South Carolina Highway 11

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SC 11

Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway

Length:

115 mi (185 km)

Formed:

Early 1920s

South end:

I-85 in Oconee County, SC

Major
junctions:

U.S. 178

I-26 near Campobello, SC

U.S. 25 in Lima, SC

I-85 in Gaffney, SC

North end:

SC 150 in Gaffney, SC

South Carolina highways

The Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway (S.C. 11) winds its way through the northwest corner of South Carolina. Following the southernmost peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the route is surrounded with peach orchards, quaint villages, and parks. It is an ideal alternative to Interstate 85 and has been featured by such publications as National Geographic, Rand McNally and Southern Living. ^[1]

Once known as "Cherokee Path" or "Keowee Path," this road was the route used by the Cherokee Indians and the English and French fur traders. This National Scenic Byway winds its way through The Upstate and passes through some towns, such as Walhalla, Marietta, Campobello, Chesnee, and Gaffney. Echoes of the area's Cherokee heritage can still be heard in places and river names like Seneca, Savannah, Keowee, Jocassee, Enoree, Toxaway, Tugaloo, Tokena, and Eastatoee.

In the city of Gaffney, east of I-85, S.C. 11 is known as "Floyd Baker Boulevard," which is a well-known street name in The Upstate. This section of Highway 11 is a vast contrast to the rest of the route. At this point the highway becomes heavily congested and developed. Gaffney is also the biggest town along the route.