A Southern Road Trip with Mazda

by Michael Satterfield 05/08/2023

The sun was high over Atlanta, and our flight had gotten a little late, but Jennifer and I were excited to be packing our bags into the Mazda CX-30 SUV, ready for our road trip to Charleston. We had been planning this trip for months, and while we could have flown directly to South Carolina, we were eager to take some back roads and explore the beautiful Southern countryside.

Our first stop was Macon, Georgia, where we had made reservations at the charming 1842 Inn. The drive was smooth and comfortable, and we enjoyed the scenic route through rolling hills and verdant forests. The CX-30 Premium is the perfect vehicle for a road trip, with plenty of space, more than enough power, and all the technology you could ask for. Mazda has always punched well above its price point and the CX-30 is no exception. As we arrived at the inn, we were greeted by the friendly staff and shown to our room in the historic mansion. We quickly freshened up and enjoyed drinks and classic Southern hors d'oeuvres on the front porch.

The next day we explored the neighborhood around the inn, which was once home to The Allman Brothers Band and some amazing historic homes. Macon was a delightful surprise, with its historic downtown area filled with quaint shops and cafes. We decided to have brunch at Satterfield's BBQ, one of the main reasons we routed our trip through Macon. Back during the pandemic, the new owners of the restaurant that bares my family name had the bad luck of buying a business just before the world locked down. I found their fundraiser online by accident and purchased some tee shirts so they could keep the lights on until they could reopen for at least pick-up and delivery. We developed a friendship via social media and had been waiting for the opportunity to try what looked like some amazing BBQ.

The restaurant was bustling with locals, and the aroma of slow-cooked meat filled the air. We ordered from their brunch menu, Ben the owner brought us out a small sampling of their brisket and turkey, and it was hands down some of the best BBQ we had ever tasted, which is saying a lot coming from Texans.

After enjoying some great food and finally meeting some friends in real life, we continued our journey towards Charleston, passing through scenic small towns and sprawling farmland. The Mazda CX-30 handled beautifully on the winding country roads, despite being an SUV it still has that Mazda sportscar soul. I could have spent all day driving through the countryside, but we had to meet up with our friends in Charleston and get ready to attend an event at the Historic Charleston Foundation.

We had been to Charleston about six weeks earlier, but every time you arrive in the city you are immediately captivated by its historic charm and coastal beauty. We checked into a hotel just over the bridge in Mount Pleasant and headed out to dinner. We spent our free time exploring the cobblestone streets, visiting art galleries and museums, and indulging in fresh seafood and cocktails. We walked along the harbor, watching the boats sway gently in the breeze, and enjoyed the company of some amazing people.

Here are five things you have to do when you visit Charleston:

Explore the beaches: Charleston has some beautiful beaches, including Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, and Sullivan's Island.
Visit the Forts: Explore the historic Fort Sumter where the first shots of the Civil War were fired or Fort Moultrie, which played a key role in the Revolutionary War.
Visit the Plantations: Take a tour of the city's historic plantations such as Boone Hall Plantation and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.
Go on a food tour: Charleston is known for its delicious food, so why not take a food tour and sample some of the local cuisine.
Take a ghost tour: Charleston has a long and haunted history, and there are plenty of ghost tours available for those who want to explore the city's spooky side.

As the weekend closed we had to check out of our hotel, load everything back into the Mazda CX-30 and head back to reality. Thankfully that meant another full day of backroads exploring as we made our back to Atlanta. For more on the CX-30 visit mazdausa.com.