Florida is a year-round destination and an excellent place for a road trip. You’ll discover beaches, lakes, farmland, and large cities throughout the state. Whether you only have a day to get away or an entire week, there are fun options among scenic drives in Florida. You may even run into an alligator or two!
Buckle up because we’re about to show you seven of the best drives Florida has to offer.
Take a Scenic Drive Across Florida
Scenic drives in Florida are plentiful. While planning your route, consider if you’re looking for a destination or doing it only for the journey. This can help you choose which drive to pick. For example, driving the Florida Keys Overseas Highway is quite long. If you have the time, plan to drive it to pursue a destination, like Key West, to stay at for a few days.
Other routes, like Highway 30A, are short, and you can knock them out in a day. You may want to focus more on the journey and pull off at beaches and restaurants spontaneously for these types of scenic drives.
7 of the Best Drives to Take Across the Sunshine State
Get ready to experience the Sunshine State at its best. These seven scenic drives in Florida make it to the top of the list.
#1. Florida Keys Overseas Highway
The Route: The Florida Keys Overseas Highway stretches 113 miles from Key Largo to Key West. It crosses 42 bridges as it hops from key to key. The majority of the route is a two-lane road, which means traffic can back up at peak times of the day.
Attractions Along the Way: The main attractions on almost the entire route are views of turquoise blue water. You can stop at various turn-offs to sit by the water or even take a swim at one of the beaches. Seven Mile Bridge is the most famous portion of the highway. It connects Knight’s Key to Little Duck Key. You can get out and walk part of the old bridge that runs parallel to the new road.
#2. Highway A1A
The Route: Highway A1A is a scenic and historic coastal byway that runs along Florida’s Atlantic Coast from Fernandina Beach to Miami. The route is more than 375 miles long.
Attractions Along the Way: The drive features a lot of beaches to stop at and enjoy the sand and cool breezes from the Atlantic Ocean. There are also state parks and preserves on the way. For example, Sebastian Inlet State Park is a popular fishing, walking, and biking destination.
Traveler’s Tip: If you plan to make a stop in Miami, here’s how to fit in like a local.
#3. Scenic Highway 30A
The Route: Scenic Highway 30A is a 24-mile long byway along the Florida Panhandle’s Emerald Coast on the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll pass Grayton Beach on your way to or from Rosemary Beach.
Attractions Along the Way: The route provides access to the white sandy beaches on the Emerald Coast’s turquoise blue water. There are numerous beaches and restaurants to stop at along Highway 30A, and the chances of seeing dolphins are high. If you bring your bikes along, you can park at Grayton State Park and use the bike paths to enjoy the route with some exercise. If you bring your camper, there are some great beachfront RV parks on the Gulf Coast on this stretch!
#4. The Big Bend Byway
The Route: The Big Bend Byway starts just south of Tallahassee on US 98. It’s a 220-mile trek to Apalachicola and St. George Island State Park. Approximately 40 miles of the route hug the Gulf Coast.
Attractions Along the Way: The Big Bend Byway is one of Florida’s more unspoiled scenic drives. It takes you through a national wildlife refuge, three state parks, three historic lighthouses, and several beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, there are several small towns along the way that we recommend stopping at to discover local products.
Traveler’s Tip: Check out the 13 best things to do in Apalachicola as you make your way down the Big Bend Byway.
#5. Coral Way
The Route: Coral Way is a road from downtown Miami to Coral Gables. It’s famously canopied with large oak trees. The stretch is about four miles.
Attractions Along the Way: You’ll find the historical Biltmore Hotel on this route, which was built in 1926. Plan your time on Coral Way for dining in Coral Gables. And if you go a short distance south off the road to Coconut Grove, there are plenty of shopping options.
#6. Tamiami Trail
The Route: The Tamiami Trail is a two-lane road that stretches the last 275 miles of US 41 from Tampa to US 1 in Miami. People used to call it Alligator Alley before I-75 was developed since the majority goes through the Everglades.
Attractions Along the Way: The Tamiami Trail gets you up close to the scenery of the Everglades. You’re pretty much guaranteed to see alligators along the way. So be cautious if you get out of your vehicle! You can stop to walk the boardwalks or visit Big Cypress National Preserve’s visitor center.
#7. William Barton Scenic and Historic Highway
The Route: The William Barton Scenic and Historic Highway runs along the St. John’s River south of Jacksonville. You’ll drive through live oaks with moss hanging from the branches.
Attractions Along the Way: Wildlife is one of the main attractions on this scenic drive in Florida. You may spot a bald eagle or snapping turtle. And it’s all while driving through live oak trees with Spanish moss dripping from them.
Take One of These Scenic Florida Drives
Are you ready for a road trip? Any one of these scenic drives in Florida is worth experiencing. You may want to make a plan to check off all of them within six months. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
Which will you tackle first?
