10 Best Road Trips in Florida for Beaches, Springs, Small Towns, and Scenic Drives

Florida is a massive state, and we think it's one that's best explored by driving. You get to sit back and cruise the highways. while taking your sweet time to explore the scenic destinations. The Sunshine State is filled with wondrous sites, from beaches and springs to islands, historic towns, and, of course, the Everglades. Fortunately, we've compiled some truly epic road trip excursions for you to enjoy. Whether you're looking for a scenic road trip adventure, a summer road trip in Florida, a hidden beaches road trip, or perhaps something else altogether, you're bound to find a road trip idea that inspires your next great drive. So gas up the car, find the perfect playlist, pack all of your favorite snacks, and get ready for some of the best road trips in Florida!

For road trip planning and packing tips, check out Only In Your State's Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you're leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can't forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling. 

The Best One-Day Road Trip in Florida

• Route: Devil's Den > Rainbow Springs State Park > Front Porch Restaurant & Pie Shop > Floral City and Pudgees' Hot Dog Stand > Weeki Wachee Springs State Park > Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park > The Freezer > Cedar Key
• Distance: 174 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hr 45 min driving time

Looking for the perfect one-day road trip in Florida? We've got you covered! In fact, you should be able to visit all of these exciting Florida attractions on just one tank of gas. Along the way, you'll get to experience some of Florida's most stunning natural wonders, such as Rainbow Springs State Park, where you can go for a hike, kayak, or take a dip in its crystal clear spring waters. Stop by the Front Porch Restaurant & Pie Shop for some fried chicken and their famous pie. Later on, stop by The Freezer, an iconic seafood shack, for a cold beer and fresh or fried seafood. The best part of this trip is that you can see quite a few Florida bucket list destinations in one day.

A Lighthouse Road Trip Across Florida

• Route: Cape St. George Light > St. Marks Lighthouse > Amelia Island Light > St. Augustine Light > Ponce De Leon Inlet Light > Cape Canaveral Lighthouse > The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse > Hillsboro Lighthouse > Cape Florida Lighthouse
• Distance: 167 miles
• Trip Time: 3.5 hours driving time

There's something awe-inspiring about lighthouses dotting the coast of the Sunshine State. On this long weekend road trip in Florida, you'll get to explore some of the state's most stunning beacons. In addition to offering a fascinating history of the state, Florida's lighthouses also showcase some of the best views around. One thing's for sure: you'll definitely want to bring your camera with you on this lighthouse road trip — it's one of the most scenic Florida weekend getaways.

The Ultimate North Florida Road Trip

• Route: Ichetucknee Springs State Park > Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park > Apalachicola National Forest > Florida Caverns State Park > Panama City Beach > Topsail Hill Preserve State Park > Escribano Point Wildlife Management Area > Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
• Distance: 425 miles
• Trip Time: 7 hr 38 min driving time

There is so much to do and see on this North Florida road trip. From gorgeous beaches to crystal-clear springs to waterfalls to hidden caves to state parks, and more, adventure awaits at every turn. Depending on when you visit, you might need hiking boots and your swimsuit for this Florida vacation itinerary through the Panhandle. Now, if you're ready, enjoy your trip to one of the best regions in Florida. I guarantee that you'll fall in love with it!

The Best Central Florida Road Trip

• Route: De Leon Springs State Park > Rainbow Springs State Park > Weeki Wachee Springs State Park > Tarpon Springs > Honeymoon Island State Park > The Dali Museum > Bok Tower Gardens > Spook Hill > Blue Spring State Park
• Distance: 391 miles
• Trip Time: 8 hr 16 min driving time

Now that we've explored all that northern Florida has to offer, it's time to venture into our next adventure with a Central Florida itinerary. As you probably guessed, there are just as many must-see landmarks in this region of the state, including Tarpon Springs (among the best Florida springs), the Dali Museum, and Bok Tower Gardens. With lots of cities, parks, and historic gems to explore along the way, you could easily take an entire week to enjoy this route, which may be one of the best road trips near Orlando. And, you'll probably do plenty of walking along the way, so be sure to dress comfortably!

The Best Florida Road Trip for Spring

• Route: Cedar Key > Crystal River > Tarpon Springs > Mount Dora > DeLand > St. Augustine
• Distance: 520 miles
• Trip Time: 9 hr 46 min driving time

Spring in Florida is a beautiful time of year, so why not get out and explore our charming small towns? This small town road trip through Florida will give you a greater appreciation for the small, lesser-known communities of the Sunshine State. Prepare to be utterly charmed by the history, scenery, and friendly folks you'll meet along the way. The weather in the spring is warm yet comfortable with low humidity, making it a wonderful time to enjoy blooming gardens and explore these charming small towns. Don't be surprised if you find yourself planning to up and move to one of the best small towns in Florida!

A Summer Road Trip to Florida’s Least-Visited State Parks

• Route: Colt Creek State Park > Dade Battlefield Historic State Park > Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park > Bulow Creek State Park > Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park > Goethe State Forest
• Distance: 273 miles
• Trip Time: 5 hr 15 min driving time

Summer in Florida can be a busy season, given the fact that we've got some of the best beaches in the world. But if you're looking to avoid the crowded beaches, we've got just the thing in mind: a summer road trip in Florida to some of the least-visited state parks. Enjoy the cool shade as you follow a secluded trail to a gorgeous view. Or perhaps try your hand at kayaking. Either way, you're in for a fun yet peaceful adventure when you explore these underrated Florida parks.

Florida's Haunted Fall Road Trip

• Route: Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine > Veterans Memorial Bridge on Orange Ave in Daytona Beach > Cassadaga > NASA's Launch Complex 34 in Cape Canaveral > Port Mayaca Cemetery > New River Inn in Fort Lauderdale > The Rod and Gun Club in Everglades City > The Don CeSar Hotel in St. Petersburg > The May-Stringer House in Brooksville
• Distance: 900 miles
• Trip Time: 15 hr driving time

Fall is a spooky season and the perfect time to take a road trip to some of the most haunted places in Florida. Along the way, you'll experience first-hand some of the state's most terrifying and haunted places. From historic landmarks to hotels haunted by ghosts, there's no shortage of ways to have a truly terrifying experience. Take this haunted road trip, but only if you dare! You may also choose to spend the night in one of the most reportedly haunted hotels in Florida: the Don CeSar Hotel in St. Pete Beach.

The Cozy Winter Bakery Road Trip in Florida

• Route: Amish Country Store > Der Dutchman > Yoder's Fresh Market > Detwiler’s Farm Market
• Distance: 67 miles
• Trip Time: 1 hr 20 min driving time

Our next adventure is a cozy winter road trip in Florida that will take you to some of the state's best Amish bakeries. Along the way, you can look forward to sampling some seriously sweet treats and stocking up on incredible Amish-made goods, such as delicious homemade pies, jam, cinnamon buns, and more. Plus, you can plan to spend some time in the small towns along the way to learn more about the local communities and hidden gems in Florida's western coast.

The Best Family-Friendly Florida Road Trip

• Route: Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park > Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park > Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill > WonderWorks > Pink Pelican Ice Cream Bar > Shores of Panama > Cape San Blas
• Distance: 114 miles
• Trip Time: 3 hr driving time

Looking for something to do with the kids in Florida? We've got just the thing — a family-friendly road trip through Florida! Along the way, you and your crew will enjoy beaches, waterparks, fun restaurants, a stay at the family-friendly Shores of Panama resort, and more. Every destination along this Florida beach vacation itinerary is kid-approved, so you can be sure even the littlest ones in your group will be entertained.

Road Trip to Florida Landmarks & Natural Wonders

• Route: Falling Waters State Park > Florida Caverns State Park > Torreya State Park > Devil's Den > Ocala National Forest > Blowing Rocks Preserve > Everglades National Park > John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
• Distance: 756 miles
• Trip Time: 13 hr 5 min driving time

Last but certainly not least, this Florida natural wonders road trip will take you on a grand tour of the state, showcasing some of the most beautiful natural wonders in Florida (and the world!) along the way. This unique itinerary includes as many natural gems as possible, leaving nothing to be desired. Plus, it ends at the iconic Everglades National Park, arguably one of the top Florida bucket list destinations. Talk about an epic adventure!

How many of these Florida road trips would you consider taking? What are your favorite destinations around the state? Discover more adventure and scenery along one of the most scenic byways in Florida. From the Big Bend Scenic Byway through the panhandle to the A1A, Florida Keys Scenic Highway, and more, you'll experience some of the most beautiful areas around the Sunshine State.