Wood Bros. has always been a special place for us. Long before its latest chapter, back when it was the old Wood Bros., this was where we would meet guests for Coastal Expeditions kayak tours into the ACE Basin. It was an iconic Highway 17 landmark then, and it’s one of those places that feels woven into the fabric of the Lowcountry.

So I love that the new Wood Bros. has kept that sense of place while giving all of us another reason to stop.

Located in Green Pond, right in the heart of the ACE Basin, it’s become my favorite place to break up the drive between Charleston and Beaufort. It’s roughly halfway, easy to get in and out of, and turns what would normally be a five-minute bathroom stop into a place you actually want to linger.

Yes, I’m Recommending a Road-Trip Stop Because of the Bathrooms

These are not your typical roadside restrooms.

They’re spotlessly clean, and the individual stalls have actual walls and doors that go all the way from floor to ceiling. If you’ve spent enough time traveling Highway 17 with kids—or really, just traveling anywhere—you understand what a luxury this feels like.

But it’s the little details that get me. Often there are fresh gardenia blooms floating in bowls of water by the sinks. It’s such a simple touch, but it tells you everything about Wood Bros.: somebody cares about this place.

Come for the Bathroom. Stay for the Coffee.

Once everyone has stretched their legs, there’s a solid cup of coffee waiting at the counter.

And if you’re hungry, there are hot, easy-to-grab options like biscuits and hot dogs, along with snacks and treats for the road. It works equally well for an early-morning coffee stop on the way to Beaufort or that late-afternoon stretch when you need a little something to get you through the rest of the drive.

But give yourself a few extra minutes, because the real danger at Wood Bros. is wandering into the shop.

This Isn’t Your Average Highway 17 Convenience Store

Wood Bros. feels much more like a beautifully curated Lowcountry general store than a roadside stop.

There are hand-carved decoys, clay rice silhouettes, Smithy cast iron and all sorts of things that celebrate Southern craftsmanship and the culture of this part of South Carolina. You’ll find artwork, food, gifts and things for the home—the kind of pieces you aren’t going to find at a chain store.

I almost always find something I want, which makes my supposedly quick bathroom stop considerably less quick.

A Stop That Feels Like the ACE Basin

Maybe what I like most about Wood Bros. is where it is.

The drive between Charleston and Beaufort takes you through one of the most extraordinary landscapes in South Carolina: the ACE Basin, named for the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto rivers.

And Wood Bros. belongs here.

For generations of people traveling Highway 17, it has been a landmark. For us, it brings back memories of meeting paddlers here before heading out to explore the blackwater rivers, marshes and wild places of the ACE Basin. Today, it still feels connected to the landscape and culture around it.

That’s what makes it different from pulling into a convenience store that could be anywhere.

Get out of the car. Stretch your legs. Get a cup of coffee. Let the kids use a bathroom that won’t make you cringe. Wander around the shop and look at the decoys and cast iron. Then get back on Highway 17 and keep going.

If you’re traveling between Charleston and Beaufort, put Wood Bros. General Store on your route.

It’s an iconic Lowcountry stop that has found a really good new chapter—and I’m glad it’s still part of ours.

Why Stop in Green Pond, South Carolina?

If you’re looking for a convenient stop in Green Pond, South Carolina, Wood Bros. is an easy one to remember. This part of the Lowcountry makes a natural break along Highway 17, especially when you’re traveling between Charleston and Beaufort.

Green Pond is small, but its location puts you close to the ACE Basin South Carolina is known for, making it more than just a place to stop for a bathroom and coffee.

What to Know Before Stopping
If you’re checking Green Pond, SC weather before heading out, it’s worth remembering that conditions can change quickly during a Lowcountry road trip. A quick stop at Wood Bros. gives you a chance to stretch your legs, grab a drink or snack, and take a break before continuing along Highway 17 in South Carolina.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Does Coastal Expeditions offer tours near Wood Bros. General Store?
Yes! Coastal Expeditions leads guided kayak tours in the ACE Basin on creeks and waterways near Wood Bros. General Store. It’s an easy drive from either Charleston or Beaufort, making an ACE Basin kayak tour a great day trip from either city. Wood Bros. also makes the perfect stop before or after your adventure for coffee, a bite to eat and a little Lowcountry browsing.

What are some of the best ways to experience the ACE Basin?
The ACE Basin is best experienced slowly. Paddle a blackwater creek beneath cypress trees, watch for birds and wildlife along the marsh, or explore the waterways around St. Helena Island. Coastal Expeditions offers guided trips throughout the region for visitors who want to get beyond Highway 17 and experience one of the wildest parts of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Is Wood Bros. General Store a gas station?
No. While Wood Bros. is a great place to stop along Highway 17 between Charleston and Beaufort, it is not a gas station. You can stop for clean restrooms, coffee, hot food, snacks and a beautifully curated selection of Lowcountry goods—but you’ll need to fuel up elsewhere.