florida to alabama road trip

17 Spectacular Southern USA Road Trip Itinerary Ideas

From the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains to the sandy beaches of the Lowcountry, and from the music of Nashville to the food scene of New Orleans, there is no shortage of wonderful options when looking for the best southern USA road trip itineraries.

I’ve been taking road trips in the south for my entire life, crisscrossing across the southeast USA visiting cities, towns, national parks, beaches, marshes, and beyond.

And yet, even after all that time, there are still plenty of southern road trip routes on my wish list.

In order to give perspectives beyond my own, I asked several other travel bloggers to share their favorite road trips in the south, and the result is a road trip bucket list that would take even the most dedicated road-tripper years to complete!

From weeks-long deep south road trip itineraries to quick weekend getaways, these southeast US road trip ideas cover an enormous variety of landscapes and interests.

No matter what kind of adventure you’re looking for, we have a southern USA road trip itinerary here for you!

Table of Contents

Quick Tips for Your Southeast USA Road Trip

Deep south usa road trip itinerary ideas, other multi-state southern usa road trip routes, more single-state southeast road trip itineraries.

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Ideally, take your southern road trip in the spring or fall.

While you can technically take all of these southern USA road trips year-round, the south’s notoriously brutal summer means that it’s best to avoid the months of June, July, and August if you can (unless you plan to spend most of your time on the beach, of course).

Winter, depending on the location, can be gray and rainy, but can also be a joyous time to visit cities, towns, and mountains that see far less tourism in the winter (but don’t underestimate the possibility of snow in the mountains, either: it may be the south, but the Smokies still get snow!).

If you’re renting a car, shop around.

The best company to rent a car from for your US south road trip will likely vary dramatically depending on where and when you’re traveling.

Sometimes large international carriers offer the best prices, sometimes local outfits. Sometimes one company has an excellent base price, but terrible rental requirements.

The best way to find your rental car is to search through  Discover Cars , which will sift through dozens of companies to find the best combination of low prices and reasonable rental terms for your USA road trip.

Browse rental cars  for your southern USA road trip today!

We have offered suggestions for the best hotels in each place but if you are doing this as a true road trip it is really cool to do it in an RV. You can rent incredible RVs and camper vans from Outdoorsy, book here for your next road trip!

Read the rental requirements carefully.

Especially make sure you know how many miles you’ve been allotted (or ideally, if they’re unlimited), if you need to return the car empty or full of fuel, what to do if the car breaks down, and what damages you’re liable for in the event of an accident.

Don’t underestimate the south’s national parks!

The wide-open spaces and epic landscapes of the American West are often the typical images conjured up when imagining the USA’s national parks–but the south has plenty to offer, as well!

In fact, Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee is the most-visited national park in the country, and its gorgeous vistas and jaw-dropping waterfalls are well worth exploring.

Other southern national parks to consider adding to your road trip through the south include Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, Everglades National Park in South Florida, and Congaree National Park in South Carolina–just to name a few!

Make sure you pack the right gear.

From safety gear to snacks, a deep south road trip requires bringing the right tools along, whether you’re taking a short vacation, trying out van life, or something in between.

We recommend taking a look at the suggestions on  our road trip packing list  before you go!

Don’t overextend yourself.

Exploring every nook and cranny of the US south is a project for a lifetime, not one trip!

As tempting as it is to add on additional driving to stop at just one more beach or small town, make sure that you leave enough time to thoroughly explore each destination rather than spending the entirety of your road trip driving from one spot to the next.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Scenic Byway

From Charles of US Gulf Coast Travel

One of the best scenic coastal drives in the United States is the Gulf Coast Scenic Byway (US Highway 90 / Beach Boulevard) in  Coastal Mississippi , where for 11 glorious miles there is nothing between you and the soft sugar sand and Gulf of Mexico water.

The most awe-inspiring section of the Gulf Coast Scenic Byway is from Henderson Point Beach to the Port of Gulfport Mississippi.

Drive this portion, or this entire road trip, in either direction, but we suggest west to east because you are closer to the water.

Start this road trip after an overnight in Bay St Louis or New Orleans (55 miles away).

In Bay St Louis, fuel up at Mockingbird Cafe (try their pulled pork and grits) or Serious Bakery (superb chicken salad).

Drive across the iconic St. Louis Bay Bridge and your senses will activate and heighten with your first Gulf and sand view.

Stop as often as you want because parking is free!

The coastal drive continues through Gulfport and into Biloxi.

Visit the new Mississippi Aquarium, stroll the Biloxi Beach Boardwalk, and eat at White Pillars or The Blind Tiger.

After crossing the Biloxi Bay Bridge, make time to explore the wonderful small town of Ocean Springs.

Stroll the gorgeous oak-lined Washington Avenue, stop at Walter Anderson Museum of Art, and eat at Vestige.

Highway 90 continues through Pascagoula (Jimmy Buffett’s birthplace) and into Mobile, Alabama, where you can turn around and complete this classic deep south road trip again.

Driving Distance

Bay St Louis to Pascagoula is 50 miles. New Orleans to Pascagoula is 107 miles and it is another 35 miles to Mobile, Alabama.

Recommended Road Trip Length

You can drive this coastal scenic drive in a couple of hours but we suggest allowing three or more days to fully experience the spectacular sugar sand, seafood, sunsets, and small beach towns of Coastal Mississippi.

Alabama Black Belt Road Trip

From Lori of Southerner Says

A road trip through the Black Belt region of Alabama is one of the best southern USA road trips around.

Named for the dark fertile soil of the region, the Alabama Black Belt is made up of twenty-three states across central and south Alabama.

This part of Alabama is the place where significant law-changing history was made, where literary giants were born, and is home to some of the best food that can be found in the United States.

For first-time visitors or someone flying in, there’s no better way to start an Alabama southern road trip than by including the capital –  Montgomery.

Plan on visiting important civil rights sites and the renowned Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

Next, drive west approximately fifty miles to Selma, Alabama on Highway 80.

This route is the same route as the important Selma to Montgomery march for voters’ rights that took place in 1965.

See the places that put this small town on the map and made it crucial in the civil rights movement.

Walk the Edmund Pettus Bridge, eat locally caught catfish, and sleep in a hotel that was built in 1837 . 

After saying a farewell to Selma, drive county backroads approximately seventy miles to the literary capital of the south.

As unbelievable as it may seem, Harper Lee – To Kill a Mockingbird and Truman Capote – Breakfast at Tiffany’s were childhood friends in the south.

They both grew up in Monroeville, Alabama – the next stop on this southern road trip. Take a walk around the charming downtown square to spot murals that pay tribute to these well-known books and authors.

From Monroeville, it’s easy to hop on Interstate-65 north to return to Montgomery or take the scenic route for a few more towns and sites on your southern road trip.

Driving Distance 

Recommended road trip length  .

This itinerary would be good for a weekend or long weekend.

Since the Alabama Black Belt is a rather large region there is an abundance of small towns and sites that can be added to a southern road trip.

Visitors could easily spend a week or two in the area.

Mississippi’s Highway 61 (Blues Trail)

From Hannah of HH Lifestyle Travel

A road trip from Memphis to New Orleans down Mississippi’s Highway 61 is rich in music history; and the inevitable river lore that pervades a road trip running parallel to the Mighty Mississippi.

In true road trip style, the road itself is part of the fun of the journey.  

Highway 61 is long and flat and often sits higher than the fields and levees below it.  It is punctuated by quaint southern churches, glimpses of the Mississippi River, and cities rich in blues history. 

Enjoy visiting one of the legendary ‘juke joints’ in  Clarksdale, Mississippi .  

If there is one stop on the road trip to learn about the history of blues music in the area, it’s Clarksdale.  

Visit the Devil’s Crossroads, the Delta Blues Museum, and many more Blues Trail plaques.

Your next stop is Vicksburg.  Brimming with Civil War history, Vicksburg mixes reverence with rejuvenation.  

Pay your respects to meaningful Civil War history, but then enjoy a day spa and quality craft brewpub experience.

Natchez sits on an important bluff on a bend in the Mississippi River with a long history.  

The historic district of Natchez Under-the-Hill has a prime position along the river and was once famous for gambling and river pirates.  

Nowadays it’s a cute place to see the Mighty Mississippi and have lunch in one of the historic buildings.

End your road trip in the vibrant and magnetic city of New Orleans .

Driving Distance  

It takes around 9 hours of non-stop driving time from Memphis to New Orleans, but with time spent in the stops above it would suit a 5–7-day road trip.  

Plan a bit longer if you want to spend time in both Memphis and New Orleans before and after this deep south road trip experience.

Coastal Georgia and South Carolina Road Trip

From Noel of Travel Photo Discovery

One of the fabulous road trips in the southeastern USA travels along the historic coastal corridors of Georgia to South Carolina, finishing in Charleston.

From the Georgia border to Florida, the major artery is Hwy 95, you’ll pass through so many historic and recreational sites along the way to make this a few days or even a longer visit depending on how many places you want to see and experience.

Some of the cool and historic places to visit in Georgia include St. Marys and Cumberland Island, Brunswich and St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island , Tybee Island , and Savannah .

Places to explore around South Carolina’s southern coastline from Savannah include Hilton Head, Beaufort, Edisto Island, and Charleston.

Each of these areas caters to historic sites or recreation getaways that are fun to explore when you have more time to visit each area on this road trip.

Even though you can go directly on Hwy 95 from the Georgia border all the way to South Carolina, it’s the small detour expressways and backcountry roads that will give you a better insight into visiting some of these gems in the region.  

If you only have a few days or longer then the major cities of Savannah and Charleston are memorable cities to prioritize to experience the local lifestyles foods that you’ll enjoy on this southern road trip experience.

Savannah, with its historic squares, fabulous architecture, and historic district that remains intact includes so much to see, do and experience around the historic center of the city.

Charleston on the other hand is more compact and walkable with a tighter historic district to enjoy and explore on your own or with some tour operator sharing the main attractions to see in town.

It’s 107 miles to drive straight from Savannah to Charleston.

If you’re focusing on Savannah and Charleston, 5 days is a comfortable length for this USA southern road trip itinerary.

Add additional days for each city, small town, or island that you’d like to visit.

The Classic Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip Route

From Bret Love & Mary Gabbett of Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide

The Blue Ridge Parkway, which stretches 469 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, is such an unimaginably epic USA road trip, that veterans almost envy people who are experiencing it for the first time.

There are a lot of reasons it’s the #1 most visited unit in the US National Park system (with more than 15 million annual visitors), including 200 jaw-dropping BRP overlooks that offer stunning Blue Ridge Mountain vistas and provide access to the region’s most incredible hiking trails, landmarks, mountain towns, and waterfalls.

Designed as part of FDR’s New Deal to protect American wilderness and provide jobs in the wake of the Great Depression, construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway began back in 1935.

Most of the scenic route was completed by 1966, but the popular 8-mile stretch around the iconic Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina (including the engineering marvel known as the Linn Cove Viaduct) wasn’t finished until 1987.

The BRP is the longest linear park in the country, taking travelers through the Jefferson, George Washington, Nantahala, and Pisgah National Forests.

So naturally, there are a lot of exciting things to do along the way. 

At 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell is the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River, with lots of challenging hiking trails and a relatively easy paved path to the observation platform at the summit.

Grandfather Mountain State Park is also home to epic hiking trails (including several with ladders to climb massive boulders), and the neighboring Grandfather Mountain attraction is home to the Mile-High Swinging Bridge, a small zoo featuring native North Carolina animals, and myriad picnic areas. 

Virginia’s Mabry Mill is the most photographed spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and one of the region’s many historical attractions.

There’s very little commercial development along the Parkway, with only a few hotels and resorts (including the historic Switzerland Inn in  Little Switzerland NC ,  and the Peaks of Otter Lodge in Bedford VA).

But part of the fun is exploring some of the charming little mountain towns along the way, including Cherokee, Blowing Rock, and Boone in NC, and Bedford, Lexington, and Waynesboro in VA.

You could drive the entire Blue Ridge Parkway in as little as 15-16 hours if you wanted, but that would totally defeat the purpose.

Some people like to break it up into weekend getaways, basing themselves in a local town.

But you could also spend a week or two driving the entire route, spending nights in lots of little towns along the way.

Chattanooga, Tennessee to Cherokee, North Carolina

From Kim of Traveling Swansons

A Chattanooga, Tennessee to Cherokee, North Carolina southeast road trip takes you on a tour of some of the most breathtaking scenery in the region.

Chattanooga is a beautiful city surrounded by mountains and located along the Tennessee River.

There are many fun things to do here including the Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, Rock City, Ruby Falls, and the Incline Railway.

After leaving Chattanooga, your next stop will be Knoxville, Tennessee.

Check out the Sunsphere Tower, which was built for the 1982 World’s Fair.  Walk around Market Square and grab a bite to eat and shop.

After leaving Knoxville, your next stop will be Pigeon Forge. 

Here you find no shortage of attractions including the popular Dollywood. 

Right next to Pigeon Forge, you’ll find the town of Gatlinburg. 

In Gatlinburg, you will also find plenty of attractions including Anakeesta and the Gatlinburg Skybridge. 

Gatlinburg is one of the busiest and most popular gateway towns to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park  has many amazing hiking trails, waterfalls, and views. 

Drive the breathtaking scenic Newfound Gap Road to Cherokee, North Carolina. Jump out along the many turnouts along the way and enjoy the scenery. 

Once you reach Cherokee, explore the Oconaluftee Indian Village and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.  Shop for some authentic Cherokee arts and crafts.

The drive from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Cherokee, North Carolina is 191 miles and takes 3 hrs 51 minutes if driving straight through. 

Since there is so much to do on this southern USA road trip, you will want to spend at least 5 days here in order to take in as much as you can along the way.

NOLA to Nashville Southern Road Trip Itinerary

From Agnes of The Van Escape

The southern USA road trip from New Orleans to Nashville is extraordinary.

Why? Nashville and New Orleans are music cities.

New Orleans – the world capital of jazz and Nashville – the capital of American country music – anyone who likes live concerts will appreciate this combination.

And indeed, in both cities, you can listen to music at every turn!

Concerts, music events, live music in almost every restaurant, bar, and even on the streets – Nashville and New Orleans are alive with sounds.

Moreover, there are many great  things to do in Nashville and in New Orleans.

In Nashville visit Jonny Cash Museum, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Grand Ole Opry, reproduction of the Parthenon, and Downtown with famous Broadway Street.

In New Orleans, visit the French Quarter, the Jazz Museum, the Woodoo Museum, the National WWII Museum, explore one of the famous cemeteries, sign up for a swamp tour. Enjoy the best cocktails at the famous Bourbon Street.

Both cities are also known for their excellent cuisine. In New Orleans, you’ll melt at the tastes and smells of Louisiana Creole cuisine, and in Nashville, you’ll delight at the famous juicy BBQ ribs and more.

That’s not all. Both cities are famous for the finest spirits.

New Orleans offers great alcoholic cocktails and in Nashville, you can try classic Tennessee Jack Daniels whiskey , whose distillery is nearby.

The driving time from NOLA to Nashville is about 8 hours, and 4-5 days is perfect for this road trip.

You can cover the distance in one day or split it into two days and spend one night in Birmingham, the largest city in Alabama.

To feel the atmosphere of each city and immerse yourself in its music world, we recommend two nights in New Orleans and two in Nashville.

Virginia Beach, Virginia to Hilton Head, South Carolina

From Alex of Wander With Alex

If you’re planning a road trip from Virginia Beach, VA to Hilton Head, SC, and need a few stops along the way, we’ve got you covered!

While Virginia Beach and Hilton Head are both popular southern beach towns, the experience is very different!

They are both, however, family-friendly vacation destinations with lots of unique things to do and see.

While in Virginia Beach, VA you’ll want to check out the main beach at the Oceanfront.

There are 35 miles of beachfront, an amusement park on Atlantic Ave, and tons of souvenir shops for you to choose from.

If you’re looking for something free to do, check out the Creative ViBE District for murals, sidewalk art, and other creative artwork!

Now that’ll you’ve explored Virginia Beach, it’s time to hit the road!

After being on the road for seven and a half hours, you’ll be nearing Savannah, GA! If you’ve never been to Savannah, consider staying overnight.

You can take a riverboat dinner cruise on the Savannah River or enjoy a low country dinner at one of the best restaurants in Savannah .

And since Hilton Head is only 45-minutes from Savannah, you can stick around for a few hours in the morning and to Tybee Island before heading over to Hilton Head!

Hilton Head Island in South Carolina is a laid-back resort town offering beautiful beaches and tons of golf courses.

Additionally, Hilton Head is incredibly bike-friendly.

Head over to Hilton Head Outfitters, rent bicycles for the whole family, and go exploring!

And if you are a seafood lover, you’ll have tons of waterfront restaurant options!

A road trip from Virginia Beach, VA to  Hilton Head, SC  via Interstate-95 is approximately 589 miles.

If you do not want to stay overnight in Savannah, you can make the trip in seven and a half hours.

However, if you prefer slow travel and wish to explore Savannah, you should consider making this a two-day drive.

Gulf Coast Beach Road Trip from Alabama to Florida

From Ashlee of The Happiness Function

One of the best-kept secrets in the South are the sugar-white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico from Alabama to the Florida panhandle.

If you have never heard of Dauphin Island, Alabama, it is a must-visit southern destination.

Take the ultimate beach road trip from Dauphin Island, Alabama, to Pensacola, Florida!

Dauphin Island, Alabama, is a beautiful place to visit. The island is home to many different wildlife species, including sea turtles, and the scenery is simply stunning.

If you’re looking for a place to relax and enjoy nature, Dauphin Island is the perfect spot. Plan to stay at least two days.

From Dauphin Island, take the ferry across Mobile Bay to Fort Morgan, where visitors can continue the road trip to Gulf Shores.

Be sure to visit Gulf State Park and enjoy the incredible beaches from Gulf Shores to Orange Beach! Plan at least two days in Gulf Shores.

Gulf Islands National Seashore in Fort Pickens is a popular tourist destination offering a variety of activities such as catching some sun on beaches, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and exploring the historic fort.

Camp at the  Fort Pickens Campground  for a few days to enjoy all the island offers.

From Gulf Shores, continue east into the Florida panhandle towards Pensacola.

A road trip along the southern coast of Alabama into the Florida panhandle makes for an incredible beach road trip any time of year.

We recommend taking about a week to enjoy this road trip in the US south.

This way, road trippers can enjoy each destination for two days.

Savannah, Georgia to Clearwater, Florida Road Trip

From Terri of FemaleSoloTrek.com

If you’re looking for beautiful beaches and fun in the sun, plan a short southern road trip route from Savannah to Clearwater.

Plan to start at dawn from Savannah on a Saturday so you can arrive by noon in  Clearwater, Florida .

Google Maps or Waze will offer you the choice of traveling down I-95 toward Orlando and then across to Tampa/St. Pete outposts.

Alternatively, you can drive through Jacksonville and then cut across the state via US-301 S and I-75 S.

The estimated time is 6 hours if you don’t hit bad traffic on I-95.

You will also have time to eat fried grouper at Clearwater Beach for lunch, then hit the Clearwater Aquarium for an afternoon adventure.

Dedicate the evening to drinking margaritas and watching the sunset.

You might want to watch the sunset (while sipping a cocktail) at Pier 60 on Saturday night or delay until Sunday because you will be exhausted from your early morning drive.

Clearwater is also a great place to settle while you plan day trips to Tampa, St. Pete, and Sarasota.

While you can easily make the drive in a day, it’s best to set aside a week for this US south road trip as you will lose two days to travel.

Florida’s Gulf Coast deserves a minimum five-day stay so you can experience different beaches.

Southeast USA Road Trip from Washington DC to Florida

From Keri of Bon Voyage With Kids

One of the best road trips in the southeast US is from Washington, DC to  Anna Maria Island, Florida . 

If you want to break it up with overnights and stops, I recommend going from Washington DC to Raleigh, NC on Day 1.  On Day 2, drive from Raleigh, NC to Savannah, GA.  Then on Day 3, drive from Savannah, GA to Anna Maria Island, FL.

Starting in Washington, DC, where there is much to see from the Capitol to the Washington Monument to the Smithsonian Museums, you can begin heading on the road toward Virginia and the Carolinas. 

In Virginia, the historic college town of Williamsburg is well worth a visit. 

In addition to being a beautiful town, home to William and Mary College, it is also where you can step back in time at Colonial Williamsburg and learn a bit about American history. 

From here, head into North Carolina and stop in Raleigh if you plan to spend the night.

Then head into South Carolina, where a drive-through or stop in Charleston is a great thing to do. 

The historic and lavish architecture is well worth a look, and the southern hospitality and walk on the waterfront are worth it even just for a short visit. 

From here, continue into Georgia, where a stop in Savannah is a must. 

If you have a bit of time to spend in this southern city, the hop on hop off trolley, walking tours, and a 90-minute riverboat sightseeing cruise would be worth doing. 

This beautiful and historic city really is a gem on this road trip, so be sure to build in a bit of time, and even book a bed and breakfast for the night.  

Continue on from Georgia into northern Florida, where if you can stop in Jacksonville for a visit to the University of Florida or in St. Augustine for lunch or a walking tour of this beautiful and historic city. 

There is an old town part of St. Augustine well worth visiting, and depending on the time of day, is a great stop for a lunch. Continue on from St. Augustine to Anna Maria Island, Florida.

You may pass through Orlando and Tampa, which if you have time, may want to stop in one of these cities. 

While Orlando is home to many theme parks and activities, you won’t have time on this drive to do many of those unless you build in another day or two to your drive.

Instead, I suggest stopping in Tampa, where you will get to view this fantastic seaside city, where you can enjoy a cruise, walk around Ybor City, or grab a meal at the famous (and delicious) Columbia Restaurant. 

While you are also right at Clearwater Beach, you may want to save that beach visit for Anna Maria Island, just about an hours drive from Tampa, on the Gulf Coast, and renowned for its teal Caribbean-like water, white soft sand, quieter beaches, and home rentals perfect for a beach getaway. 

It’s the perfect destination to such a cultural and historic road trip, and one of the best road trips in the south USA.

Approximately 945 miles (about 14 hours total) one way.

Approximately 945 miles (about 14 hours total) one way, this road trip is at least a two to three-day drive, depending on how much you would like to stop along the way. 

The Outer Banks of North Carolina Road Trip

From Candice of CS Ginger

One of the best Southern USA road trips is driving through the Outer Banks. There are so many fun things to do in the Outer Banks  and its sweeping coastal scenery is gorgeous.

The Outer Banks is a chain of barrier islands off the North Carolina coast filled with beautiful beaches, lighthouses, and fun beach towns.

A great historic stop in the Outer Banks is at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

This is where the Wright brothers completed the first controlled flight in December of 1903.

There are a fun visitor’s center, some historical markers, and a replica of the first plane.

The Outer Banks is also home to the tallest brick lighthouse in the world. You can climb to the top of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. There are 257 steps to the top.

The lighthouse and Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a great place to spend the afternoon. The beaches are beautiful and not crowded.

After spending time at Cape Hatteras, you can take the ferry over to Ocracoke Island.

There is another lighthouse on this smaller island, but it is not open to visitors.

There are, however, beautiful beaches making this island a fun spot to explore.

The distance from the northern town of Corolla through Hatteras, the southern point, is about 95 miles.

If you continue to the ferry to Ocracoke, the mileage is longer.

You can easily fill 4-5 days with fun activities during your Outer Banks road trip, and spend even more time in the area if you want to relax on the beach.

Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park

From Anna of Stuck On The Go

One of the best road trips in the southern US winds through Shenandoah National Park offering stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

If you drive Skyline Drive straight through it only takes a little under 3 hours but there are so many hikes, overlooks, and small towns to stop and explore. This is the perfect road trip for outdoorsy people.

You can start at the Front Royal Entrance Station and on your first day hike to Compton Peak where you’ll find a gorgeous view as well as unique geological formations that resemble the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland .

In the afternoon, head out to the town of Luray where you can shop in the boutiques along Main Street and visit the famous Luray Caverns.

If you like to camp then stay the night in Mathews Arm Campground, otherwise rent a room at the Skyland Resort inside the park.

For day two you can fit in two hikes – Stony Man and Hawksbill – which both offer stunning mountain views and are 2 of the best hikes in Shenandoah .

Have lunch at Big Meadows and make sure you get the blackberry ice cream pie for dessert!

In the afternoon you can hike Dark Hollow Falls or just head into Elkton or Sperryville.

Visit Sperryville for wineries and Elkton for breweries. Tonight stay at the Lewis Mountain Cabins & Campground.

On the last day of the road trip, hike Doyles River Falls and Blackrock Summit.

Stop for lunch at Blue Mountain Brewery and check out some of the other Waynesboro breweries. Main Street in Waynesboro is also very quaint.

For many people, 3 days is enough to spend in Shenandoah National Park.

However, if you are very outdoorsy and love to hike and explore small towns then you can spend a week in the Shenandoah Valley.

Northwest Arkansas Road Trip Loop

From Lydia of Lost With Lydia

Arkansas is an underrated state with a lot to offer for outdoor adventurers!

The state has beautiful state parks, incredible mountain biking trails, a uniquely historic national park, and much more.

The northwest portion of Arkansas is where you’ll find the most beautiful natural areas along with some fantastic cities. 

This road trip begins in Bentonville, a city known for mountain biking, modern art, and as the Walmart headquarters.

There are miles of mountain biking trails in parks around the city and trails range from beginner to advanced. 

Continue on from Bentonville to Buffalo National River, a beautiful river with epic canyon walls towering above it.

After the National River, enjoy hiking in the Ozark National Forest (the most famous hike is Whitaker Point) and take in the views at Mount Magazine and Mount Nebo. Mount Magazine is the highest point in the state. 

Be sure to not miss the most iconic state park in Arkansas: Petit Jean. This state park is a favorite of many and is home to a 95-foot waterfall, caves, and several unique rock formations. 

Spend some time in Little Rock for great food and interesting history. 

Things to do in Little Rock include visiting the Little Rock Central High School Museum, exploring the vibrant SOMA neighborhood, and hiking at Pinnacle Mountain. 

Finally, end your road trip with a visit to Arkansas’ only national park: Hot Springs.

Hot Springs National Park was a resort destination in the early 1900s and there are a couple of bathhouses still in operation today.

In addition to the spas, you can visit a brewery inside of a bathhouse and enjoy the views from the observation tower. 

A week is the minimum amount of time you’ll want to fully explore the cities and hiking destinations along the way.

Ideally, take 10 days or more to take your time and enjoy this underrated southern USA road trip itinerary.

Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast Road Trip

From Lori of Travlinmad

If you’re looking for an ideal year-round  road trip destination, Florida’s Gulf Coast  offers dreamy beaches, fantastic food, and some of America’s most (in)famous history!

Begin your road trip in Tampa, where you can spend 2 days exploring the city’s Cuban history in Ybor City and enjoy the amazing cuisine before heading south to Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Spend the next day in Sarasota admiring the mid-century architecture and visiting the Ringling Museum.

Shoppers will no doubt stay longer on St. Armand’s Circle, then head to Siesta Key later in the day to take in the new age vibes of the nightly drumming circle on the beach at sunset.

The next day, drive south to Casperson Beach in Venice and rent a “Florida snow shovel” for a few dollars to dig in the sand for prehistoric megalodon shark teeth.

Millions of them wash ashore every day and you just might find a big one to treasure!

Spend the night at Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, one of Southwest Florida’s most historic towns before heading out the next morning for Fort Myers.

Situated where the Caloosahatchee River meets the Gulf of Mexico, the city of Fort Myers is worth a few days to explore the history and the beautiful beaches on Sanibel and Captiva.

Visit the summer homes of neighbors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, whose mansions are popular tourist attractions today.

The last stop on your road trip is Naples and Marco Island on the southwestern coast. This stunning region is known as the Paradise Coast and it’s easy to see why.

Spend your days on the soft white sand beaches, shopping at the luxury stores and dining downtown, or get out into the Everglades for some adventure.

It is 180 miles from Tampa to Marco Island.

Plan on 7-10 days for this southern road trip route.

There is plenty to see in the major cities of Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples, and Marco Island, but you’ll find the real gems in between!

Virginia’s Eastern Shore Drive: Chincoteague to Cape Charles

Recommended by Erin Gifford of Go Hike Virginia

There’s so much to love about  Virginia’s Eastern Shore .

Roll down the windows and breathe in the salt-infused air as you make the 70-mile drive north to south from Chincoteague to Cape Charles.

Get ready to make stops for sandy beaches, ice cream shops, and verdant wetlands just right for a scenic paddle.

Start at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to miles of stroller-friendly hiking and biking trails.

The Chincoteague Lighthouse Trail is a must-visit to ogle the red-and-white striped Assateague Lighthouse.

Take a guided kayak tour or nature cruise across pristine coastal waterways with Assateague Explorer.

Keep your eyes open for wild ponies, as well as native wildlife, like sandhill cranes and eastern mud turtles, that call the wildlife refuge home.

Order up a scoop of Mint Chip or Pony Tracks at Island Creamery.

Spend the night at the Refuge Inn, a mainstay in Chincoteague since 1973. Chincoteague is also home to several camping resorts, including KOA and Jellystone Park.

Continue on to Onancock, a historic waterfront town.

Start your day with a delicious breakfast sandwich at Janet’s Café before strolling the hamlet’s tree-lined streets that wow with Victorian-style homes.

Take a tour of Ker Place, a historic Federal-style home.

On the south end of Virginia’s Eastern Shore is Cape Charles, which is home to gentle beaches and vibrantly-colored sunsets.

Spend the day on the beach at Kiptopeke State Park, then order hush puppies at The Shanty.

Cap off the day with a scoop at Brown Dog Ice Cream and settle in at the Sunset Beach Hotel on the Chesapeake Bay.

70  miles.

This trip is best enjoyed over at least 3 days, including one day in Chincoteague, one day in Onancock, and one day in Cape Charles.

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

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Driving From Alabama To Florida: The Complete Road Trip Guide

With its beautiful beaches, theme parks, and great weather, Florida is a favorite road trip destination for many travelers leaving from Alabama. Planning a drive from Alabama to Florida can be exciting but also takes some preparation and knowledge of the route. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to drive from Alabama to Florida and make the most of your road trip adventure.

If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: The drive from Alabama to Florida takes roughly 6-8 hours depending on your start/end points and route . The quickest, most direct route is to take I-10 E or I-65 S to I-10 E, which runs straight into Florida. Stopping in cities like Mobile, AL, Pensacola, FL, and Tallahassee, FL can add fun stops along the way.

Determining the Best Route from Alabama to Florida

Planning a road trip from Alabama to Florida? One of the first things to consider is the route you’ll take. Fortunately, there are several options depending on your preferences and interests. Whether you’re looking for the fastest route or a more scenic drive, here are some options to consider:

Taking I-10 East Provides a Direct Path

If your goal is to reach Florida as quickly as possible, taking I-10 East is your best bet. This interstate highway runs across the southernmost part of Alabama and offers a direct path to Florida. It’s a major route that is well-maintained and heavily traveled, making it a convenient choice for those who want to get to their destination in the shortest amount of time.

On this route, you’ll pass through cities like Mobile and Pensacola, which offer amenities such as gas stations, restaurants, and accommodations. So, if your main priority is reaching Florida without any detours, I-10 East is the way to go.

Driving South on I-65 to I-10 is Also an Option

Another option is to take I-65 South and then connect to I-10 East. This route offers a slightly different experience compared to taking I-10 East directly from Alabama. By driving south on I-65, you’ll pass through cities like Montgomery and Mobile before reaching the junction with I-10.

This route allows you to explore more of Alabama before heading into Florida. You can make stops along the way to visit attractions or enjoy local cuisine. It’s a great option for those who want a bit of a detour and are looking to add some variety to their road trip.

Combining Highways and Smaller Roads Adds Scenic Options

If you’re in the mood for a more scenic drive, consider combining highways and smaller roads. By using a combination of interstates and state highways, you can enjoy the beauty of Alabama and Florida’s landscapes.

For example, you can take I-65 South until you reach the city of Evergreen, then take Highway 84 East towards the Florida border. This route will take you through charming small towns and picturesque countryside, giving you a chance to experience the local culture and scenery.

Another option is to take Highway 231 South from Montgomery to Dothan, then connect to Highway 231 South in Florida. This route will take you through rural areas and allow you to enjoy the natural beauty of both states.

Remember to plan your stops along the way, as there are plenty of attractions and landmarks to explore. From historic sites to beautiful parks, both Alabama and Florida offer a range of options for road trip enthusiasts.

Before hitting the road, make sure to check for any road closures or construction updates. It’s always a good idea to have a GPS or a map handy to navigate your way. With the right route and a sense of adventure, your road trip from Alabama to Florida will be a memorable one!

Major Cities and Stopovers Along the Alabama to Florida Drive

Embarking on a road trip from Alabama to Florida offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the unique charm and beauty of the Gulf Coast. Along the way, there are several major cities and stopovers that are worth visiting.

Whether you’re a history buff, a beach lover, or an outdoor enthusiast, these destinations have something for everyone.

Mobile, AL – History and Coastal Charm

As the first major city you encounter when driving from Alabama to Florida, Mobile is a must-visit stopover. Known for its rich history and coastal charm, Mobile offers a unique blend of Southern hospitality and cultural attractions.

Take a stroll along the historic streets of downtown Mobile, visit the mesmerizing USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, or indulge in fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants. Don’t forget to explore the beautiful beaches that line the Gulf Coast, where you can relax and soak up the sun.

Pensacola, FL – Beaches and Military History

Continuing on your road trip, you’ll reach Pensacola, Florida, a city renowned for its stunning beaches and fascinating military history. Visit the iconic Pensacola Beach, with its crystal-clear turquoise waters and powdery white sand.

If you’re interested in military history, make sure to explore the National Naval Aviation Museum, where you can see a vast collection of aircraft and learn about the rich heritage of naval aviation. Pensacola also offers a vibrant downtown area with excellent dining options and lively nightlife.

Tallahassee, FL – Outdoor Activities and Florida State University

Finally, as you approach the end of your journey, make a stop in Tallahassee, the capital city of Florida. Known for its beautiful parks and abundance of outdoor activities, Tallahassee is a paradise for nature lovers.

Visit the stunning Maclay Gardens State Park, where you can admire the vibrant floral displays and peaceful atmosphere. If you’re a sports fan, catch a game at the Doak Campbell Stadium and experience the electric atmosphere of a Florida State University football game.

Don’t forget to explore the charming downtown area, which offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and art galleries.

While these major cities and stopovers are highlights of the Alabama to Florida drive, there are also many other smaller towns and hidden gems along the way. The beauty of a road trip is the freedom to explore and discover new places at your own pace.

So pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure on this scenic drive from Alabama to Florida!

Must-See Destinations and Attractions in Florida

When embarking on a road trip from Alabama to Florida, there are several must-see destinations and attractions that should not be missed. From the magic of Orlando’s world-famous theme parks to the stunning beaches on the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Ocean, and the natural wonders of the Everglades National Park and Florida Keys, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the Sunshine State.

Orlando and its Famous Theme Parks

One of the most popular destinations in Florida is Orlando, known for its incredible theme parks that draw millions of visitors each year. Whether you’re a fan of Disney characters, thrilling roller coasters, or magical experiences, Orlando has it all.

Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando are just a few of the iconic theme parks that offer endless entertainment for both kids and adults alike. From meeting beloved characters to experiencing heart-pounding rides, Orlando’s theme parks are sure to create unforgettable memories for the whole family.

Beautiful Beaches on the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Ocean

Florida is renowned for its breathtaking beaches, and no road trip to the Sunshine State is complete without a visit to the coast. Along the Gulf Coast, you’ll find stunning white sandy beaches with crystal-clear turquoise waters.

Popular destinations include Panama City Beach, Clearwater Beach, and Siesta Key. On the Atlantic Ocean side, the beaches offer a different vibe, with Miami’s South Beach being a top pick for its vibrant atmosphere and beautiful people-watching opportunities.

Whether you’re looking to relax on the sand, swim in the ocean, or try your hand at water sports, Florida’s beaches have something for everyone.

The Everglades National Park and Florida Keys

If you’re a nature enthusiast, a visit to the Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys is a must. The Everglades National Park is a unique ecosystem filled with diverse wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and numerous bird species.

Take an airboat ride through the marshes, go kayaking, or embark on a guided hike to fully experience the beauty of this natural wonder. After exploring the Everglades, head south to the Florida Keys, a string of tropical islands known for their stunning coral reefs and laid-back atmosphere.

Key West, the southernmost point of the continental United States, offers a vibrant nightlife scene and picturesque sunsets that are not to be missed.

For more information on these must-see destinations and attractions in Florida, visit www.visitflorida.com . Plan your road trip carefully to make the most of your time and create lifelong memories in the Sunshine State.

Lodging and Dining Options for an Alabama to Florida Road Trip

Hotels, motels and resorts along the major highways.

When embarking on a road trip from Alabama to Florida, there are numerous lodging options available along the major highways. Whether you prefer the convenience of a hotel, the affordability of a motel, or the luxury of a resort, you’ll find a wide range of choices to suit your needs.

Popular hotel chains such as Holiday Inn , Marriott , and Hilton can be found in cities and towns along the route. These hotels offer comfortable accommodations, amenities such as swimming pools and fitness centers, and convenient access to restaurants and attractions.

Beach Rentals and B&Bs Offer More Charm

If you’re looking for something a little more unique and charming, consider renting a beachfront cottage or booking a stay at a bed and breakfast. Along the Alabama and Florida coastlines, you’ll find a plethora of beach rentals that offer stunning ocean views and direct access to the sand.

These rentals often come equipped with fully equipped kitchens, allowing you to prepare your own meals and enjoy the comforts of home. Bed and breakfast establishments, on the other hand, offer a cozy and personalized experience, with innkeepers who are dedicated to making your stay memorable.

You can find a variety of charming B&Bs in historic towns and beach communities throughout the region.

Seafood Restaurants and Southern Cooking

No road trip through the South is complete without indulging in some delicious Southern cuisine. Along the Alabama and Florida coastlines, you’ll find a plethora of seafood restaurants serving up fresh catches from the Gulf of Mexico.

From succulent shrimp and flavorful fish to mouthwatering crab and oysters, seafood lovers will be in heaven. Some popular seafood restaurants include Joe Patti’s Seafood in Pensacola, Florida and The Original Oyster House in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

In addition to seafood, the region is also known for its Southern cooking. From crispy fried chicken and savory biscuits to hearty gumbo and flavorful collard greens, you’ll find an array of delicious dishes to satisfy your cravings.

Don’t forget to try some classic Southern desserts like pecan pie and banana pudding!

For more information on lodging options and dining recommendations along the Alabama to Florida road trip route, check out TripAdvisor and Booking.com .

Tips for Driving from Alabama to Florida

Allow plenty of time to avoid rushing.

When embarking on a road trip from Alabama to Florida, it’s important to allow yourself plenty of time to avoid rushing. The journey itself can be just as enjoyable as the destination, so take the opportunity to relax and enjoy the ride.

Plan your route in advance and factor in breaks for meals, sightseeing, and stretching your legs. Don’t be afraid to deviate from the main highway and explore some of the smaller towns and attractions along the way.

This will not only make the trip more enjoyable, but also give you a chance to experience the unique charm of the region.

Watch for Increased Traffic Near Orlando

One thing to keep in mind when driving from Alabama to Florida is the increased traffic near Orlando. As a popular tourist destination, Orlando can experience heavy congestion, especially during peak travel times.

To avoid getting stuck in traffic, consider adjusting your travel schedule or using alternative routes. Additionally, be sure to check for any ongoing road construction or events that may impact traffic. Stay informed about current road conditions by using traffic apps or checking local news sources.

Remember, staying patient and maintaining a calm demeanor behind the wheel will help ensure a stress-free journey.

Fill Up on Gas Regularly

Another important tip for driving from Alabama to Florida is to fill up on gas regularly. While there are many gas stations along the route, it’s always a good idea to keep your tank at least half full.

This will give you peace of mind, especially if you encounter stretches of road with limited services. Additionally, be aware of gas prices as they can vary from one area to another. Consider using apps or websites that provide real-time gas prices to help you find the best deals along your route.

Taking a few minutes to fill up your tank can save you time and money in the long run.

A road trip from Alabama to Florida can make for an unforgettable vacation filled with beaches, theme parks, historical sites, and outdoor adventures. Following major highways like I-10 and I-65 provides a direct drive, while venturing onto smaller roads adds scenic views. With proper planning and preparation, the 6-8 hour drive from Alabama to Florida will be part of the fun and set you up for a great getaway.

Hi there, I'm Jessica, the solo traveler behind the travel blog Eye & Pen. I launched my site in 2020 to share over a decade of adventurous stories and vivid photography from my expeditions across 30+ countries. When I'm not wandering, you can find me freelance writing from my home base in Denver, hiking Colorado's peaks with my rescue pup Belle, or enjoying local craft beers with friends.

I specialize in budget tips, unique lodging spotlights, road trip routes, travel hacking guides, and female solo travel for publications like Travel+Leisure and Matador Network. Through my photography and writing, I hope to immerse readers in new cultures and compelling destinations not found in most guidebooks. I'd love for you to join me on my lifelong journey of visual storytelling!

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15+ Amazing Stops To Make For An Awesome Alabama Road Trip

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Ready to road trip Alabama? Alabama is a fantastically diverse state with mountain, beaches, cities and a fascinating history. Did I mention the great food and friendly people? You should consider these 15 amazing stops  for your road trip in Alabama whether you are just passing through Alabama on a longer visit to the  Southern USA or are spending the entire time on an Alabama road trip. In Northern Alabama, you must visit Rocket City Huntsville as well as some of the other small cities. As you go through Central Alabama, you will visit Birmingham Alabama and Montgomery Alabama. Finally there is coastal Alabama with its international flair and beautiful white sand beaches. There’s no doubt that the beautiful state of Alabama has something for everyone.

Alabama Road Trip

There’s no two ways about it – getting around Alabama is easiest by car. Hence, you can create your own standalone Alabama road trip or include it as part of a larger southern USA road trip. The conditions are great for road trips in Alabama – the roads are in great condition and there are plenty of roadside service stops if you need fuel or food.

Along with my suggestions for an Alabama road trip, I have included some fellow travel writers ideas and suggestions for what to do in Alabama, too. 

Alabama Road Trip Ideas

Are you thinking about an Alabama road trip as part of a larger Southern USA road trip ? Plenty of people I know have created a southern USA road trip that included the state of Alabama so I have broken this Alabama road trip guide into sections for Northern Alabama, Central Alabama and Coastal Alabama. You can work the section of Alabama that you will be near into your own personalised road trip adventure.

Here are some examples of nearby big cities and their distance from places in Alabama:

• New Orleans to Mobile is a 3 hour drive.
• Both Chattanooga and Nashville in Tennessee is a 2 hour drive to Huntsville.
• Both Memphis Tennessee and Atlanta Georgia are a 3 1/2 hour drive to Huntsville.
• Atlanta Georgia is also a 2 or 3 hour drive to Birmingham or Montgomery, respectively.

Continuing an Alabama Road Trip to New Orleans

In Mobile I met visitors from Lithuania who were combining a visit to the   theme parks in Orlando Florida with a Louisiana Mississippi Alabama road trip.

After Mobile, they were heading to the casinos in Biloxi Mississippi and then party central, New Orleans. How is that for a fun road trip for adults? 

One of the most memorable places to visit on a road trip in the US south is Coastal Mississippi. Calling itself  the “ Secret Coast, ” Coastal Mississippi is located between New Orleans and Mobile Alabama and below the I-10 interstate highway along the luscious US Gulf Coast, and is well worth discovering its secrets —whether for an detour scenic drive off I-10 or a one week vacation getaway. Some strongly suggested things to do in Coastal Mississippi include seeking sun and sport on USA’s largest man made beach, sampling scrumptious seafood and coastal cuisine, and savoring scintillating sunsets (and sunrises).   The Coastal Mississippi beach between Henderson Point and Biloxi is 26 miles long and 200 feet wide and most of it is undeveloped with unobstructed water views and free parking right along the sand. Take advantage of it!   Anywhere along the water in Coastal Mississippi is the perfect place to witness phenomenal sunsets. Coastal Mississippi restaurants with James Beard honored chefs include Vestige in Ocean Springs , White Pillars in Biloxi , and Doe’s Eat Place at Margaritaville Resort Biloxi. Countless other coastal Mississippi adventures await you. Make sure to spend time in the sweet small beach towns of Ocean Springs and Bay St Louis , visit amazing attractions like the brand new Mississippi Aquarium and fantastic museums—including Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art , INFINITY Science Center , Walter Anderson Museum of Art , and Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum —and paddle and explore an abundance of nature areas—including Gulf Islands National Seashore barrier islands , several bayous, and Biloxi Bay.   – by Charles McCool at McCool Travel

Blue sky and sea, and white sand in coastal Mississippi very similar to coastal Alabama (Image credit: Charles McCool)

Road Trip Alabama

I decided to road trip Alabama in its entirely from the Northern Alabama to Coastal Alabama. Although I had people question whether there would be enough interesting sites to road trip Alabama for two weeks, I found  myself wishing I had even more time! 

When you road trip Alabama you realize how much there is to see in the state sandwiched between the mountains of Northern Alabama and the white sand beaches of Coastal Alabama.

Road trips in Alabama take you through quirky small towns, big cities and farmland.  You will sample plenty of delicious food, meet friendly people and learn some fascinating history. 

A sign showing where the Civil War prison in Montgomery Alabama was located.

Why did I decide to road trip Alabama? After all, the news was full off the religious right’s assault on women’s rights in Alabama (to the horror of more liberal Alabamians ) . Yes, there are liberals in Alabama!

On the other hand, an Alabama road trip promised history, great food and quirky attractions – definitely my interests. So I dropped my son off in Rocket City Huntsville for his two weeks at the camps run at the NASA Space Center before I ventured off on my Alabama road trips.

I spent 8 days driving from Huntsville to Mobile in coastal Alabama and then looped back up to Northern Alabama. It took me 2 days to visit Birmingham Alabama, 3 days to visit Montgomery Alabama and 3 days in coastal Alabama.

I would suggest a minimum of 3 days in Huntsville and Northern Alabama too.  Although this itinerary covers the four biggest cities in the state of Alabama, I would encourage you to branch out and visit some of the smaller cities and towns nearby.

Alabama Road Signs

And, of particular note are the amusing Alabama road signs. You really get a flavor for the state by the unique Alabama road signs. Sorry for the picture quality – my trusty navigator/assistant photographer/son is still honing his craft.

Various Alabama road signs you come across as your road trip Alabama

Just a small selection of the Alabama road signs that caught my attention. Technically the giant cross is not a road sign but I have never seen such a huge church on the side of an interstate. 

Apparently, the “Go To Church or the Devil Will Get You” sign is famous in Alabama. The owner took it down, but there was an outcry, and he replaced it. As one person said to me, you see that sign and you know you are in Central Alabama.

The signs for personal injury lawyer Alexander Shunnarah signs are everywhere in Alabama and it’s become a meme in its own right. 

The ubiquitous Shunnarah Alabama road signs have elevated him to meme-status.

Yeah, there really was a drug dealer feeding a squirrel meth in Alabama to make it more vicious. The police released it into the wild when the drug dealer got arrested. So there is some poor Meth Squirrel out there in Alabama detoxing in the wild. 

What To Do in Northern Alabama

I have to say Northern Alabama surprised me. I had no idea it was so mountainous! Coming in from Atlanta into Huntsville, we had a brief period where my SatNav refused to work because we had no WiFi. My son learned how to read a paper map which I assured him was a useful life skill. 

Momentary panic when the SatNav refuses to work in the mountains of Northern Alabama.

Rocket City Huntsville

Our first destination in Alabama was Huntsville – nicknamed Rocket City because of the NASA headquarters.

Two of the biggest attraction in Alabama are in the Rocket City Huntsville. Huntsville is a quirky cool city in Northern Alabama with all of the attractions of a major American city but with a better quality of life.

At the number one spot there is the U.S. Space and Rocket Center . Not only is it a museum, but the NASA space center runs weekly programs for school children during the summer.

My son signed up for Space Camp and Aviation Challenge and loved his two weeks there. So  much so that he is now going to his third Space Camp.

The NASA US space center has a great museum as well as well-run summer camps for kids.

Even if you are not a science person, there’s plenty to do in Rocket City Huntsville. The Number 3 most visited attraction in Alabama is the Huntsville Botanical Center .

The Huntsville Botanical Center is a great place to visit with kids.

There are also plenty of other museum, historical sites and shopping areas to keep you occupied. The city also has a burgeoning craft brewery scene as well as many great restaurants. After all, those well-paid scientists need somewhere to spend their money!

What Else is There in Northern Alabama?

Northern Alabama has several small towns to visit as well as a lot of outdoors activities.. As you know, I’m a city girl. Besides, I was being bitten alive by mosquitos everywhere in Alabama.

I skipped a lot of the nature stuff because I feared venturing further into a mosquito lair. I know the rest of my family would have loved  activities like hiking along the Natchez Trace , checking out the bioluminescent glowworms at Dismals Canyon and a cave tour of the gigantic   Cathedral Caverns .

The small towns I visited were all easy day trips from Huntsville and make great road trips in Alabama.

In Florence Alabama , I went to see where musical legends like Cher and the Rolling Stones created history at Muscle Shoals Recording Studio , the birthplace of Helen Keller at Ivy Green  and the Rosenbaum House , the only Frank Lloyd house in Alabama. 

The charming town of Florence Alabama is host to many interesting tourist sites.

My son loved Decatur Alabama  for the fantastic Cook Museum of Natural Science and the Point Mallard Park . Decatur has a long history from the very beginning of Alabama history through the Civil War. 

Scottsboro is home to a shopper’s paradise at the Unclaimed Baggage Center which has warehouses full of stuff that unlucky airline passengers have lost.

Scottsboro also has a sad historical connection as the place where the so-called Scottsboro Boys (9 African American teenagers) were falsely accused of raping two white women. This story and that of the subsequent trials is told a the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center .

Nearby Lake Guntersville is the largest lake in Alabama and great for all types of water sports. If you want to experience more of Lake Guntersville, head to Guntersville and Lake Guntersville State Park .

The Unclaimed Baggage Centre is one of the road trips in Alabama you can take.

Practicalities for Northern Alabama  

With so many visitors to the NASA space center, Huntsville has both an airport as well as a wide choice of hotels. I stayed at several hotels in Huntsville Alabama during the 8 days I spent in the city because I wanted to see what the different options were.

Like many cities in the USA, Huntsville is pretty spread out. You have hotels in the historic downtown area, near the NASA Space Center as well as newer areas of the city.

I did regret that I did not stay at the super cool GunRunner Hotel in Florence Alabama . It’s a car warehouse conversion which would be totally in keeping with any stylish hotel in any major international city like London or New York. 

Huntsville to Birmingham

How far is Huntsville from Birmingham? A little over 100 miles. 

Getting from Huntsville AL to Birmingham AL is a super easy drive of a little over 2 hours. Once you get to Decatur Alabama, you can go straight along Interstate 65-S to Birmingham for most of the 100 miles.

Pitstop:  Ave Maria Grotto, Cullman Alabama

If you are into quirky roadside attractions on your way from Huntsville to Birmingham, check out the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman Alabama. About an hour from Huntsville, take exit 308 from I-65S for a short distance to reach the Ave Maria Grotto.

At the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, a German Benedictine monk has created stone miniature replicas of world-famous Catholic religious places of worship on a 4 acre park.

We are talking everything from Jerusalem to the Shrine at Lourdes . This grotto is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites.

For good measure, he threw in some secular places like the leaning Tower of Pisa. By the way, the monk only visit about 6 of the 125+ places he created in stone so it’s not necessarily that accurate. On the other hand, the dedication needed to achieve something like the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman is pretty extraordinary.

The Ave Maria Grotto is an easy stop to take a break and stretch your legs on your way from Huntsville AL to Birmingham AL. The address for the Ave Maria Grotto is 1600 St Bernard Drive SE, Cullman AL 25055. It is open daily except for Christmas and New Year’s days.

What To Do in Central Alabama

Central Alabama covers a wide swathe of the state. The city of Birmingham is considered north central in the state and the city of Montgomery is south central. You find Tuscaloosa, home of the University of Alabama, in west central Alabama.

Visit Birmingham Alabama

Birmingham Alabama is the largest city in Alabama. If you visit Birmingham Alabama with kids, the Birmingham Zoo is the second most visited attraction in Alabama.

Visit the historical highlights of Birmingham and also the district that was a key player in the Civil Rights Movement . I took a civil rights tour of Birmingham which included the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute , the 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park .

When you visit Birmingham Alabama, you must visit the Civil Rights Institute.

I stayed at a fabulous boutique hotel in downtown, Elyton Hotel, which has got a great location near many restaurants and the Alabama Theatre, an iconic showplace since 1927. Birmingham even has a craft beer scene that you can tour .

If you are looking to visit Birmingham Alabama directly, the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport is only a few miles from the city.

Here’s another perspective on Birmingham, Alabama:

The Deep South is unlike any other part of the U.S. – and that’s exactly why we loved our Deep South road trip through it. One of our favorite stops along the way was Birmingham, Alabama, a surprisingly hip and hipster town that was the site of many important (and tragic) events in America’s past. There’s so much to learn about in Birmingham, and the Vulcan Museum and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) a re both absolute must-sees. The Vulcan Museum is home to the world’s largest cast-iron statue, and the exhibits next door illustrate the city’s founding and its rise as a major geopolitical center of the South. The BCRI is the most comprehensive museum on the Civil Rights Movement, covering everything from desegregation to the Civil Rights Act, as well as present-day immigration and human rights issues around the world. Birmingham is also underrated as a foodie destination, and every meal we had there was delicious. Head to Crestline Bagels in the suburb of Mountain Brook for the perfect bagel, downtown’s Brick and Tin for gourmet sandwiches, and Delta Blues Hot Tamales in Five Points South for a local twist on Mexican cuisine (with great vegetarian options).

– by Jen Ambrose and Ryan Victor of Passions and Places

Street art in Birmingham Alabama seen on a Southern USA road trip (photo credit: Jen Ambrose and Ryan Victor)

Detour: Birmingham to Tuscaloosa

Birmingham to Tuscaloosa is an easy 1 hour drive over a 58 mile route on interstate driving. Dominated by the University of Alabama campus and its football sporting prowess, Tuscaloosa is a pilgrimage stop for college football fans.

Best known for its college football team, the University of Alabama’s (UA) Crimson Tide, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, offers a lot to do on an open weekend or off-season. From exploring downtown to checking out the museums and more, it’s easy to experience all T-town offers. Go on a self-guided walking tour of the UA campus to learn more about its history. While there, check out the Alabama Museum of Natural History and view the Hodges Meteorite , the only one to hit a person, among other exhibits. Don’t overlook The Sarah Moody Gallery of Art that’s focused on contemporary art. Relax and recharge at Hotel Capstone , located nearby. The Riverwalk is a serene journey along the southern bank of the Black Warrior River. The 4.5-mile paved path is well lit and both pet- and family-friendly, providing plenty of places for rest, play and picnicking. Also along The Riverwalk is the Tuscaloosa River Market that hosts a farmers’ market every Saturday. Hotel Indigo is also on the Riverwalk. Not only is downtown filled with eateries and shops and Embassy Suites but also sites along Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Trail that highlights 1964 “Bloody Tuesday.” On the edge of downtown is Capitol Park , a reminder when Tuscaloosa served as the state capitol from 1826 to 1846. Some remains of the structure still stand after a fire in the 1920s. Tuscaloosa’s next-door neighbor, Northport, is home to Kentuck Art Center and the annual Kentuck Arts Festival . The center is open year-round and has exhibits, working artists’ studios, classes and more. It’s worth the drive to Moundville Archaeological Park , about 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa. On the 326-acre site, it preserves 29 earthen mounds created over 800 years ago by Mississippian people. – by Apryl Chapman Thomas of Southern Hospitality Magazine

The ruins of the old Alabama capitol can be found in Capitol Park Tuscaloosa (Image credit: April Chapman Thomas)

Birmingham to Montgomery

How far is Birmingham from Montgomery? A relatively short 92 miles.

Getting from Birmingham to Montgomery is likewise very easy on the interstate. The drive from Birmingham AL to Montgomery will take close to two hours.

Pitstop: Peach Park, Clanton Alabama

On the drive from Birmingham AL to Montgomery AL, you simply have to stop in Clanton Alabama on Interstate 65-S (exit 212). You know Clanton from a distance because of the water tower shaped like a peach. 

The peach water tower at Clanton in central Alabama.

Stop by Peach Park which has a barbecue restaurant, bakery and ice cream store. This is definitely the place to try peach cobbler and peach ice cream.

Once again you are about an hour on the road from Birmingham to Alabama, so Clanton makes a great pit stop.

Visit Montgomery Alabama

When you visit Montgomery Alabama, you realise that the city has been witness to so much that is uniquely American – Westward expansion, slavery, the Civil War, the Jim Crow Era, Civil Rights Movement, country music and literary greatness.

Check out Old Alabama Town , a living history  museum, if you want to see how hard and scrappy life in the Mississippi Territory was. 

Among the civil rights venues to visit are the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where Martin Luther King Jr was a pastor and the Rosa Parks Museum dedicated to the woman whose refusal to give up her bus seat made history.

Alabama was one of the first states to secede from the Union. Jefferson Davis was sworn in as president of the Confederacy in front of the Alabama State House . The First White House of the Confederacy was also located in Montgomery Alabama.

When you visit Montgomery Alabama, the Alabama state house is an imposing structure in downtown.

The aftermath of the Civil War and the Jim Crow Era are graphically illustrated at The Legacy Museum which looks at the mistreatment of African Americans in the USA from lynching to chain gangs to mass incarceration.

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is dedicated to the 4000+ African Americans who were lynched between 1877 and 1950.

A moving sculpture at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

In terms of the arts, you have the Hank Williams Museum , a pioneer of country music. In addition, the former home of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald is now the Fitzgerald Museum.

Although the couple were only in residence for one year, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote one of his greatest works, Tender is the Night, at this location.

Montgomery isn’t all government and historical attractions though. There’s a great food scene and nascent craft beer scene. 

In Montgomery I stayed at a couple of different places. I could not pass up staying at the Fitzgerald Museum which has rooms through AirBnB but I also chose to stay in a Marriott for the simple convenience of being downtown.

If you are looking to visit Montgomery Alabama directly, the Montgomery Regional Airport is 10 miles from the city.

More insight on what to do in Montgomery Alabama from a fellow travel blogger:

Montgomery, Alabama is an important stop in the South for anyone looking to connect to the history of the Civil Rights Movement. This is the city where Rosa Parks, the African American woman, refused to give up her seat to a white passenger, sparking the subsequent Montogomery Bus Boycott . Important sites in Montgomery to see include the Dexter Parsonage Museum , the house where the Reverend Martine Luther King Jr. lived during his time in Montgomery. You will also want to stop by the Civil Rights Memorial, the Freedom Rides Museum , and the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church . Lovers of American literature should make sure to plan a visit to the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum , while American country and folk music lovers should head to the Hank Williams Museum and the Hank Williams Memorial and Gravesite. While in Montgomery, make sure to go to Cahawba House , where you can load up on an authentic Southern breakfast, including some of the best biscuits and gravy in all of the South! For dinner, head to Central , where you can enjoy a modern twist on Southern food. Don’t skip the roasted Brussel sprouts with bacon while you’re here! Both restaurants are locally owned, and you’ll never forget your time at either. If you plan on staying overnight, check into the comfy-yet-elegant Rennaisance Montgomery Hotel & Spa. When you’re done with Montgomery, there are tons of things to do nearby. You can head to Selma, Tuskeegee, or Birmingham to see more of what Alabama has to offer! – by Stephanie Craig at History Fan Girl

Alabama Road Trips From Montgomery Alabama

If you would like to learn more about Civil Rights issues in the USA, you need to check out these two shorter Alabama road trip ides from Montgomery.

Alabama Road Trip Ideas:  Selma Alabama

Selma is only 50 miles (about an hour drive) from Montgomery but is an important part of American civil rights history.

The Selma to Montgomery march by Martin Luther King Jr and other civili rights leader helped with the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. They chose Selma because the town had 57% African Americans of which only 3% had voting rights. 

At Selma, you can see the Edmund Pettus Bridge where Alabama state troopers stopped the marchers on their first attempt. The vicious beating of African Americans by the state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge (named after a Confederate Army General and KKK Grand Dragon) brought the Civil Rights issues to the forefront of the national consciousness. Near the bridge is the National Voting Rights Museum . 

An exhibit of Klu Klux Klan items that terrorised African American communities after the Civil War.

Alabama Road Trip Ideas: Tuskegee Alabama

I did not have time to visit Tuskegee Alabama which is only a 45 minute drive from Montgomery Alabama (in the opposite direction to Selma).

I met a nice couple at Dexter Avenue Church who were doing the Civil Rights trail in Montgomery and then going to Tuskegee and finally Selma in one day. I was super impressed with their hustle because all of the museums close at 5pm so they would be packing a lot into that day.

Tuskegee is home to several interesting museums.

• There is the  George Washington Carver Museum  dedicated to George Washington Carver who was an African American scientist who encouraged the planting of alternative crops like peanuts and legumes to avoid the soil depletion caused by the growing cotton.
• There is also the home of Booker T. Washington, the Oaks which is operated by the National Park Service. Washington was an African-American educator who advocated education as a response to the Jim Crow Laws of his time.  Sort of like the Michele Obama ‘When they go low, we go high” response of his time.
• Another great museum is the Tuskegee History Center,  a history museum which tells the story of all the local peoples including Native Americans, African Americans and European Americans.

Montgomery to Mobile

Driving the 170 miles from Montgomery to Mobile takes about 3 hours. Once again most of the time and miles from Montgomery AL to Mobile AL  are spent on Interstate 65-S.

Detour: Monroeville, Alabama

If you feel like doing a short detour on the way from Montgomery to Mobile, get of I-65S at Exit 93 for the half-hour drive to Monroeville . Famous as the hometown of Harper Lee who wrote To Kill A Mockingbird, Monroeville has a small museum dedicated to the book/movie at its Courthouse. 

What to do in Coastal Alabama

I had a tour guide describe Mobile Alabama as the ‘red-headed stepchild of Alabama’ – a description that made me laugh. I can see why the rest of Alabama thinks Mobile is a little different but to be fair, so is Huntsville.

Huntsville and Mobile were also my two favorite places in Alabama but I have always been a fan of quirky. I found Central Alabama way too religious and finding decent coffee was a challenge. 

Settled by the French and the first capitol of French Louisiana, Mobile reminds me of New Orleans with its architecture and laid-back style.

Mobile Alabama would also like you to know that they were the first city to celebrate Mardi Gras in the USA . There’s a Mardi Gras Museum  to tour and  Mardi Gras is still celebrated in family -friendly style in the city. 

Mobile has lots of historic neighborhoods and a vibrant restaurant and bar scene. Take a food tour of Mobile if you are a foodie – you won’t be disappointed.

Kids will love visiting the USS Alabama , a former Navy battleship at Battleship park. 

When you visit Mobile Alabama, you discover there are lots of parks like this one, Battlefield Park.

Near Mobile, there is Bayou Le Batre made famous as the place Forrest Gump had his shrimp boat. There is also Dauphin Island , a barrier island with glorious beaches and an Audubon Bird Sanctuary . How can you not love a place that bills itself as the sunset capitol of Alabama?

Bayou Le Batre is famous for building ships and its fishing trade.

Take the Mobile Bay Ferry from Dauphin Island back onto the mainland at Fort Morgan, Alabama for one of the best Alabama scenic drives you will come across. I looped back up to Mobile on scenic route 98 but you can go further along for more coastal Alabama.

Detour:  Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Keep going along Coastal Alabama and you get Gulf Shores and Orange Beach which will fill anyone’s idea of fun in the sun and sand.

You simply have to get out onto the water in the Gulf of Mexico For example, you can take a Bay cruise , a dolphin and eco-tour , or a sunset sailing cruise .

Here’s insight specifically into Orange Beach from a colleague:

With white powder sands and clear, calm waters, Orange Beach holds obvious appeal. But the Gulf of Mexico is just the beginning: this community is one of the south’s most well-rounded beach destinations. In-between swimming and sunbathing, you’ll also find expansive parks, hands-on art workshops and restaurants fit for foodies. When you can tear yourself away from the beach, Gulf State Park should be one of your first stops. The park holds miles of boardwalks and other trails for walking and biking, plus a lake perfect for fishing or paddling. Head just outside the park, and you’ll find several spots perfect for dolphin-watching. Join a guided cruise or day trip to Fort Morgan and look for dolphins just off-shore. When you’ve had enough nature and worked up an appetite, head to one of the area’s many restaurants. As you’d expect, fresh seafood is prominent on menus (and absolutely delicious) but you’ll also find classic southern favorites like biscuits, gumbo and bread pudding. The best part about this area is that it’s perfect no matter who you’re traveling with. It’s popular with families but can also make a romantic getaway or plan a fabulous girls trip to Orange Beach . This is one spot you won’t want to miss if you’re planning a southern roadtrip! – by Becky Pokora of SightDOING Gulf State Park at Orange Beach, coastal Alabama (Image credit: Becky Pokora)

In Mobile I stayed at the historic Battle House Renaissance Hotel and Spa. It’s got a great location walkable to most of Mobile’s sites. In addition to the spa, there is also a rooftop pool and tennis courts.

If you are looking to visit coastal Alabama directly, the Mobile Regional Airport is located on the Gulf Coast and 13 miles from Mobile, itself.

Updated: March 2021

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Ready to road trip Alabama? Alabama is a fantastically diverse state with mountain, beaches, cities and a fascinating history. Did I mention the great food and friendly people? You should consider these 15 amazing stops for your road trip in Alabama. #alabama #roadtrip #southernusa

Are you thinking about an Alabama road trip as part of a larger Southern USA road trip? Great idea. Alabama offers mountain, beaches, cities and a fascinating history. Pus you’ll find great food and hospitable people! Check out this Alabama itinerary for your road trip. #alabama #roadtrip #southernusa #itinerary

We were helped by Huntsville CVB on our visit to Northern Alabama in the form of 3 nights stay at the Drury Inn & Suites Huntsville as well as free admission to several of the area’s sites. We did not otherwise receive compensation of any form, monetary or otherwise, from any of the products, services, hotels   etc mentioned in this article.

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The Best Alabama Road Trip Itinerary for Your Next Adventure

January 19, 2022

Are you ready to learn the truth about the most misunderstood state in the US? This Alabama road trip itinerary will open your eyes, melt your heart and, quite possibly, change your life. 

Too much to promise for a simple driving itinerary? Allow me to explain…

See also 101 interesting facts about Alabama

Table of Contents

Your Perfect Alabama Road Trip Itinerary

Disclosure  – This project took place through a partnership with Alabama Tourism Department and America As You Like It. As ever, as always, we kept the right to write what we like. There’s really no point otherwise! Also, we use some affiliate links. That means that if you book or buy through some of these links then we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We still only recommend products and services we use ourselves. Again, no point otherwise!

Alabama Road Trip Map

White sands at sunset, dolphins in waves.

Space rocket launches and cavernous caves.

Mountains with lookouts, long trails of tears. 

Carnival, Mardi Gras, parties with cheers.

Writerly stories that reach through the age.

From Gatsby to Mockingbird, turning the page. 

Then footsteps and missteps, bombing and rage.

Forgiveness. 

Non-violence. A bus stop. A change?

Drive Alabama, a culture exchange.

Alabama’s beautiful beaches…

Why You Should Visit Alabama

Alabama isn’t one of those states that people know well. Even among friends and fellow travel writers, I heard question after incredulous question. Why are you going to Alabama? What is there to do in Alabama? And even, more than once, is it worth going to Alabama?!

Well, where should I start? With the white sand beaches, award-wining eco credentials and dolphins dipping at sunset? The rust and russet rolling peaks of the Appalachian mountains? The heartbreaking and heart-fixing stories of the civil rights movement through household names like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King?

Perhaps we’ll curl up with a good book? Choose from Truman Capote, Fiztgerald and Gatsby and Harper Lee’s classic To Kill a Mockingbird. Or party all year in Mobile, home to the oldest Mardi Gras in America.

Would the world’s biggest space museum blast your interest? Or how about some shrimp & grits, ribs in smoky barbecue sauce and a slice of pecan pie?

Yes, this Alabama road trip will sweep you through the Yellowhammer State in either seven, ten or fourteen days. But leave your prejudices at home.

Above all else, Alabama invites you to explore with an open mind.

Feeling overwhelmed with your travel plans? Check out our Travel Toolbox ©  and Road Trip Planner & Toolkit ©.  They contain all the resources you need to get everything done, easily and with a side of sass.

Waking up excited every day!

How to Use This Alabama Road Trip Itinerary

There are many ways, obviously, to plan a road trip through Alabama but the highlights remain the same. This loop runs from New Orleans to New Orleans but other good ideas for Alabama road trips involve either driving in a loop from Atlanta, Georgia, or driving south to north from New Orleans to Tennessee. For international visitors, it’s easier to fly into one of the other states and then cross the state line.

7, 10 or 14 Nights in Alabama?

If you stay one night in each of the main places here, that makes a 7 day Alabama road trip itinerary. However, to do it this way, you have to move and pack fast. I would strongly recommend expanding it to make a 10 day road trip itinerary, and I’ve indicated in each section where and why you should spend extra time in a place. To craft a full 14 day or two week Alabama road trip itinerary, I would take your time with this one, then stop off in Monroeville for the night and make excursions to Selma and the Edmund Pettus Bridge and Muscle Shoals too.

Facing the Past

A road trip through Alabama brings up some big topics amid the great hospitality and sense of joy and fun, which is why it’s such a powerful thing to do. Alabama is not alone with this, at all, but the iconic moments relating to genocide, slavery, racism and colonialism that took place here leave Alabama with a unique historical footprint. It’s hard to serve the topics well within the framework of a travel itinerary, so please rest assured that I will be back with more in-depth articles and context through individual articles later.

Sorting out Logistics

Each section has an introduction as to why you should visit that part of Alabama followed by a fact box that details things like drive times, where to stay, where to sleep and so on. If ever you get lost, head to the table of contents or Alabama road trip map here.  

And don’t forget the Road Trip Planner & Toolkit© to help you plan an amazing trip!

Alabama Itinerary Overview

Here are the key stops on a 7 day Alabama road trip itinerary. The pace is pretty full on, so if you can, I’d suggest you extend this to either 10 days or two weeks to really make the most of things. I’ve added in where and how I would make those changes in the sections below.

• New Orleans
• Appalachian Mountains
• Monroeville

Gulf Shores

Carnival in Mobile: the longest running one in the US

The first thing to know about Mobile is how to pronounce it. Mo-beeeeel. Not Mo-baisle as in crocodile.

With that out of the way, you’re ready to enjoy one of the most colourful cities in the world: Mobile.

Often described as New Orleans’ little sister, on account of its wrought iron railings and love for carnival, Mobile, while smaller, actually came first. Named the capital of French Louisiana in 1702, a full fifteen years before New Orleans came into being, today’s Mobile oozes charm and speakeasy atmosphere on Dauphin Street, a mix of theatre, restaurants and bars beneath wrought iron railings and pastel painted facades.

Honestly, I’d recommend a visit for that street alone but Mobile has other tricks up its golden beaded sleeve.

Exploring a submarine in Alabama…

History in Mobile

The History Museum of Mobile gives a good introduction to the state’s history, including the often overlooked Native American struggles, along with some harrowing depictions of the realities of the slave trade. The sections are short but powerful and manageable for young children.

Just a short drive from speakeasy Downtown, you’ll find a mighty contrast at the Battleship Memorial Park. Enthusiasts could spend an entire day here, exploring the depths of a retired submarine, staring at the wings of a B-52 and then scaling the ladders of the Battleship USS Alabama. Retired service personnel offer anecdotes about living on top of a nuclear warhead deep below the sea for 90 days at a time and the entire setup gives an insight into the reality behind the most powerful military in the world.

Carnival in Mobile

Finally, we can’t talk about Mobile without talking about Carnival and the mystic societies. To say that Mardi Gras here is a big deal is to massively underplay the concept of big deals. It’s huge. Ginormous. Gigantic. Heck, someone throw a thesaurus over here fast, we need to talk about Carnival in Mobile!

It’s the longest running Mardi Gras in America, and if you can’t make the real deal in Spring, don’t despair. The Carnival museum will welcome you with fire breathing dragon floats, jewel-studded dresses that need ball bearings to help them travel along the floor, dinner pieces that would rival royalty and a glimpse into a secret world of striped pyjamas, kings, queens and the Excelsior band.

On Dauphin Street in Mobile…

Practical Tips for Mobile

Dauphin Street is a fun street to walk along and, with the right shoes, it’s possible to walk from there to the history museum and carnival museum. In fact, the walk is half the fun.

For the Battleship Memorial Park, however, you will need to drive. Parking on site is easy once you get there. Enjoy!

Why is Alabama called the Yellowhammer State?

First of all, let me spare you some embarrassment. Yellowhammer is nothing to do with industry or communism. It’s the name of a bird. Legend has it that a group of soldiers from Huntsville wore yellow trimmed clothes during the Civil War. They were nicknamed the yellowhammers and soon the term referred to anyone from Alabama. The yellowhammer now is the official state bird.

It’s just over two hours from New Orleans to Mobile on straight, main roads.

Where to Stay

• Mobile’s Riverview Plaza lives a short and colourful walk from both the atmospheric part of Downtown and the museum district. It pierces the sky like a magnified needle, offering great sunrise views across the industrial side of Mobile and its waterway. Both self-parking and valet parking are available but don’t worry too much about breakfast. It’s only a short walk to the inimitable Mo’Bay Beignets.

How Many Nights

We squeezed by with one night but to really enjoy and appreciate the museums, it would be a gift to have more time. Probably one and a half days here is ample, which my involve two nights depending on what time you need to arrive and leave.

Where to Eat

• Wintzell’s Oyster House – a no frills, welcoming oyster bar with fried green tomatoes, crab claw baskets and award-winning seafood gumbo.
• Mo’Bay Beignets – Mobile’s favourite coffee bar, bright and white Mo’Bay serves sugar dusted beignets with signature hot sauces that include butterscotch, cinnamon and gingerbread.
• Roosters – casual spot for South American inspired food. Worth a visit to see the size of the hot sauce counter!
• Noble South – highly recommended gourmet spot for Southern food like Shrimp & Grits
• The Mobile Carnival Museum – glittering gowns, dinner invitations, floats and mystic history.
• USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park – clamber among a real submarine, battleship and fighter planes and start to understand the might of America’s military.
• Dauphin Street – atmospheric architecture and ambiance.
• The History Museum of Mobile and Fort Conde – a walk through how we got to where we are.
• Beignets at Mo’Bay Beignets – sugar dusted tradition.

Inside Tips

• I’d really recommend taking a tour around the Carnival Museum if possible. It’s such a huge part of life here that it’s good to be able to ask questions and dig a little deeper into the culture and tradition surrounding these magnificent parties. 

Montgomery. Cruel history and inspiring history all in one city.

Montgomery. It’s probably not a name that many people know, yet a few square miles in this state capital contain name upon name that all the world knows. Martin Luther King. Rosa Parks. Gatsby and his greatness.

What’s even more remarkable is how close together these places are. And that they represent but a drop in the wider Montgomery ocean.

Historic Hot Dogs

Start with a slice of history by walking in the footsteps of Elvis, Martin Luther King and all the governors of Alabama at the historic, humble… Chris’ Hot Dogs store.  Founded in 1917, this low-lit, low nonsense eatery serves up a vintage idea of America, through hot dogs and hot sauce, snug booths and retro fonts and the mountains and mountains of napkins. (Trust me, you’ll need them all…)

From there, it’s a sprint up the hill to the Dexter Avenue Memorial Church, a red brick building overshadowed at first, by the view up the hill of the white dome and columns of Alabama’s State Capitol Building.

And here’s where we need a quick trip to the history books.

What You Need to Know About Alabama’s State Capitol Building

In 1861, Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the first president of the Confederacy on the very steps of the capitol building. For us non-Americans, the Confederates were the side that fought against Abraham Lincoln’s northern Union states. Some say it was a fight against overtaxation and northern tyranny. More say it was a fight to keep slavery as the bedrock of the economy.

Fast forward to 1955 and a time when Alabama was among one of the most segregated states in America. A 42 year old woman, Rosa Parks, refused to give up her seat for a white man, resulting in arrest, protests, the Montgomery bus boycott and the rise to prominence of a truly great spokesman, one Martin Luther King.

He was also a preacher at the Dexter Avenue Memorial Church.

Martin Luther King’s Church

Today, the place has a modified name. The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church. Painted footprints mark the spot outside, symbolising the thousands who marched from Selma to Montgomery to campaign for fair voting rights. At the time, Governor George Wallace refused to accept the petition, vowing to extend segregation forever. At the 50 year anniversary, led by then President Barack Obama, Martin Luther King’s daughter walked up the steps to the Capitol and was received by the governor with tears and open arms. The original governor, Wallace, attended the church to beg forgiveness.

Wanda, a force of nature and our guide to the church, greets us there and invites us to stand on the tarmac. To walk in the footsteps of giants. And it’s from this point on that my professional interest melts into a blend of personal hope and shame.

African-American history is so brutal, so recent and so far from over. Yet progress came through campaign after campaign of powerful non-violence. And information in Montgomery arrives with a tsunami of human connection, hope and warm southern hospitality. It’s jarring and blurring and, for me, I would say, life changing. Forgive me, dear readers, for not expanding fully here. I need another article to do the subject justice. Subscribe or simply come back and watch this space.

That the church sits so close to the main government building seems a strange quirk of fate. So, too, the proximity of the Rosa Parks Museum near the stop where she boarded and the Freedom Riders Museum, in the original bus station attacked by a mob.

Hanging out with the costumes from the Great Gatsby at the Fitz Museum in Montgomery

Another Side of Montgomery

Away from the concrete and columns of Downtown Montgomery, the Cloverdale neighbourhood houses gardens galore. In one picturesque spot lives the Fitz Museum, marking the home of Zelda and F. Scott. Fitzgerald who lived here for a stint between 1931 and 1932.

It’s also guest house, with period Zelda and Scott suites upstairs, while manuscripts, photographs, cigarette holders and perfume bottles fill the rooms on the ground floor.

Further out again, surrounded by greenery, you’ll find the Alabama Shakespeare Festival housed in the Carolyn Blount Theatre. We caught a child-friendly performance of Cinderella but the theatre hosts a wide range of performances throughout the rest of the year.

Practical Tips for Montgomery

Bring plenty of tissues! Honestly, the stories and emotions that surround the monuments and people you will meet need time and space to sink in and breathe.

Beyond that, the Capitol Building, Chris’ Hot Dogs, and Dexter Avenue Church are in easy walking distance of one another. So, too are the Rosa Parks Museum and Freedom Riders Museum.

You will need to drive out to both the Fitz Museum and Alabama Shakespeare Festival so leave yourself plenty of time for those.

Oh, yes. And accept the mountains of napkins you will be given at Chris’s Hot Dogs. Believe me.

From Mobile to Montgomery, it’s a straightforward 2.5 hours on the road.

• Springhill Suites in Downtown Montgomery may win the prize for being the hotel I have spent the least actual time in, with our late night and early start. As with the other Springhill Suites, you’ll find parking, a grab and go breakfast buffet, shared laundry facilities and a convenient location.

Definitely more than one! Montgomery is a powerful, powerful place with many stories to tell. I believe you’d benefit from more time to put things into context and reflect, spacing out the time in each place mentioned. You could also consider visiting the new Legacy Museum: From Slavery to Incarceration and National Memorial for Peace and Justice.  This came highly recommended for adults but with question marks about its suitability for very young children.

• Chris’s Hot Dogs  – founded in 1917, this is the oldest family run restaurant in Alabama and has dished up hot dogs to Martin Luther King, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Elvis Presley, Hank Williams and every Alabama governor since it opened.
• Dreamland BBQ  – this Alabama franchise began life in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1958, after Big Daddy Bishop received a visitation from God. Try out their signature BBQ sauce and hickory-fired ribs.
• The Alabama State Capitol Building – where so many poignant events took place.
• The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church – where Dr Martin Luther King Jr preached, just steps from the State Capitol Building.
• The Rosa Parks Museum and the section of road where she was arrested.
• The Freedom Riders Museum – in the bus station where people continued non violent protest against segregation.
• The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum – former home to the author of The Great Gatsby, F. Scott. Fitzgerald.
• The Alabama Shakespeare Festival – impressive and active theatre amid great greenery and grounds
• Check out the events schedule at the Freedom Riders Museum. People who took part in the civil rights struggle at the time sometimes attend to speak about their experiences.

Why is Alabama Called the Heart of Dixie?

So, there are a few layers to this. Alabama sits at the heart of a number of southern States who go (or used to go) by the name of Dixie. This dates back to the time when Louisiana printed bank notes with the French word for ten: dix. Dix (pronounced deece) became dixie as a general term for the southern states and an active PR campaign in the 1940s and 50s sought to make it Alabama’s official nickname.

So, what’s the problem? Well, those southern States largely formed the Confederacy, the losing side of the American Civil War, and the side that fought to continue the slave trade. Plus, the term Dixie was made popular through blackface minstrel shows.

As a result, it’s a term that some feel evokes a romantic idea of an era in which racism and slavery were celebrated.

Not everyone feels this way but it’s good to be aware of the controversy before you go.

Walking in Little River Canyon in the Appalachian Mountains

The Appalachian Mountains

Nothing takes you right back to the present like nature. And somehow, she also manages to spirt you to the past and future as well.

The Appalachian Mountains may start life as far north as Newfoundland in Canada, but they tumble into Alabama with a soothing rise and fall that undulates with deep green in the summer and orange needled tapestries in autumn.

The Trail of Tears

But for all the beauty, there’s heartache to find here too. Look out for a series of landmarks that commemorate the lives lost between 1830 – 1850 when the US government forcibly removed Native Americans from Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee to land west of the Mississippi in Oklahoma. Thousands died through starvation and exposure along the route which the Cherokee refer to as “the trail of tears.”

Little River Canyon National Preserve sits on the aptly named Lookout Mountain near the quirky town of Fort Payne and DeSoto State Park. It’s so hard to imagine today, but in 1838, US soldiers and local militia rounded up approximately 1100 Cherokee men, women and children, placed them in stockades and then marched them for 798 miles without adequate food and supplies.

Look out for the small plaques which invite you to reflect on this history.

Hiking & Driving Little River Canyon

In today’s world, though, friendly Park Rangers and a well stocked visitor’s centre make it an easy outdoor space to explore. Walking trails pass by landmarks like Little River Falls and, if you have the nerve, the skill and the right weather conditions, you can take to the rapids yourself.

A beautiful drive wiggles and weaves along the rim of the canyon , or so I’m reliably told. We arrived amid the twilight mist so rather than elegant hiking and staring out to the flame edged horizon, I yelped in and out of the car at each lookout point in a race against the darkness clouding the sky. Crow point overlook. Wolf creek overlook. I stood on each point in the shadows, wondering what lay below. Go, voyage during daylight and let me know what I missed!

Cathedral Caverns: one of the biggest cave systems in the world

Cathedral Caverns

Under normal circumstances, I’m not much of a cave person. Too many bad experiences with too much darkness and too many banged heads (or is that one head banged several times – Ed?)

But Cathedral Caverns really did live up to its name. It’s cavernous, possibly the third largest cave of its kind in the world, and the melting, melding display of stalactites and stalagmites in one section of the cavern really does resemble a cathedral (and in another beautiful moment, our tour guide was called Kavan. Seriously. Say it out loud…)

And for the first time in forever, as they say in Disney, it recalibrated my discomfort with darkness. Forty minutes into the cavern on well lit pathways and our Kavan switched off the lights. Complete, total darkness. Darkness I’ve not found anywhere else. At first fear, panic, dizziness, and a primitive need to protect baby Lab. Then, a kind of peace, a requirement to relinquish control, to stand in the moment, to trust a virtual stranger that everything would be fine.

When studded fairy lights punctured the darkness, the display was honestly magical.

Practical Tips for Exploring the Appalachian Mountains in Alabama

First of all, check out hiking checklist here.

Second of all, make a stop into one of the visitor centres or arrange to meet up with a Park Ranger. These are American parks so, in general, paths are well maintained and well signposted but they can still be dangerous.

Never assume that it’s safe to swim or dive in the water and learn about what to do if you see a bear.

You’ll find the small towns, like Mentone and Fort Payne, reasonably well stocked and beautifully quirky places to visit but if you need any specialist equipment or medication, make sure you have it before you set off.

In Little River Canyon, the walk past Little River Falls and back in a loop is easily manageable with young children. Enjoy!

Montgomery to Fort Payne is three hours but this can easily be longer. In good weather, you’ll likely want to stop and take photos through the scenic drive in Talladega National Forest. In bad weather, visibility will be lower and you’ll need to go slow on the fairly winding roads.

• Winston Place B&B l ooks like a museum from Gone with the Wind, set in an antebellum neoclassical mansion in the small town of Mentone. It’s no surprise that it’s on the National Register of Historic Places, with its white columns, spacious verandah and grand lawn out front. Inside, rooms keep the historic ambiance, with fireplaces, floral furniture, lace edged tablecloths and more. Yet you get all the modern comforts you’d expect, plus access to a washing machine. Breakfast is a full southern experience, with everything from pancakes to grits with fresh coffee.

If the weather is good and you love to hike, then you could spend days on end here. If you would just like a taste of the place and are likely to hit bad weather, then one night will work nicely.

• Vintage 1889 in Fort Payne – lunch on raspberry chicken and flatbread tomato pie in this quirky 125 year old historic Big Mill. Kids will love the life size fire engine that sticks out of the wall. Adults will love the antique trinkets, posters and memorabilia.
• Elevation Bistro in Mentone – chic and candlelit, Elevation Bistro serves top quality fare with locally sourced ingredients taking on far off dishes like French onion soup and sundried tomato and mozzarella balls.
• Hiking through forests and waterfalls in Little River Canyon.
• Touring one of the largest underground cave systems in the world at Cathedral Caverns State Park.
• Pausing at the Trail of Tears in remembrance of the Native Americans forced from this land.
• Driving along the edge of a canyon and perching on rocky outcrops on part of the Lookout Mountain Parkway.

Look out for Park Rangers in the beautiful State Parks. They are on duty to help out and are incredibly knowledgable about the local area. Look out for Kaleb, in particular, say hi from this article and check that he took the chair back to Winston Place B&B. He’ll know what it means ;-)

Looking at rockets in the Huntsville Space Center

Huntsville: Rocket City

Rocket City wants you to have a blast. Yes, it’s the city of dad jokes and home to the largest space museum on earth. If driving along Clinton Avenue and seeing the tip of a 36 storey Saturn V moon rocket rising into the sky like a spire doesn’t shiver your space timbers, then it’s quite possible that you have timbers that cannot be shivered.

As the site of America’s first ever satellite launch, Huntsville has quite the reputation as the tech powerhouse of Alabama. The city itself is expanding faster than expected and you’ll find over 100 different languages and dialects within the city limits.

Yet Huntsville also has time to slow down and play. Its 112 acres of Botanical Gardens offer nature’s answer to tech: transformed over Christmas into a Galaxy of Lights.

And if you haven’t yet had your fill of neoclassical southern mansions yet, then a ride through Huntsville’s historical district will give another glimpse into the architecture of another age.

Most of all, though, make sure you leave enough time to fully explore the space museum. Even if a tip like that is not really rocket science (boom!) it is out of this world (double boom!)

Practical Tips for Huntsville

Around a third of the exhibits at the space museum are outside, and some of the rides will be awkward if you’re wearing a skirt. Plan for that with your packing and when you get dressed in the morning!

From Mentone in the Appalachian Mountains to Huntsville is around one hour and a half, one of the shortest drives on this trip.

• The Springhill Suites from Marriott in Downtown Huntsville form a convenient base for catching your breath in between the Space Center and the next stop in Birmingham. Parking is on site, breakfast is a quick grab and go and you’ll find a self-operated laundry to catch up with what you need to do on your road trip.

Space enthusiasts should leave a whole day to explore US Space and Rocket Center, meaning that you need two nights if you want to see anything else.

• Rhythm on Monroe – a fun place to pick up a Honky Tonk Whiskey Woman cocktail, some stylish shrimp & grits or biscuits and gravy and a grilled cheese sandwich for the little ones.
• Stovehouse – a former factory now converted into a cool urban leisure area, with outdoor dining from a range of eateries, a children’s play area and music drifting into the night. Follow the sign that says no firearms and only moderate, not excessive, horsejackery.
• The US Space and Rocket Center with its moondust, real relics, interactive exhibits and gravity defying rides.
• Historic Huntsville – stroll or drive through this beautiful neighbourhood of period properties or else attend an event run by the Historic Huntsville Foundation.
• Huntsville Botanical Gardens   – 112 acres of earth education and greenery. We were in town for the festive extravaganza, the Galaxy of Lights night show.
• Leave yourself plenty of time for the US Space and Rocket Center. It’s the largest place of its kind on earth, and you’ll need at least half a day if not more.

Pit Stop in Decatur: Natural History and Big Bob’s BBQ

For another taste of life in Albama, make a stop in Decatur, just south of Huntsville.

A Local Landmark: Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ

Where to Eat: Big Bob’s

Big Bob Gibson’s is the only name in town, with a big smokehouse out back ready to barbecue just about any kind of meat. We arrived at lunchtime, amid a working, check-shirted crowd, with barely a table free.

Big Bob’s is famous for a number of things, most notably their white barbecue sauce, a mayonnaise based tangy sauce with paprika, mustard and a dash of garlic.

What to See: Alabama’s Biodiversity

The Cook Museum of Natural Science is an absolute must see for the kids but if you’re new to Alabama, I’d recommend a visit for adults as well. Through fresh and imaginative interactive exhibits, you can not only get up to speed with tides, gemstones and the latest on the solar system, but you get an appreciation of Alabama’s biodiversity as well.

For, somewhat surprisingly, Alabama is America’s Amazon , an area with more species than anywhere else in the country.

Get up close with turtles and alligators, learn more about Alabama’s complex cave systems and stand eye to eye with the local black bears (yes, bears!)

Finally, leave inspired by both the story and the mission of the place. The Cook began life as a collection of bugs in a pest control company. The owner used his collection to train new recruits. Over time, staff brought their children to see the collections and from there, the spark of an idea for a museum was born.

The museum has an ethos as well: life is amazing. The first gallery prompts you to “look closer” and it’s another way for Alabama to invite you to think a little deeper, reach higher and get more out of each and every single day.

Don’t miss the pecan pie at Big Bob’s.

Birmingham by name, Birmingham by nature. Unlike so many cities in the world, Birmingham was built by design and built without basing itself around a river. Instead, in the mid 19th century, a group of industrialists decided to create an industrial city in the middle of Alabama, using the railroad instead of the waterways to connect it to the world. And so they did.

The Vulcan Centre, high on a vertiginous plain that overlooks the city, offers an appropriately severe introduction to the city. First, there is the giant himself, Vulcan. Bare bottomed and wielding tools that use fire to bend metal, his presence is a cross between a threat and a welcome to residents and visitors alike.

Then, there is the Vulcan Center, an introduction to the place as much as the man, charting the arrival of workers, from the recently emancipated plantation workers to Italian and Jewish immigrants desperate to start a new life. The museum covers the construction of this behemoth sculpture (the foot stands taller than a man) and the uniting force of Baseball.

But it is for civil rights that most people know the name Birmingham, Alabama, and not, it is fair to say, for all the best reasons.

Birmingham Civil Rights Monuments

Clustered together, just half a mile from the historic Tutwiler hotel, lie a trinity of core Civil Rights landmarks. The erudite Birmingham Civil Rights Institute , the evocative Kelly Ingram Park and the heartbreaking story of the 16th Street Baptist Church.

It was within these walls on 15th September 1963 when four girls were preparing for Sunday school, that Ku Klux Klan terrorists bombed the church and stole their lives. The scripture they were studying at the time was this:

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44.

Practical Tips for Birmingham

In practical terms, Birmingham is an emotionally tough though important place to visit. The three core places are close together so it is just about possible to visit all three in one morning, as we did, but I would recommend you leave yourself more time.

The tour through the 16th Street Baptist church is incredibly powerful and it feels rude to rush it. The BCRI is self-guided and the amount of time you will need depends on how much of the history you already know.

While in theory, you can walk around the Kelly Ingram park in minutes, the reality is that I needed time with those sculptures to try to sift through my heavy thoughts and emotions. It’s not a place to rush through, any more than a war or holocaust memorial.

On that note, look out for graphic depictions of lynchings in the BCRI and a graphic description of the bombing in the 16th Street Baptist Church. It’s a personal parental choice but I feel that both could be absolutely terrifying for very young children. I distracted Rosa through the audiovisual parts so that she has an overview of that history but doesn’t suffer from nightmares from something she cannot unsee.

As with so many parts of this Alabama road trip itinerary, I will be writing more about these topics in separate articles. Stay tuned and watch this space.

It’s another short drive of only around 90 minutes from Huntsville to Birmingham, a little longer if you take the detour to Decatur.

• A designated National Historic Landmark, the grand Tutwiler Hotel is now owned and run as part of the Hampton Inn & Suites under the Hilton umbrella. It’s only a 4 minute drive from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and has valet parking on site. It also has a waffle maker on the breakfast buffet options…

One is possible, two is ideal, since you won’t want to rush through the 16th Street Baptist Church and BCRI.

• Blueprint on 3rd – absolutely gorgeous Brasserie with historical Sloss Furnaces as a backdrop, industrial Art Deco decor and a fabulous fresh cocktail list.
• Pizitz Food Hall – something of a local landmark within reach of the BCRI with black and white floor tiles and a range of modern global food stalls.
• The Vulcan Statue that towers over the city and the museum that tells its story.
• The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute – an interpretive museum and research centre.
• Kelly Ingram Park – an outdoor park on the Civil Rights Trail with emotive sculptures.
• 16th Street Baptist Church – the site of an attack by the KKK which killed four young girls at Sunday school.

Try to time your visit to the Vulcan Center to align with sunset. It’s mesmerising to watch all the lights flicker into life across this impressive industrial city.

Monroe County Museum in Alabama

Monroeville and the Mockingbird

Between Birmingham and the coast lies a beautiful small town that seems somehow familiar. The layout of the streets. The shape of the courthouse. The song of the mockingbird?

Could this, could this just be Maycomb, Alabama, the fictional town from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird?

Why yes, Miss Maudie, it is.

Welcome to Monroeville, a small village and home to childhood friends Harper Lee and Truman Capote. And you can visit Monroe County Museum to learn more about them both.

The museum itself contains Capote’s blue glass souvenirs and crazy quilt coat, as well as a 1930s lawyer’s office, a home for Atticus Finch. But it’s the courtroom that stands out, as the original inspiration for both the book and the 1962 movie with Gregory Peck.

Practical Tips for Monroeville

The museum is small and you can easily zip in and out in between Birmingham and Gulf Shores on this Alabama Road Trip itinerary. But I really wish we’d stayed at least overnight.

Monroeville Main Street oozes with small town southern charm and you can follow a Mockingbird trail to piece together the likely Boo Radley house and school.

It’s a great place to visit with young children to introduce the concept of the justice system and with older ones to help them gain a deeper appreciation of the Mockingbird text.

• Read more about the town that inspired Maycomb here.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach bring a sense of lightness and hope to this Alabama Road Trip itinerary. Not just becuase days seem better at the beach and sunshine makes everyone feel better.

But because the place has managed to turn an environmental disaster into a success.

From Oil Disaster to Eco Success

In 2010, the largest marine oil spill in history took place as Deepwater Horizon slicked five million barrels of oil along the Gulf Coast after 11 people lost their lives on the rig. Traced back to reckless conduct on behalf of BP, the courts ordered the company to pay compensation to the tune of around 20 billion dollars.

When a slice of those funds arrived in Gulf Shores, a decision had to be made. Rebuild as normal? Or use the funds to truly rebuild better?

Landmark Eco Development

Gulf Shores decided to be bold and the result is one of the most genuinely eco-friendly resorts in the world. The Lodge by Hilton may not look as eco-pretty as you might expect but the credentials are sound. LEED Gold, SITES Platinum and FORTIFIED Commercial TM certification put the paperwork in order, making it the first building in the world to achieve that status.

Beyond that, the resort generates 110% of its electricity, meaning that it sells some back to the grid. It reuses water from air conditioning units, installed solar panels for power, made its windows bird strike friendly and developed amber lights that don’t disturb turtles. And more. The ins and outs of how this has been achieved deserves an article in its own right and believe me, I’ll be writing more about this.

Looking at Lake Shelby

Eco Pretty Eagle Cottages

And if you do want eco pretty, then Gulf Shores has that for you as well. We stayed in the stunning Eagle Cottages in Gulf State Park, overlooking the lapping shores of Lake Shelby. You’ll still see high rises if you lean forward and crane your neck. But sit back or cycle along the path and you could be miles from anywhere.

Eagle Cottages also have sustainability at the forefront of their mission, partnering with National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World initiative when it was in operation. From the cottages, you can attend lectures in the Learning Center and join a sustainability tour, as well as the more conventional hiking trips to learn about local plants and berries and track down bald eagles nesting.

Family friendly nature activities in Gulf State Park

Practical Tips for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

When we visited in December, it was easy to get around and warm enough to eat outside or stroll around on the dunes without jackets. However, no one was in the sea and you wouldn’t want to lie around sunbathing.

On the flip side, apparently when the sunshine comes, so do the crowds and then you need to plan a little more strategically.

The Wharf in Orange Beach is a good place for restaurants and shops, while Gulf State Park is a great place to connect with nature.

From Birmingham to Gulf Shores is five hours on the road, longer if you take the detour to Monroeville for To Kill a Mockingbird. The drive is beautiful by day but tougher going by night, with risks of deer collisions as well. Consider yourself advised!

• The gorgeous Eagle Cottages in Gulf State Park. These stand-alone villas have views across the water, bicycles to ride around the park and a delicious welcoming basket of cheese, cured meats and honey. They’re part of a bigger eco project in Gulf Shores and provide a sense of getting away from it all. More about them later!

With white sand beaches and the lapping shores of Lake Shelby from Eagle Cottages, you could easily spend a week here to relax and recharge. Sit on the verandah for bird watching. Cycle through Gulf Shores State Park. Scrunch your toes on the sand and swim if it’s warm enough… But if you only have time for one night, then don’t skip this place. Head there and embrace the time you have!

• Villaggio Grille on The Wharf in Orange Beach brings a quality touch to modern dining, with a range of Italian dishes.
• Foodcraft at The Lodge in Gulf State Park features traditional American dishes like shrimp & grits with locally sourced ingredients and a calming sea and sand view.
• The white sand, sea views and dolphins at sunset.
• Lake Shelby views from Eagle Cottages.
• Bald eagles nesting in Gulf State Park.
• Forward thinking eco credentials.
• Leisure activities at The Wharf, Orange Beach.
• Take a nature trail from Eagle Cottages and look out for nesting bald eagles.

Self-drive and DIY or use a tour operator?

To be honest, either would work when planning a road trip through Alabama. The roads are easy, the language is easy, the booking systems are easy. You can definitely plan the components by yourself based on this itinerary and take care of the whole thing.

That said, tour operators do offer certain advantages. First of all, they can access cheaper deals, particularly with flights and car hire. And second of all, they keep up to date with the travel news while you are away.

For this trip, America As You Like It managed to find cheaper flights and car hire than I did (and I am a pro at finding deals after a decade of professional travel.) They also followed the changes in Covid restrictions while we were away, which was a huge relief and freed me up from spending hours squinting at my phone and making sure that I was up to date.

So, particularly in Covid times, I would recommend using a tour operator. Check out the Alabama itineraries from America As You Like It here.

Top: Shrimp & Grits. Bottom: Biscuits & Gravy

What to Eat in Alabama

An entire article awaits, but for now, here are the highlights:

• Shrimp & grits
• Beignets in Mobile
• White BBQ Sauce at Big Bob Gibson’s Barbecue
• Biscuits and gravy
• Fried green tomatoes
• Make your own waffles at a breakfast station
• Chicory coffee

Meeting Dorothy from the Freedom Riders Museum. People risked their lives to make travel through Alabama safe… Her message now is to come!

When to Visit Alabama

There’s never a bad time to visit Alabama but as the state has different regions (the tech north, cotton middle and swampy south) the best time of year depends on what you want to do. To help get your bearings, Alabama borders Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida and Mississippi. The highest point is Cheaha Mountain in Cheaha State Park.

The beaches in the south are hottest (and busiest) during June to September but pleasant to visit in December, though outdoor pools and a swim in the sea is pretty much out. The Appalachian mountains can be enjoyed year round with few extremes, but check the details if you wish to go rafting or spot certain wildlife. Lookout mountain looks stunning with autumn foliage.

For the civil rights sightseeing, both spring and autumn work well and winter is possible with a warm coat, hat and gloves.

Flights to Alabama

Alabama has a number of airports but the big international hubs lie just outside the state. We travelled in and out of New Orleans (MSY), driving a loop through the state of Alabama. You can follow the same approach from Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) or Nashville, Tennessee (BNA.)

A fun route for an Alabama Road Trip looks to be from New Orleans to Nashville or vice versa. However, bear in mind that you will have to pay a supplementary fee if you do not return your hire car to the same place you picked it up.

I’d always recommend looking for flights and routes on Skyscanner and also checking with a tour operator as they can sometimes access deals that consumers can’t. In our case, we used America As You Like It as a partner of this project.

Safety While Driving in Alabama

It’s pretty safe to drive in Alabama. Roads are in excellent condition, well signposted and with frequent fuel stations and rest breaks. Parking is easy since most places have their own car parks and even the winding roads in the mountains are missing some of the tight and fright-filled hairpin turns you’ll find in older European villages.

You do have to be careful driving at night away from the main roads, though, as deer can cause considerable damage on impact. We were generally advised to drive by day for this reason.  Plus, it’s more fun to see the landscapes change as you drive on by.

Is Alabama Safe for People of Colour?

Given Alabama’s prominent and painful very recent past, I was asked this question several times both before I set off and while we were on the road. Since the three of us all have pale skin, we can’t answer that question from a personal perspective.

But I did ask people we met along the way, which obviously is a limited sample. Everyone I spoke to, whether Black or White, seemed horrified by the question and confident that people of colour would receive just as warm a welcome as those with white skin.

No one said it was perfect, though. “No different to anywhere else in America,” was the general gist. “We can do better,” was the other.

To get some modern context, Alabama’s population currently stands at around 74% White & 24% Black, with the remaining 1-2% consisting of American Indian and Asian according to the 2010 Alabama census.

If you are worried about this, it may be worth you reading this article from the Yellowhammer news.

You can wear almost anything you like in Alabama…

What to Wear in Alabama

In general, Alabama has a fairly relaxed dress code for its residents and visitors, unless you’re talking about Mardi Gras when costumes matter a lot. The weather varies enormously, though, both throughout the year and throughout the state.

The south is sticky and tropical for most of the year, cooling off a little in December – February. Whereas, Birmingham and further north can get bitingly cold in winter, as can the peaks of the Appalachian Mountains. But you won’t find yourself hemmed in with snow as in Alaska.

Overall, I’d recommend packing a pair of long jeans and trousers, a combination of long and short sleeved tops, a sweater, blazer or jacket, hiking shoes and going out shoes and one or two dresses if that’s your thing.

What to Pack for Alabama

Whenever you travel anywhere, check out our Travel Toolbox © and ultimate travel packing list. And for an Alabama Road Trip, of course it makes sense to consult our list of road trip essentials here.  Beyond that, I’ll highlight the following:

• Reusable water bottle and travel cutlery to cut down on plastic.
• A travel adapter like this if your appliances are not from the US. 
• Sat Nav or an in car phone holder if you plan on using your phone for navigation. 
• Some plastic bags for rubbish. 
• Some road trip snacks (although food is very easy to come by on the road.)
• Comfy shoes for making the most of the important museums, trails and Downtown areas. 
• An open mind. Cheesy but true ;-)
• And, erm, stretchy waistbands. Food is tasty, plentiful and not all that light!

More on Travel in the United States

We love a good road trip through America. It’s such a fascinating country to drive through with so many different landscapes, stories, peoples and cultures.

Check out our American road trip itineraries:

• Your two week road trip from New Orleans
• A fly-drive itinerary for the west coast in Florida
• Driving Massachusetts: road trips from Boston
• Your perfect road trip through Alabama

Read more about Alabama here:

• Meet the real Maycomb from Harper Lee’s Mockingbird
• 101 Interesting facts about Alabama
• The beach in Alabama that is changing the world. Seriously.

And our useful prep guides here:

• The Travel Toolbox ©
• The international travel checklist you can print and download
• Your printable road trip checklist  PDF
• Our Road Trip Planner & Toolkit ©

Bookmark this road trip Alabama itinerary on Pinterest for later… 

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Driving the Byway:

The perfect socially-distanced road trip, when you’re ready to travel and craving some fresh air, there’s nothing better than taking a drive down alabama’s coastal connection scenic byway ..

The drive from the heart of Coastal Mississippi through the ports of Mobile and down to Gulf Shores isn’t particularly long, but it’s full of famous outdoor attractions and open-air restaurants that make the journey so much sweeter. We know you’re anxious to sink your toes into the white-sand of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, but you won’t regret making a stop (or several) at some of these best spots the scenic byway has to offer!

HEADING OUT: COASTAL MISSISSIPPI

Your journey begins on Hwy 90 in Coastal Mississippi. These 62 miles of coastal beauty cross the state’s shoreline along sleepy oak-lined streets and through bustling city centers. In Biloxi, you’ll experience a glimpse of some of the best the state has to offer in a few short miles - and have plenty of places to stop and sample local life.  

Stop in and stretch your legs at Biloxi Small Craft Harbor, the oldest harbor in Biloxi. With stunning waterfront views, large slips for commercial and pleasure crafts, and a variety of activities on-site, it’s always busy with the sights and sounds of an active harbor. You’ll especially love watching the charming shrimp boats drop anchor and sort through their daily catch before it makes its way to local restaurants! 

Want to get even closer? Take a Biloxi Shrimping Trip. This 70-minute marine adventure dives deep into the maritime and seafood industry of Coastal Mississippi as you cast your net for heaps of local marine life and learn every step of the shrimping trade, from the net to your plate.

When you’re ready for a bite, stop by The Reef on Biloxi Beach. On the second floor you’ll find plenty of open-air seating and a magical view of the Gulf of Mexico. Their menu offers everything from fried chicken sandwiches and boudin to grilled grouper and oysters on the half shell.

COASTAL MISSISSIPPI TO MOBILE, ALABAMA

Across the line in Sweet Home Alabama, you’ll head north on Hwy 90 or I-10 to cross the beautiful Mobile Bay before snaking south toward Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Along the way, you’ll pass through Mobile, a bustling port city that’s full of historic southern charm and waterfront beauty. Though just a short drive from Alabama’s beaches, Mobile has a distinct vibe that deserves a stop (or three) to experience for yourself. 

Though a little off the beaten path, Bellingrath Gardens and Home is something you don’t want to miss. A 65-acre garden and historic home on Fowl River, the gardens showcase beautiful flowers and other fauna all year long. The path through Bellingrath is a little over two miles, and tours are self-guided so you can take as much time as you need to marvel at the sights.

Stay firmly rooted in the past - the military past - at  USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park . Climb aboard the USS Alabama, a WWII naval battleship, to tour all three levels of the ship and experience every aspect of life as a naval soldier. Battleship Memorial Park also houses the Drum (the oldest WWII submarine available to the public), an aircraft pavilion, and several war memorials. All of these exhibits are outdoors and quite spacious, offering you plenty of room to stay safe and socially-distanced.

After all that history, you’ll need to refuel in the present - and there’s nowhere better to whet your appetite than at Bluegill. A staple in Mobile since 1958, this is a haven for locals who love good food, delicious drinks and live music. The restaurant offers plenty of outdoor seating and a robust menu filled with Coastal Alabama classics like seafood gumbo, fried shrimp and grilled oysters.

MOBILE TO ALABAMA’S BEACHES 

As you head south, you’ll jump on Alt Hwy 98 to ride the beautiful Alabama Coastal Connection Scenic Byway right to the shore. The route meanders through a diverse snapshot of south Alabama to end in your ultimate destination –  Alabama’s beaches . Along the way, you’ll pass through rolling farmlands and sleepy southern towns, waterfront fishing communities and bustling hubs of commerce. There are several stops you can make along the way to stretch your legs and experience the area. 

The Gulf Coast is known for our waterfront lifestyle, and the  Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve  exists to protect it. The public facility includes 9,317 acres of estuarine habitats, each with its own diverse ecosystems and active wildlife. Stroll through a variety of outdoor nature trails to stretch your legs or head inside to explore the Interpretative Center and its educational displays and live animal exhibits. 

A few miles south, the  Graham Creek Nature Preserve  is a 500-acre park that’s dedicated to the preservation of hundreds of rare plant and animal species. Walking trails, wildlife tours, kayaking launches, and family areas are just some of the ways you can branch out to experience this coastal wonder. Or, save your energy for a long stop at the  Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail  in Orange Beach. With 28+ miles that span over nine diverse ecosystems, it’s one of the area’s most popular nature attractions and puts you right in the heart of the Gulf Coast scenery.

If you need a bite before you check-in to your beach vacation rental, you’ll find no shortage of delicious open-air and waterfront  restaurants  to tantalize your taste buds. Stop in at  LuLu’s  to eat and burn off a little energy from the road trip. If you just can’t wait for a Gulf-front view, head to  The Gulf , a beachfront restaurant that’s made of recycled shipping containers and offers custom cocktails right on the sand.

Now that you’re here, we can’t wait to show you around! Stop by one of our  welcome centers  before you check-in for all the info, coupons and southern hospitality you can handle. 

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Explore Coastal Alabama on the Scenic Byway

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Alabama Road Trips

Alabama road trips are fun, engaging, and memorable, suiting every taste for adventure! The most popular Alabama road trips take you through Alabama history, let you sample tons of food and drink, or show you Alabama art and culture. Take a road trip that hits famous sports complexes and outdoor scenery, or get your fill of Alabama music. Want a taste of the best beach destinations in the state? An Alabama road trip will take you there! Popular Alabama road trip themes include: History, Beaches, Food and Drink, Arts and Culture, Civil Rights, Music, Golf and other Sports, Outdoors, Science and Discovery. With so many places to go and sights to see, it’s no wonder that a road trip is one of the best ways to experience Alabama.

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Mobile: A Romantic Getaway

If you're considering a romantic getaway, put Mobile at the top of your list.

Selma to Montgomery: Crossing a Bridge into History

The Edmund Pettus Bridge, spanning the Alabama River in Selma, has become one of the most iconic symbols of the modern struggle for civil and voting rights in America. It is also a focal point for the 54-mile route now memorialized as the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach: Spring Break at the Beach

Soak up the sun on Alabama's beautiful sugar-white sand beaches.

Birmingham: Taking it to the Streets, Downtown

Get ready to travel to Birmingham, Alabama's largest city, for a stroll through historic downtown. On this walking tour, you will go to the place where hot peanuts have been sold for more than 100 years and stroll through shops filled with memories.

Huntsville: To the Moon and Back By Dinner

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville is the largest and most comprehensive space flight museum in the world.

Montgomery: A Place Where History Runs Deep

History is woven into the very soul of Montgomery. It spirals down grand staircases, like the one inside the 1847 State Capitol building.

Gulf Coast Birding: Fort Morgan, Dauphin Island, Theodore

Alabama's Gulf Coast is a stopover point for birds as they return from Central to North America in the spring, so it's the perfect place to see herons, seagulls, pelicans and more.

Monroeville: The "To Kill a Mockingbird" Experience

You've read the book or maybe you've seen the movie with Gregory Peck. Now experience <em>To Kill a Mockingbird</em> and lots more firsthand on a visit to Monroeville.

Selma: Explore Small Town's Major Role in Civil War History

The 1820s town of Selma, situated on the banks of the Alabama River in west-central Alabama, is a place where the past reaches out to you like the branches of the town's moss-draped trees.

Childersburg and Sylacauga: Family Fun

Take your family to explore a cave that's 12 stories deep. Eleven miles away, amaze them as your car rolls uphill, seemly defying the law of gravity.

Eufaula: Picture Perfect and Pilgrimage Ready

Experience the state's oldest and largest tour of homes on the Eufaula Pilgrimage, which takes place each spring.

Tuscaloosa to Eutaw: Antiques and Antebellum Mansions

With gracious antebellum mansions, wonderful art galleries, scenic waterways, landmark universities, a haunted bridge and a treasure trove of antique shops, West Alabama offers the perfect road trip for lovers of antiquity, art and culture.

Abbeville: Yatta Abba Yella Fella Tour

Explore the small town made famous by Jimmy Rane, the Yella Fella.

Eastern Shore: Girlfriends Bay Getaway

Experience a girlfriends getaway on Alabama’s Eastern Shore where the charming small town of Fairhope offers boutiques, bistros, art and the highest rated Marriott spa in the world just down the road. As you cruise along Scenic Highway 98 to Fairhope, you’ll drive under canopies of oak trees draped with Spanish moss.

Foley and Elberta: Art, Antiques and Model Trains

Eight miles north of the white sand beaches of Alabama’s Gulf Coast sit two small towns rich in culture and heritage, Foley and Elberta.

Go for a Drive on the RTJ Golf Trail

In Alabama, you can go for a drive on the RTJ Golf Trail, but these driving skills don’t require a steering wheel.

Birmingham’s Five Points South: Walk to James Beard-recognized Restaurants

Birmingham is home to great neighborhoods that are filled with a spirit that comes alive when you walk down the streets and step inside the boutiques and quaint restaurants.

Decatur: Fun in the River City

Located on the banks of the Tennessee River in North Alabama, Decatur is called “The River City” and is known for its great outdoor recreation.

Discover Dothan: The Heart of Alabama’s Wiregrass

Dothan is an ideal place for a fun and affordable family vacation. Symbols of a bygone era await your visit at a 135-acre park on the outskirts of town.

Florence: Alabama’s Renaissance City

Florence, the county seat of Lauderdale County, was surveyed in 1818 by Ferdinand Sannoner, an Italian native who named the city after Florence, Italy.

A Tour of Gee’s Bend

Known for their bold, improvisational designs and use of recycled fabrics, for generations, the women of Gee’s Bend have been creating patchwork quilts that expand the expressive boundaries of the quilt genre and the realm of Black visual culture.

Rocking and Rolling on the Mountains: A Driving Tour Through Steele, Ashville and Springville

Take in Alabama's natural beauty driving through the mountains. Observe local artists' and listen to unique music at various bluegrass festivals.

Alabama’s Coastal Connection National Scenic Byway

Beautiful beaches, authentic downtowns, wildlife preserves, historic sites and the freshest of seafood are all yours to enjoy on Alabama’s Coastal Connection, a nationally designated scenic byway.

A Bicentennial Road Trip: Fort Mims to Horseshoe Bend

Follow the progression of the Creek Indian War through historic sites and battle reenactments.

Fort Payne: The View From Lookout Mountain

The largest city along the Alabama portion of the Lookout Mountain Parkway is Fort Payne.

Alabama’s Gulf Coast: Where Kids Drive the Fun Home

Some of the best family memories are made on a beach vacation. Ditching your regular routine and setting out for Alabama’s 32 miles of sandy seashore welcomes a bit of magic into your lives.

Famous Alabamians Hometown Heroes Road Trip

Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Hank Williams Sr. and George Washington Carver – these names rank among the most notable people in America.

Marion and Greensboro: Interesting People, Places and Food

Alabama’s Black Belt region, so named because of its rich black soil, cuts a swath across the state that encompasses 22 counties, including Hale and Perry.

Commemorating Birmingham ’63 in the Alabama Civil Rights District

Visiting Alabama’s Civil Rights District, where some of America’s most painful events took place, is a powerful and emotional experience you should not miss.

Rosa Parks, Paul “Bear” Bryant and Jesse Owens: A Centennial Road Trip

What do Rosa Parks, Paul “Bear” Bryant and Jesse Owens have in common? Besides the fact that each of them has a museum named in their honor, all three of these famous Alabamians were born in 1913, and each played a role in integration.

Tuscaloosa and Northport: A Feast of Art and Food

Tuscaloosa, the fifth largest city in Alabama, is home to the University of Alabama and the National Championship Crimson Tide football team. Northport’s charming downtown is a mecca for diners and shoppers, particularly during the annual Kentuck Festival of the Arts each October.

Irondale, Hanceville & Cullman: A Pilgrimage for the Soul

Pilgrims of all faiths journey from far corners of the globe to nourish spirits and deepen understanding at the three Alabama locations. Each stop is an easy drive from major interstates, but you’ll feel transported to spiritual realms in your heart.

Moundville/Aliceville: Shark Teeth, POWs & the Lost Realm of the Black Warrior

This road trip takes you on a journey through history. Visit Moundville Archaeological Park, then return to Tuscaloosa to eat, shop and see the sights. Journey to hunt prehistoric shark teeth left 70 million years ago before visiting a museum in nearby Aliceville dedicated to one of the largest World War II German prison camps in America.

Henagar: The Sound of (Sacred Harp) Music

On this road trip, you will hear the sound so associated with the South of the Civil War period and see the town where Sacred Harp songs were recorded for the movie Cold Mountain.

Cullman: Alabama’s German Village

From its Native American and Civil War past to proud heritage as the site of an authentic 1870s German village, Cullman offers travelers plenty to see and do.

Wonder Falls & More: Gadsden, Attalla and Beyond

Take two days to explore the stunning scenic splendor of northeastern Alabama with visits to waterfalls in Gadsden and Fort Payne and the federally protected magnificence of Little River Canyon.

Outdoor Beach Adventure: Gulf Shores/Orange Beach

This road trip takes you to Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast region for fishing, parasailing, hot air balloon rides, scuba diving and exciting dolphin cruises. Down along the Alabama coast, where 32 miles of sugar white sand beaches offer fun 365 days of the year, you’ll discover adventure at every turn – on land, by sea and in the air.

Pork, Blues and Inner Tubes: A Tour of Alabama Barbecue

In Alabama, barbecue is a culture all in itself. The state serves some of the nation’s best, with iconic and award-winning restaurants just about everywhere you look.

Mentone: A Mountaintop Treasure

Nestled among the woodlands atop the western brow of Lookout Mountain, the historic and scenic village of Mentone hosts antiques stores, arts and crafts shops, galleries and restaurants. The Lookout Mountain Parkway is known for its beautiful waterfalls and great white-water kayaking.

Lineville & Ashland: From Alabama’s Highest Point to Its Hills of Gold

On this road trip, you will start on a mountaintop at Cheaha State Park and travel down to the valley. Along the way you can ride horses, pan for gold and drive beautiful back roads to reach the small towns of Lineville and Ashland.

Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee Road Trip

Visitors to Tuskegee, located in Macon County in east-central Alabama, will discover a myriad of reasons why Lionel Richie is proud to call the small town where he grew up “home.”

Alabama’s Gulf Coast: Fresh Catch and Fairways

Alabama’s Gulf Coast is a destination that combines rest and relaxation with some of the best golfing and fishing around.

Historic House Museums of Mobile

From the grand Bragg-Mitchell Mansion to the simple Portier House, the historic house museums of Mobile are sure to provide a memorable experience for those who love history, architecture and a good story.

Athens’ Southern Splendor

From history and food to Southern hospitality, Athens has it all. Athens is a small city in North Alabama with a charming downtown square full of history.

Blount County: The Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama

Three of Alabama’s 11 covered bridges can be found in Blount County, nestled into the curves of both roads and rivers, making this county the Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama.

Scottsboro: Claim the Treasures

Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains on 69,000-acre Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro is a treasure-trove of adventure. Here you can tour a quaint museum that chronicles the early history of the Civil Rights Movement in America, see the courthouse where the Scottsboro Boys Trials took place in the 1930s, and enjoy premier outdoor recreation, such as bird-watching, boating, camping, fishing and golfing.

Alabama's Historic State Capitals Tour

Alabama has had five state capitals, including St. Stephens, Huntsville, Cahawba, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery. Take a tour throughout the state discovering the history behind these important cities.

Your Island Getaway: Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island is the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway. A natural environment surrounded by the beautiful turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, this small barrier island is set apart by white sand beaches, walking trails, bountiful wildlife and lots of history.

Judge Horton and the Scottsboro Boys

Take a 110-mile journey through scenic northeastern Alabama to visit train depots and courthouses in Stevenson, Scottsboro, Decatur and Athens, where the saga of the Scottsboro Boys case played out over seven years.

Pike County: Art, Pioneers, Peanut Butter and More

There’s a lot to love about Pike County, which is just east of Alabama’s capital city and includes the cities of Troy and Brundidge. Discover an emerging arts scene, the pioneering spirit of the past, a top-ranked university, antiques, an annual peanut butter party and more.

Racing, Riding and Building America’s Wheels

From the first crank of an engine, America fell in love with the automobile. Throughout Alabama, testimonials to our devotion abound in museums, on racetracks and in manufacturing facilities.

Muscle Shoals Is Rock ’n’ Roll Heaven

Thanks to the critically acclaimed Muscle Shoals documentary, music lovers are finding their way to the small town in northwestern Alabama where some of the world’s greatest hits were recorded.

Create Your Own Classroom on Alabama’s Gulf Coast

Discover a whole different state of learning along Alabama’s 32 miles of white sand and blue waterways. These waterfront classrooms offer core subjects to enrich any student’s curriculum.

Crave the Coast: A Gulf-Side Trip for Food Lovers

Next time you visit the pristine beaches of Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast, up the culinary ante with the delicious destinations and dishes the area has to offer.

Old Mill Towns of Alabama: Valley, Lanett and Beyond

Get ready to travel to the sites of several old mill towns, visit a Civil War fort that straddles the Alabama/Georgia line, explore birding sites and lakes and visit a town that honors sports hero Joe Louis, World Boxing Heavyweight Champion from 1937 to 1949.

Coasting Through History: Forts, Fishermen, Legends and Adventure Along Alabama’s Gulf Coast

Today, you can tour the forts that defended Mobile and walk beaches trod by swashbucklers and explorers. You can also learn the amazing stories of seafarers, farmers and fishermen who also make up the coast’s history.

Wetumpka: Land of Rumbling Waters

Nestled in the heart of Elmore County and wrapped in the flowing waters of the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers, Wetumpka holds many treasures often overlooked by visitors and passersby.

Elkmont: Goat Cheese Heaven

Elkmont is best known as the home of an internationally acclaimed goat cheese maker. It is also a place to explore Civil War history, pick, grin and dance the night away at an old railroad depot, or listen to country music by Nashville entertainers inside a little red caboose.

Opelika: Small City, BIG Impression

Folks who live in Opelika will tell you that their hometown is a special place, offering all the graces of Southern hospitality, history and culture with a mix of modern innovation, revitalization and progress.

Exploring Alabama’s Rural Studio

Smack in the middle of Alabama’s Black Belt stand multiple buildings, none of which look like they go together. But they do. All part of Auburn University’s Rural Studio, these homes, event centers, play structures and community buildings – some built using tires, wooden pallets or hay bales – comprise a philanthropic and educational effort by the university’s architecture department.

Alabama Beer Trail - Flight 1

Alabama’s burgeoning craft beer scene practically begs you to make a pilgrimage to some of the 29 breweries and brew pubs in the state.

It’s Showtime at Alabama’s Historic Theaters

The lights dim, the music swells, images and voices appear, and you are magically whisked away to another time, another place, another life. Alabama has nearly 20 theaters that were built before World War II, with 11 of them dating to 1930 or earlier.

Auburn-Opelika: A Center of Arts and Culture

On this road trip, you’re invited to step back in time to an old railroad town, visit art and history museums, and refuel with a glass of lemonade at an old-fashioned drugstore and soda fountain.

See & Sip at Alabama’s Wineries

Keeping step with Alabama's burgeoning craft beer industry and award-winning restaurants, vineyards around the state are producing homegrown vintages with distinctive flavors. The state currently boasts 14 vineyards and wineries, most of which rely on Alabama's only native grape, the muscadine.

Take Off on Alabama’s Aviation Road Trip

Point your compass to sites around Alabama where generations of creative minds dreamed of soaring high above the earth.

Over the Railroad and Through the Woods: A Historic Christmas in East Alabama

Christmastime in Alabama is truly an enjoyable experience, with many cities hosting parades, plays, garden tours and other special events throughout the holiday season. This is certainly true for the Auburn-Opelika area in East Alabama.

Metal & Might: Discover Alabama’s Iron & Steel Heritage

Pondering Alabama’s rich history often leads to thoughts of the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement or our literary legacy. But there’s another topic that deserves prime placement on that list: the founding and growth of the state’s iron and steel industries.

Meet Alabama’s Artisanal Cheesemakers

Get your camera ready for this Instagram-worthy tour through Alabama farmland to meet a few of the state’s top artisanal cheese producers. Throughout Alabama’s rich agricultural history, farmers have utilized the mild climate and fertile soil to create distinctive dairy products.

Take 20: Things to see and do in Alabama along Interstate 20

Interstate 20 dates back to the 1960s and is a major east–west transportation system that runs for more than 1,500 miles from Kent, Texas all the way to Columbia, South Carolina. In between, it travels through several states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama before crossing into Georgia. Such a lengthy and historic route beckons you to get off and explore all the attractions along the way. And what better place to do that than in Alabama?

Historic Churches Along Alabama’s Civil Rights Trail

On this road trip, you are invited to hit the Alabama Civil Rights Trail, visiting several historic cities and towns to get an inside look at one of the most significant symbols of the Civil Rights Movement — the black church.

Columbiana: More Than You Can Imagine

Unless you’re from around the Birmingham area, chances are you haven’t heard of Columbiana, but this charming town of fewer than 5,000 offers more than you can imagine and is well worth a day trip or a weekend stay.

Seeing Gadsden from the Inside

The Coosa River flows down from beautiful Lookout Mountain, offering fishing, camping and birdwatching along the shoreline of Neely Henry Lake. Stunning waterfalls capture your imagination at Noccalula Falls Park. A relaxing 36-hole Robert Trent Jones Golf Course beckons you to grab your clubs and enjoy a round or two of golf. With so many opportunities for recreation surrounding it, one would think that Gadsden is all about the outdoors.

Road Tripping with the Kids in Alabama’s Capital City

When it comes to spring break and summer vacation, kids are always up for an adventure. And what better place to give them some adventure than in Alabama’s capital city. From the Alabama Cattlemen’s MOOseum and the Museum of Alabama to the Rosa Parks Museum and the Planetarium, Montgomery offers an abundance of things to see and do with children.

Andalusia: Where Art, History and Culture Abound

Whether big or small, almost every town has its claim to fame, and Andalusia, Alabama is no exception. Located in south-central Alabama in Covington County, this town of 9,000-plus is home to the World Championship Domino Tournament, lots of rich local history, engaging museums, and more.

Road Trip: Mountain Bike East Alabama

Whether you’re a beginner or old pro, you’re invited to pack up your gear and hit the open road toward East Alabama – we’ll show you all the best trails!

A Centennial Road Trip along the Bankhead Highway

Mention the name Bankhead and many would undoubtedly think of Tallulah Bankhead of Hollywood and Broadway fame. But before the screen and stage star was born in Huntsville, Alabama in 1902, her grandfather John Hollis Bankhead of Jasper was making a name for himself.

Exploring Alabama’s Historic Ballparks

Although Alabama doesn’t often tout its connection to America’s favorite pastime, the state harbors a rich baseball history that rivals that of Boston, New York or Chicago. Its legacy includes several minor league teams, beloved players who are household names and ballparks where history was made. Follow this road trip to five of the state’s historic ballparks and discover the sport’s Alabama roots.

Experiencing Montgomery beyond Downtown

With dozens of museums, a beautiful riverboat and baseball stadium, historic homes and churches, and great lodging, entertainment and dining venues, it’s no surprise that downtown Montgomery is a mecca for tourists. But why not explore all Montgomery has to offer?

Adventure and Scenery on Two Wheels

For some, there’s nothing better than traveling the world on a motorcycle, and if you’re one of those people, this road trip is for you.

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Alabama Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary

Chris Muras

Every adventure starts with a single step. And then another, and another, until you find yourself somewhere new and undiscovered. That’s the journey of a writer. You never know where the next word will take you. Hopefully, together, we can experience some amazing new adventures at OnlyInYourState.

More by this Author

Alabama is a fascinating state with small-town charm and big-city attractions. And there is no better way to get to know the state than with a road trip. Whether you spend a day in Muscle Shoals and then hop over the Tennessee River to Florence to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s Rosenbaum House or your idea of the best road trips in Alabama includes an epic trek across the entire state to see every waterfall, here are a few interesting Alabama road trip ideas you can add to your bucket list.

1-Day Road Trip In Alabama

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• Route : Huntsville > Decatur > Birmingham > Mobile > Fairhope > Gulf Shores
• Distance : 426 miles
• Trip Time : 7 hours driving time

• Route : Tuscumbia > Mooresville > Houston > Selma > Gulf Shores > Mobile > Moundville
• Distance : 725 miles
• Trip Time : 13.5 hours driving time

• Route : Valley Grande > Clio > Opp > Camden > Silas
• Distance : 367 miles
• Trip Time : 7.5 hours driving time

• Route : Selma > Kinston > Gulf Shores > Camden > Demopolis > Birmingham

• Route : Hoover > Gadsden > Fort Payne > Piney Branch Falls > Grove Oak > Pinson > Hoover
• Distance : 315 miles
• Trip Time : 6 hours driving time

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• Route : Gulf Shores > Foley > Magnolia Springs > Fairhope > Daphne > Dauphin Island
• Distance : 88 miles
• Trip Time : 2 hours driving time

• Route : Bankhead National Forest > Oak Mountain State Park > Birmingham Botanical Gardens > Palisades Park > Cheaha State Park > Noccalula Falls Park & Campground > Little River Canyon National Preserve
• Distance : 307 miles
• Trip Time : 6.5 hours driving time

• Route : Huntsville > Cullman > Birmingham > Montgomery > Andalusia > Theodore
• Distance : 438 miles

• Route : Huntsville > Birmingham > Montevallo > Montgomery > Foley > Gulf Shores
• Distance : 397 miles

• Route : Gadsden > Woodville > Scottsboro > Bridgeport > Little River Canyon National Preserve > Delta > Gadsden
• Distance : 297 miles

• Route : Fort Payne > Eufaula > Greenville, > Monroeville > Mountain Brook > Tuscumbia > Mooresville > Fort Payne
• Distance : 832 miles
• Trip Time : 15 hours driving time

Whether your ideal getaway is traveling to beautiful beaches in the Gulf of Mexico, a few small towns filled to the brim with southern hospitality, or you love national memorials, history museums, or even some famous Alabama BBQ, there is a road trip with your name on it in Alabama. Of all these Alabama road trip ideas we’ve featured here, which one do you see yourself doing first? What do you consider to be the best road trips in Alabama? Be sure to tell us all about the best Alabama road trips you’ve been on.

For road trip planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState’s Ultimate Road Trip Packing List . Whether you’re leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can’t forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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More to Explore

More alabama road trips, what are some other popular road trips to take in alabama.

With so many amazing attractions and destinations to explore, its no wonder there is such an abundance of amazing road trips to take in Alabama. We've organized our favorite Alabama road trips by theme so you can find the perfect itinerary the next time you hit the road!

Scenic Road Trips 8 Of The Very Best Scenic Drives In Alabama This 580-Mile Road Trip Leads You To Alabama's Most Scenic Spots Take This Road Trip To Alabama's Most Scenic Places Take This Scenic Road Trip In Alabama For An Unforgettable Adventure 11 Of The Best Road Trip Stops To Make In Alabama 8 Amazing Alabama Road Trips To Take In 2017 The Perfect Alabama Weekend Road Trip

Nature Road Trips The 7 Natural Wonders Of Alabama Road Trip The Ultimate Alabama Natural Wonders Road Trip This Epic Road Trip Takes You To Amazing Natural Wonders In Alabama Alabama's Most Scenic Weekend Road Trip For Nature Lovers This Alabama Road Trip Takes You From The Beaches To The Mountains This Road Trip Will Take You To 7 Of Alabama's Most Adventurous Places Take This Epic Road Trip To Experience Alabama's Great Outdoors Discover 7 Of Alabama's Most Beautiful Places On This Spring Road Trip See The Best Sunrises In Alabama On This Amazing Road Trip 3 Canyons In Alabama During A Weekend Road Trip This Alabama Road Trip Takes You To 5 Scenic Wildlife Refuges

Beach Road Trips The Best Beach Road Trip In Alabama Along The Gulf Coast Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway: Best Alabama Road Trip This Road Trip Leads To The Best Alabama Beach Towns The Hidden Beaches In Alabama Road Trip

Hiking/Camping Road Trips Best Hiking And Camping Road Trip In Alabama This Road Trip Takes You To 5 Of Alabama's Most Underrated State Parks AL The State Park Road Trip To Take In Alabama This Fall Road Trip Map Of Alabama's 6 Most Incredible Caves Take This Road Trip To The Best Alabama Caves And Waterfalls

Waterfall Road Trips The 2-Hour Waterfall Road Trip In Alabama To Take This Summer Road Trip To The Largest Waterfall In Alabama The Waterfall Road Trip In Alabama You’ll Want To Take This Alabama Waterfall Loop Takes You To 7 Beautiful Waterfalls

Hidden Gem Road Trips This Road Trip Will Take You To Alabama's Best-Kept Secrets This Alabama Road Trip Will Take You To 7 Spectacular Hidden Gems Alabama's Hidden Gems Road Trip Leads To 6 Little-Known Places Your Ultimate Road Trip To 8 Hidden Gems In Alabama Take This Rural Road Trip To Alabama's Best Hidden Gems This Road Trip Will Take You To Alabama's Most Underrated Attractions

Road Trips to Attractions Take This Bargain Hunters Road Trip In Alabama For Best Thrift Stores This Road Trip Will Take You To Alabama's Best Antique Stores Take This Road Trip To Alabama's Most Enchanting Castles Take This Dinosaur-Themed Road Trip In Alabama This Road Trip Will Take You To 8 Of Alabama's Best Movie Sets This Alabama Road Trip Leads To 7 Iconic Landmarks This Road Trip Will Take You To Alabama's Most Unique Roadside Attractions This Road Trip Will Take You To Alabama's Best Thrift Shops This Road Trip Will Lead You To 8 Of Alabama's Top Tourist Attractions The Road Trip That Leads To Alabama's Most Defining Places

Unique & Weird Road Trips Take This Road Trip To 6 Of Alabama's Quirkiest Places This Road Trip Leads To 7 Weirdest And Wackiest Places In Alabama Take This Road Trip To Alabama's Most Unique Places The Strangest Alabama Road Trip You'll Ever Take The Alabama Train Themed Road Trip

Retro & Nostalgic Road Trips This Alabama Road Trip Will Take You On A Journey Through Time This Retro Road Trip In Alabama Will Lead You To Nostalgic Places Alabama Road Trip With 7 Stops That Seem Frozen In Time The Most Fascinating Historical Sites Road Trip In Alabama

Creepy & Scary Road Trips Take This Road Trip To Alabama's Most Abandoned Places Take This Road Trip To Alabama's Creepiest Ghost Towns Take This Haunted Road Trip To The Most Haunted Places In Alabama The Spooky Alabama Road Trip To Take This Halloween This Road Trip Will Take You To Some Of Alabama's Most Haunted Places

Geo-Specific This Road Trip In Central Alabama Only Takes One Tank Of Gas Take This Alabama Road Trip From Huntsville To Oneonta Experience The Best Rural Alabama Road Trip In Just One Day Take This Rural Road Trip To Alabama's Best Hidden Gems Follow The Coosa River For An Unforgettable Alabama Road Trip

Seasonal The Best Christmas Lights In Alabama: A Road Trip An Alabama Christmas Lights Road Trip That Will Dazzle & Delight Alabama Christmas Towns Road Trip 2016 See The Best Christmas Lights In Alabama On This Holiday Road Trip AL The Best Fall Foliage Road Trip In Alabama 2017 Take This Road Trip To See The Best Fall Foliage In Alabama Alabama's Best Natural Wonders Road Trip To Take This Fall 10 Alabama Road Trips To Take This Fall Visit 6 Of Alabama's Best Summer Spots On This Weekend Road Trip Take This Road Trip To Alabama's Best Fall Attractions

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Featured Addresses

The Ultimate Gulf Coast Road Trip: An Itinerary From Mississippi to Florida

Are you on the hunt for a unique beach vacation idea? Discover the sights, sounds, and tastes along the Gulf of Mexico with a Gulf Coast Road Trip .

Our ultimate itinerary will take you from the secret coast of Mississippi to the scenic shores of Florida, with plenty of palm trees along the way.

Miles of ocean stretch in one direction while the open road lays ahead during your scenic drive along the coast. Planning is key when crafting the ideal itinerary as the beach towns that line the coast each have their own unique story to tell, local cuisine to sample, and diverse attractions and activities.

This article will go through the planning process of creating the perfect itinerary for your gulf coast adventure and give a sample itinerary.

We want to thank our friends at Coastal Mississippi and Visit Alabama Beaches for sponsoring this post. This post contains affiliate links. 

About the gulf coast.

The United States Gulf Coast is the coastline along the southern portion that borders the Gulf of Mexico. The coastal states that have a shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico are Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, and these are known as the Gulf States.

How long you have allocated for your trip will be the determining factor on where to start. Many choose to start in a major city like New Orleans or Biloxi, then make their way through the Florida panhandle.

Exploring the beach towns along the coast of Texas is a road trip in itself. Starting in South Padre Island, road trippers can creep up the coast to Corpus Christi, ending in Galveston while stopping in small beachside communities along the way.

Planning Your Gulf Coast Road Trip

Determine the length of your trip.

The amount of time you spend will drastically alter how much of the Gulf Coast you will see on your road trip. Here are some tips to keep in mind while determining how many states and cities you would like to see.

• Consider the driving distance between the cities you want to visit. For example, it is roughly 90 minutes from New Orleans to Gulfport, MS. At the same time, it is 2 hours to get from Biloxi to Gulf Shores, AL.
• Give enough time to enjoy and explore each area. We can often not allocate the proper amount of time and have to rush to the next stop without having time to relax.
• Plan a beach day or two or three.
• Research potential stops, attractions, and where to stay ahead of time.
• I would not spend longer than 5 hours driving between destinations.
• Break up long stretches of driving with a fun roadside stop or point of interest.
• Don’t plan out every second. Part of the fun of a road trip to making impromptu stops and living in the moment.

Create A Budget

One essential part of any road trip is developing a budget. The budget will also play a role in determining the length of your trip. Plan out your expenses such as food, gas, lodging, attractions, transportation costs such as flights, rental car, etc.

Road Trip Budget Tips

• Make your own meals if you choose to camp or have accommodations with a kitchen.
• Travel during the shoulder season or low tourist season. For the Gulf Coast, this is October-February.
• Find free activities to help balance out expensive days.
• Check to see if there are City Passes offered through the tourism board. City Passes often let you see the top attractions for a lower price. It is a good value if you are planning on doing those activities.

Consider Your Vehicle

The type of vehicle you take on your road trip will depend on how many people are going, the condition of your vehicle, and if you are traveling via campervan or RV. Suppose your car is not in shape to add any more wear and tear, then consider renting a vehicle upon arrival.

You can even use an RV Rental company to rent an RV for your trip. If this is something you are considering, be sure to consider campsites that will meet the vehicle’s needs and the people. For example, a campervan may not have a shower or toilet.

Vehicle Road Trip Tips

• If you take your car, ensure that scheduled maintenance has been done before leaving on your trip. This includes a tune-up, oil change, tire rotation, etc.
• Keep a roadside emergency kit in the car in case of a breakdown.
• Don’t forget your atlas! While we still use google maps, I love to keep an atlas in the car if the service doesn’t work.

Where Do I Start My Gulf Coast Road Trip

Choosing where to start your trip will depend on how many states you wish to cover and the duration of the trip. A good starting point is New Orleans, Louisana, Pensacola, Florida, or Destin, Florida. These towns have major airports that visitors can fly into and rental cars if needed.

We will be starting in Gulfport, Mississippi, and making our way down the Florida panhandle for this article.

Mississippi

A great place to start your coastal road trip is along the coast of Mississippi. After the devastation Hurricane Katrina wreaked on the coastal towns, they have bounced back and are welcoming tourists with open arms.

The unique coast of Mississippi consists of many small seaside communities, each with its own distinct vibe. Each coastal community offers vacation rentals, boutique hotels, local restaurants, and plenty of fun things to do.

There are 11 distinct Coastal Communities; Waveland, Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport, Biloxi, D’Iberville, Ocean Springs, Gautier, Pascagoula, and Moss Point. Many of the towns offer walking city tours and  ghost tours .

My personal preference for a home base during your stop in Mississippi is Gulfport. Gulfport is strategically centered along the coast, making it easy to get to the different beach towns. A charming downtown area is home to local coffee shops, restaurants, and small museums.

Kids will love visiting the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, seeing the sights at the Mississippi Aquarium, and not far is the INFINITY Science Center.

The  Oasis Resort  is a great place for families as it offers tons of family-friendly amenities. Splish, splash, and laugh at the Oasis’s premier water park reserved only for Oasis Resort and Centennial Hotel guestsFloat leisurely around the 950-ft lazy river, race on water slides, or let the kids splash to their heart’s content in their splash zone. 

Check out our  Top Things To Do Along The Mississippi Gulf Coast !

Ocean Springs

Discover the enchanting town of Ocean Springs, a historic coastal town with a delightful main street full of trendy boutiques, eateries, and galleries. The city is known for its arts and festivals, hosting the largest fine arts festival in the state, Peter Anderson Arts & Craft Festival.

Sip on a cold beer at the Lost Spring Brewery, dine alfresco at the Lady May, then stroll to the nearby beach! Ocean Springs does have three districts that allow patrons to leave bars and restaurants with “to-go cups.”

Another great place to stay along the Mississippi Gulf Coast is Biloxi. In addition to the beautiful beaches, visitors come to try their luck at one of Biloxi’s many casinos.

The fishing harbors draw tourists with a multitude of attractions. Hop a boat ride out to the barrier islands, go on a famous Biloxi shrimping trip, then spend time browsing the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum.

Don’t forget to see the Biloxi Lighthouse, tour the Ohr-O-Keefe Museum of Art, and the Mardi Gras Museum.

Mardi Gras On The Coast

Mardi Gras season is a time of celebration, with well-known festivities happening throughout Louisiana. However, there is another spot to celebrate Mardi Gras other than New Orleans; consider visiting downtown Biloxi. 

With family-friendly parades, exciting Mardi Gras events, and plenty of Cajun cuisine, a visit to Coastal Mississippi during Carnival season should be on every family’s bucket list.

There are tons of  family-centered   Mardi Gras parades  happening throughout the Mississippi coast. These parades are kid-focused, with tons of floats throwing stuffed animals, candy, toys, crafts, and playing upbeat music. Get our complete list of  Top Things To Do During Mardi Gras In Coastal Mississippi

The next stop on your Gulf Coast Road Trip is the white sandy beaches of the Alabama coast.

TIP:  It is a short drive from Ocean Springs, MS, to Mobile, Alabama, a little under an hour long. It is an additional hour from Mobile to Gulf Shores.

For a city rich in history, culture, and attractions, plan a stop in Mobile, AL. Historic homes, nature trails, a battleship, and a wide variety of museums attract visitors from all over the world. Kids will love the Exploreum Science Center and hop aboard the USS Alabama, while adults learn how Mobile became the birthplace of Mardi Gras.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

The sugar-white sand beaches and plenty of entertainment options make Gulf Shores a perfect spot for your next stop on your gulf coast road trip.

We dipped our toes in the silky smooth sand and instantly fell in love with this darling beach town. Enjoy live music, a round of mini-golf, or create your own exciting adventure as you explore Alabama’s coast.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are only twenty minutes apart, making either a great place to come home for the next few days.

Where To Stay In Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

A perfect place to rent if you are traveling with a family or group is the  Blue Parrot #7 . This newly remodeled 5 BR beach home is only steps from the ocean, ideal for those looking for a complete luxury escape.

Other great options are the condos at  Turquoise Place  or condos at these gorgeous condos at the  Caribe Resort .

Various hotels are available along the coast. Campers can hook up RVs, rent cabins, or tent camp at the scenic Gulf State Park.

Top Things To Do While In Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Gulf Shores offers something for everyone, from exploring historic  Fort Morgan  to hitting the water on a fishing charter. Get up close with lemurs at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, take a class from  Sand Castle University  then enjoy an evening of family fun at The Wharf.

The outdoors are calling with  popular outdoor activities  such as paddleboarding through the backwaters, kayaking, and biking along the Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trail. Families will enjoy grabbing dinner at the Hangout, then hopping aboard a sunset dolphin cruise.

Get our complete list of top  family activities in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach .

Where to Eat in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

A vibrant food scene is a foodies dream with fresh seafood, classic diners, and plenty of tasty ice cream spots. The best spots to grab a bite to eat with the family are Lulu’s and the Hangout, each offering family activities to do along with plenty of meal options. Then top the evening off with an epic milkshake from The Yard Milkshake Bar.

Get our complete list of the  best kid-friendly restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach .

Seafood lovers will enjoy waterfront restaurants like the Gulf or create their own by picking up fresh seafood at one of the many seafood markets. Relax at low-key beach bars like Beach House Kitchen and Cocktails, or dine upscale at the Voyagers Restaurant.

I would allocate a minimum of two days in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach during your road trip. It is easy to spend an entire week here and still leave with a mile-long bucket list!

Tip:  A must-see place on your way to Florida from Alabama is the Flora-Bama honky-tonk bar in Perdido Key, Florida. It is adjacent to the Alabama-Florida state line.

The drive from Gulf Shores to Pensacola, Florida, is roughly 50 minutes long. Many opt to end their gulf coast road trip here as Pensacola is home to a major airport, while others will continue to Destin and down the gulf coast of Florida.

Note:  For those looking to make a Florida gulf coast road trip, I would recommend starting in Destin, FL, and heading down southwest Florida towards Everglades National Park.

Miles of white-sand beaches await you along Florida’s gulf coast. Pensacola is a beautiful place to stop, a city rich with history, unique shopping, and the famous Blue Angels.

Step back in time with a visit to the Historic Pensacola Village. Their “One Ticket, Seven Days to Explore” ticketing enables you to leisurely visit all of the museums, participate in guided and self-guided tours of historic homes, and interact with period-dressed living history interpreters.

That is only the beginning of all that Pensacola has to offer. 

Endless family attractions include a visit to Fort Pickens (which I hear is one of the best spots to catch a Blue Angels practice), go-karts, and adventure parks.

Located an hour away from Pensacola along Florida’s panhandle, the emerald coast of Destin awaits. With popular Fort Walton Beach, Crab Island, and Harborwalk Village, Destin is the perfect place for a family vacation or a few nights’ stay during your road trip.

We opted to stay on Okaloosa Island, which was serene and slower-paced than Destin. We booked a beautiful beachfront condo by  Southern Vacation Rentals . While there are not many bars and restaurants within walking distance, we enjoyed the quieter side of this popular destination.

A vacation rental allowed us to cook meals and save money by not eating out as much. 

Budget Tip:  We found the same condo we rented on Airbnb for a couple hundred dollars more. Look around and save money by booking directly through the rental company’s site; you are not paying the Airbnb fee.

Visit Crab Island in Destin, FL

First, let me define what exactly Crab Island is. Crab Island is not an island but a wholly submerged sandbar that allows guests to walk around in 1-4ft of water. No land whatsoever. It is the ideal location to pull up a boat and drop anchor.

Many folks rent boats or take a shuttle to the “island .” Bring cash to partake in the food boats, floating restaurants, and other fun activities, such as a floating obstacle course. Booze is allowed. However, vendors can’t sell it at Crab Island, so pack a cooler.

Destin is full of family fun, from underwater bowling at Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl , enjoying the local wildlife at a state park, to taking a pirate cruise out on the open sea. Grab out the complete list of   things to do in Destin, Florida !

Depending on your budget and the time you have to get away, I would recommend ending your gulf coast road trip in Destin, Florida. Depending on where you started, you may have had the opportunity to visit four states in one road trip!

However, if you choose to continue down the west coast of Florida, there are plenty more beautiful cities and small towns to visit.

Florida Gulf Coast Road Trip Stops

• Plan a night in Mexico Beach, Florida. It is near Panama City Beach but is more secluded, offering a quieter escape.
• Crystal River is a popular spot to stop because it’s home to Kings Bay. Kings Bay, which is fed by natural springs, is home to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, sheltering manatees year-round.
• Bask in old Florida charm with a stop in  St. Petersburg . Don’t forget to visit the classic roadside attraction, The Sunken Gardens.
• Relax on  Siesta Key Beach , which is frequently voted the top beach in the US.
• Check out all the  unique things to do in Ft. Myers, Florida .
• Stop in Marco Island before venturing to the Everglades!

We hope you enjoyed our article on planning a gulf coast road trip. If you enjoyed this article, check out our related articles.

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5 Best Alabama Road Trips

Most people know Alabama as a landmark location for many key moments in America’s history, from the Civil War to the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. But alongside its historic monuments and museums, Alabama has a vibrant present filled with bustling cities, rolling mountains, championship golf courses and more.

Take a look at the Alabama road trips in our list to see what we’re raving about. We’ve pulled together some of the best routes from our American Road Trip Planner , to help you plan the perfect southern adventure.

So, whether you’re a history buff, golfing pro or self-proclaimed foodie, there’s an Alabama road trip just for you. Read on and get inspired…

1. Alabama to Alabama: Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

831 miles, 11-14 days, 11 stops.

Love to golf? Practice your swing on some of the best golf courses in southern America on this Alabama-based road trip. Collect your car in Mobile and drive northwest to the first course at Magnolia Grove, where you can play a round on one of the world’s top 50 golf courses. Spend the night in downtown Mobile, so you’re well-rested for your next few games at Lakewood Club and Highland Oaks.

Your fifth stop on the trip is just outside of Montgomery , at Capitol Hill – the host course of the Guardian Championship. Bring your A-game for its 18-hole Senator course, complete with 40 feet mounds and 140 bunkers. It’s not for the faint-hearted.

From here, you can tick off the rest of the Robert Trent Jones Trail, including the challenging Ross Bridge course and Oxmoor Valley in the heart of the Appalachians. End your tour by the Tennessee River at The Shoals facility for your final day.

Take on the Robert Trent Jones Trail

2. Atlanta to Louisiana: The Road to Civil Rights

1,110 miles, 12 days, 9 stops.

Alabama was at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, with Montgomery, Selma and Birmingham becoming key places for protests, meetings and marches. So, what better way to learn about this historic movement than with a road trip to some of the main sites? 

From the Martin Luther King, Jr National Historic Site in Atlanta , you’ll venture into Alabama. Head to the Rosa Parks Museum, where you’ll learn about Rosa Parks’ life and the pivotal moment where she refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger.

After Montgomery, drive over to Selma – the starting place of the Selma to Montgomery Marches – and learn about its history at the National Voting Rights Museum. The route then takes you into Tennessee , Mississippi and Louisiana , where you can continue to follow the movement at the states’ very own civil rights museums.

Learn about the Road to Civil Rights

3. New Orleans to New York: Eat the East Coast

1,537 miles, 10 days, 12 stops.

Want to find the very best food from New Orleans to New York ? Look no further than this delicious 10-day road trip to some of the very best diners and restaurants on the East Coast.

Starting out with flavor-packed creole soup and powdered beignets in Louisiana, you’ll head across state to Wintzell’s Oyster House in Alabama. It’s the best place to grab oysters along the Gulf Coast, and an ideal spot to stop off before heading back up north to Atlanta.

From here, make your way to North Carolina for an all-American BBQ. Just make sure you save some room for your final few nights of the trip – Philly cheesesteaks and Katz’s pastrami subs await.

Eat the East Coast

4. Daytona to Charlotte: Nascar Homelands

1,200 miles, 10 days, 10 stops.

Strap yourselves in – this road trip is for those who live life in the fast lane. Starting at Daytona International Speedway, the birthplace of American stockcar racing, our route covers some of the top tracks in the NASCAR series.

Head through Atlanta on your second stop, then continue your road trip to Alabama’s Talladega Superspeedway to see the set of the comedy film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. It’s the longest circuit of the series, that separates the pros from the amateurs.

The only way to get around on this road trip is with a classic American sports car, like a Chevrolet Corvette or a Mustang GT-H. Drive in style from the North Wilkesborro Speedway to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and beyond.

Plan your NASCAR Homelands road trip

5. Texas to Florida: To Florida and Beyond

1,734 miles, 10 days, 13 stops.

Reach for the stars with this family-friendly road trip across the south and south-east coasts. Stop off at some of the region’s most action-packed theme parks, beaches and museums, including the Houston Space Center, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and Universal Studios Florida.

From Texas to Alabama, this road trip route is packed full of fun activities. Go dirt biking in Sam Houston National Forest, venture inside a space shuttle, then set sail on a sunset cruise at Orange Beach, off the Gulf of Mexico.

This road trip deserves a sporty convertible for driving down the open roads, wind in your hair. Finish up in Miami at the interactive Jungle Island, where kids can meet their favorite animals up close.

Explore Alabama, Florida and beyond

With a range of routes for every occasion, an Alabama road trip is always on the cards. Reserve your car rental in Alabama with Hertz to see historic sites, beautiful beaches and taste some of the best food the southern states have to offer.

You can also use our blog for more travel inspiration.

Where do you want to go today?

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Florida Road Trip: 31 Amazing Places You Won’t Want To Miss

Florida is the perfect family road trip destination and a great family vacation idea with relaxation , art and culture , plus family-friendly activities ! We have road tripped the state 4 times and can’t wait to share with you all about the beautiful beaches , theme parks , natural wonders and historic sites .

The state is huge and has so much to offer from white sandy beaches to Disney World to Universal Studios to natural springs . Our Ultimate Florida Road Trip will take you from one end of the state down to island hopping in the Florida Keys and back up to the Florida panhandle.

High level List Of Top Activities To Do

• Orlando CityPass
• The Fury Ultimate Water Adventure
• Little Havana Tour
• Visit the Dry Tortugas

Have you thought about renting an RV for your trip? We highly recommend it!

*Be sure to check out our FREE Ultimate Florida Road Trip With Your Family eBook below!

Table of Contents

The Ultimate Florida Road Trip Map

St. Augustine

There are so many things to do in St Augustine Florida , it’s an amazing way to start your ultimate Florida road trip. We recommend 2 nights, but really you could stay a week. If you are staying 2 days visit:

St. Augustine Alligator Farm

You can spend hours here exploring all the different alligators, feeding them, and watching the shows. Plus for only $5 you can take your picture with a baby alligator!

Fountain of Youth

It seemed like such a tourist trap to us, but really there is more to it than just the fountain. The grounds are beautiful and filled with multiple history lessons – including the Timucuan Village and seeing them fire a cannon! The road to get to the Fountain of Youth is also amazing with a canopy of old oaks covering the street. Needless to say it is worth it to go.

St. George Street

You can end your day by visiting St. George Street. It is filled with restaurants and one of our favorite stops: Hyppo for homemade popsicles! They even had a champagne flavored one.

And yes, those are our dogs. St. Augustine is super dog friendly!

We also recommend checking out Historic Tours of America , they offer great packages and other ideas of things to do in the area. The trolley was an amazing way to get around town and really learn a lot about St. Augustine. It also meant we didn’t have to drive and find parking everywhere we went.

Or you could check out this trolley tour that takes you to three of St. Augustine’s museums: The Old Jail, St. Augustine History Museum and The Oldest Store Museum!

For even more history, consider visiting the Castillo de San Marcos Monument, booking the Old Jail Tour, or visiting the Oldest Store Museum!

Check out more fun activities in St. Augustine! Where to Stay:

Compass RV Resort offers another good location in St. Augustine with only a 15-20 minute drive to get downtown. This campground also has two dog parks!

Another option is Ocean Grove RV Resort that is about 7 miles from the historic district. This campground includes a boat launch, restaurant, golf cart rental, and more!

If you want to rent an RV check out our post on How To Rent An RV and How To Plan An RV Trip .

Hotel:  Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront

We did not stay in a hotel when we were there but given where this hotel is located we think it would be a great place to stay. If you stay here you could walk to a lot of the downtown attractions or easily get on the trolley.

You can’t come to Florida and not go to Orlando. Plan on at least 3 days for all of these things to do in Orlando, Florida :

Magic Kingdom

Visit Magic Kingdom for 1 day. We have done it multiple times and really feel you can see the majority of the park in 1 day. Here is a post we wrote about our tips for visiting in 1 day here: 11 Tips For Visiting Magic Kingdom In 1 Day

Here are some tips from Global Munchkins:  Disney World Tips & Tricks and also The Best Disney Family Shirts for your trip!

Plan on heading to Animal Kingdom? Our friends at We3Travel share what the best ride is in Animal Kingdom and all of Disney!

Universal Studios

We had put off going to Universal Studios until our kids were a little older. When our youngest turned 6 we figured it was a good time to go! We had an absolute blast and loved every minute of it. There was plenty to do with younger kids and the older ones could go on almost all of the rides.

We also had a great time going to Volcano Bay and highly recommend if you are going to Universal plan a day at Volcano Bay!

Ideally we would recommend 3 days to explore Universal. 1 day for each park and 1 day for Volcano Bay. There are 2 parks in Universal – Universal Studios VS Islands of Adventure we recommend visiting both and have done both in one day if you are short on time. Great tips from Global Munchkins on visiting Universal: The Best Universal Orlando Tips From A Pro Have teens? Merlot Mommy shares: The Best Rides for Teens at Universal Orlando Resort

Visiting during Halloween? Be sure to check out The Ultimate Guide to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights

Go tubing at Kelly Rock Springs and visit Downtown Disney. This has been one of our favorite things. The water is crystal clear and with all the beautiful greenery and perfect water it is a can’t miss destination!

You start from the top of the spring on an inner tube and float all the way down to the beach. AMAZING!

You can learn more about it in our post: Tubing By Orlando The Best Non Disney Experience and for more springs check out: Best Springs In Florida

If your kids are 12 or younger we recommend also making a stop at LEGOLAND Florida for a day. The size of the park is so much easier to manage then Disney World and in a day you can pretty much do every ride and see the shows.

If you are interested in visiting Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando or LEGOLAND Florida, you may want to consider using the Orlando CityPass ! CityPass will allow you to order tickets to any of these locations on one convenient website and give you a great discounted price!

Escape Game

If you haven’t checked out the Escape Game yet, you are missing out! At Escape Game Orlando you can test your teamwork and sleuthing skills by trying to escape from one of eight themed rooms with your team or family in under an hour. It is a ton of fun for the whole family and a great teamwork exercise as well!

You can check out our post about our experience at The Escape Game here!

Orlando Museum of Art

If you are looking to take in some culture or expand your horizons a bit while in Orlando, check out the Museum of Art! Take a look at the museum’s calendar of events and see if there is something exciting happening in the art gallery, or just stop in anytime and take a tour!

You could also plan a trip over to the Kennedy Space Center and maybe catch a launch, or Swim or Snorkel with the Manatees!

Get tickets here for the Kennedy Space Center!

Have older kids? Check out this post on things to do with teens in Orlando .

Where to stay:

Luxury Villa :  If you are looking to kick back with a big group or want to experience a luxury vacation home check out the Luxury Villas! We stayed here for a week with friends and it was AMAZING!!

Orlando RV Resort With our RV we always stay at the Thousand Trails Orlando. Its proximity to all of the things we listed above is great and you are a little ways away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando. If you want a more glamorous place to stay than Disney’s Fort Wilderness is for you. We spent a day there and it was pretty awesome and we know other RVers who call it their FAVORITE place to stay in the whole US.

Camp Margaritaville – For a fun vacation style RV resort stay here!

If you want to stay outside Orlando, Mill Creek RV Resort is in Kissimmee – only about 30 minutes from the Orlando theme parks. Also, all of these sites are on concrete patios!

Another option outside Orlando is in Davenport. Only 25-30 minutes from the Orlando theme parks, Mouse Mountain RV Resort offers a selection of standard and premium sites.

If you want to splurge stay at the Fort Wilderness Resort ! We haven’t stayed here but went and visited once and it was amazing.

Embassy Suites on International Drive If you are looking for a hotel and want to give your kids a special treat then stay at the Legoland Hotel . They have gifts for your kids once they complete a scavenger hunt in your room, all the legos you want to play with in the lobby and some amazing shows.

Then of course there are all the Disney properties. To be honest we always look for ways to cut costs so we can take more trips and do more things. In that mindset we stayed at an Embassy Suites that provide breakfast was close to Disney – so that is always an option too.

Here is a great list of the Best Hotels For Families In Orlando .

If you are a waterpark family check out: Best Water Parks In Orlando. 

From here you could head to our next stop Miami or make a stop in Jupiter. There are a lot of great things to do in Jupiter, Florida and it is a more under the radar location!

Welcome to Miami! Miami has a very cool vibe to it. We recommend doing the following:

Little Havana

Miami has an amazing Cuban presence and vibe to it. Head into Little Havana and grab some ice cream at Azucar and then walk down the street to see if you can hear any cuban music coming from the bar/restaurants and do a little dance in the street.

Next head into Wynwood and check out the amazing artwork on the sides of the building. This is an up and coming area in Miami and has an awesome vibe to it! You can also park and get out and walk around Wynwood Walls to check out the artwork and restaurants in the area.

South Beach

Go to South Beach and see what South Beach is really like! We didn’t get a chance to get out of our car due to how busy it was. But it was cool to drive down A1A and take in everything South Beach has to offer.

Miami Seaquarium

We had a great time exploring the Miami Seaquarium and all the exhibits. Grab your Seaquarium tickets here ! Don’t forget to check out Miami Beach while you are there!

If wildlife is more your thing check out Tropical Botanical Garden & Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary at Flamingo Gardens

Check out our post on: 7 Things To Do with Kids in Miami

Check out these other great activities in Miami!

RV Park: Miami Everglades RV Park 

We stayed at the Encore RV park. We had to drive a ways to get into downtown Miami – but it was still worth it since the RV park was so nice and quiet. Plus they had a great pool, hot tub and mini golf course!

Hotel:  Check out this highly rated family friendly hotel:  InterContinental Miami

VRBO: Check out this Mediterranean-style cottage with private swimming pool!

Luxury Villa : If you are looking to house up to 12 guests in style with an infinity pool, fitness room and home theater, consider this Luxury Villa !

Another idea is to take a cruise when you are in Miami! The Carnival Vista looks amazing!

Florida Keys and Key West

Ever wonder the distance from Miami to Key West ? Well, it’s about 160 miles. Crazy, right?! That 3 hour drive could be a road trip in itself! Well, now you know the distance from Miami to Key West , on your Florida Keys Road Trip , check these amazing stops:

Feed the Tarpons

Stop at Robbie’s and feed the Tarpons. It is a really cool experience. For just a few bucks, you get a bucket of fish that you then feed to the large tarpon that hang out by the pier.

So fun! Just look out for the Pelicans, they’re savage!

Grab lunch at Sunset Grille

This is a cool restaurant on the water that has a pool! It is a great place to stop, eat lunch and take a swim before heading on. Make sure to check out their Key Lime Pie! Once you are done swimming walk up the stairs that go under the bridge and walk out on the famous 7 Mile Bridge.

7 Mile Bridge

You can’t avoid it on your way down to Key West, but I wanted to add it so you can be sure you have your camera ready. I love this bridge and the idea of the water surrounding you on all sides!

While you are on the way to Key West, you might want to check out Long Key State Park! Here is a video of our time there:

Key West – Fort Zachary Taylor

Explore the fort and spend time at the beach enjoying the Atlantic Ocean! The beach doesn’t have soft white sand beaches, most in the Keys don’t due to the reef but that’s OK. The color of the water and the ability to snorkel right off the beach make up for it! There is also a small restaurant here where you can grab lunch and a beer.

Key West – Mallory Square

Then head to Mallory Square for the Sunset Celebration. There are a variety of fun shows for the whole family. Yes, some of the comments can be a little crude (they do try really hard to make it family friendly) – but normally will go right over your kids head. We were able to drink from a coconut and enjoy some great food too.

Key West – Fury Ultimate Adventure

The Fury Ultimate Adventure is one of our favorite things we have done! Spend 6 hours on a large catamaran where they feed you all day and provide all you can drink soda plus beer and wine at the end the end of the trip. While you snorkel, parasail, jet ski and play on huge inflatables in the middle of the ocean. Such an amazing time!!

You can learn more at our post: The 4 Best Water Activities With Kids In Key West.

Key West – Dry Tortugas

If you can fit it in, take the boat tour out to the Dry Tortugas. It is an amazing and magical place. Seriously, it is an island 70 miles off of Key West with the bluest water you have ever seen and a beach filled with conch shells. And the fort offers the best photo opportunities.

Get Dramamine and be prepared for the long and bumpy boat ride.

Here is our post on it: Dry Tortugas – One For The Bucket List Or if you have enough time, plan on camping on the Dry Tortugas! We didn’t get a chance to do it but it is on our list to go back and stay for a few nights. Here is a post from a family of 5, Currently Wandering, who spent a few days on the Tortugas (lucky!): Family Camping In Dry Tortugas National Park You can check out: https://www.historictours.com/keywest/index.php for more ideas and discounted packages on things to do in Key West. We really enjoyed the aquarium and the kids loved being able to feed the sharks!

More On The Florida Keys

We spent 2 1/2 months in the Florida Keys. You can check out all of our posts on our time there on our: Florida Keys page .

Check out these post from We3Travel: Family Fun In The Florida Keys and Florida Keys Roadtrip to learn more as well!

You can check out even more activities in Key West here! Check out all the great kayaking options in Florida parks here !

Where To Stay:

RV Park: Boyds Campground We haven’t stayed here but we have heard if you want to be close to Key West this is a great place to stay with your RV.

Another option located a little over an hour from Key West is Pelican RV Resort in Marathon.

If you are looking for a less expensive option and somewhere that is in a quieter location, we recommend Sunshine Key – which is where we stayed. It is a good 90 minute drive into Key West so be prepared for that. Or, if you can get in, the Bahia Honda State Park is amazing – especially if you get right on the water.

Hotel: Casa Marina Resort , in Key West. The property is beautiful and not right in the middle of downtown Key West – which we think is a great fit for being with a family in Key West.

If you can stay in the Keys for longer we also recommend Hawks Cay! The only problem with staying here is you won’t want to leave but will instead want to stay at the hotel and enjoy all the amenities.

For a road trip it would be great for a couple day break but we really recommend it if you are looking for a week long stay in one place.

Everglades National Park

Shark Valley

Make a stop at the Shark Valley Visitor Center in the northern end of the Everglades and take a tram ride (may have to buy tickets well ahead of time for this) or if you have your bikes or want to rent them you can take the 15 mile bike ride into Shark Valley – which we recommend! You don’t need tickets to do the biking.

You can learn more about the tram and about renting bicycles here: Shark Valley Tram Tours

It is one amazing and wild ride as you pedal right past gigantic alligators!!! And depending on the weather you may even be riding through rain puddles with alligators sitting right in them. Once you reach the lookout you can climb to the top and have an amazing view of the Everglades.

At 15 miles round trip it is a long ride, but the path is paved and flat – but like in our case – if it is windy, it can be challenging.

Be prepared when you get to Shark Valley Visitor Center that there may be a line to get into the parking lot. They have a small parking lot and they only let so many people in.

We just sat in our car and waited our turn. It took about 20 minutes or so. A few other people parked on the road outside the entrance.

If you have your bikes I recommend waiting for a spot in the lot since you will be there a while.

You can also tour Everglades National Park by Airboat!

Check out even more things to do in The Everglades here!

Check out our post on Shark Valley here: 7 Things To Do With Kids in Miami .

Where to Stay:

RV Park:  If you are up for National Park Camping we recommend Midway Campground. It is a 21 minute drive from there to Shark Valley. If you don’t mind a 45-minute drive, Riptide RV Resort in Key Largo is another good option.

Hotel:   Best Western Plus Kendall Hotel & Suites We did not stay here but do to its location it would be great for visiting Shark Valley. It is about a 38 minute drive to Shark Valley Visitor Center.

Highlands Hammock State Park

Looking for things to do in central Florida other than Orlando? Stop at the Highland Hammock State Park. It is a beautiful park and we recommend taking at least 1 of the hikes before heading out.

The Cyprus Swamp – Highland Hammock Trail is one of our favorite hikes. A couple of our kids were a little freaked out about it but when it was said and done everyone had fun!

RV Park: Highland Hammock State Park campground. We stayed here and it was great! Lake Josephine RV Park and Buttonwood Bay RV Resort , located in Sebring, are two other great options since they’re only about 20 minutes from the State Park.

Hotel:   The Inn On The Lakes   We did not stay here but due to its location we would recommend it.

Clearwater Beach

Voted one of the best beaches in Florida. Clearwater is a beautiful beach with white sand and aquamarine water and beautiful beach resorts . Just be prepared that it can be very busy.

If you can spend a day hanging out at the beach and then head to the main street to check out the shops and restaurants and grab some food and drinks.

Bring Florida home with you with this awesome hurricane drink recipe!

Dolphin Tale

Visit Hope from the movie Dolphin Tale 2 at the Clearwater Aquarium and be sure to take the free boat ride over to the museum that is dedicated to the movie. And be on the look out for dolphins in the ocean on the ride!

If you are looking for something different to try while in Clearwater, why not try a customizable helicopter tour? Check it out here!

Check out more great activities to do in Clearwater! Plus things to do in Tampa Bay with families ! Or maybe take a road trip to Siesta Key .

RV Park: It is a bit of a drive, but we stayed at Lazy Days and made the 1 hour drive into Clearwater Beach. The Dunedin RV Resort , a closer option, is only a few miles from Clearwater.

Hotel: Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort would be a great place to stay due to its proximity to the beach! Check out these three spacious Clearwater Beach resorts perfect for families too.

VRBO: Check out the Clearwater Beach Vacation Rentals .

Luxury Villa: Check out these villas .

Port St Joe Florida in Gulf County

We recently spent a week in Port St Joe, Florida and were so pleasantly surprised with how awesome the forgotten coast is! If you are looking to visit a new place in Florida this is it. 

You can kayak and snorkel in the bay. Take a boat out to look for dolphins. Have a campfire on the beach and find some of the best shells we have ever found! 

Gulf County, Florida is beautiful! The beaches are huge and you can walk for miles up and down them. I am so glad we found this hidden gem in Florida! 

You can learn more about it here: 21 Fun Things To Do In Port St Joe Florida

Finish your trip by stopping in Destin for a day of relaxation. If the weather is going to be warm enough when you go then get a hotel room on the beach and plan on just kicking back and relaxing for your last few days.

If you aren’t ready to relax Destin also offers an amazing pirate boat adventure for the kids, private catamaran tours with Smile N Wave and a dolphin cruise . Plus there is under the sea bowling and a lot of yummy restaurants in the area. We also loved The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park  just outside Destin!

The sunsets are amazing so be sure to catch it each night you are there! And you will want to try the Crab at the Crab Trap !

Here is our post on Destin (we have visited multiple times and we totally miss it when we leave!).

Check out more activities to do while you are in Destin!

RV Park : Camp Gulf on the beach! It is by far one of our favorite RV parks and we highly recommend paying the extra to stay on the beach.

About half an hour from Destin is The Hideaway Retreat in Navarre, FL. With large, beautiful oak and magnolia trees surrounding the sites, this campground on the Santa Rosa Sound offers lots of shade and a true outdoor atmosphere.

About an hour the other direction is Emerald Coast RV Resort in Panama City Beach. With two heated pools, a hot tub, fitness center, and more, this campground offers plenty to do when you aren’t visiting Destin.

Hotel: Hilton Sandestin The hotel is actually pretty close to the RV park. You can walk on the beach to the hotel from the RV park and get a drink at their bar/restaurant. A great way to watch the sunset!

VRBO: Check out this awesome house with a pool and hot tub and only a few blocks from the beach!

Recommended Itinerary for 14 nights

You could replace Clearwater with Port St Joe if you wanted to spend more time on the Panhandle of Florida. 

And if you want to get our free eBook on the Ultimate Florida Road Trip With Your Family click here!

The ebook documents everything in this post, along with an area for notes under each city. You can easily print it and use it for your planning and when you go on your trip.

You’ll see the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf Coast on your trip and enjoy one of the best road trips for families in the United States!

More Florida Travel Ideas

Florida has so much to offer. If you can, we recommend staying for months – we stayed for 6. But if that isn’t an option this road trip could take approximately 2 weeks.

It could be longer or shorter depending on how much time you spend at each location. You will be covering a lot of miles but it is worth it to see all of these amazing places.

There are so many amazing places to visit in Florida, from small towns to big cities. It is impossible to list them all! Here are a few more awesome stops that our blogger friends have written about:

Things To Do In Naples Florida

20+ Things To Do In Florida On The Ultimate Sunshine State Road Trip

Florida Beaches: 25 Best Family Vacation Destinations

Places To Visit In Florida

29 Things to Do in Amelia Island

17 Best Florida Beaches

Things to Do in Tampa Bay in a Day . Don’t forget to check out St. Petes Beach in St. Petersburg while you’re there! You can also visit Cocoa Beach, Blue Springs, Crystal River, Vero Beach and so many more amazing places!

A trip to Florida can be spent doing day trips all over the state. Or you can pick one place to stay for your whole trip. 

You may also want to check out some of the great things to do in Fort Lauderdale. See JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. Or check out the Barrier Islands in the Gulf of Mexico.

There are some great scenic drives in Florida to check out too and some awesome Florida Small Towns !

Anna Marie Island is another great place to check out!

More Posts To Check Out

Looking for another Road Trip? Check out these great East Cost Family Vacation Spots !

How about other fun things to do around Florida?! Check out:

Where to see Manatees in Florida

9 Delicious Port St Joe Restaurants You Will Want to Try

25 Exciting and Fun Things To Do In Myrtle Beach, SC

9 Outstanding Places to Visit with Kids in Atlanta, Georgia

7 Amazing Things To Do In Asheville With Kids

29 Brilliant Things To Do In Gulf Shores, Alabama

National Park Road Trip

14 Amazing RV Parks in Destin Florida

East Coast Road Trip 25+ Spots You Don’t Want to Miss!

The Ultimate Guide to The Harry Potter World Rides

8 Things to do in Jupiter Florida

6 Best Springs in Florida

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42 thoughts on “Florida Road Trip: 31 Amazing Places You Won’t Want To Miss”

This seriously has me questioning renting an RV and heading off on a road trip adventure. I never thought of laying out a 14 day itinerary like that. It sounds amazing!!! What a fantastic post!

Finally going to take a few days off this weekend to be with family. Thanks for the list of florida road trip ideas. Really great photos too, especially of Dry Tortugas, wish I could jump right into the photo. Can you tell I really need a break? haha

Thanks! Dry Tortugas is amazing – we can’t wait to get back!!

Good site for those who want to travel here in Florida, one trip I would suggest is instead of heading towards Orlando on route 4, go over to Route 1 after Daytona and take the turn in to the Cape Canaveral Seashore. It has hiking trails, bike trails and you can also go to the beach. For the children continue on to the Space Center and take the tour, we had our grandson and he had a wonderful time there. After that yes on to Disney. Good blog.

Great suggestion! Hoping to visit this area on our next time in the state!

Hi, great itinerary. Any chance of a link to the original google map please?

Unfortunately, no. We plotted the map just to grab the picture of it. Next time, we’ll try to save them. Thanks for the idea!

HI could you confirm the period of year in which you did the trip?

We did this mainly in the fall/winter months, but it could be done pretty much at any time. Parts of Florida can get uncomfortably hot during the summer months, but the coastal areas can still be nice.

What were some of the most Dog friendly places you visited. The reason I ask is I am wanting to do a spontaneous road trip and wanted to make sure my four legged friend could come with me as I will not have anywhere else to put him while I am on the road. Or visiting certain places.

To be honest, there are tons of dog friendly places we’ve visited. It seems more and more businesses are being accommodating to pets. But off the top of my head, St. Augustine, Asheville, San Diego and Denver were all very dog friendly cities. Pretty much all of those cities had water bowls on the side walk, we went to a dog night at a brewery in Asheville (including a special dog-safe brew) and other events that dogs were welcome. Hope that helps!

Hello! We are going on our first ever RV holiday next month – March 2018 – around Florida. We are heading to Destin from Clearwater. Where should stop on that last leg? It’s a bit far for our 2, 7 & 8 yr olds. We managed to get the last beach front spot at Camp Gulf! Thanks, Isabel

We’ve heard great things about Apalachicola National Forest, although we’ve never been there. That may be somewhere to consider.

Certainly you found a bunch of Florida road trips spots. Amelia Island, 30A, and Anna Maria Island are among my Florida favorites.

Thanks! We need to explore Amelia Island and Anna Maria Island!

Sorry you forgot the Space Coast! There are so many fun & interesting things to do, including the Kennedy Space Center which is totally geared for the entire family (and maybe a rocket launch!), wonderful beaches, cruise ships, surfing and fishing possibilities, air boating, eco river tours, Brevard Zoo. Our state has so much to offer. Hope you’ll come again and check out our Space Coast fun!

We’ll definitely be back that way at some point. I didn’t really think of Florida as a big state, but it’s huge! So many places to see, we just ran out of time.

I ytuly enjoyed your honesty and thoughts about this. We are taking a road trip there soon amd have seen much, but not the keys!!! Thanks for the inspiration!!!

The Keys are an amazing destination, one of our favorites. Hopefully you can get down there.

If someone asks me about great post for weekend, which probably create a wonderful mood, definitely it would be yours!

What a beautiful post, I am preparing to move to Fl and I am looking forward to it and freaked out at the same time! I will have to take some time and explore the keys for sure. Thank you.

You’re welcome! The Keys are amazing!

Hi, We are coming over from England with our 5 & 7 yr olds and want to do an RV trip but have a couple of concerns; 1) Are RV parks very expensive 2) Are they isolated ie: do you need a car to get to all the places or can you drive your RV to them. Such as staying at Orlando for 3 nights how do you get to all the parks?

Great blog has given us a great guide on what to do thanks.

Thanks, The Jefferson family

Some RV parks can be expensive. If you stick to state parks, it ranges around $40 USD per night. RV parks are usually a bit away from attractions. If you rent a relatively small RV (something like 30′ or less) you can drive that around town to grocery stores, restaurants, etc. and find parking for it. If you plan to visit attractions like Disney, they do have oversize and RV parking. Worst case scenario, in places like Orlando, you can always get an Uber. Best of luck, have a great trip!

You should really add Naples and if you can. It has great beaches and other things like zoos

Thanks for the suggestion! We’ll add that to our list for next time!

South Florida- our old stompin’ grounds! Our first stop when we hit the road was the Keys. We love it so much down there. The camping has really gone crazy in price since then. But we hope to get back down there soon. Key West has so many awesome places to explore and fine- the back streets off Duval are so much fun to explore. Thanks for the walk down memory lane!

Frank and Grainne The Roving Foleys

The Keys are amazing, and yes, a bit pricier than other places! We hope to get back down there again soon too!

Thank you for your suggestions. You hit the tourists spots, do you have a blog that maybe hits the places in between that are more off the path and less tourist oriented?

We don’t at the moment, but pass along some good spots if you find them.

I think If you have a positive attitude and constantly strive to give your best , you will always find home!) No matter what!

Great advice!

I’ve enjoyed exploring your blog. So many great places – so little time : ). We just got back from camping in Florida over Christmas break and enjoyed St Augustine, too. We spent two nights but could easily have spent more, but Sanibel used up most of our time. If you get a chance, try kayaking at Blue Spring State Park – the manatees swam right under us! Perhaps next winter we can make it to the Everglades and Keys and try out some of your ideas. Best, Gwen

We definitely want to check out Blue Spring State Park. We’ve heard great things about it! Glad you had a fun trip!

I have lived in Florida for 49 yrs and have never taken a road trip here to see what all I have been missing. The keys is our first stop. We live in High Springs Florida right across the road from Ginnie Springs, Poe Springs and Blue Springs. We will start in Pensacola and travel the beaches down to Naples and cut over to Miami and head down to the keys, back up and hug the coast all the way up to St Augustine. Our next trip will be inland and discover all the things we have missed.

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This is a great list. Florida has so many fun things to do.

Thanks! Yes it does!

Thanks “Bryanna” for sharing a great recommended list. I really love Florida and make a vacation with road trip. I’ve been visited Maximum’s places on your list. I mostly like Shark Valley, Clearwater Beach, Mallory Square, 7 Mile Bridge. But you can also add Disney world to your list.

We tried to give some options other than the usual things people do in Florida.

Comments are closed.

Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

The Perfect USA Deep South Road Trip Itinerary

Last updated: April 17, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 57 Comments

One of the trips in the US that we had always wanted to do was a “Deep South” road trip. We think the USA is the perfect country for road tripping in, and we’ve already done a number of road trips here, including iconic Route 66 , the Pacific Coast Highway , and the Oregon Trail.

The Deep South was a part of the USA that neither of us had fully explored, so we decided to spend five weeks crossing five states to find out what it was all about. Read on for everything you need to know to plan your own perfect USA Deep South Road Trip, including what to eat, what to see, and where to go!

Where is the Deep South of the USA?

First things first. If you’re going to road trip somewhere, you should probably know where it is, right? Well, the Deep South of the USA is usually defined as covering the following states: South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

This Deep South road trip itinerary covers a road trip across all five of those states, covering key sights and attractions along the way. We’ve personally done this itinerary, and can definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic road trip across America’s Deep South.

Why Should You Visit the Deep South of the USA?

The Deep South is a fascinating part of the USA, a land with its own culture and history. The people are known for their friendliness, the food is legendary (so are the portion sizes!), and there is a huge amount of history here to learn about, from the native peoples through to the American Civil War and civil rights movement.

There are lovely old towns, stunning wilderness areas, sumptuous plantation homes, spooky old cemeteries and fun events – like the world famous Mardi Gras parades. To be honest there’s something for everyone. And what better way to experience all of this than by taking a classic road trip across the Deep South?

We’d argue there isn’t a better way. So let’s take a look at our idea of a perfect Deep South road trip itinerary.

Deep South Road Trip Itinerary

This is a one way road trip itinerary. We find this makes the most sense for this road trip, as it saves you driving all the way back to the start.

If you rent a car for the trip, be aware that most car rental providers charge a one-way fee. As is often the case with our road trips, we booked our hire car directly with Enterprise who offered the best value for our trip.

We can also recommend comparing prices across a range of providers using a website like Discover Cars . If you decide to rent an RV, then we recommend Motorhome Republic to compare and book.

The timings below are for a three week trip, however you can adjust the days to suit your own schedule, and we have some suggested itineraries in the section on timing further on in the post.

Days 1-3: Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is the perfect place to start this road trip. It has a food scene that is one of the best in the country, and there is a lot to see and do here – plus the airport is fairly large, so it’s easy to get to.

We’d suggest spending at least two days in Charleston. Spend some time exploring the downtown area – a good way to do so is to take a carriage ride through the historic part of town.

There are also a number of museums and old houses that are worth visiting, including Charleston Museum – the oldest in the US, and the Old Slave Mart Museum , which will help you learn about a darker part of US history.

If you’re interested in naval or military history, the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point is well worth a visit – a retired US aircraft carrier which you can lose a whole day exploring. A trip out to Fort Sumter is also well worth it – this was where the first shots were fired in the American Civil War.

You’re going to be encountering a lot of civil war sights and information on this road trip, so starting with Fort Sumter will get you up to speed quickly. You can get your tickets for Fort Sumter in advance here .

If you’ve got time, I’d also suggest heading out of town and visiting some of the old plantation homes around Charleston.

We visited four of these, and can definitely recommend adding at least one to your itinerary. There are four within a twenty minute drive of the city: Magnolia Plantation , Boone Hall Plantation , Middleton Place Plantation and Drayton Hall .

See our complete guide to the Charleston Plantations for more information and to help plan your visit.

For more on Charleston, take a look at my detailed guide to visiting Charleston , which has everything you need for getting the most out of your stay. We can also recommend the Charleston Tour Pass (also check price here ) for saving money on attractions in the city.

Where to stay in Charleston : We’ve stayed in and can recommend both the Mills House Wyndham Grand and the Francis Marion Hotel . Other recommended options are the Days Inn by Wyndham , the NotsoHostel and Barksdale House Inn .

Days 4 – 6: Savannah, Georgia

The oldest city in Georgia, Savannah has a totally different vibe to Charleston – and there’s plenty to see and do here as well.

For that reason, you’ll want to spend at least a day or two in Savannah. I’d also suggest on your way down that you take the time to pop out to Botany Bay Island – there’s a beautiful beach here full of driftwood trees that is worth visiting.

Once you get to Savannah, you won’t be short of options for signt-seeing, eating and drinking. From learning about the town’s history and the civil war and civil rights movement at the Savannah History Museum , through to taking a trolley tour and exploring the beautiful waterfront, you’ll find your days full in no time.

If you’ve got time, we also recommend heading out of town to Tybee Island – an old seaside resort, where you’ll find a lengthy beach and historic lighthouse. On the way there, you’ll also be able to visit the civil war era Fort Pulaski , and the excellent Oatland Island Wildlife Centre , home to everything from mountain lions to birds of prey.

Finally, don’t miss the incredible Bonaventure Cemetery , and, as you head out of town, we also suggest visiting Wormsloe Historic Site . Read more about what to see and do (and some great food ideas!) in Savannah in our Savannah guide .

Savannah also has a pass that can save you money, the Savannah Tour Pass (compare price here too), which is worth looking into if you plan on visiting some of the attractions it covers.

Where to stay in Savannah : We stayed in and can recommend the  Quality Inn in downtown Savannah. Other options to consider include the Olde Harbour Inn , The Alida , and the Fairfield Inn & Suites .

Days 7 & 8: Atlanta, Georgia

Next stop on our Deep South road trip is the capital city of Georgia – Atlanta.

If you have time though, I’d recommend taking the time to head a bit further south of Savannah to Jekyll Island. There’s a beautiful driftwood beach at the north end of the island, perfect for watching the sunset or sunrise, and the island itself has a relaxed laid back feeling.

Then, rather than the interstate, cruise up the quieter country roads from Brunswick to Macon, and the onto Atlanta.

Atlanta is the capital city of Georgia, and has a definite city feel. We didn’t spend a lot of time here, but we did visit the World of Coca Cola , where we learnt all about the history of this iconic soft drink (and drank a lot of it too!).

Other highlights in Atlanta include the Georgia Aquarium , the Atlanta Zoo , CNN Studio Tours , the Centre for Civil and Human Rights and the Fernbank Museum of National History .

If you’re planning on visiting a number of these locations, we recommend checking out the Atlanta CityPass , which can save you over 40% on ticket prices.

Once you’re done with Atlanta, it’s time to head to a new state – Alabama!

Where to stay in Atlanta : Options to consider in Atlanta include the AC Hotel Atlanta , Loews Atlanta Hotel ,  the Springhill Suites by Marriott and the Clarion Inn & Suites .

Days 9 & 10: Birmingham, Alabama

The Civil Rights movement in the USA existed across the nation, but many of the key events in the march towards equal rights for all happened in Alabama.

One of these events was the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, which killed four African-American girls, and injured at least 14 others.

It was also the home of the Birmingham Campaign , one of the key movements that focused the attention of the country, and the world, on the civil rights movement.

One of the best places to learn about these events is at the excellent Birmingham Civil Rights Institute , which forms a part of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument , alongside other key civil rights locations in the city.

These include the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park, both of which are just over the road from the Institute, as well as the Bethel Baptist Church and the A.G. Gaston Motel.

As well as learning about Civil Rights, Birmingham has a number of other attractions. This was a major mining town and there are a number of sights you can visit to learn about this history. The old Sloss Furnaces , now a National Historic Landmark, offer an insight into the industrial past of the city.

You can also head to the top of Red Mountain, home of the Sloss Mines, where the ore for the furnaces was mined. Today, the mountain is topped by a giant statue of the Roman god Vulcan – the largest cast iron statue in the world. This statue is the symbol of the city, and from the top of the hill you can get a wonderful view of the city and surrounds.

Finally, before continuing your adventure, a food recommendation. We ate a lot of great BBQ across the South, and Saw’s BBQ in Birmingham was definitely among our favourites. If you like BBQ – check them out.

Where to stay in Birmingham : Options to consider in Birmingham include the historic 3* Cobb Lane B&B , the 3* Redmont Hotel and the 4* Elyton Hotel . For more budget options, consider the Red Roof Inn or the Quality Inn & Suites , just be aware that these are a short drive out of the city centre.

Days 11 & 12: Montgomery, Alabama

Heading south from Birmingham now, and our road trips takes us to Alabama’s state capital – Montgomery. Again, there’s a lot to see and do here.

We really enjoyed visiting the free Museum found in the Alabama Department of Archives and History , which took us through a whole history of the state, from the native people through to the civil war, civil rights movement and on to modern day Alabama.

Just opposite this is the First White House of the Confederacy, also worth a visit, which was where the President of the Confederate States was based during the period of time that Montgomery was the capital city of these states in early 1861.

There are some other fascinating museums in and around Montgomery if you’re feeling like learning. There’s the Mooseum , which will teach you everything you didn’t know about the beef industry.

Then there’s the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum , found in one of their former homes, which, as the name suggests, is all about the life of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald – Scott being particularly famous for penning the Great Gatsby .

Finally, there’s the excellent Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts , showcasing fine art from both American and International artists.

Don’t worry, there’s more to Montgomery than museums of course. We loved visiting Chris’ Hot Dogs , a staple Montgomery diner, which has been serving up classic American fare since 1917!

Finally, there are some lovely locations just to wander. Montgomery has some wonderful historic districts that are worth exploring on foot, and the riverwalk area (also home to the visitors information centre), is a pleasant spot for a stroll.

Where to stay in Montgomery, AL : Accommodation options to consider in Montgomery include the Lattice Inn , the Red Bluff Cottage B&B , the Hampton Inn & Suites . Nearby budget options include this Red Roof Inn and this Extended Stay America .

Day 13: Selma, Alabama

From Montgomery, it’s a short trip across to Selma, which is well worth visiting. We had recently seen the movie Selma when we visited, which had helped with some of our understanding of the importance of this town.

It was in Selma that the famous Selma to Montgomery march took place, with marchers including Dr. Martin Luther King. The march met with violent resistance on Edmund Pettus Bridge on a day that became known as Bloody Sunday, and was unable to continue.

The march was attempted again two days later, but again was forcefully stopped. Finally, on the 21st March 1965, the march was allowed to proceed, and made it all the way to Montgomery, arriving on the 25th March 1965.

Today, Selma is worth visiting to get a feel for the town where these key civil rights events took place. You can walk across the bridge, visit the National Voting Rights Museum & Institute , and the Selma Interpretative Centre, to get eye witness accounts and first hand information on the civil rights movement.

Once you’ve finished seeing Selma, our next destination will be Mobile, but we definitely recommend taking the 20 minutes to drive out to the Old Cahawba Archaeological Site .

For five years, from 1820 to 1825, Cahawaba was the state capital of Alabama. This is hard to believe today, as the town is entirely abandoned, known instead as Alabama’s most famous ghost town. Some buildings have survived, and it is eerie to drive or walk around what was once a large town that is now silent.

Where to stay in Selma, AL : Selma is a relatively small town so there is not a huge choice. This Holiday Inn Express Hotel is the best rated of the options available.

Day 14: Mobile, Alabama

Time to head for the coast now, and the last stop in Alabama – Mobile. In Mobile you’ll notice that famous style of French architecture that the old quarter of New Orleans is famed for, this is because Mobile was the original capital of French Louisiana. It was subsequently colonised by the British and then the Spanish, before joining the United States in 1813.

Again, there’s a lot to do in Mobile, with plenty of museums, historic attractions, parks, not to mention restaurants and bars. However, our real interest in visiting Mobile was to learn about the roots of the Mardi Gras Carnival, because it was in Mobile that the first organised Carnival celebrations took place, leading to the huge parades and celebrations that we now associated with Mardi Gras in the south.

We were in Mobile for their Mardi Gras festivities, and very much enjoyed seeing the night time parade. We also visited the Mobile Carnival Museum , which is a great way to get up to speed with the history of the Carnival in the USA.

Where to stay in Mobile, AL : Good central options in Mobile include the Candlewood Suites , Hampton Inn and Suites and the Forte Conde Inn . Value options a little way out of the city centre include La Quinta by Wyndham and Wingate by Wyndham .

Days 15 & 16: Biloxi, Mississippi

From Mobile, it’s time to leave Alabama and head west, into Mississippi. I’ll be honest – time constraints meant that we didn’t have time on our trip to do a lot of sight-seeing in Mississippi. Which is a shame, because this is a state with a lot to offer, and it’s somewhere we fully intend to return to.

On the route across to Louisiana we mostly just drove through, but we think if you have time, you might want to add in some sight-seeing in Mississippi.

Most logically, the city of Biloxi falls on the route and is a good stopping point.

Other highlights of the route include the INFINITY Science Centre – a 72,000 sq foot NASA visitor and science museum which forms a part of the John C. Stennis Space Centre. If you like space, rockets and science, this is a must visit.

After Biloxi, you’ll be crossing the border and into Louisiana, the final state of your deep south road trip!

Where to stay in Biloxi, MS : There’s a wide range of great value accommodation in Biloxi, including several casino resort hotels. These can be fantastic value if you resist the temptation to gamble. Some examples include the Golden Nugget and the IP Casino Resort and Spa . There’s also a good value Suburban Extended Stay just outside the city.

Days 17 & 18: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Baton Rouge is the State Capital of Louisiana, and again, there’s plenty to do here to fill two or three days of exploring and eating time.

A highlight for us was a trip to the State Capitol building . This incredible construction towers over the city, and you get incredible views from the top floor – plus you can visit the House of Representatives, and the State Senate, to see politics in action.

Whilst you’re at the State Capitol, you should also visit the old Baton Rouge Arsenal, originally a powder magazine, and now a museum about its history. Capitol Park Museum , which covers a full history of the state of Louisiana, is also well worth a couple of hours of your time at least.

Other highlights of Baton Rouge include the castle-like Old State Capitol Building , which has a stunningly beautiful interior, the Old Governors Mansion , and the USS Kidd – a naval museum on an old warship anchored in the Mississippi.

For more information on what to do on your time in Baton Rouge, including advice for visiting during Mardi Gras, check out our post on the top Things to Do in Baton Rouge .

Between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, along the mighty Mississippi river, is the famous “river road”. This was once home to hundreds of plantation homes and some of the wealthiest people in the country, who made their money predominantly growing sugar cane and through slave labour.

Today, a small number of these plantation homes survive, mostly as visitor attractions. There are a good many to choose from, all of which offer a slightly different experience to the visitor, including some which let you stay overnight.

Helping you choose which one to visit is a post in itself – thankfully Jess has already written one. Check it out for the definitive guide to the Plantations of the Louisiana River Road , based on our experiences visiting 12 of these plantations.

Where to stay in Baton Rouge, LA : We stayed at the very central Hampton Inn and Suites in Baton Route. Other options to consider include the Holiday Inn Express Baton Rouge , the 4* Watermark Baton Rouge and the Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge . For budget out of town options, try Sleep Inn South , Microtel Inn & Suites or SureStay Plus .

Days 19 – 21: New Orleans, Louisiana

Last stop on our epic road trip across the Deep South of the USA is New Orleans . Famous for its huge Mardi Gras celebrations, there is a lot to see and do here – so much so that we happily spent a week exploring the city.

Of course, if you want to experience a huge Mardi Gras, then New Orleans is the place to come. The parades are massive, the crowds are gigantic, and the atmosphere is tough to beat.

We had a lot of fun visiting New Orleans during Mardi Gras and would happily recommend it. That said, there is a lot more to the city than Mardi Gras.

We suggest visiting Mardi Gras World to get a handle on the carnival, heading to the French Quarter to admire the beautiful old balconied buildings, eating Beignets at Café Beignet , sipping coffee at Cafe du Monde , and taking a tour of one of the old cemeteries.

We also took a river boat cruise on the steam powered riverboat the Natchez , which was a wonderful way to end our Deep South adventure.

For more on what to see and do in New Orleans, check out our guide to visiting  New Orleans during Mardi Gras , which has lots of information on activities, plus advice on visiting during Mardi Gras.

We can also recommend the New Orleans Pass to save money on attractions in the city.

Where to stay in New Orleans, LA : There’s a huge amount of choice in New Orleans, although if you visit during Mardi Gras, expect prices to be high. Some options for you to consider are: Bourbon Orleans Hotel , La Quinta by Wyndham , Hotel Mazarin , Hotel le Marais and French Market Inn .

Deep South Road Trip Itinerary Map

Here’s a map of the above route to help you plan your own trip.

Well done – you made it! And so did we. Now, let’s answer some questions you might have, and then cover some practicalities for your trip.

How Long Does a Deep South Road Trip Take?

We spent five weeks road tripping from Charleston to New Orleans, although we spent almost a week at either end, and we travelled fairly slowly, taking our time and really savoring the adventure.

We’d suggest that a two week deep south road trip would be the minimum amount of time we’d recommend, and if you have time, try to stretch it to three weeks so you can fit more in.

As an example of how each of these might look, we have put together suggested timings for a two week deep south road trip itinerary and a three week deep south road trip itinerary below.

2 Week Deep South Road Trip Itinerary

• Days 1 & 2: Charleston, South Carolina
• Days 3 & 4: Savannah, Georgia
• Day 5: Atlanta, Georgia
• Day 6: Birmingham, Alabama
• Day 7: Montgomery, Alabama
• Day 8: Selma, Alabama
• Day 9: Mobile, Alabama
• Day 10: Biloxi, Mississippi
• Days 11 & 12: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Day 13 & 14: New Orleans, Louisiana

3 Week Deep South Road Trip Itinerary

• Days 1 – 3 : Charleston, South Carolina
• Days 4 – 6 : Savannah, Georgia
• Days 7 & 8 : Atlanta, Georgia
• Days 9 & 10 : Birmingham, Alabama
• Days 11 & 12 : Montgomery, Alabama
• Day 13 : Selma, Alabama
• Day 14 : Mobile, Alabama
• Days 15 & 16 : Biloxi, Mississippi
• Days 17 & 18 : Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Day 19 – 21 : New Orleans, Louisiana

Of course, there’s a lot more to see in all the states we’ve mentioned, so you could easily extend this itinerary for as long as you wish!

When to Visit the Deep South

We visited in January, when the temperatures were pleasant for the most part – although we did experience light and brief snowfall in Birmingham, Alabama! We’d definitely suggest Winter or Spring / Fall would offer the most reasonable temperatures. In the summer this part of the USA gets very hot and humid, which can make sight-seeing uncomfortable.

If you’re interested in attending the Mardi Gras festivities, these vary in timing as they are based around Shrove Tuesday, a religious date which changes every year. It usually falls somewhere in February or March.

If you’re not interested in Mardi Gras, it’s best to avoid cities that celebrate it during this time, particularly places like New Orleans, Mobile and Baton Rouge, as accommodations will be both expensive and hard to find.

What to Eat in the Deep South

Fair warning, don’t come to the Deep South expecting to lose weight. Portions are large and the food is definitely waist expanding.

There are a lot of foods to try, but some of our favourites were:

Gumbo – A soup which can be made with seafood or meat and is either cajun or creole in style

Jambalaya – A Louisianan rice dish mixed up with various meats, usually including smokey sausage

Fried Chicken – No round up of Southern food would be complete without mentioning fried chicken. Usually battered, this is an absolute must-try when journeying through the south. We had it presented in all kinds of forms, from the classic no frills fried chicken, through to fried chicken on waffles with bacon and maple syrup. Amazing.

BBQ – Of course, the Deep South doesn’t have a monopoly on BBQ (Texans in particular would have something to say about this I suspect), but the origins of BBQ are definitely in the south. Different regions have different BBQ sauce styles, with the classic meat being pork.

Grits – I’d never had grits before visiting the Deep South, and was I missing out! Served generally as an accompaniment, they are made from ground corn which is boiled. Tastier than they sound!

Where to Stay in the Deep South

There are a lot of lodging options in the USA, truly something for pretty much every budget. On our trip, we did a mix of motels, hotels and AirBnB stays, generally booking online using booking.com as we found that was cheaper than turning up at the property.

Often we’d arrive at hotels and ask if they would price match, but we were usually told by the reception staff to book through booking.com for the best deal! So we did.

For your convenience, here are direct links to all the city pages on booking.com that we used for our deep south road trip. Each section of the article also has recommended lodgings.

• Baton Rouge
• New Orleans

Practicalities for your Deep South Road Trip

Travelling in the Deep South of the USA is relatively easy. People are generally friendly, you can ask for help, and the infrastructure is good. There are a few things to be aware of, so here’s a run down of some of the most important.

The USA uses a 120 Volt electrical system, which means if you’re coming from Europe you need to check if your equipment is supported. Most laptops and phone chargers will work (the adapter will have 100 – 240V marked on it), however high powered items like hair dryers and travel kettles may not. You can buy voltage convertors, but these tend to be heavy – my advice would be just to pick up a cheap version of whatever it is you need in the country from somewhere like Walmart.

The plugs are for the most part a narrow two pin plug, if you’re coming from abroad you’ll need a travel adapter . See more on travel adapters and how to choose one for your trip in our guide to the best travel adapters .

I also advise travelling with a power strip – often motels / hotels don’t have enough outlets to charge all those gadgets we travel with. Something like this would be good.

Internet Access

Internet access is relatively easy to find in the US. WiFi networks can be found at most bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels, and there are also free networks in some public areas. So getting online isn’t too hard.

If you need to be permanently online with data on your phone, you have a number of options. First, check if your cellphone provider has some form of overseas roaming policy. If the prices are unreasonable, you have a number of other options.

First, if your phone is unlocked, you can pick up a SIM card locally. One of the better value deals in the USA I found was the Straight Talk plan, which offers 5GB of data for $45, and can be picked up at any Walmart. There are lots of other PAYG options to choose from, see an overview here .

For more information on the various options you have for getting online, see our complete guide to getting online when you travel .

Health / Insurance

The USA has a great healthcare system, with the huge caveat that it’s mind-bogglingly expensive. I cannot stress the importance of good travel insurance enough that will cover your medical fees if the worst should happen.

Depending on where you live in the world there are numerous travel insurance companies, so do shop around for a good policy.

We have a full guide to travel insurance for UK travellers here.

Safety Tips

The USA is a safe country to travel in for the most part, however, sensible precautions should apply. Don’t leave valuables alone or in plain sight, especially in parked cars. Take advantage of the safe in your hotel or motel. Don’t travel with large amounts of cash – use your credit card or debit card instead, and just keep small bills for tips and instances where cards aren’t accepted.

Be aware of your surroundings, particularly if travelling alone or in an unfamiliar neighbourhood. Check with locals, like your AirBnB host, if there are neighbourhoods to avoid.

Finally, take a look at your governments travel advice page for the latest information that may apply to you – for example, the UK Foreign Office has some helpful information for travellers to the USA here , which applies to both UK and non UK nationals.

The USA uses the US dollar bill. These are all green, and come in seven denominations – $1, $2, $5, $20, $50 and $100. They are all the same size, with only the number and illustration being different, so they can be a little hard to get used to at first. There are also coins, running from 1 cent through to $1.

Credit cards are widely accepted, and are usually the easiest way to pay. At gas stations in particular, it’s most common to pay at the pump with a credit card rather than at the till.

One thing to be aware of – prices in the USA are usually displayed without sales tax or tip included. Sales tax varies state to state, from 0% to around 10%. This is something to keep in mind, especially in restaurants, as everything on the menu will be a bit more expensive than indicated once tax is added.

Tipping is also a part of the culture in the USA, especially in the service industry. Tips average 15%, but can vary between 10% and 20%. You can either add the tip to the credit card, or leave cash. It’s always helpful to have some $1 bills for tipping purposes.

For an idea of how much to budget for a road trip like this, see our guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA .

Driving in the USA is quite easy – the roads are large, well-signed and the vehicles are usually automatic which gives you less to worry about.

There are definitely a few quirks to be aware of though if you’ve not driven here before – things like turning on a red light and the rules at STOP intersections. It’s a lot to cover, so I wrote a whole post on tips for driving in the USA which will answer all your questions.

Otherwise, take a look at car rental prices here to compare the best deals from a number of providers and get yourself booked for your adventure!

Further Reading for your Deep South Road Trip

We’ve written a fair amount about travelling in the USA , plus we have some resources that we think you will find useful for a trip like this. These are:

• A guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA
• Tips for Driving in the USA
• A comprehensive guide to the River Road Plantations of Louisiana
• City guides for New Orleans , Baton Rouge , Savannah and Charleston
• For more road trip inspiration, take a look at our two week California road trip , our two week  Route 66 itinerary , our Pacific Coast Highway guide , our 1 week Route 66 itinerary , and our two week Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and California road trip itinerary
• This is my South – a travel blog focused on what to see and do in this part of the world
• Lonely Planet’s guide to Louisiana and the Deep South
• Our guide to the best Airbnb Alternatives , to help you get the best lodging, whatever your budget
• Looking for more road trip inspiration? Check out our guide to the world’s best road trips for more ideas!

And that pretty much sums up our post on the perfect USA Deep South Road Trip! Have you ever done a trip like this? Anywhere you’d suggest adding to the itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!

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Lee & Sue says

1st January 2024 at 9:44 am

Hi guys…

We really enjoyed reading about your trip… We are doing a trip in April 2024 for 3-4 weeks but we are starting in Dallas Texas & possibly finishing in Miami (Haven’t fully decided yet)…

I have one question that hopefully you may be able to answer… With car rental, say we Start in Dallas are we able to return the vehicle to a totally different place & is there anything we should know about this ??? I’m in my mid 50’s & this will be a new experience for me…

Laurence Norah says

1st January 2024 at 4:05 pm

Hi Lee & Sue

You can definitely book a hire car one way. The only thing to be aware of is that pretty much every car rental company we know of does charge a fee for this, known as a one-way fee. This fee varies by company and where you are returning the car to. Some very popular routes don’t always have a fee (for example we once did a trip from Las Vegas to San Francisco and there was no one way fee when we did it), but that’s the exception.

The fee is normally displayed at the end of the booking process, and you should just be aware the rental car comparison sites don’t always include this fee. So it’s best to get a quote direct to ensure the fee is included.

I hope this helps, have an amazing road trip and let me know if you have any more questions!

Stewart says

1st November 2023 at 11:04 am

Excellent post on a Southern road trip, just wanted to saw we found it very helpful!

1st November 2023 at 1:20 pm

Thanks very much Stewart, I hope you have a great time!

James Messenger says

22nd May 2023 at 5:11 am

May 2023. My wife and I followed your guide virtually to the letter. Starting with Charlestone. We skipped Atlanta due to time. And you were spot on with all your destinations. However for future travellers. Skip Mobile totally. Very little to see and for us a total bust as we arrived on Saturday. On Sunday & Monday most museums, houses and tourist sites are closed. The city Trolley Tour of 90 minutes doesn’t operate those two days. We went to Visitors Centre at 1pm for guidance. It never bothered to open. After 12 days Road Trip this was the most severely disappointing city. We hope this is the only let down as we continue for another 20 days on our 9th US Road Trip.

12th June 2023 at 7:05 pm

I’m delighted to hear you guys have had a great time in following our Deep South road trip itinerary! Interesting to hear your feedback on Mobile, I am sure that will help other travellers. I hope the rest of your adventure also went well 🙂

Safe travels!

Michelle says

14th September 2021 at 6:15 pm

Hello, a friend and i are driving from CT to TX and back all along the south and middle states on way home. CT, NY, PA, WV, KY, TN, Alabama, Miss, Lousiana, Tx. We are looking for places that are not just the tourism attractions, but the places that are a WOW experience – views etc. from PA to TX is there any places that you would say are you have to go to…. Thank you in advance for any guidence on this.

I am looking forward to staying in an amish comunity – yes i am sure it is touristy but they are truley facinating.

17th September 2021 at 11:27 am

Hi Michelle!

Wow, that sounds like a fantastic road trip! I have to be honest that I’ve not visited the first states on your list in sufficient depth to be able to give solid recommendations. For Alambama I can definitely recommend Huntsville, it’s an awesome town with tonnes to do (see our guide to things to do in Huntsville here ). There are also some excellent civil rights trail stops in AL, including in Birmingham, Montgomery and Selma. Old Cahawba Archaeological Park outside Selma is really interesting as well. Further south you can learn about the history of Mardi Gras in Mobile, although you might have crossed into Mississippi by then. In Louisiana, Baton Route is definitely worth some time exploring, and the river road plantations along the way into New Orleans are definitely worth visiting.

I can definitely recommend Amish country. My wife is from Ohio and we’ve visited Amish country a number of times. The food is always a highlight of a visit 😀

Have an amazing trip, let me know if I can offer any further insights!

Jon parker says

15th July 2021 at 6:42 am

Hiya, could I do a Deep South trip over 3 months using a backpack, travelling without a car? Would look to travel from end October for 3 months, what would the weather be like?

15th July 2021 at 11:42 am

You certainly could do that, the locations mentioned in this deep south itinerary are all linked by Greyhound bus, so that would be achievable. The weather is definitely cooler at that time of year, particularly around November and December. In Alabama we were there in January, and we had a few flakes of snow and the temperatures were just above freezing. However it can warm up a bit more. I’d definitely dress warmly though!

Have a safe trip!

Kristin Arnone says

27th May 2021 at 3:26 pm

Hello – I have loved reading several of your itineraries and have gotten several great trip ideas these past few days! Where is the lovely plantation located that is in the photo at the beginning of this Deep South Road Trip article? Thank you so much!!!

28th May 2021 at 1:23 pm

Hi Kristin! That’s Oak Alley Plantation 🙂 You can read all about it in our blog post all about Oak Alley here 🙂

Jessica L Chann says

29th January 2020 at 8:21 pm

Thank you for sharing! These are all fantastic cities. I must admit I am sad to see Tennessee get left off of the list. Nashville and Chattanooga are two amazing cities to visit! Also North Carolina deserves some love! Nothing like the mountains!!

30th January 2020 at 7:29 am

Hi Jessica!

My pleasure. I agree, there are some wonderful stops not on the list – unfortunately I couldn’t include everywhere. Seems I will have to make another itinerary!

Carolyn says

8th July 2019 at 12:27 am

Hey! Great article. I would have loved to read more on your site, but the ads were super frustrating. I know writers have got to make a living, but I actually found it very difficult to read because videos were playing and graphics were flashing beside and at the bottom of my screen.

9th July 2019 at 3:39 pm

Hi Carolyn,

Thanks for your feedback! Unfortunately there are few ways for us to monetize the site beyond ads, most people aren’t willing to pay for content on the internet these days, so the ads are the only option we really have to pay the bills and allow us to travel and write about destinations. We’re not massive fans of ads either, but it’s just the reality. For the ad unit at the bottom you should be able to press the “X” to close it out at least.

Johan Lupander says

20th May 2019 at 10:07 am

Very informative and a great help in planning for a visit in early 2020!

The price advantage for an European in arriving and departing in/from the same airport (ATL) is compelling but naturally means a round-trip itinerary. Your trip suggestion does not include the up-river area Baton Rouge – Natchez – Vicksburg. Any particular reason why?

20th May 2019 at 10:33 am

Hi Johan – thanks very much!

It’s largely just a question of time – there are large chunks of every state that have been left out, such is the nature of a road trip across states. We’re often just as happy spending weeks exploring one state as we are travelling between them. The trip certainly isn’t meant to be prescriptive though, feel free to adjust to your own interests 🙂

23rd April 2019 at 2:17 pm

Great little guide to the South! My girlfriend are from the UK and I are planning a road trip in September-October (six weeks total). Right now our plan is to do it in 2 legs (a Western states leg and a Southern States leg).

Perhaps something like this….

1st leg: Hire RV in San Francisco, then…..Yosemite – Death Valley – Las Vegas – Grand Canyon – Monument Valley – back to Las Vegas (to drop off RV and fly out).

2nd leg: A bit more undecided at the moment. I’ve got some friends just south of Nashville so would like to visit them for a couple of days. But would also love to see New Orleans so perhaps makes sense to fly into there from Vegas and work our way up? I’ve been to Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville on a previous trip so perhaps keen to see some other places with good food and music in the south! Also thinking perhaps better to hire a car in the south and stay in motels, as could be more economical/easy than RV-ing everywhere?

We fly out from New York at the end of the 6 weeks so will plan to spend at least 2-3 days there at the end.

Any advice would be welcome!

Thanks Miles

23rd April 2019 at 2:27 pm

First, thanks very much!

So your first section sounds great, it’s an itinerary that is very popular and is something we hope to write about soon on our blogs 🙂

For the second leg, I’d say flying in NOLA makes sense, and then you can build your itinerary around what you are most interested in. There are lots of cities and attractions (as you can see from this itinerary), and you won’t have any problem filling in your route.

I would say that for this stretch it will likely be more economic to rent a car and stay in budget motels rather than renting an RV. RV’s are great, but they are pretty expensive to rent, and then you often have to pay for campsites anyway. So it makes sense out in the west as there are many areas where you can camp, but in more populated areas it is less logical I think.

I hope this has helped a little bit at least 🙂

23rd April 2019 at 2:34 pm

Hi Laurence,

Thanks a lot for the speedy reply. And you’ve confirmed what I was thinking already, which is great! Just one more question. Do you think 6 weeks is fine for this sort of itinerary?

Thanks again Miles

23rd April 2019 at 3:06 pm

I’d say so yes. Of course, the more time you have the more you can see (the States is a big place!) but you will definitely be able to see a lot in six weeks for sure!

Jeremy says

8th March 2019 at 7:32 pm

Hey, just a quick correction to the Montgomery section of your trip. Cahawba was only the capital city temporarily from 1820 until 1826 – not for over 100 years. Huntsville was the first temporary capital after Alabama became a state in 1819 (200 years ago on December 14 of this year), then Cahawba (as I said, until 1826), then Tuscaloosa until 1846 which is when it moved to Montgomery in an attempt to have the capital be a more centrally located city in the state. Love the blog, My wife and I are heading to Savannah for our anniversary this year and thanks to your blog, we are going to take a couple of extra days to go to Charleston. I’ve been there but it was long ago and I had forgotten how beautiful it was. Thanks.

8th March 2019 at 7:44 pm

Hi Jeremy! Thanks for the information, I’m not sure how I got that so wrong – I must have misread a date somewhere along the line. I’ve updated that. Interestingly, some sources say that Selma was the state capital from 1825 – 1826, wheras others seem to indicate it went from Cahawba to Tuscaloosa. Anyway, I have corrected it in the post to be more accurate! Thanks again, and have a wonderful trip – we loved Charleston, and we hope you do too 🙂

Richard Sullivan says

12th February 2019 at 2:25 pm

This all looks very interesting indeed. I am hoping to do a family road trip, either deep-south, or West to East coast. But blimey, the food does not look at all appealing! Gosh is all food either brown or covered in cheese in America?

12th February 2019 at 5:29 pm

Hi Richard,

Definitely not – there’s pretty much everything you could imagine, from healthy options to more cheese covered dishes 😉

I’m sure you’ll find something you enjoy

Keith & Ann Garner says

21st January 2019 at 12:36 pm

Hi Laurence & Jessica Love your web page, we live in the UK and are thinking of planning a trip to the south for two weeks and looking for advice for the best route to take for us to see the most interesting places. We are thinking of going in May is this a good time? We are planning to arrange the trip ourselves, rather than an agent so is it wise to book hotels/motels or airbnb in advance here in the UK. Any advice would be much appreciated.

many thanks

Keith & Ann

21st January 2019 at 1:12 pm

Hey Keith and Ann,

Thanks very much. It’s a fantastic trip and we’re sure you’ll have a great time. May is a great time for this trip, temperatures will be pleasant but not unbearable, likely in the 20C – 30C range.

For your hotels, I would say that generally you will be ok not to book far in advance at this time of year, the only exceptions would be if there any any events happening in any of the locations you are headed to that you need to be aware of. I can’t think of any off the top of my head. May should also not be too busy in general, so availability should be reasonable. We have not normally had a problem just booking a day or two in advance on trips like this, but if you prefer peace of mind and greater choice, then you can always book in advance. One idea is to book using a platform like booking.com at properties that allow for cancellation, and then you can switch it up as you go if you prefer, whilst having a fallback option.

Have a fantastic trip, and do drop by and let us know how it goes – either here, or in our facebook group 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelloversandphotography/

7th January 2019 at 12:04 am

I found your blog, while I was trying to figure out where to go for my 50th birthday. My wife said that we can go anywhere I want, as long as we stay inside the USA. We have up to four weeks, of vacation, ready to go. But we do have two elementary age children. So the trip will have to be between mid June and late August. Over the past 12 years, we’ve taken road trips to West Virginia, across the Northern states. Traveled all around the Mid-West (Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kentucky). Road trips down the Oregon and California coasts, And we’ve spent a week (give or take a day or two) in each of the following: Hawaii, Miami, New York, Washington D.C, Las Vegas, Phoenix and San Francisco. But I’ve never spent any time in the Deep South. After reading your blog, that may change. You made the Deep South sound like a great place to go with our kids (especially since I’m into American history). The only part I’m worried about, is its weather and the humidity. We’ll be coming from the Seattle area, where the weather and humidity is the exact opposite from the South. So the Summer weather, kind of worries me.

7th January 2019 at 11:16 am

The south is definitely a wonderful place to travel, but you are correct, that time of year is more challenging when it comes to the weather. It’s hot and humid, and it’s also the rainiest time of the year! There are some upsides though – it tends to be less busy, and hotel rates are better! It’s going to be a personal decision of course, I’d say if you do go just make sure to prepare with lots of sunscreen, loose clothing and a hat 🙂

Have a great trip wherever you go!

Larry Spielman says

5th January 2019 at 8:51 pm

Wow, what a gift to discover your post! You have expanded my vision of the deep south. We have visited Charleston, Alanta, and Savannah and loved these locations. Planning this summer going from San Antonio to Mobile with extended time in New Orleans. Obviously we need to plan more time in the Mobile area. Any other words of wisdom for us?

5th January 2019 at 10:30 pm

Thanks very much 🙂 We were in Mobile during Mardi Gras, and we can definitely recommend a visit to the Mardi Gras Museum which is very good. However, we didn’t see much else during our time there. We were also just in San Antonio, I’m not sure if you’re from San Antonio or just starting there, but we did just publish a guide to San Antonio as well 🙂 Of course, if you’re from San Antonio I’m sure all this will be familiar to you!

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/things-to-do-san-antonio-texas/

Have a great trip!

5th January 2019 at 11:35 pm

Thanks – we will check out your suggestions, flying into San Antonio, train to New Orleans, then rent a car for Alabama. Thanks again.

5th January 2019 at 11:41 pm

My pleasure! Sounds like it’s going to be a great trip 😀 Let us know if you have any more questions!

Connie Fidler Glassford says

17th November 2018 at 4:47 am

I’ve been to a number of cities on your list and loved them all. My town Fairhope, across the bay from Mobile is a gem.

Larisa says

2nd November 2018 at 3:36 am

Great read as we are planing to come over in Dec next year for a road trip as a family of five and we need to do as much research as possible! Our itinerary will be ideally a 7 night Cruise from Galveston then Houston-Lafayette-Slidell-Tallheusee-Orlando-Savannah- Montgomgery-Jackson-Dallas and back to Houston. Excuse the mis-spellings.!

3rd November 2018 at 9:01 am

Sounds like an awesome trip Larisa!

Sherryl Rivers says

10th October 2018 at 7:32 pm

You can also head to the top of Red Mountain, home of the Sloss Mines, where the ore for the furnaces was mind.

You can also head to the top of Red Mountain, home of the Sloss Mines, where the ore for the furnaces was mined.

*****Ore was MINED…not MIND******

12th October 2018 at 3:41 am

Fixed! Thanks so much 🙂

David Shows says

15th August 2018 at 1:11 pm

As a Mississippian who grew up in Long Beach (next to Biloxi) and living in North Carolina let me complement you on your excellent choices. You nailed Charleston and Savannah, two of my favorite towns. For ship watchers, Savannah is one of the busiest ports in the United States, part of a railroad corridor that stretches across the U.S. to San Diego.

I’ve also lived in Mobile and Montgomery and they are two hidden gems. Montgomery has live music on the weekends and a Baseball park built on top of an old confederate barracks. Dauphin Island is near Mobile and it has miles of white sand beaches. If you are a seafood lover btw, I would try our oysters on the the Gulf Coast, in my very prejudiced opinion, some of best tasting anywhere. They can be fried, in a broth, or you can have them char-broiled, cooking in the half-shell with garlic.

I grew up two blocks from the beach, even moved back after Camille, and love the Gulf Coast beaches, where you can get a sunrise and a sunset! On the Coast we have a small town vibe but we have visitors year round, and there are two big military bases in Gulfport and Biloxi that contribute to the big net we cast.

Thanks for the great article! As we say on the Coast, don’t be a stranger! Come back when you can!

15th August 2018 at 8:23 pm

Thank you very much David, it’s always wonderful to hear from a local that we’ve managed to put something together that showcases their part of the world 😀 We certainly do want to come back sometime soon for the amazing food & people, not to mention all the scenery 🙂

12th August 2018 at 11:41 pm

We spent two weeks driving from California to visit the deep south. We stopped in New Orleans, Tallahassee, Savannah, and Charleston. We drove the backroads through deep Georgia and it was amazing! The people in the deep south are straight out of a character novel. They are warm and friendly and some of them say the quirkiest things! The food is phenomenal!! I gained 5 pounds over our trip and I do not regret one bite! We visited in July and the humidity definitely takes some getting used to but after about 3 days, my skin seemed to love it. The architecture, history, plantations, and culture are beautiful and fascinating. The cicadas and the sounds of the insects were truly magical and the lightning bugs!! Seeing the lightning bugs was definitely on my bucket list! So beautiful, like little twinkling fairies. We originally made the trip because we were considering moving out there in 2 years. After the trip, we pushed up our move to next year. We completely fell in love with the deep south. It was everything that I had hoped it would be!

13th August 2018 at 9:05 pm

I am so pleased that you had a wonderful time. The food really is amazing isn’t it? And you are so right about the people. Love that you are moving there a year early too – I hope it all goes well for you!

Have a great journey

Vanessa Perumal says

24th June 2018 at 12:30 pm

Such generous sharing thank you. From New York where would you start your road trip please

24th June 2018 at 10:45 pm

Hey Vanessa – are you thinking of flying from New York or driving? It’s quite a long drive from New York (11 or 12 hours straight driving), so you might prefer to fly to Charleston and start there 🙂

Martha Mason says

26th April 2018 at 7:39 pm

I’m born and raised in Alabama – with a few sojourns in California, New York and Chicago. If you come to Alabama again, make sure you hit Fairhope, a quaint, beautiful town across Mobile Bay from Mobile, AL. If you come this far, also visit Gulf Shores on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico – one of the secrets we keep from beach lovers so it stays pretty and white.

I enjoyed your article on the deep south trip and although I’ve been to all of the places you mentioned, your info. will send me back to those places again better informed.

26th April 2018 at 7:42 pm

Thanks Martha! We’re actually going to be in Alabama this September most likely, visiting Huntsville and some of the space related sights 🙂 Not sure how much time we have, but I’ll definitely keep your tips in mind – thanks very much!

Stephanie says

16th March 2018 at 12:04 pm

Wow this is awesome! I work in the school system So unfortunately summer is the only time my boys and I can travel. We live in Charlotte so we will hit the road this summer. I’ll be sure to prepare for the unbearable heat! We will have about 3 weeks! Thank you for sharing!

16th March 2018 at 4:30 pm

My pleasure, and thanks Stephanie. I’m sure you’ll be fine and are probably used to the heat anyway 🙂 Have a fantastic trip – three weeks is the perfect amount of time for it 😀

9th March 2018 at 8:03 pm

Just wondering how many days total did you spend on this trip:) thanks

9th March 2018 at 8:06 pm

Hi Susy 🙂 We spent five weeks doing the trip, but we spent a week of that in New Orleans at the end. For the suggested itinerary, we’d suggest a minimum of two weeks, and ideally three weeks if you can spare the time. You can see more in this section of the post: https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/usa-deep-south-road-trip-itinerary/#How-Long-Does-a-Deep-South-Road-Trip-Take

11th February 2018 at 6:24 am

Thank you so much for this really informative itinerary! My boyfriend and I are doing a deep south road trip this summer and you’ve given us some great ideas which move away from the typical cities.

11th February 2018 at 10:51 am

My pleasure – have a really wonderful trip and do shout if you have any questions!

Melissa says

25th January 2018 at 8:20 pm

I LOVE THIS! I live in Hawaii, but doing a Road Trip around the South is on my bucket list. Thank you so much for the info and suggestions.

26th January 2018 at 12:39 am

Thanks Melissa! Have an awesome trip when you do it – we sure did 😀

Linda Aksomitis says

26th February 2017 at 5:22 pm

Love your article. There are so many of my favourite deep South destinations on it. As a Canadian, I need to get my Gulf Coast “fix” on a regular basis.

Laurence says

27th February 2017 at 2:48 pm

Thanks Linda! And we still feel there’s so much more to see down here 🙂

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Learn how to easily plan your dream trip to Florida!

15 Best Florida Road Trips And Scenic Drives

May 15, 2023 //  by  Florida Trippers

Planning the best Florida road trip can be a daunting task, even if you’re a native. Florida is one of the few states where you could drive eight hours and still be in the same state!

Millions of tourists make Florida a hot destination because of the variety of activities. There are just so many things to do in Florida !

Roller-coaster enthusiasts will love the theme parks. Birders and nature junkies will love the best Florida hiking trails . Overworked vacationers will love the beaches in Florida .

Whether you’re a beach bunny, have an adventurous spirit, or want some rest and relaxation, there is something for everyone in Florida.

With that being said, because the state is so large, it’s hard to know where to go first! There’s so much ground to cover. Luckily, we’re here to help.

We’ve mapped out our best Florida road trip ideas to make your vacation memorable!

We’ll take you through the top destinations in the state so you won’t have any problem finding fun and interesting things to do in the Sunshine State.

Let’s go on the best road trip around Florida!

Did You Find This Post Helpful?

If so, we would love to keep in touch! We enjoy seeing photos and comments about your experiences in Florida! You can follow us on Instagram and we will repost your photos on our feed and comment too! Just tag us at @floridatrippers and hashtag #floridatrippers. We can’t wait to see your travels!

Miami to Key West

• Downtown Miami
• Coral Castle
• Everglades National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Seven Mile Bridge

The journey from Miami to Key West is one of the most scenic drives in Florida! The drive is lined with greens and blues from the beaches and palm trees.

This is a great Florida road trip with kids!

It will take you through some of the most beautiful attractions the Sunshine State has to offer. It has something for everyone, no matter your interests. It’s easy to pick and choose to tailor the perfect Florida itinerary for you!

Starting in the iconic city of Miami , you’ll breathe in the South Florida culture before heading to some scenic attractions for outdoor enthusiasts.

Paddlers especially will want to make a stop at some of the best kayaking trails in Florida in the Everglades.

You can even see a real castle! Look out for Coral Castle, made completely of stone. As you head further south, you’ll start to breathe in the salty air of the Atlantic as you visit coral reefs and beaches.

When you finally land in Key West, you’ll have access to some of the most beautiful Florida beaches as well as some incredible historical sites. Don’t forget to have a piece of Key lime pie while you’re there!

There really are so many things to do in Key West !

Central Florida Road Trip

• Circle B Bar Reserve
• Celebration
• Rock Springs/Kelly Park

The drive from Tampa to Cocoa Beach will take you directly across the state, allowing you to see the best of Central Florida !

You get nature, theme parks, and even a quaint town owned by Disney! These are some of the best places to stop in Florida!

Starting in Tampa allows you to soak up the emerging city’s culture, restaurants , and nightlife before moving on to more scenic pursuits.

As you approach Lakeland , you’ll be able to walk through the Circle B Bar Reserve and see a lot of wildlife.

Along the drive, you can stop by Bok Tower, a Carillion tower that rings as it’s played like an instrument before you approach Disney World or Universal. Spend a couple of days at the parks while staying at a cozy Airbnb!

Before you approach Cocoa Beach, make a stop at Rock Springs/Kelly Park where you can take a dip or even tube down one of Florida’s prettiest springs near Orlando .

When you make it to your destination of Cocoa Beach, you’ll enjoy the shorelines of one of the best family beaches in Florida !

If you are planning a road trip to Florida, you need to check out these highlights!

Florida East Coast

• Amelia Island
• St. Augustine
• Daytona Beach
• Kennedy Space Center
• McKee Botanical Gardens

Driving the East Coast is the Florida equivalent of driving the Pacific Coast Highway. Start with the best things to do in Amelia Island before moving down to Miami.

You’ll experience a smorgasbord of different Florida attractions!

Amelia Island might just be the prettiest island in Florida , but don’t spend too long there!

St. Augustine just to the south has incredible historic sites and castles. It is also the oldest city in the United States.

If you plan your best Florida road trip just right, you can attend one of the many festivals held in Daytona Beach like Biketoberfest.

After you’ve enjoyed the beach, head down to Merritt Island to visit the Kennedy Space Center!

If you stop in Vero Beach , you must pay a visit to the McKee Botanical Gardens which showcases the best of Florida flora.

Then as you arrive in Miami, relax on South Beach, one of the best beaches in Miami , and soak up the sun as a reward for your journey!

This is a great Florida East Coast road trip the whole family will love!

Haunted Florida Road Trip

• Spanish Military Hospital Museum
• St. Augustine Old Jail
• Cassadaga Hotel
• Tampa Theatre

This road trip is perfect to welcome fall in Florida which is when things start to get spooky! There are over 570 documented haunted sites in Florida.

This Florida road trip for adults and kids alike starts off in Tampa , where the old historic theaters are haunted! Try the Tampa Theatre downtown or the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater.

Ybor City also offers walking ghost tours that take you through the historic buildings.

From there, head to Orlando and visit Lake Eola. It is said a small brown terrier runs along the lake’s east shore before vanishing into thin air.

Afterward, Cassadaga is waiting for you! This is one of the most haunted places in Florida !

A spooky forgotten town full of psychics, check out the Helen Cassadaga Cemetery or the Cassadaga Hotel.

Then head to Daytona Beach to tour the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse! One of the best lighthouses in Florida , it is also haunted!

Finally, head to St. Augustine, the motherlode of haunted cities in Florida.

There are so many St. Augustine ghost tours to take that will leave you feeling spooky like the Old Jail and the Spanish Military Hospital Museum.

Florida Springs Road Trip

• Ginnie Springs
• Devil’s Den
• Rainbow Springs
• Ichetucknee Springs

A road trip to Florida’s natural springs can be perfect for summer or fall! They are the most scenic places in Florida!

The 72-degree waters will cool you down during the hottest summer day. During the winter, manatees migrate to the springs to keep warm.

Start your tour in Weeki Wachee to watch mermaids swim in the spring waters before heading north on US 19 to Crystal River, a spring near Tampa . If you time it right, you can attend their Manatee Festival!

Take US-41 to get to Rainbow Springs State Park , which actually has six waterfalls! Then hop back on US-41 to head north to Devil’s Den, a diver’s haven!

Get back on, you guessed it, US-41, and keep going north and you’ll hit three springs grouped very close together! Take your pick between Gilchrist Blue Springs , Ginnie Springs , or Ichetucknee Springs . Or visit them all!

End your journey by driving north for just another hour and you’ll reach Madison Blue Springs, where you can swim and relax as your final reward!

If you are planning a road trip in Florida, you definitely need to check out some springs!

Tampa to Naples Roadtrip

• Ca D’Zan
• Florida Domes
• Edison & Ford Winter Estates
• Ringling Museum

For a relatively short day trip, make the drive from Tampa to Naples! Along the way, you’ll hit some major Gulf Coast cities, each with its own architectural gems.

This is the best Florida West Coast road trip!

In Tampa, you can take advantage of some of the best museums in Florida , Tampa restaurants , and even the lovely Curtis Hixon Park. If you decide to spend an evening there, there’s even a speakeasy !

When you head south to Sarasota , a treasure trove of attractions awaits you! Skip the traditional beaches and head out to Beer Can Island , a truly secluded spot.

Or check out architectural masterpieces like the Ringling Museum and the Ca D’Zan!

Next up in Fort Myers , you can tour the Edison and Ford Winter Estates! Yes, the Thomas Edison of the lightbulb and the Henry Ford of Ford Motors. You can see their homes, their vintage Ford vehicles, and even their laboratory!

As you pass through Cape Coral , you’ll get to drive through Matlacha, a charming village. The homes are painted with bright neon and pastel colors. It actually feels more like Key West than Cape Coral!

When you land in Naples , you can take advantage of the fabulous Naples beaches , especially on Marco Island .

If you charter a boat, you can make your way to the Florida Domes, the sunken remains of a millionaire’s former home, now a haven for Florida wildlife.

Anyone interested in history will agree this is one of the best driving trips in Florida!

Everglades Road Trip

• Anhinga Trail
• Nine Mile Pond
• Mahogany Hammock Trail
• Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook

The Everglades National Park is a gigantic place to explore. It’s hard to know where to start! Luckily, this road trip through the park will allow you to experience a little bit of everything the park has to offer.

Enter the park from the southernmost entrance off the Ingraham Highway. Here you’ll start your journey at the Coe Visitor Center.

As you start driving, right off the bat, you’ll have your pick between the Anhinga Trail or the Gumbo Limbo Trail, some of the best hikes in Florida.

The road continues through the Pinelands and into the Dwarf Cypress Forest whose leaves actually change during fall in Florida!

After passing Rock Reef Pass, stop at Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook. You’ll have the best views of the enormous sawgrass prairies from the elevated platform.

After another 20 miles, you can see the nation’s largest mahogany tree on Mahogany Hammock Trail!

Unfortunately, it doesn’t make for a great photo op. The tree is 90 feet tall and the shorter trees shroud the mahogany’s height.

Keep on to Nine Mile Pond for canoeing and kayaking!

If you’re driving towards the end of March to early April, stop at Mrazek Pond. During this time, and only this time, it becomes one of the best birding spots in the country.

After passing several optional hiking trails, you’ll arrive at the Flamingo Visitor Center, your final destination. Here, you can book an airboat tour to see the nooks and crannies of the park not visible from the road.

It is clear the Everglades is one of the top places to go on a road trip in Florida!

Waterfall Road Trip

• Falling Waters State Park
• Big Shoals State Park
• Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park

There are amazing waterfalls in Florida ! On this Florida road trip, you’ll discover the best sound is a waterfall crashing down in front of you!

Start in Chipley in the Panhandle with a bang. Falling Waters State Park is home to the largest of Florida’s waterfalls at 73 feet high!

From there, head to Bristol to get to Torreya State Park. Consider skipping this waterfall if you’re not a strong hiker.

Afterward, the following three waterfalls are thankfully close together. First, see the “Disappearing” Waterfall at Camp Branch Conservation Area.

Then head to Big Shoals State Park, which also offers river rafting! Just to the south is Falling Creek Falls.

As you head south to Gainesville , you’ll reach Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park. Here the waterfall was created by a series of sinkholes. You can even stand inside the sinkhole right next to the waterfall!

Finally, you’ll end your journey with a refreshing reward at Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon just outside of Ocala .

Here, you’ll get not one, but six waterfalls! You can also enjoy swimming, tubing, kayaking, snorkeling, and more.

UFO Sighting Tour

• Gulf Breeze
• Fort Walton Beach
• Panama City
• Unidentified Flying Objects?

Did you know that next to California, Florida has the most UFO sightings of any other state? On average over 30 sightings are reported each month in Florida!

If you’re skeptical about whether or not life is out there, it doesn’t matter. This Florida road trip will take you through the best places in the panhandle.

Start in Panama City , where two bright orbs were seen zig-zagging over Tyndall Air Force Base. As you head west, ride the shoreline, as this has been a popular sighting place.

As you approach Fort Walton Beach, look out for a white diamond-shaped craft with a vapor trail as well as saucer disks.

Even if you don’t see anything, you’ll have an enjoyable night walking the beach and looking at the stars through binoculars.

You’ll eventually land in Pensacola where the most sightings have been recorded. Head to the Gulf Breeze neighborhood especially! Keep your eyes peeled!

North Florida Road Trip

• Wakulla Springs State Park
• Castillo de San Marcos
• Big Talbot Island State Park

Begin your journey across the top of the state in the panhandle at Falling Waters State Park, the tallest natural waterfall in Florida!

Then head to Marianna, the only open-air-filled caves in Florida. Outside of the Florida Caverns, you can also hike, bike, or camp on the Chipola River.

Then you’ll head to Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, beautiful and perfect for swimming and snorkeling. It’s also one of the best springs for camping in Florida .

Next, get a taste of the prehistoric as you travel to Devil’s Den . A natural spring, Devil’s Den is actually a karst window, which means it’s a huge open cave over a river. Divers will love descending the depths!

Next, it’s time for St. Augustine. History buffs will love exploring the oldest city in the United States! Stop at the Castillo de San Marcos to see a real Florida castle!

You’ll end your North Florida Road Trip at Big Talbot Island, one of the best things to do in Jacksonville ! The beaches here are covered with driftwood and dried tree branches, creating the illustrious Boneyard Beach!

Florida Castles Road Trip

• Solomon’s Castle

Did you know that there are real castles in Florida ? Europe has nothing on the Sunshine State!

This Florida road trip takes you from St. Augustine all the way down to the West Palm Beach area to see the best castles in Florida!

When you start in St. Augustine, you’re practically in the castle capital of the state! Here you have Castle Warden which eventually was turned into the first Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

You also can see Villa Zorayada which is a replica of the Alhambra Palace. Don’t forget the historic Castillo de San Marcos, once a Spanish fortress of war. Castle Otttis is also here, but because it’s privately owned, tours are rarely available.

From there, head to St. Pete to see the Don Cesar. Built originally to be a “pink castle,” today it functions as a high-end resort and spa ! You can even take ghost tours of the grounds.

Next up is Solomon’s Castle. The home and art studio of Howard Solomon, the castle is made entirely of aluminum. You can even have lunch at the Boat on the Moat!

Finally, you’ll head down to the mysterious Coral Castle. Made of 1,000 tons of coral rock, the structures have been arranged into elaborate gardens complete with bougainvillea.

Surfing Road Trip

• St. Augustine Beach
• Cocoa Beach
• Boynton Beach

Similar to the East Coast Road Trip, this Florida road trip will take you along the Atlantic coast. This is where all the best waves are!

So if you’re a surfer, load up the car for these can’t-miss surfing spot s in Florida !

Start north at Jacksonville Beach before hitting St. Augustine. From there you can hit Flagler Beach before heading to Daytona Beach.

If you visit Daytona on Christmas Eve, you can even see Santa surfing! This is a great winter in Florida activity.

Then you can hit the waves at New Smyrna Beach before heading down to Cocoa Beach. Don’t forget the Sebastian Inlet, just to the south of Melbourne.

The last leg of your trip will take you to the beautiful beaches of Jupiter, where you can take a break to see the limestone formations!

From there, hit West Palm Beach before concluding your trip to Boynton Beach.

Scenic Hiking Road Trip

• Blowing Rocks
• Big Talbot Island
• Ocala National Forest

This Florida road trip from Jacksonville to Jupiter is designed to take you on some of the most unique hiking trails the state has to offer. You won’t see sights like these anywhere else.

First, start at Big Talbot Island in Jacksonville, where the Black Rock Trail will take you to the beach. You’ll see dried, sun-bleached trees creating Boneyard Beach!

Next in Gainesville, you’ll find the Prairie Paynes Loop Trail. Here bison and wild horses roam free. Hop down to Dade City to attempt the four-day, 39-mile Citrus Hiking Trail!

Head down to Bok Tower outside of Lakeland next. The tower is actually a Carillon bell that can be played like an instrument!

You’ll finish your tour at Blowing Rocks in Jupiter, where waves crash up against limestone as you walk along the beach.

Overall, this is one of the best road trips in Florida for nature lovers!

Brewery Road Trip

• Cigar City Brewing
• 7venth Sun Brewing Company
• Hourglass Brewing
• Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co.

Craft beer is having a revival, not only in Florida but across the country! To taste the best that local breweries have to offer, take the Brewery Road Trip!

Start in the Tampa Bay area where you can hit up the highest-rated brewery in Florida, Cigar City Brewing. There are plenty of other breweries in Tampa to check out too.

Likewise, you can visit Cycle Brewing in St. Pete and 7venth Sun Brewing Company in Dunedin.

Next, head to some Orlando breweries ! Grab a Grove IPA or Side Chick Blonde at Deadly Sins Brewing. Try out Hourglass Brewing or Persimmon Hollow Brewing Co. as well!

Finally, head to Jacksonville and grab a pint at Green Room Brewing. You can even bring your own food or order from a binder of restaurants that deliver right to the bar!

This is one of the best weekend road trips in Florida for adults!

Florida Keys State Park Road Trip

• Bahia Honda State Park
• Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park
• Curry Hammock State Park
• Oleta River State Park

There are beautiful state parks in Florida , rivaling those across the country.

This South Florida road trip will take you from Jupiter all the way to the end of the Florida Keys to enjoy some tropical state parks!

Start to the north of Jupiter at Jonathan Dickinson State Park to walk through pine scrub flatwoods and mangrove forests.

Then head to Fort Lauderdale to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park to see native Florida wildlife like butterflies, turtles, and of course, alligators .

Right on Biscayne Bay in North Miami Beach, you’ll head to Oleta River State Park next. Here you can find the greatest concentration of Australian pine trees!

Now you’ll be crossing the bridge to the Keys and traveling west. In Key Largo, stop at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. You’ll love snorkeling among the reefs and seeing the tropical fish!

Next up at the Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park , you can see fossils frozen in time in the Key Largo limestone.

Then head to Curry Hammock State Park, housing one of the best beaches for shelling .

Finally, at scenic Bahia Honda State Park , you can walk up to the gorgeous, dilapidated bridge.

Since you’re at the end of your journey, sit and relax on the beach and stay for one of the most beautiful sunsets in the state.

Hopefully, this Florida road trip planner helped you plan an epic vacation!

• Plan a Road Trip
• Plan a Flight
• Find an Airport
• Where to Stay
• All Questions

Birmingham (Alabama) to Florida drive

Birmingham (alabama) to florida road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Birmingham (Alabama) to Florida. If you're planning a road trip to Florida, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops . Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds . Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

9:00 am  start in Birmingham (Alabama) drive for about 60 minutes

10:00 am   Talladega Superspeedway stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:00 am drive for about 2 hours

1:04 pm   Atlanta stay for about 4 hours and leave at 5:04 pm drive for about 2 hours

day 1 driving ≈ 5 hours

9:00 am  leave from Vienna (Georgia) drive for about 1.5 hours

10:33 am   Valdosta stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:33 am drive for about 1 hour

12:36 pm   Lake City (Florida) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:36 pm drive for about 55 minutes

2:31 pm   Gainesville stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:31 pm drive for about 2 hours

5:33 pm   Magic Kingdom Park stay for about 1 hour and leave at 6:33 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

7:55 pm  arrive at Florida

day 2 driving ≈ 7 hours

Where should I stop along the way?

Talladega Superspeedway   (3 mentions) Atlanta   (170 answers)     Georgia Aquarium   (29 mentions)     World of Coca-Cola   (20 mentions)     Piedmont Park   (16 mentions)     Midtown Atlanta   (14 mentions)     High Museum of Art   (11 mentions)     restaurants around Atlanta:         The Varsity         Mary Mac's Tea Room         Antico Pizza Napoletana         Empire State South         JCT Kitchen & Bar     questions about Atlanta:         Good Restaurants Unique to Atlanta?         Great, reasonable places to eat.         Tourist spots worth seeing in Atlanta?         Authentic Southern Food!         Best family activities in Atlanta? Vienna (Georgia) Valdosta   (12 answers) Lake City (Florida)   (8 answers)     questions about Lake City (Florida):         Where to stay Gainesville   (13 answers) Magic Kingdom Park   (15 mentions)

What are some things to do in Florida?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

For example, here are some questions people have asked about Florida. Click on any question to see answers from the community!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Florida.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Florida to Birmingham (Alabama) drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Birmingham (Alabama) to Florida . Or get a full Birmingham (Alabama) to Florida flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world.

And if you know Birmingham (Alabama) well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about Birmingham (Alabama)!

More info on this route:

road conditions

places to eat

flattest route

alternate routes

Google driving directions

Reader's Digest

Your Guide to a Florida Keys Road Trip: Key Largo to Key West

Posted: March 12, 2024 | Last updated: March 13, 2024

Your road trip guide to the Florida Keys

One of the best state road trips in America has to be the sun-kissed drive from Key Largo to Key West in the Florida Keys. This road, known as the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, takes you through a 125-mile island chain that begins just south of Miami. It hopscotches over 42 bridges and five islands, and has turquoise waters stretching in every direction into the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and Gulf of Mexico.

So if you're looking for the perfect Atlantic Coast road trip or cheap beach vacation , look no further than this road trip guide from Key Largo to Key West. And if you'd rather travel from Key West to Key Largo, rest easy—the route works either way. There are shuttles that run from Key Largo to Key West, but keep in mind, you'd be missing out on all the fun in between.

By the way, once you embark on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, you'll notice that many sites along the way use mile markers (MM) in their address. We use those mile marker points in this story to help you navigate the drive.

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Mile marker: 108–90

The first of the Florida Keys you'll hit after driving about an hour south from Miami en route from Key Largo to Key West is, well, Key Largo. Often referred to as the Dive Capital of the World, Key Largo includes one must-see stop: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (MM 102.5), the first underwater preserve in the United States.

Experienced and novice snorkelers and SCUBA divers will be enthralled by the teeming marine life that lives just below the water's surface, like parrot fish, barracudas and sea turtles. More experienced divers enjoy exploring the USS Spiegel Grove, one of the largest ships ever intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef where pretty fish can thrive.

Back on dry land, travelers can wander nearly six miles of trails at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park, home to more than 80 species of plants and animals. You can also peruse the work of local artists at myriad galleries.

Best beach: Cannon Beach, found within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, has shallow waters that are perfect for wading. You may even spot cannons and anchors on the beach that remain from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck.

Where to eat: Dig into the catch of the day at The Fish House, Key Largo Conch House or Snook's Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar, some of the best traditional restaurants in the area. If you'd rather turf than surf, check out Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill.

Where to stay: If you can't get enough of the underwater world, stay at Jules' Undersea Lodge , the world's first underwater hotel. If you'd rather keep dry, try the adults-only Bungalows Key Largo .

Mile marker: 90–63

Next up en route from Key Largo to Key West is the fisherman's paradise known as Islamorada. Considered the Sport Fishing Capital of the World, it's where backcountry sport fishing and saltwater fly-fishing got their start. Countless seasoned boat captains are ready for hire to take you out to catch the wahoo, marlin, mahi-mahi and tuna that swim in these waters.

There's an even quirkier way to interact with fish here: hand-feeding the tarpon off the docks of Robbie's Marina (MM 77.5). Since 1976, countless Keys visitors have stopped to feed them, and more than 100 kinds of fish gather at the docks for their daily snacks. Feeding the fishies there is so popular, it's been named the No. 1 activity in all the Florida Keys.

Islamorada is also a terrific spot to kitesurf, stand-up paddleboard, go for a hike or take a bicycle ride. Stop by the Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary, where injured or displaced birdies now make their homes. Or visit the History of Diving Museum, which boasts one of the world's largest collections of diving helmets.

Best beach: Anne's Beach is popular with families (and dogs) because of its shallow waters and lack of waves. Take a walk along the boardwalk or enjoy a picnic at one of the covered tables.

Where to eat: For a quintessential casual Florida Keys meal, go to the Hungry Tarpon. If you want more elegant fare, make reservations at Chef Michael's for creatively inspired local dishes.

Where to stay: When it's time to lay your head for the night, check in to one of the new oceanfront suites at Cheeca Lodge & Spa , or your own cottage at The Moorings Village & Spa .

Mile marker: 63–40

Marathon is the island chain's top boating destination—and for good reason. The area boasts nearly 2,400 boat slips and plenty of facilities to accommodate sailors passing through. But you don't need your own boat to enjoy Marathon and its waters.

For a truly different experience, hop on over to Cruisin' Tikis and have a floating tiki bar adventure. Sunset, mangrove and harbor cruises are all available, as is a swim-stop cruise for a chance to jump into the water.

While you're here, you should also visit Pigeon Key, an island that is accessible by boat, trolley or walking the 2.2-mile Old Seven Mile Bridge. It has a museum to explore, either on a guided tour or on your own. The Bridge is open for walking, running, bicycling, rollerblading and, of course, watching the killer sunrises and sunsets.

Best beach: Sombrero Beach is one of the prettiest beaches in the Florida Keys—not to mention one of the best beaches in Florida . And it's not just popular with humans; sea turtles nest here between April and October.

Where to eat: For any meal, stop by Castaway, which has been serving guests for more than 70 years. Or make a night of it at Hide Away Café, which has an extensive wine list.

Where to stay: The Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club is set on the waterfront and gives you a taste of marina life. Lime Tree Bay Resort on Long Key has spacious townhomes for rent.

The Lower Keys

Mile marker: 40–4

After crossing the Old Seven Mile Bridge out of Marathon, you'll find yourself in the Lower Keys, where natural habitats and wildlife refuges thrive. It's no wonder this part of the Florida Keys is known as the Natural Keys. You might even want to consider taking an electric vehicle on this road trip so you don't disturb the animals.

Your best chance to spot a native Key deer, a subspecies of the Virginia white-tailed deer that somehow made its way south, may be in the National Key Deer Refuge, comprised of 9,200 acres stretching from Bahia Honda Key to Sugarloaf Key on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. More than 20 endangered and threatened plant and animal species can be found within the refuge. Take a quiet walk at dusk or dawn for your best chance to glimpse a Key deer, or join a ranger-led tour to learn more about the area.

Aside from all the eco-friendly fun, Stock Island is well worth a stop. Their maritime history goes back generations, and the marina is filled with shrimping and fishing boats. Artists have been flocking to Stock Island, too, and share their works in galleries dotted across the small island.

Best beach: The shallow, clear water and white sand at Calusa Beach make it a locals' favorite. The beach is a perfect spot for snorkeling too.

Where to eat: In addition to the freshest of seafood, Big Pine Rooster serves up ribs and a special-recipe meatloaf. Or sip like the locals at No Name Pub, located on Big Pine Key.

Where to stay: Consider the waterfront Sugarloaf Lodge , stay in an Airstream at Big Pine Key Resort  or pop a tent on one of the reserved campsites at Bahia Honda State Park.

Mile marker: 4–0

You've made it to the end! Closer to Cuba than Miami, Key West is known for its nightly sunset celebrations, party atmosphere and laissez-faire vibe, but it's really so much more.

If you're a writer or bookworm, you'll certainly want to make plans to visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, where you should keep an eye out for the famous six-toed cats. Then wander through Key West's Bahama Village, a 12-block area of historic homes and restaurants.

Consider a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico, where you'll find some hidden gems . The island, accessible by boat or seaplane, is popular for snorkeling and feeling like you're on your own private island, not to mention touring the Civil War–era fort.

Best beach: Fort Zachary Taylor Beach—or Fort Zach, as locals call it—predates the Civil War and boasts the island's very best sandy stretch.

Where to eat: No visit to Key West is complete without a meal at Blue Heaven, where you can dine with wandering roosters for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or snag a spot on the tiny balcony at Santiago's Bodega for tapas and flowing wine.

Where to stay: The boutique Gardens Hotel , the adults-only Kimpton Hotels Ridley House  or the new Capitana Key West , to name a few. Wherever you stay, you're sure to find your place in Key West, and it's likely you'll follow so many others' lead and start planning your return visit before you even leave.

Art and history in the Florida Keys

Road-tripping from Key Largo to Key West, it's easy to appreciate all the natural beauty. That said, the Keys aren't just a terrific destination for eco-travelers, but artists and history buffs too.

It's easy for artists to find inspiration throughout the Florida Keys. Fortunately for road-trippers, there are many spots to stop and admire their work. One of the largest artists' communities in the Florida Keys is Stock Island in the Lower Keys, just about three miles from the commercial area of Key West. What was once a shrimping boat marina is now a blend of fishermen and painters, sculptors and other artisans who have created an energetic and supportive community.

For history buffs, in addition to Pigeon Key in Marathon and the Civil War–era Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park, other must-stops in Key West include the Audubon House & Tropical Gardens, Harry S. Truman Little White House and the Southernmost Point in the continental United States.

Planning your Florida Keys road trip

Now that you're inspired to hit the road, it's time to start planning. After budgeting for a road trip , your next step is to decide whether you will travel south from Key Largo to Key West, or north from Key West to Key Largo. Or maybe you'll opt for a roundtrip.

If you're starting off in Key Largo, it's important to note that the Florida Keys Overseas Highway begins at the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line. So if you're flying to Florida, Miami International Airport (MIA) is the way to go. If you begin in Key West, the airport (EYW) is on the island.

If you're already driving one of the best road trip cars to get to Florida, you're all set. But if you need a loaner, choose one of the best cars to rent for a road trip . Consider packing these road trip essentials and download some of the best podcasts for road trips to make the miles fly by.

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Ready for a road trip? Take one of these 10 Instagram-worthy drives

Celebrate national road trip day with a look at the 10 most-tagged road trips on instagram, according to betway..

Expert provides tips for driving in extreme heat

Driving during the summer months poses some unique dangers to vehicles and passengers, but keeping you and others safe all comes down to preparation.

Happy National Road Trip Day! Yes, it has its own day – the Friday before the long Memorial Day weekend. To celebrate, let’s plan your next road adventure. 

Betway crunched the numbers to find the top 10 most Instagrammable road trips across the U.S. and Canada . It counted the number of hashtags for popular routes.

1. Route 66

Route 66 was the crowd favorite, racking up 2.2 million posts. The iconic American gem crosses seven states with more than 2,400 miles of asphalt. Betway recommends 3-weeks to travel from Santa Monica , California and the Pacific Ocean to Chicago's shores of Lake Michigan.

John Steinbeck called U.S. Highway 66, "the Mother Road" in his book "The Grapes of Wrath." It is also known as the "Main Street of America." For almost half a century, it was one of the country's major thoroughfares, according to the Federal Highway Administration . 

DRIVE INTO SUMMER PREPARED: 5 THINGS TO KNOW WHEN YOU HIT THE ROAD

File: "3000 Miles of Hospitality" vintage post card across Route 66. From the shores of the Great Lakes to the orange groves of California, the transcontinental highways traverse regions rich in scenic interest. New Mexico with its mesas and pueblos, its ancient cliff-dwellings and old Spanish missions. Arizona with its Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest and colorful Indian Country. 

(Rykoff Collection/CORBIS / Getty Images)

Nat King Cole can take you on an audio trip in "Get Your Kicks on Route 66." A 1960s TV show actually followed three fictional men as they spent time on 66.

The route originally connected "barren lands" in the Plains to the Midwest and the West . It linked hundreds of rural communities that hosted the farmers transporting grain and produce, according to the FHWA. By the '30s, it became a trucking route. 

Today, souvenir shops, restaurants, antique stores, old-time filling stations and various landmarks serve as the backdrop for Instagram pictures.

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File: Orange Alien on Main Street in pickup truck, Seligman on historic Route 66, Arizona.

(Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group / FOX Weather)

2. Florida Keys

If the surf, sun and sand are more your style, you are not alone. The trip from Miami to Key West garnered 2.1 million posts. The BBC has called the 120 miles of Route 1 connecting mainland Florida to the string of main islands of the Keys the "floating highway" because so much of it is over water.

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File: The Keys gets a reputation for eccentric residents and visitors. Divers participating in the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival pretend to play musical instruments underwater July 8, 2000, off the Florida Keys.

(BILL KEOUGH/AFP / Getty Images)

Britannica.com calls the Overseas Highway one of the longest over-water roads in the world. It takes you over 42 bridges, including the famed Seven Mile Bridge. The area attracts wildlife lovers, snorklers, beach bums and writers like Ernest Hemingway. A handful of lookalikes flock to Key West in July to celebrate the annual Hemingway Days.

3. Canadian Rockies

FILE: The Milky Way over glacier-fed Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier in Banff National Park, Alberta. The Scutum Starcloud is just above and setting over Victoria Glacier, accompanied by star clusters in Serpens and Ophiuchus. Some airglow tints the sky above the mountains green and magenta. 

(Alan Dyer/VW Pics/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)

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The Canadian Rockies cover several routes to choose from that twist through icy granite peaks and crystal clear lakes. A favorite on many travel sites is Icefields Parkway, which RoadsLessTraveled.us calls the "quintessential Canadian Rockies Scenic Drive." The drive is so popular that it ranked No. 7 on this list as well.

Drive along the 150 miles of "Canada's most dramatic Rocky Mountain scenery," the site continued. It even calls the road that twists past Lake Louise in Banff, one of the world's top scenic drives.

4. Blue Ridge Parkway

File: At certain times of day the mountains do look blue. This is Brevard, North Carolina near Asheville. 

(Education Images/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)

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The National Park Service calls the Blue Ridge Parkway, "America's Favorite Drive."

"A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other: a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands," wrote the NPS. "The Parkway meanders for 469 miles, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special."

It connects Shenandoah National Park near Waynesboro, Virginia, with Great Smokey Mountains National Park near Cherokee , North Carolina.

5. Acadia National Park Loop

File: Rolling cloud cover sweeps over the top of Bar Island as seen from the summit of Cadillac Mountain Tuesday, June 28, 2016. 

( Gabe Souza/Portland Portland Press Herald / Getty Images)

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The 27-mile loop winds through forests, mountains, lakes and shorelines in Acadia National Park . In the summer , there is even a shuttle which you can hop off and on to explore picnic areas, scenic overlooks and trails. Fall is also a popular time to visit as the park glows with fall foliage colors.

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Memorial Day road trip ahead. Here are the best and worst times to go in Florida, the Southeast

Memorial Day is rapidly approaching, which means millions will be hitting the roadways or skies for a quick weekend getaway.

AAA projects 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Memorial Day holiday travel period. This is a 4% increase over last year, with experts noting this comes close to matching 2005’s record of 44 million Memorial Day travelers. 

“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel, said. “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”  

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Memorial Day is always observed on the last Monday of May, with this year's being on Monday, May 27. Memorial Day weekend starts on Friday, May 24, and lasts through the holiday until Monday.

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Which will be more congested for Memorial Day travel — roadways or airports?

According to AAA, road trips are expected to set a record with 38.4 million people projected to travel by car over Memorial Day weekend. Drivers can expect similar gas prices as last year when the national average was roughly $3.57.

Renting a car for your road trip? Florida-based rental company  Hertz  says Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston and Las Vegas are the cities displaying the highest rental demand, with the busiest pick-up days projected to be Thursday, May 23 and Friday, May 24. 

But airports are also bracing for a large surge of travelers next weekend.

Is Memorial Day a busy airport day?

AAA expects 3.51 million air travelers this holiday weekend, an increase of 4.8% over last year and 9% jump compared to 2019.

"This will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005, when 3.64 million flew for the holiday as the travel industry finally rebounded post 9/11," AAA said in its press release.

As for other modes of transportation, AAA predicts nearly two million people are expected to travel by buses, cruises, and train.

“This category took the biggest hit during the pandemic with fewer people taking public transportation or not cruising at all,” Twidale said. “Now – five years later – we’re back to 2019 numbers. Travel demand has been soaring, and long holiday weekends create the perfect windows for getaways.” 

When are the best and worst times to travel on Memorial Day?

For those planning a road trip for the holiday weekend, transportation data and insights provider INRIX offers the best times to get on the road.

Experts advise drivers leaving Thursday or Friday should hit the road early to avoid mixing with commuters. Travelers going back home on Sunday or Monday should avoid the afternoon hours when return trips will peak.  

“Travel times are expected to be up to 90% longer than normal. Travelers should stay up to date on traffic apps, 511 services, and local news stations to avoid sitting in traffic longer than necessary,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said.

What are the busiest travel days around Memorial Day?

Thursday, may 23.

• Best times: Before 11 a.m., After 7 p.m.
• Worst Times: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Friday, May 24

• Best times: Before 11 a.m., After 8 p.m.
• Worst Times: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 25

• Best times: Before 11 a.m., After 6 p.m.
• Worst Times: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, May 26

• Best times: Before 1 p.m.
• Worst Times: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Monday, May 27

• Best times: After 7 p.m.

Floridians beware: Other states are heading to Florida to vacation

Whether Florida residents plan on traveling or relaxing at home all weekend, they might want to be aware of the thousands of others joining them.

AAA compiled a list of the top domestic travel destinations for Memorial Day weekend, with three Florida cities making the list:

• Orlando, Florida
• Seattle, Washington
• New York City, New York
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Anaheim/Los Angeles, California
• Denver, Colorado
• Anchorage, Alaska
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Miami, Florida
• Boston, Massachusetts

"This Memorial Day weekend, travelers are seeking theme parks and entertainment venues in Orlando, New York, Las Vegas, and Southern California. Seattle, Anchorage, and Vancouver rank high because of the popularity of Alaska cruises this time of year. Florida beaches and cruise ports will also be packed," AAA writes.

Two Egg and Spuds: Florida cities named for food and why

When embarking on a road trip, you're bound to get a little hungry on the drive. But it doesn't help when the places you pass by make your stomach growl a bit louder.

While the names of some Florida cities and towns can be weird and wacky (I mean, we have Yeehaw Junction, Howey-in-the-Hills and Dildo Key ), some can also be downright delicious.

Here are some delectable detours you can make across the state for those with an acquired taste for adventure:

From Christmas to Couch? Names of these Florida towns don't sound real ... but they are

Cocoa, Brevard County : This city was founded by fishermen very early in Florida's history, according to its website . Past reports detail different accounts of the town's naming, with one credited Captain R.C. May with the choosing of the name Cocoa at a town meeting in 1884 due to its association with the cocoa plant. Another suggests old woman received inspiration from a box of Baker's Cocoa and her suggestion was adopted.

Land O Lakes, Pasco County: Located in just 20 miles north of downtown Tampa, Land O Lakes is a census-designated place. According to  Fivay.org , the origins of the name are still unknown. Some claim the name resulted from a 1949 contest where the butter company’s name was selected. Others say it originated during an civic association meeting where a woman stood up and said there were “about 2,000 people and about 2,000 lakes.”

Mango, Hillsborough County: Mango is a small town tucked away on the west coast of the state. Two main legends exist as to the origin of its name, Tampa Bay officials claim. One claims that a Native American riding Henry Plant’s train wanted to get off in Mango. Supposedly at that time it had no name or train depot, so conductor slowed the train down and yelled “Man go!” The other states that Mango received its name from a mango grove located on a hill in the area, which disappeared in the late 1800s.

Mayo, Lafayette County : The town is named after James Mayo, a colonel in charge of the Confederate Army who delivered such an impressive speech one Fourth of July that the settlers there named their community after him. Tasty side note: Slate reported on the history of the condiment mayonnaise and said the European-invented concoction made its way to the states more than 20 years before the Civil War.

Picnic , Hillsborough County: Originally called Hurrah, Florida Memory shared that Picnic got its name from the local habit of having picnics and fish fries on the flat land lying at the convergence of Hurrah Creek and the Alafia River.

Spuds, St. Johns County:  Spuds was once called Holy Branch, according to  Florida Memory , but after a railroad line opened up between East Palatka and St, Augustine truck farming became a major industry in the area along with the timber and turpentine industries and potato farming was huge. One farmer suggested renaming the town to reflect the town's prosperous crop. Not much is left now but farms.

Tangerine, Orange County: Originally named Olaville after Lake Ola until 1879, Orange County officials said the name was changed to Tangerine after a tangerine tree grew in the yard of Bessie Heustis, poet Dudley Adams' sister-in-law. 

Two Egg, Jackson County: Near the Georgia border, about 70 miles northwest of Tallahassee. It used to be called Allison when it was a sawmill town in the 1880s. The origin of the name has been lost, but  one persistent suggestion  is that during the Great Depression, people used to pay for things with eggs at the local store.  Resident Nell King told Charlie Carlson  of the book "Weird Florida" that there was a theory that someone once dropped two eggs in the road. All the locals know is that people keep stealing the sign.

From Oranges to Whiskey: Here's 15 honorable mentions for food-related cities in Florida

• Coconut Creek
• Fruit Cove, Fruitland Park, Fruitville
• Lemon Grove
• Naranja: Spanish for orange
• Orange City, Orange Park, Port Orange
• Citrus Hills, Citrus Park, Citrus Spring
• Whiskey Creek

Test your Florida place name knowledge in this quiz:

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How to Avoid Traffic and Crowds While Traveling This Memorial Day Weekend

By Jessica Puckett

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Memorial Day officially kicks off the summer travel season here in the US, and millions of travelers plan relaxing long weekends around it. But in order to get to a sunny beach or serene national park to unwind, you'll likely have to contend with stressful crowds and traffic—unless you time your great escape exactly right.

No matter what type of transportation you choose, Memorial Day traffic will be inevitable this year. According to AAA data, nearly 44 million Americans will be traveling over the holiday stretch from Thursday, May 23 to Monday, May 27. That’s the second highest number AAA has seen since it began tracking Memorial Day data in 2000.

“We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement.

Fortunately, there are a few simple steps travelers can take to avoid the worst of the hubbub, whether on the interstate, at the airport, or a train station. Being smart about when to depart and return can make a huge difference in terms of traffic—and smoothing out other logistics.

Here’s a guide to the best and worst times to travel over Memorial Day Weekend , broken down by mode of transport.

According to AAA’s projections, the majority of travelers will be hitting the open road this Memorial Day : More than 87% of travelers—a whopping 38.4 million people—are planning to take a road trip over the weekend. That’s the highest number of Memorial Day drivers AAA has ever seen, meaning planning ahead will be more important than ever.

In general, it’s a good idea to get an early start when driving on Thursday and Friday. On those days, the best car travel times will be before 11 a.m., according to AAA’s report, which used traffic data from Inrix. After 7 p.m. on Thursday or 8 p.m. on Friday will also see lower traffic numbers. The worst times to be on the road on Thursday and Friday will be from about noon to 7 p.m. (all local time).

When returning home on Sunday or Monday, you’ll want to avoid driving between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., as those times are projected to be the most congested on the road. Instead, aim to depart before 1 p.m. on Sunday or after 7 p.m. on Monday when the number of cars on the road will be significantly lower.

AAA and Inrix also mapped out the peak Memorial Day traffic periods throughout the weekend for 16 major cities across the US. If you’re driving to or from a major metropolis, it’s worth checking out the table for the worst traffic time for your destination. For example, if you plan to drive to Tampa, Florida, at 9 a.m. on Sunday (forecasted to be the city's peak congestion time) on Interstate 75 south, you can expect your journey to be 88% longer than normal. “Travel times are expected to be up to 90% longer than normal,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at Inrix, said in the AAA release. “Travelers should stay up to date on traffic apps, 511 services, and local news stations to avoid sitting in traffic longer than necessary.”

If you’re renting a car , prepare for long wait times at the rental lots, especially in popular vacation destinations like Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston, and Las Vegas, which are showing the highest rental demand, according to car rental company Hertz. The busiest pickup days will be Thursday May 23 and Friday May 24. Before setting out on your trip, check with your car rental company to see if they offer an expedited pickup option. Companies usually offer express checkout or fast lane options for members of their loyalty programs, which are usually free to join. You could also consider alternative car rental companies like Turo and Kyte, which offer up private drivers’ personal cars through an app. These options can be cheaper and will help you sidestep hectic rental lots altogether.

Train journeys

AAA predicts that an additional 1.9 million travelers will take other modes of transport this Memorial Day, including buses , cruises , and trains .

Summer is one of the most popular times of year for travelers to book trips on Amtrak , with the holiday weekends being especially busy. Although data from Amtrak on which routes and departure times would be busiest wasn’t immediately available, it’s safe to assume that the busiest travel times will be close to the general guidelines for road travel. With that said, prepare for packed trains on Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to about 8 p.m., and for crowds on board to peak on Sunday and Monday later in the day, from about 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

If your train offers business class, you might consider upgrading your seat. Not only does the premium car allow more leg room and complimentary drinks, but you also get a seat assignment in advance, allowing you to bypass the scramble for a spot after boarding.

If you're traveling by Amtrak train over the long weekend, consider upgrading to business class so you can nab a favorable seat assignment.

AAA says that more than 3.5 million air travelers will take to the skies this holiday weekend, an increase of 4.8% over last year.

By Olivia Morelli

By Kyler Alvord

By Abbe Baker

By Hannah Towey

Friday, May 24 will be the peak travel day at US airports with 26,265 flights scheduled to take off across the country, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. TSA forecasts show Friday will also be the busiest day at airport security checkpoints, with the agency anticipating to screen nearly 3 million passengers that day alone.

All this means you’ll want to follow the standard advice of arriving at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight (and three hours for international ones), especially if you’re returning a rental car, checking bags, and/or don’t have a membership to and expedited security service like TSA PreCheck or Clear.

If possible, it's always smart to try and get on the first flight of the day, says Hopper’s Memorial Day report . “In general, flights departing after 9 a.m. are two times more likely to be delayed than departures scheduled between 5-8 a.m.,” the report says. “To avoid travel disruption, fly as early in the morning as possible.”

Here’s a look at the 10 US airports that will be the busiest over the long weekend, and the busiest travel times at each one, according to Hopper’s predictions.

• Atlanta ATL: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Dallas DFW: Busiest time to depart: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Denver DEN: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Chicago O'Hare ORD: Busiest time to depart: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Los Angeles LAX: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• New York City JFK: Busiest time to depart: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Charlotte CLT: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Las Vegas LAS: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Orlando MCO: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Seattle SEA: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

There are a few things you can do to make sure the airport security screening goes as smoothly as possible. If you’re enrolled in a trusted traveler program like TSA PreCheck, make sure your known traveler number (KTN)—a unique ID sequence of letters and numbers—is on your boarding pass. Without it, you won’t be granted access to the PreCheck lane. You can add your KTN to your reservation during the booking process, or after you purchase your tickets by calling the airline. You can also ask an airline agent to do this at the ticketing desk in the airport, but expect long lines.

Currently, 20 domestic airports allow travelers to schedule a free fast-track through the regular security line by reserving a time slot online. The shortcut, called Reserve by Clear, is completely free of charge and essentially allots fliers a set appointment time so they can breeze through security.

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