What States Border South Carolina
South Carolina borders two states: North Carolina to the north and Georgia to the southwest. The Atlantic Ocean forms South Carolina's entire southeastern boundary, providing about 187 miles of coastline. The Savannah River creates most of the border with Georgia, while surveyed lines mark the boundary with North Carolina.
- Bordering States
- 2
- International
- None
- Water Border
- Atlantic Ocean
- Access
- Coast or water access
South Carolina Border Map
Map showing South Carolina's boundaries with two states, the Savannah River, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Map showing South Carolina's boundaries with two states, the Savannah River, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Border Details
Explore each of South Carolina's borders in detail. Click any card to learn more.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
North Carolina
North Carolina forms South Carolina's entire northern border along surveyed lines.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Georgia
The Savannah River creates most of the border between South Carolina and Georgia.
Acadia National Park
Atlantic Ocean
South Carolina has about 187 miles of Atlantic coastline with beaches and historic ports.
Which States Border South Carolina?
South Carolina borders only two states: North Carolina to the north and Georgia to the southwest and west. This makes South Carolina one of the states with fewer neighbors, sharing borders primarily defined by surveyed lines and the Savannah River.
North: North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
North Carolina and South Carolina share a border along South Carolina's entire northern edge. The boundary follows surveyed lines that run roughly east-west across the state.
The South Carolina-North Carolina border extends for about 335 miles from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to Georgia in the west. The border was surveyed and marked in the 1700s and 1800s to settle disputes between the two colonies. South Carolina counties along this border include Horry, Marion, Dillon, Marlboro, Chesterfield, Lancaster, York, Cherokee, Spartanburg, Greenville, Pickens, and Oconee. Major cities near this border include Rock Hill and Spartanburg in South Carolina, and Charlotte, North Carolina just across the state line.
- About 335 miles east-west
- Surveyed line from 1700s-1800s
- Charlotte, NC near border with Rock Hill, SC
South-West: Georgia (Savannah River Border)
Bryce Canyon National Park
Georgia and South Carolina are separated primarily by the Savannah River along South Carolina's southwestern edge. This winding river creates one of the most recognizable state boundaries in the Southeast.
The South Carolina-Georgia border follows the Savannah River for about 250 miles from the mountains in the northwest to the Atlantic Ocean in the southeast. The entire border is essentially a water boundary, with the river defining where one state ends and the other begins. South Carolina counties along this border include Oconee, Anderson, Abbeville, McCormick, Edgefield, Aiken, Barnwell, Allendale, Hampton, and Jasper. The cities of Augusta, Georgia and Aiken, South Carolina sit across from each other along this river. Near the coast, Savannah, Georgia is just across the river from South Carolina.
- About 250 miles along Savannah River
- Entire border follows river
- Augusta, GA and Savannah, GA on border
Atlantic Ocean Coastline
The Atlantic Ocean forms South Carolina's entire southeastern boundary, providing about 187 miles of general coastline. South Carolina's coast includes famous beaches, historic port cities, and the unique Sea Islands ecosystem.
South-East: Atlantic Ocean
Acadia National Park
The Atlantic Ocean borders South Carolina from North Carolina in the north to Georgia in the south. South Carolina's coastline shaped the state's history as one of the original 13 colonies with major port cities.
South Carolina's Atlantic coastline stretches about 187 miles of general shoreline, though the tidal shoreline is much longer when including all the inlets, bays, and sea islands. The coast includes the Grand Strand beaches near Myrtle Beach in the north, historic Charleston Harbor in the center, and the Sea Islands region near Georgia. South Carolina counties with Atlantic coastline include Horry, Georgetown, Charleston, Colleton, Beaufort, and Jasper. Charleston, one of America's oldest cities, developed around its natural harbor. Hilton Head Island is a major resort destination on the southern coast.
- About 187 miles of general coastline
- Grand Strand, Charleston Harbor, Sea Islands
- Charleston and Myrtle Beach major coastal cities
Savannah River: Georgia Border
The Savannah River forms nearly the entire border between South Carolina and Georgia, flowing about 250 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. The river gets its name from the Shawnee people who once lived in the region. The Savannah has been crucial for transportation, commerce, and agriculture since colonial times. The city of Savannah, Georgia developed at the mouth of the river as a major port. Today, the river corridor includes several hydroelectric dams and reservoirs in the upper sections:. The Savannah River Site, a former nuclear production facility, sits along the river near Aiken, South Carolina. Despite industrial uses, portions of the river remain scenic and are popular for recreation.
The Sea Islands: Unique Coastal Geography
South Carolina's southern coast includes dozens of Sea Islands separated from the mainland by tidal marshes and waterways. These barrier islands stretch from South Carolina into Georgia and include famous destinations like Hilton Head Island, Edisto Island, and Beaufort. The Sea Islands have unique cultural significance as the home of the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of enslaved West Africans who preserved their language and traditions in these isolated coastal communities. The islands' marshlands and beaches provide critical habitat for wildlife. The distinctive geography of tidal creeks, salt marshes, and barrier islands defines South Carolina's southern coastline and creates a very different landscape from the sandy beaches of Myrtle Beach in the north.
Key Facts & Statistics
This table shows every border South Carolina shares, organized by direction and type.
South Carolina borders only two U.S. states
Frequently Asked Questions
What states border South Carolina?
What borders South Carolina?
What ocean borders South Carolina?
What state borders South Carolina on the north?
What river borders Georgia and South Carolina?
What city borders North and South Carolina?
What city borders Georgia and South Carolina?
How many states border South Carolina?
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Geographic features, river boundaries, and topographic data
Coastline and Sea Islands information