Florida is big, not like Lone star state, Texas big, but big enough that the Sunshine State has the largest cattle industry in the US. Truth be told, even after looking at a map of Florida, that fact can be hard to believe. This is especially so since, as America's favorite winter vacation, Florida is more commonly known for its picture-perfect beaches, crazy good Cuban food, and abundance of sunshine.
That said, Florida is 447 miles long, so there's certainly more than just those three things to its name. Like gorgeous national parks and springs offering close-up moments with Florida's wildlife (like gators, manatees, and even dolphins!) and historical and scientific points of interest - Cape Canaveral, anyone?
From the panhandle (that's the Northern part) to the Keys (the southernmost part), to cattle country in between, here are 10 epic road trips that will give travelers a tour of the real Florida - which is much more than just beaches. Although, to be fair, Florida does have 825 miles of coastline, so there is still a lot of beaches.
Pensacola To Tallahassee
Let’s start in the north with the Florida panhandle. This epic road trip takes travelers along Florida's glittering "Emerald Coast" (the name given to the waters along the Gulf of Mexico) via Destin and the 'Big Bend Scenic Byway Coastal Trail.' Starting in Pensacola, a city famous for being the first settlement in the US, this route stays on the coast for most of the 5-hour journey, but that doesn't mean the only thing to see is the beach (even if there is still a considerable amount of beach between Destin and Panama City Beach).
Renowned for its glorious natural beauty, St. Andrews State Park is the perfect place to stretch those legs, with sandy white beaches and pine trees nestled together along 1 mile of the coast. One might even get lucky and see some dolphins. If not, there's always the next stop of Panama City Beach, which has "one of the highest concentrations of bottlenose dolphins in the world." It's also a great place to get activate those tastebuds with plenty of Creole-style seafood dishes.
Route: Pensacola → Destin → St. Andrews State Park → Panama City Beach → Apalachicola → Tallahassee
Time: 6 hours approx.
The Manatee Road Trip (Part 1)
Though the national animal for Florida is the Florida panther, the manatee is still an icon of the Sunshine state. As such, there are many places dedicated to catching a glimpse or even in some cases, a swim with the lovable sea cow. There are so many, in fact, that it's been split into two epic Florida road trips: Part 1 and Part 2.
Part 1 takes place along the Gulf Coast and winds its way down from Wakulla Springs in the North to Tampa in the South of Florida. Home to one of the deepest freshwater springs in the world, manatees in Wakulla Springs lives side by side with alligators. This is also the case in Fanning Springs State Park and Spring Bayou.
The last stop is a completely different environment as it's based right by the Tampa Electric Power Company. Manatees love warm water, and the electric plant releases this as a discharge into the nearby canal. As a result, the Manatee Viewing Center in Tampa was formed. It's a great place to see manatees, and it is absolutely free!
Route: Wakulla Springs → Fanning Springs State Park → Spring Bayou (Tarpon Springs) → Manatee Viewing Center (Tampa)
Time: 5 hours approx.
There are so many manatees in Spring Bayou that the park has even set up a Manatee WebCam. Check it out and see if any sea cows are saying hi!
The Manatee Road Trip (Part 2)
Part 2 of the Florida manatee road trip takes place on Florida's Atlantic coast and boasts 4 stops along the way. The route starts in Blue Spring State Park, where hundreds of manatees usually gather in the winter and can be seen clearly in the water along the boardwalk. Get more up close and personal with the second stop at Haulover Canal Kayak Launch near Merritt Island, and opt for a kayak alongside the manatees.
For those more inclined to observe at a distance and learn more about these adorable mammals, the last two stops provide excellent educational resources and viewing points. The Manatee Observation and Education Center in Fort Pierce is just the place to learn more about how to protect these "mermaids" (manatees really used to be mistaken for mermaids), while Florida Power's Manatee Lagoon (like Tampa's Electric Plant) is a popular gathering place in the winter months.
Route: Blue Spring State Park → Haulover Canal Kayak Launch → Manatee Observation and Education Center → Manatee Lagoon (West Palm Beach)
Time: 4 hours 30 mins approx.
Really into sea creatures? Make a quick stop in Jupiter at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center for Loggerhead sea turtles before heading down to Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach.
The Florida Springs Road Trip
Ah, Spring(s)! Florida is full of them. With 6 stops on this spring road trip, travelers will be feeling well and truly one with nature. From swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and snorkeling to of course, walking and admiring the nearby scenery, these springs are the perfect places to relax and bask in Florida's lush and luscious natural beauty. As previously noted, Blue Spring National Park also has a manatee viewing area, do wildlife definitely comes into play with these springs too!
Silver Glen Springs and Devil’s Den (Prehistoric) Spring also have fabulous clear-water diving areas, though Devil's Den, in particular, is a spring within a cave.
Route: Ichetucknee Springs → Ginnie Spring → High Springs → Devil's Den Spring → Blue Springs → Silver Glen Springs
Time: 4 hours approx.
Since the first stop is, for lack of a better phrase, kind of in the middle of nowhere, travelers may want to begin their 'Spring Break' - get it? - in Tallahassee, making the entire route a nearly 6-hour journey. The journey could also end with a dip at one of the many waterparks in Orlando, just 20 minutes away from Silver Glen Springs.
Miami To The Naples (Via The Tamiami Trail)
One of Florida's most popular national parks is the Everglades. Taking up a considerable chunk of South Florida- estimates put it at 41,200 football fields worth of space - the Everglades are home to an abundance of wildlife, but perhaps their most famous resident is the alligator.
This road trip takes travelers right through Everglades National Park via the Tamiami Trail, from Miami all the way north to Naples. Opened in 1928, this extensive road was the first of its kind that cut through the swampland, and connected the east to the west coast of South Florida. The trail itself begins in the trendy Miami neighborhood of Brickell and passes through Little Havana - the Cuban district of Miami - before heading out onto the open road.
Though the trail itself is renowned for its beauty, travelers can make extra pit stops along the way for shopping (Miccosukee Indian Village and the Smallwood Store) and adventure (airboat tours of the Everglades) along the trail. Shark Valley is also a great stop to see alligators and offers a walking, cycling, and/or shuttle bus-ing path to get fully immersed in the wildlife. While a little bit of a detour from the trail, Big Cypress National Preserve is another perfect spot to catch some alligator sightings and stretch those legs.
Route: Miami → Miccosukee Indian Village → Big Cypress National Preserve → Shark Valley Visitor Center → Smallwood Store → Naples
Time: 5 hours 30 mins approx.
Travelers to Everglades National Park are recommended to check their website for information first, as it is not unusual for some trails to be under construction.
Amelia Island To Tampa
Just north of Jacksonville is Amelia Island, which boasts 13 miles of "uncrowded beaches," or so their tourism website says. A perfect tranquil beginning to this route, Amelia Island is the starting point for this road trip that centers on Ocala and Tampa.
Crossing through the small city of Palatka, which perches on several wildlife management areas, this epic Florida road trip takes the traveler down to Ocala National Forest. Home to more than 600 lakes and manatees, plus a nice long road running right in the middle, this leg of the journey provides a great pit stop for those wanting a bit of fresh air. Alternatively, keep on driving all the way to Tampa.
Route: Amelia Island → Jacksonville → Ocala National Forest → Tampa
Time: 4 hours approx.
Go even further to Clearwater or St. Pete's Beach in St. Petersburg (largely considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the US) to wade in the sea.
St. Augustine To Sebring
Though this road trip starts in the picturesque St. Augustine - the oldest city in the US - it is more suited for those wanting to merge speed and nature, even if, admittedly, these two don't normally mix. Already awash in history and activities to do, St. Augustine is fairly well known for its castles and beaches. Sebring, on the other hand, hasn't had its time yet in the limelight, which is a shame because the area is well worth visiting.
Enjoy moments with the Atlantic coast in Daytona Beach before heading inland to Orlando, where travelers can make a cheeky stop at Disney World before Sebring. Once there, travelers are recommended to hit the trails at Highlands Hammock State Park, home to the Florida panther and the Florida black bear, before making their way to Sebring International Raceway to catch a glimpse of NASCAR.
Route: St. Augustine → Daytona Beach → Orlando → Sebring
Time: 3 hours 30 mins approx.
Gainesville To Cocoa Beach
Home to the University of Florida Gators, Gainesville is a metropolitan hub in north central Florida. It's also the starting point for this historical trail that heads through cattle-country Ocala, rollercoaster-riding Orlando, and roaring-rocket Merritt Island, all the way to cooling Cocoa Beach.
While the road is pretty straightforward, travelers are encouraged to make more frequent stops towards the last leg of the journey, when the road begins crossing through the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area. A relaxing place to try one's hand at fishing or simply take a walk in the fresh air under the tree cover, this massive expanse of forest and lakes is the perfect detour.
But it gets better because not long after, travelers will enter rocket country. Informally known as Florida's Space Coast, Merritt Island is home to the Kennedy Space Center, is actually owned by NASA, and is one of the best spots to watch a rocket launch.is actually owned by NASA.
Route: Gainesville → Merritt Island → Orlando → Cocoa Beach
Time: 3 hours approx.
Jacksonville To Palm Beach
This is the Florida Atlantic coast road trip to end all road trips. Starting in northern Florida with Jacksonville, this route follows the coast all the way down to the luxurious and wealthy Palm Beach, traveling through all the coastal cities along the way. Notable city stops include St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Vero Beach, and Port St. Lucie.
There are also plenty of detours along the way to keep the photographers in the car happy. Anastasia State Park, just by St. Augustine, lines the coast and is home to a variety of different birds, including ospreys and eagles. Want more beach? There's plenty of it in all the big cities, but for a more sophisticated Florida vibe, travelers will have to wait until Palm Beach. With its top-notch (and top-dollar) homes, yachts, and beach, the final destination of Palm Beach is well worth the drive down.
Route: Jacksonville → St. Augustine → Vero Beach → Port St. Lucie → Palm Beach
Time: 4 hours 30 mins approx.
For extra adventures, the Manatee Road Trip Part 2 could be incorporated into this Jacksonville to Palm Beach route.
West Palm Beach To Key West
As Florida road trips go, driving from West Palm Beach to Key West is fairly short. Clocking in at just over 4 hours, this road trip (henceforth called the hunt for the best Key Lime Pie) takes travelers all the way down the east coast of Florida, from downtown West Palm Beach through the metropolis of Miami, to the Florida Keys. Keys because there are 5 to get through before reaching Key West: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, and Key West.
This epic road trip covers all the best bits of South Florida and can be driven right alongside the Atlantic Ocean up until Miami (including Miami Beach!) or directly through the inner cities until hitting the 'Overseas Highway' to Key West. It's a straight shot, with nothing surrounding the daring traveler but the ocean (for several points along the way).
Though pit stops in the cities depend on individual preference, there are a few compulsory stops along the Overseas Highway to Key West, namely for each of the keys as there is much to see and do in Key Largo and co. There's also a lot to see in Key West, but travelers will have to cross the Seven Mile Bridge first before reaching The Conch Republic (Key West), and it could take time to fully bask in the spectacular views surrounding the highway. Still, the only way to go is forward, and by that point, there's only an hour left before the final destination: Key West.
Route: West Palm Beach → Boca Raton → Miami → Key Largo → Islamorada → Marathon → Big Pine Key → Key West
Time: 4 hours approx.
Extend the road trip a little further with a drive through The Everglades before getting on the Overseas Highway. Once at the final destination, travelers are also recommended to go the extra distance with a ferry to the Dry Tortugas National Park, just 70 miles off the coast of Key West.
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10 Epic Road Trips To Take Through Florida
Story by Chloe Fang
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