The stunning city of Miami nestles in Miami-Dade County. It brags a marvelous cityscape where skyscraping buildings dominate proudly in the busy skies. Aside from being a cultural hub, this upscale metropolis is also the heart of economics and finance of South Florida. It houses fascinating museums, exciting recreational areas, high-end businesses, exquisite restaurants, and more. Additionally, it is famed for its spectacular sandy beaches that captivate tourists from all over the US. When you visit Miami, choose among the top Airbnb vacation rentals and kosher hotels as your accommodation. After a short satisfying vacation in the city, you might want to take the adventure elsewhere. For your guidance, here is a list of the best road trips from Miami, Florida.
1. Hilton Head Island, SC
Going on a road trip isn’t just about getting to your destination; the drive itself is part of the journey and must be appreciated just as much. If you’re looking for a destination with a scenic drive throughout, Hilton Head Island is a top contender. With a distance of 518 mi (833 km) from Miami, the travel time will be around 7 hours and 45 minutes. You’ll be driving along the Atlantic coast of Florida and Georgia, passing through places like Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, and Savannah, before you finally arrive on the island. Some of the things you can enjoy in the area are, of course, the endless beaches and world-class golf courses.
2. Naples, FL
Let’s face it, some of us just don’t have the luxury of being on the road for too long. Sometimes, we just want a quick vacation before going back to our busy lives. If short road trips from Miami are what you’re looking for, Naples in Florida should be included on your list. The drive doesn’t take more than 2 hours, with the distance being only 127 mi (204 km). Naples is known for its 10-mi (16 km) pristine shore along the Gulf of Mexico. The best attractions to visit in the city are the Naples Fishing Pier, Vanderbilt Beach, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park.
3. Jackson, MS
If you’ve always dreamed of driving up to Mississippi, consider visiting the capital city of Jackson. The distance between the cities is a whopping 910 mi (1,464 km) and the travel time is about 14 hours. You can make stops at Tallahassee, Pensacola, and Hattiesburg. Jackson is home to quite a lot of museums and historical places like the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Mississippi Governor’s Mansion, and The Oaks House Museum.
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4. Mobile, AL
While the travel time to Mobile, Alabama, takes an estimated 11 hours, it is one of the best road trip destinations coming from Miami. It is a port city on the state’s Gulf coast and houses the World War II USS Alabama battleship at Battleship Memorial Park. The oldest celebrations of Mardi Gras and Carnival are said to have transpired in Mobile. When you visit this vibrant city, see to it that you experience the wonders of attractions like Oakleigh Historic Complex, Mobile Carnival Museum, and Bragg-Mitchell Mansion.
5. Key West, FL
There’s no arguing that one of the best places to visit in Florida (and in all of the US, even) is Key West, especially if you’re all about the ocean! With just 157 mi (252 km) between Miami and Key West, your scenic road trip will take just a little over 3 hours. It sure is going to be one of the most beautiful drives of your life, passing through the towns of Florida Keys. The Historic District is a place you should visit when driving to Key West, with attractions like Duval Street, Mallory Square, and Fort Zachary Taylor. Come down to Key West if a much-needed vacation to the beach is what you’ve been craving!
6. Atlanta, GA
After a few days of a satisfying vacation in Miami, move the escapade with your loved ones to Atlanta. If you like going on road trips with your family, a romantic partner, friends, and even solo, Atlanta may seem like a fantastic road trip destination. The journey from Atlanta will only take you 9 hours of travel and cover 664 mi (1068 km) of land. If you find this long and tiring for you, you can stop by Charleston for some rest. Atlanta will surely charm you with its rich history and modern upscale attractions.
7. Myrtle Beach, SC
If you can’t get enough of the sea, travel all the way to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina from Miami. A road trip to this stunning city will only take 11 hours of scenic travel. You will pass through Atlanta, and there you can go on a wonderful side trip, rest, and even try local restaurants. Myrtle Beach will take your breathe away with its gorgeous shores, wonderful amusement parks, seafood restaurants, and lots of other offerings. Plus, it is also an ideal hideaway destination for boys (or girls) who are into world-class golfing.
8. Montgomery, AL
Just like Myrtle Beach, a road trip from Miami to Montgomery will take 11 hours as it covers a distance of 689 mi (1108 km), but the long ride will be worth it when you get to this captivating city and indulge in its delightful offerings. It boasts a fascinating history, as it played a big part in the Civil Rights Movement. Here, you’ll find lots of remarkable antebellum mansions, 18th-century Alabama State Capitol, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, and many others. Also, your family will surely have the time of their life at Montgomery Zoo & Mann Wildlife Learning Museum.
9. New Orleans, LA
Billing itself as the city that never sleeps, New Orleans is a breathtaking city that has a rich cultural heritage. If you have extra time after your long vacation in Miami, drive straight to New Orleans. This city is known as the Big Easy and has been featured in numerous Hollywood films through time. New Orleans is the ultimate destination for party-goers as the city lights up with festive spirits, and here is where the enchanting Mardi Gras festival happens yearly. A road trip from Miami to New Orlean might be lengthy as it takes 12 hours of travel. However, you can take rest in the stunning cities of Jacksonville or Tampa, as they are in the middle of the journey.
10. Knoxville, TN
If you’ve already been to the first four road trip destinations, and you want to go to a place that you have never been to, you might consider an exciting escapade to Knoxville. Set on the Tennessee River, Knoxville will charm you with its dramatic cityscape, high-end offerings, an abundance of recreational areas, and interesting history to tell. If you are a history buff, be sure to explore Museum of East Tennessee History, and discover Civil War stories, witness regional art, and browse through textile displays. From Miami to Knoxville, expect a lengthy 877 mi (1411 km) road trip.
11. Virginia Beach, VA
Been itching to spend a much-deserved vacation in Southeastern Virginia and make lasting memories with your loved ones? Virginia Beach is one of the most gorgeous and picturesque destinations in the US. In this city, the vast Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay converge, providing locals and tourists with a wonderful swimming and watersports sight. Because of Virginia Beach’s geographical location, this city is also a paradise of sumptuous seafood. If you’re traveling with family, make sure to take them to Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, and watch as the kids’ eyes glow with so much joy. From Miami to Virginia Beach, you’ll be driving a 14-hour journey. You can stop in South Carolina or Georgia for a few hours of sleep.
12. Charleston, SC
Considered the largest of the cities in North Carolina, Charleston is an old charming port city that will give you so much pre-colonial vibes. The city is accentuated by cobble-stone streets, and these streets are most of the time graced by horse-drawn carriages. Also, a road trip in Charleston will take you through a trip down the past as you will see picturesque antebellum houses that are colored in pastel aesthetics. You can also spend some lovely time at Battery Promenade, and enjoy the best views of the oceans from there. From Miami, a trip to Charleston will take 859 mi (1382 km) of driving.
13. Charlotte, NC
A big densely populated city that has so much to offer, Charlotte is another fantastic road trip destination. It has a thriving economy, and its modern uptown district is a testament to that. When you explore the uptown area, you’ll find a version of Los Angeles’ Hollywood Walk of Fame - the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Instead of stars, the NASCAR Hall of Fame celebrates iconic auto racers with the fascinating museum exhibits, old photographs, films, and memorabilia. Enjoy a 10-hour ride to Charlotte from Miami and pass through the beautiful state of Georgia.
14. Columbus, GA
Need more road trip suggestions? Why not check out what western Georgia has to offer? Explore the charming city of Columbus and learn more about the war era of America. Perfect for history buffs, Columbus holds so many historical tales to tell. Did you know that Columbus was where the Civil War’s final battle took place? Dig deeper and learn interesting facts as you visit The National Infantry Museum, The Columbus Museum, and The National Civil War Museum. If you are heading to Charleston, Columbus is a fantastic stopover along the way. It’ll only take you 9 hours and a total of 609 mi (980km) drive.
15. Nashville, TN
Officially the stunning state of Tennesee’s Capital, Nashville is where the remarkable Vanderbilt University nestles. It is known for its delightful country music heritage, and a number of lovely museums, music venues, and themed-bars in the city is a testament to that. Spend a wonderful time at the Grand Ole Opry House and check out Country Music Hall of Fame while on a road trip to Nashville. Plus, if you are a big fan of the iconic country singer, Johnny Cash, you’ll fall in love with Nashville even more as it has The Johnny Cash Museum & Cafe that revolves solely on the actor’s life, fame, and success. If you plan to go to Nashville from Miami, expect a rather long road trip of 13 hours, spanning 913 mi (1469 km) of driving.
Enjoy a fun-filled road trip with your loved ones
Miami is a captivating city that will charm you with its upscale attractions, vibrant art scene, and exquisite dining options. It is a modern metropolis peppered with towering buildings and a multitude of city lights flickering from every corner of the city. It also boasts a number of beautiful beaches and romantic places. When you’re done exploring this side of Florida, take the adventure elsewhere for an experience of a lifetime. Use this list of road trip ideas from Miami as your guide in planning a travel itinerary.
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