The Open Road Travel

Best Places To Stop On A Florida Road Trip

With a minimum of 27 hours driving on our ultimate Florida road trip itinerary, it is a given that you are going to need to make some overnight stops. In the following section, we are going to cover the very best places to make a longer stop on your journey.

These are the places that have slightly more to offer than the other attractions listed further down this article, so they will help you get the most bang for your buck.

Jacksonville, Florida

The largest city by area in the lower 48 states and the most populous in Florida, Jacksonville is affectionately known as “The River City,” due to the abundance of waterways that flow through it. The nine bridges that cross them are one of the city’s most iconic sights, while its tropical climate makes it an enjoyable city to explore at any time of year.

The city is bursting with attractions like museums, but it is outdoor attractions like golf courses, gardens, beaches, parks, hiking trails, and historic districts to explore that draw most people in. This is especially true when you consider that Jacksonville is far less touristy than most of Florida’s major cities.

Best Hotel To Stay At In Jacksonville – Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront

Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront is a fabulous, pet-friendly, 3-star hotel perfectly situated to provide stunning views of Jacksonville’s rivers and easy access to its top attractions.

Each room is beautifully decorated and boasts comfortable furniture and linens, a private bathroom, a tea and coffee maker, a flat-screen cable TV, a safety deposit box, a desk, and air conditioning.



In the communal areas, you’ll find 2 restaurants, an outdoor, rooftop swimming pool, a bar, a market shop, and a fitness center. Ample facilities are provided for disabled guests, and a free shuttle is offered to take guests into town. High-speed Wi-Fi is present throughout the property, and breakfast is served daily.

Orlando, Florida

Orlando is the fourth most populous city in Florida, but perhaps its most famous. A world-renowned destination for families and fun seekers, it is home to many of the world’s top theme parks, including Disney World Florida, Universal Studios Florida, and SeaWorld Orlando.

Theme parks aside, attractions such as Orlando’s own Everglades, river kayaking opportunities, Harry P Leu Gardens botanical garden, the Orlando Eye Ferris wheel, and the Orlando Science Center mean there is plenty to do and see for people of all interests in Orlando to make it worth an extended stay.

Best Hotel To Stay At In Orlando –  Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek

Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek is an amazing, 4-star hotel that offers incredible value, given it is surrounded by all of Orlando’s most prominent theme parks.

Each room is stylishly decorated in a Mediterranean style and features luxurious furniture, linens, robes, and spa features, as well as high-speed Wi-Fi, big-screen TVs, private modern bathrooms, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Some also have a private hot tub too.



In the communal areas, you will find 5 outdoor pools, 5 restaurants, a fire pit, a balcony, a bar, and a full-service spa, nail salon, and fitness center. A sumptuous breakfast is served each morning, while one of the city’s best golf courses can be found next door.

Tampa, Florida

The 3^rd most populous city in Florida, Tampa is famous for its bay area, which offers stunning views and plenty of great places to walk, eat, and drink. The Tampa Riverwalk is a fantastic place for people to make the most of this, as it passes some of the very best that Tampa has to offer.

The area is also an ideal place to visit for sports fans, as the arenas in which the MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays, NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning are all found here, so there is almost always a game on for you to catch.

Add in attractions like its theatres, theme parks, historic districts, and more, and it should be easy to see why Tampa is one of the most popular cities in the state and one of the best places to make an extended stop on any ultimate Florida road trip itinerary.

Best Hotel To Stay At In Tampa – ROOST Tampa

ROOST Tampa is a stylish, 4-star hotel ideally situated right near Tampa Bay that offers incredible views of some of the city’s most stunning areas.

Its 97 sleek, Morris Adjmi–designed rooms include everything from studios to two-bedroom apartments, each of which is kitted out with a king bed, full kitchen, private bathroom, and patio or shared living space, and modern finishes like air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and tea and coffee makers.



Communal features include an outdoor rooftop pool with cabanas, a gym, a hot tub, BBQ areas, yoga/fitness classes, communal lounge and terrace spaces, and even cycling facilities. There are also ample facilities offered for disabled guests, as well as a 24-hour front desk and concierge service. 

Miami, Florida

Miami is one of the most famous cities in Florida, if not the entire United States. A vibrant coastal city, it is world-renowned for its dynamic blend of cultures, beaches, and nightlife opportunities. South Beach flaunts its iconic beach, Art Deco architecture, trendy restaurants, and infamous Ocean Drive. Its warm, tropical climate makes Miami enjoyable year-round, and it is a hotspot for activities like sunbathing, water sports, and outdoor dining.

Other attractions in Miami include the world-class shopping in the Design District, high-end boutiques in Brickell, historic attractions like the Freedom Tower and Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, and boat tours across Biscayne Bay.

This is all without even mentioning one of its biggest draws: its Cuban culture. Throughout the city, but especially in neighborhoods like Little Havana, Cuban music, food, and street art are everywhere. Wynwood is another district known for its colorful murals, eclectic galleries, and culinary scene.

Miami can, admittedly, be quite a pricey city to stay in. That is why we have written a guide to the top tips to help you enjoy Miami on a tighter budget, which you can read here.

Best Hotel To Stay At In Miami – Leslie Hotel Ocean Drive

Leslie Hotel Ocean Drive is an outstanding, 4-star boutique hotel conveniently located on the iconic Ocean Drive in South Beach. This allows it to provide stunning ocean views and easy access to Ocean Drive’s famous Art Deco bars and restaurants.

Its 35 rooms all boast a classic Miami vibe, and each contains amenities like refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, and private bathrooms complete with a shower and bath. Free Wi-Fi can be enjoyed throughout the property, and room service is also available.



A rooftop deck with a heated pool and hot tub offers a great place to relax and take in the views, while a fitness centre is available for active guests. The hotel also stocks beach chairs and towels for guests to take across the street to South Beach, and they provide a wonderful breakfast at the stylish café next door.

Key West, Florida

Key West, Florida is located at the southernmost point of the continental United States. A city with a relaxed atmosphere, it is known for its colorful architecture, tropical vibes, vibrant sunsets, stunning coastline, and its crystal-clear waters, which are perfect for snorkeling, boating, and dolphin tours.

Among its most popular areas are Duval Street, with its quirky shops, seafood restaurants, and bars with live music, and Mallory Square, which hosts nightly sunset celebrations, street performers, and local artists. The island’s Caribbean influence is seen in its food, music, and atmosphere.

Key West isn’t without cultural or historic attractions either, with stops like the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West Lighthouse, and the Truman Little White House being must-visit locations for many.

Best Hotel To Stay At In Key West – Simonton Court Historic Inn & Cottages

Simonton Court Historic Inn & Cottages is a charming, 4-star, adults-only property that offers suites in a converted 1880s mansion, as well as bungalows and cottages. Each of its accommodation options varies greatly from the others, yet all are comfortable and elegantly decorated.

Located just off Duval Street and just a short walk to the beach, it is perfectly situated for all visitors. Its historic charm, lush tropical environment, and lantern-lit courtyards provide opportunities for ultimate relaxation, which can be enjoyed everywhere from communal gardens and porches with rocking chairs to private balconies.



Four well-maintained outdoor pools offer additional opportunities for relaxation and fun, and a diverse complimentary continental breakfast will help you start each day the right way. The property also offers optional paid parking and amenities like bike rentals, snorkeling gear, and tour arrangements for your convenience. 

Top Attractions On The Ultimate Florida Road Trip Itinerary

We now move on to the top attractions on the ultimate Florida road trip itinerary. These are locations and attractions that may not require an overnight stay to enjoy in the way that the previous 5 did, but which are still more than worth your time to stop and explore.

Pensacola, Florida

Pensacola is the westernmost city in Florida. The first place in the contiguous United States where the Spanish settled in 1559, it’s known as “The City Of Five Flags”, due to the Spanish, French, British, United States, and Confederate States all having ruled it at one point, and its diverse history and culture represent this.

Popular attractions include the oldest United States Naval Air Station in the U.S., the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Museum of History, numerous historic buildings and monuments, and countless white sand beaches that earned Pensacola the nickname “World’s Whitest Beaches”.

Blackwater River State Forest

At 206,900 acres, Blackwater River State Forest is one of Florida’s largest forests and most pristine wilderness areas. Named after its crystal-clear, sand-bottom river, it features expansive longleaf pine forests and is a popular destination for activities like canoeing, camping, kayaking, tubing, hiking, and wildlife viewing.

Apalachicola National Forest

The largest national forest in Florida, at 632,890 acres, Apalachicola National Forest boasts a diverse landscape that includes swamps, pine flatwoods, freshwater lakes, and more, all of which boast their own unique and diverse collections of wildlife.

A popular destination for activities like hiking, birdwatching, fishing, and paddling, some stand-out attractions include Leon Sinks Geological Area and the scenic Florida National Scenic Trail, which, between them, display features like sinkholes and hardwood hammocks.



Tallahassee, Florida

The capital and 8^th most populous city in Florida, and the most populous city in the Panhandle region, Tallahassee revolves around education and government. Its most popular attractions include the Florida Capitol Complex, the Florida Governor’s Mansion, the Supreme Court of Florida, and some of the top colleges in either the state or country, including Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College. 

Osceola National Forest

The 190,932-acre Osceola National Forest & Osceola Wildlife Management Area is named after local Seminole warrior Osceola and has protected the region’s swamps, ponds, beaches, forests, and wildlife since December 1974.

It is popular destination for activities like camping, hiking, horse-riding, fishing, boating, water skiing, and BBQing, as well as spotting its variety of inhabitants, which includes alligators, eastern indigo snakes, skunks, muskrats, black bears, coyotes, raccoons, gopher tortoises, bobcats, foxes, opossums, cougars, fox squirrels, and red-cockaded woodpeckers, as well as many other birds.



St. Augustine, Florida

The oldest continuously inhabited city in the U.S., St. Augustine was established by Spanish colonists in 1565 and served as Florida’s capital from 1821 to 1824. Littered with buildings spanning the 1^st and 2^nd Spanish eras, the British era, and the American era, historic churches, museums, monuments, and other historic establishments, it is an ideal destination for fans of history and architecture.

It also boasts a great selection of amphitheaters, aquariums, state parks, and more, which make it a great stop for average tourists too.

Daytona Beach, Florida

Daytona Beach is known for its stunning beaches and abundance of waterfront attractions like piers and amusement parks. However, it is perhaps best known for its relationship with the motorsport world.

Daytona Bike Week is held annually each March and is the 2^nd biggest motorcycle rally in the United States, behind Sturgis in South Dakota. Biketoberfest in October is an event in a similar vein, albeit on a smaller scale, and it doubles as an end-of-summer party for the city. Daytona Beach is also the birthplace of NASCAR, and the NASCAR headquarters and Daytona International Speedway are ideal stops for any fans of the sport.

Lakeland, Florida

Lakeland, Florida, is a charming city named after its countless beautiful lakes. Rich with historic architecture and boasting a relaxed atmosphere, it is a place where visitors can explore the picturesque downtown and its antique shops, bars, and eateries, or visit the Polk Museum of Art or Florida Southern College, which is home to the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world.

There are also ample walking trails and wildlife spotting opportunities at Circle B Bar Reserve and Lake Mirror.

Clearwater, Florida

Clearwater, Florida, is famous for the crystal-clear waters it is named after, as well as the white-sand beaches they back onto. A family-friendly city, it is a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports like jet skiing and parasailing. Pier 60 hosts daily sunset festivals featuring street performers, artisans, and live music, while other attractions include dolphin-watching cruises, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and the city’s beachfront promenade and its shops, bars, and restaurants.

St. Petersburg, Florida

St. Petersburg, Florida, offers a vibrant mix of art, culture, and coastal charm, and it boasts award-winning beaches like St. Pete Beach. Its downtown area is filled with art galleries, shops, and waterfront dining options, and some of the top attractions in the city include the world-renowned Salvador Dalí Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, various colorful murals throughout the city, Fort De Soto Park, and St. Pete Pier.

Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota, Florida, is known for its stunning beaches, cultural attractions, and relaxed atmosphere. Its Siesta Key Beach is famous for its powdery white quartz sand, while the city’s prominent arts scene is booming thanks to establishments like the Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota Opera House, and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The historic downtown area is then full of boutique shops, cafes, and galleries to explore.



Meanwhile, outdoors lovers can enjoy kayaking through mangrove tunnels in Lido Key, or exploring the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, or barrier islands like Longboat Key and Casey Key.

Cape Coral, Florida

Cape Coral, Florida, is renowned for its extensive canal system that includes over 400 miles of navigable waterways. A popular destination for fishing, boating, and water sports like kayaking through mangroves, it also boasts a great collection of parks, scenic nature preserves, and beaches, as well as easy access to Sanibel and Captiva Islands and attractions like the Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve.

Fort Myers, Florida

Fort Myers, Florida, is known for its combination of historic charm, beautiful beaches, palm-lined streets, and easy access to nearby islands like Sanibel and Captiva. A popular destination for activities like shelling, boating, kayaking, and dolphin-watching, you also have attractions like the Edison and Ford Winter Estates and Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, as well as a lively downtown and scenic riverfront.

Throw in its year-round warm weather, and there is sure to be something here for everyone to enjoy, no matter when they visit.



Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake in Florida and an extremely popular destination for bass fishing, boating, and birdwatching. The 109-mile Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail provides plenty of opportunities for hikers and cyclists of all ability levels to get out in the fresh air and take in the stunning scenery. Just make sure to keep an eye out for alligators if you stray off the beaten path.

West Palm Beach, Florida

West Palm Beach, Florida, is a world-famous destination renowned for its beautiful waterfront and vibrant arts scene. Its sunny beaches and scenic parks are ideal for outdoor lovers, while its walkable downtown area is filled with galleries, luxury shops, restaurants, and live entertainment options that will please even the pickiest of travellers.

Some of its top attractions include the Norton Museum of Art, the Clematis Street nightlife district, and the weekend GreenMarket. Just over the bridge, you also have the exclusive Palm Beach and its designer boutiques and historic landmarks like The Breakers and Worth Avenue.

Boca Raton, Florida

Boca Raton boasts a fabulous combination of beautiful scenery, rich history, and vibrant culture. Known for its oceanfront location, beaches, and numerous historic, Mediterranean Revival Style buildings, it features a collection of attractions such as the Boca Raton Museum of Art, Red Reef Park, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, and the Mizner Park Amphitheater, meaning there is plenty to do for people of all interests.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is affectionately known as the “Venice of America”, thanks to its extensive network of boating canals. Its stunning beaches and lively arts and entertainment scene make it equally ideal for everything from sunbathing and water sports to a sophisticated night out.



Las Olas Boulevard is a hotspot for dining, shopping, and nightlife, and attractions like the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens and the Museum of Discovery and Science ensure there is plenty to keep the more active-minded entertained.

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park is the 29^th largest national park in the United States at 172,971 acres, and its 41^st oldest, having been established on June 28^th, 1980. A stunning marine sanctuary, it was established to protect the vibrant coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, and water-based ecosystems off the coast of Miami.

A perfect place for snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, and kayaking, visitors can enjoy its colorful underwater life, shipwrecks along the Maritime Heritage Trail, and the peaceful beauty of the Florida Keys' northern islands. Tours to Boca Chita Key will let you visit a historic lighthouse and take in breathtaking ocean views.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is the 10^th largest national Park in the United States at 1,508,939 acres, and 3^rd largest in the lower 48 states, behind only Death Valley and Yellowstone. Being established on May 30^th, 1934, then makes it the 20^th oldest national park in the system. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is world-famous for its vast and unique wetland ecosystem, rich biodiversity, and stunning landscapes.



Visitors can explore its mangrove forests, sawgrass marshes, and hardwood hammocks by airboat, kayak, or hiking trails, and spot its iconic wildlife, which includes alligators, manatees, and countless bird species. 

Final Thoughts On The Ultimate Florida Road Trip Itinerary

That concludes our guide to the ultimate Florida road trip itinerary. You should now have all the information you need to make the trip as enjoyable as possible, including when to go, which route to use, how long it will take, where to stay, and what to see along the way.

All you have left to do is work out what to take with you and start getting everything budgeted for and booked, so you can look forward to enjoying it all for yourself as soon as possible.