Hit the gas pedal and leave the bustling Miami behind. You don’t need to drive far to find a gorgeous place to stop; the tropical South Florida caters to beach lovers and nature buffs alike. But if you rather mount a major expedition, consider the idea of taking an out-of-state road trip from Miami.
We can exist thanks to compensation from advertising including affiliate links. Learn more ›
1. Florida Keys, FL
- Driving distance: 67+ mi / 108+ km
- Driving time: 1.5+ h
To the south of Miami, the laid-back Florida Keys encompasses more islands than you can count. For the full experience, embark on an iconic Miami to Key West road trip, offering many fun stops along the way.
It’s just 67 miles (108 km) from Miami to Key Largo, the gateway to the Florida Keys chain. From Key Largo, leisurely continue from one beautiful key to another on the Overseas Highway all the way down to Key West.
At road’s end, Key West shows why it’s called the capital of quirkiness. Here, explore the Ernest Hemingway Home, climb Key West Lighthouse and enjoy the uncensored atmosphere of the island’s main drag, Duval Street.
Where to stay
No matter if you prefer quiet or lively, there are charming places to stay in Florida Keys. With the best Key West Old Town hotels comes walking distance to most of the island’s attractions.
- Islander Resort – Oceanfront in Islamorada.
- Almond Tree Inn – In Old Town of Key West.
Heading south? See our ultimate guide to Florida Keys.
2. Everglades City, FL
- Driving distance: 84 mi / 135 km
- Driving time: 1.5 h
Where Miami ends, the Everglades begins. From the dinosaur-like alligators to a unique mode of transportation (airboats feel as eccentric as they are loud), the reasons to visit Everglades are many.
A vast space of wild nature, Everglades National Park has five visitor centers making up informative vantage points for visitors. The closest from Miami is Shark Valley Visitor Center, reachable within an hour’s drive.
Across the park, at the park’s western border, Everglades City craves for your attention too. In the gateway town, you find the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, airboat operators and a low-key yet appreciated old Florida swamp ambience.
Where to stay
Everglades City boasts unique places to stay at Everglades National Park; you can make this road trip from Miami even more special with unique waterfront accommodation.
- River Wilderness Waterfront Cabins – Waterfront lodging.
- Everglades Adventures Hotel Suites – A modern option.
3. Naples, FL
- Driving distance: 112 mi / 180 km
- Driving time: 2 h
Want a dreamy beach within easy reach of Miami? Naples, a 2-hour drive from Miami, have you covered.
Unfurl a towel on the sugar-white Naples Beach, fringed by swaying palm trees. Then stroll the historic Naples Pier, often frequented by playful dolphins and extending 1,000 feet (305 m) into the Mexican Gulf.
Completing the experience, exclusive shops and renowned restaurants are available a stone’s throw away on the well-polished Fifth Avenue South. Just beware: It’s terrifyingly easy to break the bank here.
Where to stay
Bed down in the Old Naples area for effortless access to the sought-after Naples Pier and Fifth Avenue South.
- Cove Inn on Naples Bay – Pretty marina views.
- Hotel Escalante – Naples luxury.
4. Sanibel Island, FL
- Driving distance: 168 mi / 270 km
- Driving time: 3 h
Head over to the Gulf coast’s Sanibel Island for a dramatic change of scenery. Picture a place without towering high rises, blinding street lights or rowdy nightclubs — all features characterizing Miami.
The best things to do on Sanibel Island are all about getting back to basics. Discover the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, frequented by more than 200 bird species, by foot or bike. Alternatively, just lounge on one of the many tranquil Sanibel Island beaches.
Holding a unique drawcard, Sanibel Island is known as the world’s shelling capital. Comb its shoreline for that quintessential (and free) Sanibel Island souvenir.
Where to stay
Civilization and nature intersect beautifully on Sanibel Island, providing places to stay with all those modern-day amenities.
- Island Inn – Central and peaceful.
- West Wind Inn – Tranquility abound.
Island bound? Browse more stunning Florida islands.
5. Orlando, FL
- Driving distance: 235 mi / 378 km
- Driving time: 3.5 h
Visitors flock to the world’s undisputed theme park capital, Orlando, for heartwarming encounters with favorite characters and jaw-dropping rides. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are so big that it’s hard to imagine; just Disney World, with its over 25,000 acres, is about the same as San Francisco.
While the opportunities for fun never seem to end in Orlando, fit in a stop at Cape Canaveral’s Kennedy Space Center for a unique educational dimension. Experience the thrill of the Apollo era (again or for the first time), marking a major feat in human history.
Consider the Gulf coast route: It may be a longer drive, but this Miami to Orlando itinerary along the Gulf coast is spectacular.
6. Savannah, GA
- Driving distance: 491 mi / 790 km
- Driving time: 7.5 h
One of the prettiest cities in America, the 1733-established Savannah has managed to keep its charm throughout the years. Wander the Georgia city’s streets, taking in historic buildings and majestic oak trees draped with Spanish moss.
To escape the eye-popping but often balmy Savannah Historic District, cruise to the city’s favorite beach. An 18-mile (29 km) drive from Downtown Savannah, Tybee Island is the perfect place to spend lazy days under the Georgia sun.
7. Pensacola Beach, FL
- Driving distance: 678 mi / 1091 km
- Driving time: 10 h
Enjoy a drive from Miami to Northwest Florida‘s Pensacola Beach and realize just how big the state of Florida is. Although you spend 10 hours on the road, you remain in the Sunshine State for the entire journey.
But Northwest Florida is a region well worth driving for. On the stunning 40-mile (64 km) Santa Rosa Island, the paradisiacal Pensacola Beach greets you with mile after mile of crashing waves, bone-white sand and clear skies.
Where to stay
Check in at a breathtaking place to stay in Pensacola Beach; the best ones offer majestic Gulf of Mexico views. If you prefer it as quiet as possible, consider the neighboring Navarre Beach community.
- The Pensacola Beach Resort – At Pensacola Beach’s heart.
- Portofino Island Resort – A peaceful island resort.
8. New Orleans, LA
- Driving distance: 863 mi / 1389 km
- Driving time: 12.5 h
Why not add a few hours to the Pensacola route and make it a Miami to New Orleans road trip instead? There’s no other city quite like the free-spirited NOLA.
Forget your everyday worries and sample the watering holes of the French Quarter. The loud (you have been warned) Bourbon Street sets a one-of-a-kind scene for a big night out.
Turn to the parallel Royal Street for a higher level of sophistication. Feeling like a world away, it brims with antique shops, art galleries and fine-dining opportunities.
But if you rather dodge the crowds, make your way over to the lush mansion-dotted Garden District, a wonderful place for quiet walks. Maybe this — despite the French Quarter’s fame — is New Orleans’ most pleasant spot.
9. Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC
- Driving distance: 867 mi / 1395 km
- Driving time: 13 h
Straddling the Tennessee and North Carolina border, Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides a stark contrast to Miami — one consisting of ancient mountains, thick forests, historic cottages and black bears. This is the quintessential American national park, which also happens to be the most visited.
Mount an expedition to Cades Cove, an isolated valley surrounded by rugged mountains, to indulge in all those defining Great Smoky Mountains characteristics. Entering Cades Cove, as famous for its historic community as for its black bears, is like traveling hundreds of years back in time.
Where to stay
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, with lots of attractions for rainy days, are for good reason the most popular Smokies gateway towns. But it you prefer to base yourself closer to Cades Cove, consider accommodations in the quieter Townsend.
- Marshall’s Creek Motel – Rustic in the heart of Gatlinburg.
- Dancing Bear Lodge – Cabins in the peaceful region.
Tick them all off: Include all the best things to do in the Smokies on your road trip from Miami.
10. New York, NY
- Driving distance: 1394 mi / 2243 km
- Driving time: 23.5 h
One of the planet’s most legendary drives, a road trip from Miami to New York calls for many stops along the way. Orlando and Savannah, of course, but other interesting destinations on the way north include Charleston, Wilmington and Washington D.C.
11. San Diego, CA
- Driving distance: 3072 mi / 4944 km
- Driving time: 45.5 h
Sure, shorter drives from Miami have their own charm, but a road trip between Miami and San Diego, taking you across the US all the way from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, is something else.
Go past Florida’s white beaches, through the Lone Star State and explore interesting cities and impressive national parks along the way. However, with a driving distance of 3072 miles (4944 km), keep in mind that a Miami to San Diego adventure requires several weeks of your time to be fully enjoyed.
Road trips from Miami FAQ
There’s no shortage of fun vacation places within 4 hours of Miami. Consider the Florida Keys, Everglades National Park, Naples, Sanibel Island and Orlando.
In addition to the closer road trip targets, Georgia’s picturesque Savannah invites you to enjoy a historic out-of-state getaway within 8 hours of Miami.
Families thrive in South and Central Florida for a reason. See alligators in the mighty Everglades or spend some well-needed down time together on Naples Beach.
Make the most of every trip with our newsletter delivered to your inbox.
