You hit it right for South Carolina and Georgia, and not many people know where the nicest part of SC is. Also, the best place in Texas is right around Kerrville/Fredericksburg/NewBraunsfels. There are some nice places in Maryland--out in the hillier west and on the dively beautiful Eastern Shore marshland, where conservatives dominate and the produce is splendid.
The very, very loveliest stretch of road in South Carolina is state highway 11. Start at Gaffney just west of Charlotte, and drive on west along the edge of the mountains for some 100 miles until the road ends near Clemson Univ. and the Georgia border near Clayton, GA and the famous Dillard House restaurant.
Be sure to stop for country buffet meals for about $5 or 6 incl sweet tea at the Gowensville crossroad, which also has two golf courses even though it is supposedly in the middle of nowhere.
Hang gliders and UFOs are both seen frequently around Glassy Bald if you know where I am talking about.