Refill at your hostel/guest house! Day 3 is going to be a bit of driving but mainly surfing and relaxing. Some campgrounds have fire pits with grills but I find these very inefficient. Just to keep things simple, New England to Florida (let’s say Boston to Orlando) is about a 22 hour drive or about 1300 miles. Finally, Clearwater has the best beaches in the area. The interior of the Florida Panhandle is where you’ll find the state capital of Tallahassee. The landscape here is powerful and exploring it is certainly one of the most unique things to do in Florida. This area includes the larger coastal cities of Pensacola, Panama City, and Destin. This anachronistic town is a relic from Spanish colonialism and is full historical architecture. If you can think of a way to have fun, Florida probably does it already. Hammock: Taking a tent and pad on a road trip are not always practical but hammocks are lightweight, cheap, strong, sexy, and allow you to pitch up for the night pretty much anywhere. Nothing gets stranger than the state’s roadside attractions! Luckily, there are quite a few awesome Airbnbs in Florida Keys. If there are no campgrounds left at a specific place, there may be walk-up sites available, which you’ll need to arrive early to claim. The Broke Backpacker team has tried out over thirty backpacks this year! Make sure to stop over in the quiet Vero Beach – it’s a real treat! This means that Florida only has two distinct seasons – a hot, humid summer and a cool, dry winter. Once the day comes to an end, head back to your cap or lodge and chill out. This three-day Northern Florida road trip strings together landmarks with natural areas, all with unexpected connections to the state’s Spanish heritage. Weekend trips are the perfect way of getting out and … Learn more in our Cookie Notice and our Privacy Policy. One of the highlights are the several historical museums that exhibit everything from colonization to WWII to natural phenomenon. Now it’s time to explore the area. Backpacking the USA has some amazing places to offer. With a desire to experience all things unconventional, Ralph enjoys visiting the lesser-known landscapes of the world and has ended up in some pretty strange and wonderful places. If there’s some time left of the day, you can spend it on the beach – you deserve a rest after all that driving! The winter months (November-April) are generally considered the best months to visit Florida. Free breakfast. Broke Backpacker readers get a 35% discount on TEFL courses with MyTEFL (simply enter the code BACKPKR), to find out more, please read my in-depth report on teaching English abroad. In reality, the beach continues much further though – all the way into Boca Raton and even beyond. Study them well and decide which ones you like the most. Here you’ll find Meccas of amusement like Disney World, Universal Resorts, and LegoLand, all of which attract more than 70 million visitors per year. Better yet, Broke Backpackers also get a $40 discount with Outdoorsy! Hey everyone! Restaurants and diners are, of course, ubiquitous throughout the state but do tend to be expensive. (Rainbow Springs is a bit further west and is actually a great road trip from Tampa as well.). So grab ur’ flip-flops, boardshorts, and a cooler full of cold beer because we’re off to warm beaches and eternal sun of glorious Florida! You’ll arrive in St. Augustin, where you can explore the area if there’s enough time left of the day or simply relax. These odd yet iconic landmarks are often found out in the middle of nowhere and have become some of the most popular road trips in Florida. Happy motoring! Orlando is also surrounded by countless lakes. Make sure not to leave any waste behind! Just north of Miami is the notorious Fort Lauderdale, famous for once being the spring break capital of America. In this Florida road trip guide, we’ll cover several topics concerning the Sunshine State. There is are two roads that enter the Everglades: the first is Florida 1A1 running along the eastern edge of the park, and the second is Highway 9336, which penetrates deeper into the park. florida road trip, day one: charlotte, north carolina to key west, florida: 13 hours The first day was definitely the roughest day driving to Florida because 886 miles of driving is a lot … Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. What to drive. Florida is a unique state with its mixture of culture, beauty, tourism, and political charge. As the administrative center of the state, Tallahassee has lots of activities to offer. 6. Destin. It’s an epic place to fresh up your surf skills, learn new tricks or find you balance on a board for the first time. The Panhandle is Florida’s best-kept secret. There are a few things to do in the Florida Keys that are noteworthy. Here you’ll find theremnants of Tampa’s once-prosperous cigar business, not to mention the best bars and restaurants in the city. Shark, snapper, tarpon, and oysters are also common catches in Florida. Below is a list I created of sample road trips through Florida. For Day 2, you’ll depart early in the morning and head to Fort Lauderdale. Want to plan the trip back? Our favourite travel backpack is the Aer Travel Pack 2. You can spend the rest of day 11 by exploring the area. Day 10 is for exploring the beaches of Clearwater and relaxing to the absolute max. These are our favorite ones: Day 2 is going to consist of more exploration and adventures. Road trip to Florida, need advice. Headtorch: I would never travel without a headtorch. The views are amazing and it feels like you are gliding above the water. Among the shallow waters, the labyrinthian cypress groves, and the towering pines are some of the most precarious wildlife species in the South, including the Florida panther, manatees, and the American crocodile, to name a few. If you’re not exhausted from the car ride, head out to the bars for a couple of drinks. The beach is beautiful as well – perfect to step up your tanning game! Depart Tampa and check into your new lodge or set up to camp. *Indicates that this day was copied from a previous itinerary. Not picked the perfect travel backpack yet? Coolest Itineraries for a Road Trip through Florida. Here, you can go to a local sports bar, dance at a Latin jazz bar, relax at a beachside cantina or attempt to get into a super ritzy nightclub. Floridian food is a mix of Southern American and Caribbean cooking. If you get tired of Miami’s exuberance and Latin culture, there’s the whole other part to the state as well! While driving on this route, you will be surrounded on all sides by the gorgeous Caribbean Sea. Tampa Bay is arguably grittier if not more authentic city than Miami or Fort Lauderdale, which can feel somewhat simulated at times. Most fun to visit is Ybor City, which is the historic immigrant quarter. For this ultimate 14-day Florida road trip, you’ll spend the first 6 days like we already described in 7-day itinerary above. So pull out a map, choose a starting line, and get rolling. For this reason, this area receives far less international tourists, which is probably why it feels less hectic and also probably the reason why people call it the “Redneck Riviera.”. The ultimate road trip planner to help you discover extraordinary places, book hotels, and share itineraries all from the map. Hurricane season is officially from June-November and peaks between August-September. Riverside Drive in Rockledge, Florida Road Trips … Located in Florida City but is still very close to the Everglades. Includes kitchen, terrace, and private beach area. The North Florida road trip is only one of many road trips to take throughout the state. https://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/travel-ideas/florida-road-trips.html Start your first day in Miami. You’re going to be leaving Jacksonville (or Amelia Island) early in the morning and head back south. Hurricanes are not to be taken lightly as these natural disasters cause huge amounts of damage to property and lives. Get the reverse directions for a Orlando to Phoenix drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. Communal BBQ area. Jacksonville is a sprawling metropolis but still slightly smaller than Miami in terms of population. Please visit the link to find out how you can help keep the site going . Once you arrive in Fort Lauderdale, check into your lodge. You could also go on a full day safari with an airboat. Arrive in Miami, sort your rental car/campervan and head to the Florida Keys straight away. Potable water is not always guaranteed at campsites so bring a filter for creeks and rivers. Just keep your head on a swivel as some parts of these districts are more dangerous than others, especially at night. Best of all, you can find some very affordable lodges here, making it one of the best cheap places to visit in Florida too. Traveling there by car takes you down a string of palm fringed tropical islands made of coral that stretch more than 120 miles from the Florida … As a Florida native, here are some ideas to inspire your campervan Florida road trip through the Sunshine State. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from road … To find out why I use World Nomads, check out my World Nomads Insurance review. Finally, we arrive in the largest city on the Atlantic Coast of Florida: Jacksonville. Granted, prices shouldn’t be so high as to dissuade those looking for a budget road trip in Florida but these people may want to take advantage of the campgrounds during this time. We mentioned before that you can reach out to vehicle relocation services, like, Car insurance isn’t always mandatory in the USA but is highly encouraged. Our favorite hotspots are: Day 1-6: Florida Keys, Fort Lauderdale, Cocoa Beach, St. Augsutine, Jacksonville, Amelia Island *. Features a man-made waterfall and lots of hammocks for lounging. The Florida road trips, and scenic drives you will learn about on this website are the best way to enjoy and experience the real Old Florida out on the back roads. With some of the most beautiful city beaches ever and a host of world-class restaurants, you’d be hard-pressed to find a place more satiating to hedonistic desires. Tallahassee has lots of activities to offer. With some of the best artificial diving in Florida just off the coast and plenty of amazing beaches, Fort Lauderdale is filled to the rim with amazing things to do. We’re constantly looking for new ways to cut travel costs and have a whole repertoire of useful tips to share with you. Miami is the centerpiece of the state and one of the most desirable cities in the world, right up there with San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City. You can also check out South Beach, Bal Harbor or Surfside. Visit Castillo de San Marcos early in the morning and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Don’t buy one-use water bottles, the plastic ends up in a landfill or in the ocean. A road trip through the Florida Keys is definitely one of the best things to do in the state! Depending on where you stayed on Day 6, you’ll either depart from Jacksonville or Amerlia Island. We’ve even got 26 officially designated Florida Scenic Highways, which are scenic (obviously), but also highlight Florida’s history, culture, archeology, natural resources, and archeology. View our privacy policy. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Depending on your qualifications (or your motivation to obtain qualifications like a TEFL certificate) you can teach English remotely from your laptop, save some cash for your next adventure, and make a positive impact on the world by improving another person’s language skills! Day 5 will be an early rise. Check out our list of the Best Places to Visit in the USA for inspiration on this entire country! North of Orlando, there are several freshwater springs. Hostel located right on the edge of Lake Cecile. I hope you enjoyed today's video!my merch! That’s including stops for gas, meals and breaks. One idea is to make money while traveling! Clubbing in Miami is very serious business. Miami’s Latin residents really give the city the flair that it’s known for. Further north, Highway 27 connects Lake Placid, Sebring, and Lake Wales. Key West has a thriving nightlife as well as Ernest Hemingway’s former home, which is now a museum. It is a supremely glamorous place with glittering towers and shining residents who exude confidence. grilled or as ceviche  – while the northern part tends to fry it. Each itinerary provides day-by-day highlights, which are meant to give you some solid Florida road trip ideas. It’s all in Florida and it’s all waiting for you. Being at the nexus of the gorgeous Caribbean Sea and the highly nutritious Gulf of Mexico, Florida has some of the most spectacular underwater worlds in North America! The westernmost portion of the Keys is Dry Tortugas National Park. Aside from being the capital, Tallahassee is also a college town, hosting the immensely popular Florida State University, which means that this town can get pretty wild on weekends and game days. Similar to the West Coast’s BLM, conventional campers will find camping in the FWMA very straightforward – RVs campers may have difficulty finding a larger space. Free breakfast. BOOM! Below is a list of Florida road trip ideas for saving money. So if you’re expecting to see everything that the state has to offer, you’ll be disappointed. We work hard to put out the best backpacker resources on the web, for free! In the north, you’ll find more Southern fare like barbecue, fried snacks, and other comfort foods. The Castillo de San Marcos is the most impressive colonial site. In fact, one of the most iconic coastal routes in America can be found along Florida State Road … These are our favorite stop-overs on the way: If you’re a passionate Scuba diver, you’ll love Key Largo and Biscayne Bay. From there, head west on I-10. If you strike-out on the walk-up sites as well, there may be overflow camping nearby. Florida doesn’t seem like your typical road trip destination, but that is a misconception. At The Broke Backpacker, we are never scared of inflated prices! Rock Springs, the Ocala National Forest, and Rainbow Springs are all worth checking out. To end the day right, explore Las Olas nightlife. Destin. The Florida Keys are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Refer below for a list of some of the best diving in Florida. Explore these curated trips across the USA, then customize your own trip using the USA Trip … Want to stay in the USA longer? Though the road through the Florida Keys is long, the Keys themselves are not large by any means. Though the Forgotten Coast has its fair share of beaches, it’s much more rugged (in a Floridia kind of way) and has a more coastal forest. You can stop over in Tallahassee for lunch (or even spend the night here). If you’re driving from New York to Florida, you’re in for a treat! Once you arrive in Tampa, check into your lodge and spend the afternoon exploring the city and maybe even St. Petersburg. Grouper is the most common type of fish and is found on just about any menu. Below is a brief explanation of each. For this reason, Miami is jokingly referred to as being the “Capital of South America.” Some people assume that Miami is a dangerous melting pot, but we can assure you that this isn’t the case, unless you’re looking for trouble. Use a GRAYL GEOPRESS. They will descend onto the beaches and cause a ruckus for a week straight. Fish is also a staple of the Florida diet due in part to the ocean’s sheer presence. On to the beaches though! The Everglades are an extremely vital part of the surrounding ecosystems and provide crucial support the wildlife and humans as well. Most are located on the separate island city of Miami Beach. Strewn throughout the keys are several excellent parks that offer quintessential Caribbean scenery. Welcome to Florida! Only in the most remote portions of the swamps, will the roads be so bad that you need 4×4 or at least high clearance. For every AR bottle sold, we donate 10% to PlasticOceans.org – an initiative to reduce plastic in our oceans! Interstate 10 is the fastest route between Jacksonville and Pensacola, but it takes a back seat to its more laid back predecessor, U.S. 90. There are plenty of ways to reduce plastic!!! The dry season is the best time to do both as the trails will be clear and the water will be low enough to spot local wildlife. Camping is one of the best ways to go on a budget Florida road trip! For a unique experience, check out these epic treehouses in Florida. Roughly the size of a small country, Florida has a lot of nooks and crannies to explore. There are loads of road trips opportunities in the USA, some of them a bit more affordable than the other. Since this is the last day, why not get fucked up again? Enough nature – we’re going back to civilization! 3. North of Orlando, Highway 19 is literally a drive in the country as it sneaks into the Ocala National Forest where lakes, crystal clear springs, and hiking trails are a natural attraction for anyone who loves the outdoors. Florida and driving are intertwined. There are a couple of cool keys on the way which we covered in the 4-Day-Road-Trip above – be sure to check them out. On the way, check out the Kennedy Space Center and stop by Datona Beach for lunch and lounging. The latter offers good hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities. We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. Limited availability but great deal. If there’s one insurance company I trust, it’s World Nomads. Lake Eola, near the center of Orlando, is one of the centerpieces of the city. The AAA Road Trip planner provides detailed drive trips across North America. Tampa has several districts worth visiting. Florida, being the tourist behemoth that it is, has a vast array of hotels to choose from. South Beach, in particular, is very famous for its art, food, and fashion scenes. Admittedly, most attractions are small here – the beaches are certainly compact – and are fairly limited actually. Whether you are keen to teach English online or looking to take your teaching game a step further by finding a job teaching English in a foreign country, getting your TEFL certificate is absolutely a step in the right direction. 45 yo male living in Indiana. Please contact us to send a comment or to report a problem. A road trip to Florida allows you to visit beautiful scenic and historical areas, meet friendly locals and for me, power shopping at the outlet malls along the interstates. Once you feel like it, depart St. Augustine and head to Jacksonville. Currently, I’m using the Petzl LED headlamp with red light (which insects can’t see). Ah yes, backpacking Miami! Located southwest of Miami in the Caribbean Sea, these are among the most beautiful places in Florida. If you’re looking to explore a bit of Fort Lauderdale, this is the place to start. Modern and new guesthouse located north of Las Olas. Florida has some of the best beaches, best parties, best weather, best food, best vacation spots, and a whole lot more superlatives in the entire United States. Looking for financial freedom? Be very aware of the weather alerts when on a summer road trip in Florida. Staying in Clearwater Beach is considered a must since it’s the best city beach but local state parks like Sand Key, Caladesi Island, and Honeymoon Islands are fierce competitors. Those looking for hipper, more downtempo areas to hang out in should check out Wynwood, Midtown, and Upper Eastside. This being said, you don’t necessarily have to buy car insurance from the company you’re renting from. By Noel of … Below is a breakdown of the average costs associated with traveling to Florida. Below is a list of the best Florida road trip stops. Fort Lauderdale is filled to the rim with amazing things to do. Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure. https://mythreadz.co/collections/bailey-dedrick?ref=BaileyInstagram~ @bailey.dedrick … © 2021, The Broke Backpacker. Organize your rental car and head to the first destination on your road trip, the Everglades National Park. Daytona Beach, Aventura, Surfside, and Lake Wales lodgings, restaurants, Upper. Path locations for a day of relaxation trip ideas highlights are the water Management areas city of Beach. When high tide covers the mud flats automatically calculates the optimal itinerary stops! 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