Road trip from Miami
South Florida is a dream year-round vacation destination that can be best explored by car. So, grab a full tank of gas, check your GPS, and hit the road. Whichever direction you choose, you’ll find tons of breathtaking views and exciting things to do. Prepare to immerse yourself in secluded tropical beaches, mangrove forests, amazing wildlife, quaint small towns and impressive colonial architecture.
Miami can get really crowded during peak season and it’s natural to want to get away from the city. As you leave downtown and head south, you’ll soon discover some hidden gems, such as the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables (which fills with fresh water every day) and the Kampong Tropical Garden in Coconut Grove. Go further south, and you’ll find The Redlands and Homestead: a tropical fruit paradise made up of dozens of gardens and orchards. Explore the reefs and mangroves of Biscayne National Park, and you’ll soon forget that you were in the middle of Miami just half an hour ago. A two-hour, 175-mile drive from Miami takes you to the Overseas Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the world. Discover the amazing landscapes of the Florida Keys, home to some of the best beaches and panoramic views in the state. Be sure to stay long enough to experience an iconic Key West sunset, a daily tradition since the 1960s. If you’re ready to explore Florida further, travel along its west coast. In less than two hours, you can travel 108 miles from Miami to Marco Island, the only inhabited place in the Ten Thousand Islands chain. This enchanting location features the best shelling beaches in Florida. Rent a kayak and find mangroves and secret beaches hidden among these isolated islets, or head a little further north to the more developed Sanibel or Captiva Islands. A five-hour drive north of Miami – 370 mi or 595 km via Florida Turnpike – will take you to Ichitacknee Springs State Park, which features incredible swimming holes filled with crystal clear turquoise waters. This area is a haven for kayakers, with plenty of wildlife to spot as well as fantastic bird watching.
The colder months are the perfect time to explore Florida by car. This time of year is less hassled by traffic and people, and the moderate temperatures (still warm by most travelers) and lower precipitation can make for a perfect road trip. A short distance from Miami, you will discover The Everglades National Park, a true oasis of wilderness and incomparable landscapes. Be sure to take The Loop Road Scenic Drive, a 24 mi (38 km) two-lane road that winds along the Tamiami Trail in the Big Cypress National Wildlife Refuge. Going further south of the Everglades is always a good idea! At this time of year, the Florida Keys are less crowded and more peaceful, and they host many off-season events such as Fantasy Fest on Key West in October. There’s plenty to see on Florida’s west coast, too. In October, head to the Siesta Key Sand Sculpture Festival in Siesta Key; and take on the Chalk Festival in Venice in November. In Central Florida, winter is the best time to visit citrus groves, discover bizarre spirit spots, or swim with gentle manatees. Head to Crystal River or Blue Spring State Park where you can see fireflies in the evening, starting in mid-February. Drive further north to the coast of Jacksonville and St. Augustine, to see the rare North Atlantic right whales from December to March. St. Augustine also features exceptional architecture as well as holiday luminaries that make a winter trip worth it!
