Florida Road Trip
Ranked #1,055 in Travel & Places, #43,421 overall
I-75, I-95, and Route 1 -- Key West to Jacksonville: A Road Trip to Florida, the Sunshine State!
A Florida road trip along any of these highways and Interstates will all bring you the best theme parks in the country, stunning beaches, and even endangered wildlife. Explore small, Spanish era towns like St. Augustine, bustling cities like Miami, or head to the seclusion of the Florida Keys. No matter what type of trip you're looking for in the state of Florida, it's covered here!
Intro photo of Tampa Bay by TurtleMom4Bacon on flickr.
Jacksonville
The first city on your Florida road trip
Assuming you are driving from the north, the first city you will approach is Jacksonville heading south. This city along I-95 happens to have the largest population in the state. It also is the largest city in the country in terms of square miles. To give you an idea of how big Jacksonville is, the state of Rhode Island is 1214 square miles. Jacksonville is 885 square miles, a difference of only 329 sq mi!Beautiful Amelia Island is just 20 miles away from downtown Jacksonville.
Riverside Area, Jacksonville
Population: aprox. 813,000
Top things to do: Jacksonville Zoo, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Little Talbot Island State Park
How to get there: From western destinations, take I-10 east to the very end. From southern Florida, take I-95 north. East coast destinations, take I-95 south.
Where to stay:
Hampton Inn & Suites Jacksonville South/Bartram Park
St. Augustine
America's oldest city - part of northeast Florida
St. Augustine was originally under Spanish rule. In 1821, the territory was handed over to the U.S. government to help resolve border disputes between Spain and the USA. Spain's influence is what makes the city so distinct. Old cobblestone streets, Spanish churches, and homes are still in place from Spanish rule. In the 1887,under U.S. rule, oil tycoon Henry Flagler built the oppulent Ponce de Leon Hotel in the city, in hopes to attract a wealthy crowd looking for a warm, southern retreat. The hotel was a success, but was converted into Flager College. The towering buildings can be seen all across the city.
Palm Trees Next to Castillo De San Marcos at Sunset
Population: Aprox 12,000
Top things to do: Castillo de San Marcos, The Savory Faire food tour, visit Flager College
How to get there: To get to Saint Augustine, take I-95 south 1 south. Route 1 will lead directly into the city.
Where to stay:
Hampton Inn St. Augustine Beach
Daytona Beach
Visit the Daytona 500 - AND drive your car on the beach!
Daytona Beach is also famous for the Daytona 500, a NASCAR event, hosting bike week, and also spring break to hundreds of thousands of college students every year in March.
Daytona also can boast some of the best winter temperatures in the USA, being at a comfortable 70 degrees during most days as a high.
Beachfront Hotels, Daytona Beach
Population: aprox. 64,000
Top things to do: Ponce de Leon Lighthouse & Museum, Daytona 500 Experience, Beach at Daytona Beach, Daytona International Speedway
How to get there: From St. Augustine, take I-95 south to Route 1 south in the Ormond Beach area. It is approximately one hour due south of St. Augustine.
Where to stay:
Hampton Inn Daytona Shores-Oceanfront
Plan Your Florida Road Trip With This Recommended Guide!
DK Eyewitness Florida travel guide - great for on the road travel!
Florida
(Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Of all of the Florida travel guides out there, I personally recommend this one the best. Like all of the travel guides in the DK Eyewitness series, this book is just the right size for travel, but not so small that you can't read it. Beautiful photos point out the best things to see and do, while the text describes perfectly the who, what and where. The back section has a great recommended restaurant guide. There are overviews of the state's National Parks, fishing destinations, sports arenas, the best beaches, the best places to watch a sunset, and of course, the theme parks. Whether you're headed to Miami, Orlando, Naples, Tampa, the Keys, or Jacksonville, this guide will point out the finer things in that region and keep you busy your entire trip!
Cape Canaveral
Kennedy Space Center, Cocoa Beach
Adjacent to Cape Canaveral is Cocoa Beach. This is one of the most popular beaches for those visiting Orlando due to its proximity to the city.
Space Shuttle Atlantis Lifts Off at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral
Top things to do: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Fin Expeditions (Cocoa Beach)
How to get there:
Where to stay:
Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach
Orlando
Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld Orlando
When most people think of Florida, they automatically think Walt Disney World and Orlando. Unlike many other eastern cities in the USA, Orlando has experienced tremendous growth since Disney opened in 1971. Once the park opened, expansion led to many other theme parks in the area, like Universal Studios, and SeaWorld Orlando. Today, Orlando remains one of the top tourist destinations in the world, with over 50 million people visiting the city every year.Most people that head to Orlando fly into Orlando International Airport, but not everyone does fly. Some people prefer to drive vs fly, and have a great time doing it. As part of your Florida road trip, Orlando fits in perfectly.
Disney World, Orlando
Population: approx 235,000
Top things to do: Walt Disney World, Discovery Cove, Typhoon Lagoon, Sea World Orlando, Universal Studios
How to get there: Orlando is an easy drive from the Daytona Beach area or Tampa area. Take I-4 north from Tampa to reach Orlando, or I-4 south from Daytona Beach to reach Orlando. Alternatively, Route 528 from Cocoa Beach will bring you directly to I-4 just before the city.
Where to stay:
Homewood Suites By Hilton Orlando-Nearest To Universal Studios
Top 10 Orlando
Don't miss any of Orlando's best attractions with this top guide!
Orlando
(DK Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide)
Orlando is a city that there's so much to do, you'll need to get some personal recommendations for the trip. While a tour guide through the whole trip and during planning would be nice, it's much easier and less expensive to get yourself a great guide to the area. DK Eyewitness fulfills that need, giving you the top rated restaurants, bars, clubs, theme parks, water parks, and everything else there is to see in Orlando! With easy flip to sections and colorful illustrations, you'll find this a very convenient guide on the go, in the hotel room, or during your trip planning.
Miami
South Beach, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, and more
As a world class city, Miami has a big reputation to uphold. It isn't the biggest city in all of Florida, but is probably the best known. While Orlando focuses on theme parks, amusements, and rides, Miami's forte is its culture (a big Cuban influence here), its clubs, and its beaches. South Beach, Miami Beach, and Virginia Key Beach all boast their own personality and vibe, whether it's more laid back, exciting, or sexy.Miami also is home to Little Havana, a Cuban neighborhood in the city serving authentic Cuban dishes and drinks. Coral Gables is a ritzier, classier neighborhood in the city, while Coconut Grove is a center for the arts and has some of the best clubs in all of Miami. Read this informative guide for ideas on more of the top things to do in Miami.
Ocean Drive, South Beach, Miami Beach
Population: Approx. 433,000
Top things to do: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Zoo Miami, South Beach, Downtown Miami,
How to get there: Take I-95 south from northern Florida destinations to reach the city, or take I-75 east from Naples and Route 1 north from the Florida Keys.
Where to stay:
Epic Miami, A Kimpton Hotel
Overseas Highway Poster
Beautiful shot of the 7 Mile Bridge in Marathon
Aerial of 7 Mile Bridge, Pigeon Cay, Florida Keys Photographic Print
The Overseas Highway connects all of the Florida Keys to the mainland. It is also known as Route 1, beginning in Key Largo and ending in Key West. When you reach the end of the highway, you'll only be 90 miles from the coast of Cuba!
Key West
The southernmost island of the Florida Keys - and the USA!
Key West is the southernmost city in the United States, and has some of the best food, best bars, and best water views you'll see anywhere in the Sunshine State. Is it worth it to visit Key West? Absolutely. The city (which is more like a large town) really has something for everyone. History lovers will appreciate Key West Lighthouse, Ernest Hemmingway House, and the historic Mallory Square. Those that love a good old time will love Sloppy Joe's Bar, the line of other great bars on Duval Street, and the sunset cruises that launch from the shore on daily basis.Whatever you do, you can leave your troubles behind at Key West and really enjoy yourself. The Florida Keys were strung together with a convenient and awe inspiring span of bridges connecting the islands to the Florida mainland. Be sure to take your time as you pass over the bridges, islands and towns like Marathon, Islamorada, and Key Largo. You might even be able to spot a Key Deer if you're lucky.
>> Continue reading more about Key West
Sailboat Racing in the Ocean, Key West
Things to do: Mallory Square, Sloppy Joe's Bar, Key West Lighthouse, Ernest Hemmingway Home/Museum, Shipwreck Museum, Fishing Charters, Fury Water Adventures
Orchid Key Inn, Key West
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Everglades
Ecological diversity and beauty at Everglades National Park
Florida really does have something for everyone. You can't get much further apart on the vacation spectrum than the Everglades and attractions like Walt Disney World. For those that want to see Florida in all of its natural beauty, the Everglades is a must-see on your Florida road trip. The Everglades ecosystem is a gigantic ebb and flow of water throughout Southern Florida. The natural, slow moving "tide" flows towards the ocean, back, and forth again. It is home to large colonies of birds, alligators, dolphins, and Loggerhead Turtles.Since this park covers so much area and is protected, there are not many roads that lead through the "heart" of it all. Instead, there are roads that travel around the perimeter and to key points within the park. Check out Shark Valley, Flamingo, and explore on your own in Everglades City.
>> Continue reading more about the Everglades
Refection of Sun in Water, Everglades National Park
Things to do: Anhinga Trail, Shark Valley, Flamingo, Airboat Tours
Where to stay: See Tampa listing below
Naples
The best beaches in Florida - only miles from the Everglades!
Barefoot Beach Preserve, Naples
Population: Aprox. 21,000
Top things to do: Naples Pier, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Fishing Charters, Naples Museum of Art, beaches, spas
How to get there: I-75 west and I-41 west both lead directly to the city of Naples.
Where to stay:
Bellasera Hotel, Naples
Tampa
Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater: the Gulf Coast of Florida
Tourism is a big part of Tampa's economy. If you're headed here on a road trip, you'll find plenty to do and see. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Florida Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo, and Adventure Island are all in the Tampa area. The city also ranks second in cruise ship travel next to Miami. Before you leave, be sure to take a drive over the beautiful Sunshine Skyway Bridge, seen below.
Sunshine Skyway and Windsurfer, Tampa Bay
Population: Aprox. 343,000
Top things to do: Big Cat Rescue, Manatee Viewing Area, Busch Gardens, drive the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Murielle Winery (Clearwater), Salvador Dali Museum (St. Petersburg), Florida Orange Groves and Winery (St. Petersburg)
How to get there: It's very easy to get to this Gulf Coast city. Use I-4 south from Orlando, I-75 north from Naples, or I-98 south from the Panhandle.
Where to stay:
Sandpearl Resort Clearwater Beach
Florida Panhandle
Pensacola, Panama City Beach, Port St. Joe - more of the east coast's best beaches
The panhandle is best seen by driving I-98 around the perimeter of the shore. This way, you'll drive through every coastal town on your way, and be sure to catch a glimpse of the stunning beach scenery.
Gulf of Mexico at Sunset, Pensacola
Top things to do: Panama City Beach Winery, WonderWorks, Pensacola Lighthouse, National Naval Aviation Museum
How to get there: From Alabama, take I-98 east/south towards the coastal cities. From areas south I-98 north to enjoy the scenery from Spring Hill to Port St. Joe.
Where to stay:
La Quinta Inn And Suites Panama City Beach
The Top Selling Florida Vacation Guides
Plan your trip with these best selling guides to Sunshine State destinations
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Extend your trip even further using these online guides!
Also be sure to visit RoadRoamer.com for more recommended road trip routes and sightseeing journeys!
Have You Taken a Road Trip to Florida Before?
Tell us about your favorite spots, what you see, and what you recommend!
Thanks for stopping by! If you have any recommendations on what to do, what to see, and what not to do, be sure to tell us here!
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WindyWinters
Feb 16, 2011 @ 3:48 pm | delete
- Congrats on your Purple Star! We have only taken a day trip to Florida off the cruise ship. We traveled from Fort Launderdale to Miami and went to the Everglades. Thanks for all of your info about road trips in Florida. :)
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TeamSTM
Jan 26, 2011 @ 6:46 am | delete
- I like going to Florida, I have been to Disney World 3 times, Miami Once and Daytona quite a few times!! Oh yeah, there is no place in the U.S like Florida in my opinion, besides it stays relatively warm all year long!
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sorana
Jan 26, 2011 @ 5:03 am | delete
- Fantastic lens. You have created a very interesting itinerary.
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JackBandit
Jan 25, 2011 @ 4:57 pm | delete
- I really loved the Everglades when I visited; they are just so interesting and full of life, and the geography is so unlike anything I've seen in my native California!
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mbgphoto
Jan 25, 2011 @ 3:41 pm | delete
- Great information here...I'm counting the days till we leave for Florida the end of February. Blessed by a Squidangel and lensrolled to my Florida lenses.
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Florida is one of the best places to plan a road trip in the USA. Read all about its top destinations here!
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The Backroads of Florida
Travel the state the way it was meant to be traveled!
Backroads of Florida: Your Guide to Great Day Trips & Weekend Getaways
Amazon Price: $5.98 (as of 02/23/2012)
These backroads adventures reveal a Florida of ancient indigenous cultures, early European settlements, Civil War battles, and Caribbean influences. Along the way, the authors present historical and cultural background for the state's varied natural and human communities, as well as descriptions of the best destinations and sites to visit during your travels.
Insiders' Guide to the Greater Tampa Bay Area
Including St. Petersburg-Clearwater
Insiders' Guide to the Greater Tampa Bay Area: Including Tampa, St. Petersburg, & Clearwater (Insiders' Guide Series)
Amazon Price: $12.87 (as of 02/23/2012)
Fodor's Walt Disney World 2011
With Universal, SeaWorld, and the Best of Central Florida
Fodor's Walt Disney World 2011: With Universal, SeaWorld, and the Best of Central Florida (Full-color Travel Guide)
Amazon Price: $12.00 (as of 02/23/2012)
