 east, continue 19 miles
Turn right onto S.C. 128, continue straight onto Parris Island Gateway and then straight on Ribault Rd, 5.8 miles
Turn right onto US 21 S/Ladys Island Dr., 2.9 miles
Turn right onto US-21/ Sea Island Parkway, 4.7 miles
Turn right onto Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr/State Rd S-7-45, .6 miles
Turn right onto Penn Center Cir W
Charleston
Visitor Center from Charleston
(about 65 miles, approximately 75 minutes)
Take U.S. 17 south, continue about 50 miles,
At the traffic circle, take the second exit onto Trask Parkway, continue 13 miles,
Continue through sharp right curve onto Carteret Street,
Continue .4 miles, then take right on Craven Street,
The visitor center is at 706 Craven Street across the street from the Beaufort Arsenal. On-street parking available in vicinity.
Penn Center from Charleston
(about 78 miles, approximately 1 hour 45 min)
Take U.S. 17 south, continue about 50 miles,
At the traffic circle, take the second exit onto Trask Parkway, continue 12 miles
Continue onto US 21 Business/Boundary St, continue 5 miles
Continue onto US 21 S/Sea Island Pkwy, continue 5 miles
Turn Right onto Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr/State Rd S-7-45, .6 miles
Turn Right onto Penn Center Cir W
Parking in Downtown Beaufort
Parking around the visitor center is metered parking, managed by the city of Beaufort. In downtown Beaufort buses can only unload on Carteret Street by the Beaufort History Museum. Buses can unload and park at the Marina. For more information and to learn the city's requirements for buses please visit the City of Beaufort's tourism website.
