Are you ready for a road trip that will take you from a tropical climate to the largest city in the US? Driving from Florida to New York is surprisingly easy, regardless of whether you want a fast route or a more scenic drive. And there are countless stops you can make along the way, either while driving through the southern states or historic cities further north, like Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. All the while you can soak in the scenery and use some of our tips to make your trip from Florida to New York as smooth as possible.
Top Routes
Top 10 Stops Along the Way
- 1. St. Augustine, FL
- 2. The Biltmore Estate
- 3. Savannah, GA
- 4. George Washington’s Mount Vernon
- 5. Jersey Shore
- 6. Jacksonville, FL
- 7. Washington, D.C.
- 8. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
- 9. Raleigh, NC
- 10. George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
Top Road Trip Tips
The Fastest Route
Our route starts in the middle of Florida, around Orlando, so if you are coming from somewhere in the south, like Miami, you will need to add at least an hour to the drive. But if you don’t care about the scenery and just want to get from Point A to Point B, this route that almost exclusively follows Interstate 95 North could not be easier. It takes you along the coast of Georgia, through North Carolina and South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland, and small portions of Delaware and New Jersey before you end up in Lower Manhattan. Although you will cover more than 1,400 miles of road in more than 17 hours, the changing landscape should keep you interested during the drive.
The Most Scenic Route
Now that we know the fastest way to drive up the East Coast, what about a more scenic version of the drive if the view out the window is more important than time? There is no shortage of charming towns and lush scenery along the way if you venture off of I-95. The route that we layout below mostly follows the Eastern seaboard and is only one of several possibilities. Use this as a starting point and plot your own journey from Florida to New York!
- Take I-95 north through Florida
- Just after Savannah, GA, take US-17 through Charleston, SC
- Continue to follow US-17 through the Francis Marion National Forest to Myrtle Beach, SC
- Stay on the highway through Jacksonville, NC and then skirt the edge of the Croatan National Forest
- At New Bern, NC you will veer north on Highway 43 to Greenville, NC
- Continue north through North Carolina on highways 13 and 11
- Enter Virginia and drive north until you hit Highway 58 at Suffolk
- Drive through Norfolk, VA and then you get to go over the water on Highway 13 to the southern tip of another part of Virginia
- You’ll continue on the same highway as you pass through a small portion of Maryland including the Pokomoke State Forest
- Drive north through Delaware
- Then take I-95 the remainder of the way through New Jersey and reach your final destination: New York!
10 Places to Stop Along the Way
Depending on what your interests are, the drive south from Florida north to New York can include beaches, old plantations, mountains and forests for hiking and camping, scenic towns and major cities, and everything in between. Not all the stops are along the routes we have laid out in this article, but if one of them appeals to you it can help you craft your own route.
1. St. Augustine, FL
This town on the northern Atlantic coast of Florida lays claim to being the oldest city in the US. St. Augustine is worth a stop for the beaches, Spanish-style colonial architecture and the Castillo de San Marcos, a fortress dating to the 17th century.
What to see: Take in the history of Spanish settlement in St. Augustine by walking down St. George Street and touring Castillo de San Marcos.
2. The Biltmore Estate
Do you like ridiculously opulent mansions? The Biltmore Estate, located just south of Asheville, NC, was finished in 1895 and is the largest privately-owned house in the US. And the craziest part is that it was built as a summer home!
What to see: Check out the tours you can book at the Biltmore Estate, including a behind-the-scenes look and tasting at the winery.
3. Savannah, GA
If you happen to be near Savannah, it’s well worth at least a few hours of your time. In addition to finding some Grade A southern cooking here, you will also delight in Forsyth Park, with its trees draped in Spanish moss, and the historic district with its antebellum architecture.
What to see: Walk down River Street that runs along the Savannah River and check out the shops and restaurants before stopping by the Georgia Queen paddlewheel boat.
4. George Washington’s Mount Vernon
If you decide to take the route through Washington, D.C., you can stop at Mount Vernon. The plantation owned by America’s first president, George Washington, is located about 30 minutes south of D.C. and is easily accessible from I-95 by taking US Highway 1.
What to see: If you want to see the inside of the former home of George and Martha Washington, be sure to book a mansion tour. Then save some time to try some Virginia favorites at the restaurant.
5. The Jersey Shore
Yes, the beaches of New Jersey might not have the same cool factor as those further south, but you will still find plenty of entertainment and some nice ocean air before you reach your final destination. Cape May, Atlantic City and Asbury Park are all worthy of your time.
What to see: If you’ve had enough of the beach, head to Jenkinson’t Aquarium at Point Pleasant Beach to see all kinds of marine life plus creatures like alligators and penguins.
6. Jacksonville, FL
This city in northern Florida is the largest in the state and worth a stop as you make your way to New York. While there is Jacksonville Beach to enjoy, the city has more to offer including museums like the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and the Clara White Mission. Jacksonville also has the largest urban park system in the country, so you can stop and stretch your legs while enjoying nature and keeping an eye out for local wildlife.
What to see: Enjoy some fresh air during your drive with a stop at Little Talbot Island State Park. You can hike and camp in this undeveloped park on a barrier island, or simply stroll on the pristine beaches.
7. Washington, D.C.
If you are taking the direct route up I-95 N, you will pass through the outskirts of Washington, D.C., so why not stop? There are so many things to see and do in the U.S. capital city, that you will have a hard time narrowing down your sightseeing stops. You can book a tour of the White House, then walk over to the National Mall to visit some of the Smithsonian museums and see the multiple monuments there.
What to see: The great thing about visiting Washington, D.C. is that most of the popular attractions are free. Check out the Smithsonian museums like the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, walk around the Lincoln Memorial and Tidal Basin and wonder at the National Gallery of Art.
8. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Just outside Washington, D.C., the Goddard Space Flight Center is a great place to stop if you or your fellow travelers have any interest in NASA or space travel in general. There are exhibits, a solarium and insights into how space telescopes work. And the best part of visiting is that entry to Goddard is free.
What to see: Learn about the James Webb Space Telescope through displays at Goddard, or take a virtual field trip.
9. Raleigh, NC
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh, is part of the “Research Triangle” along with neighboring Chapel Hill and Durham. There are tons of things to do there, both educational and not so much. Visit Pullen Park, which has one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, plus a lake you can paddle on. On the educational side, if you want to learn a bit about local Black history, stop at the Pope House Museum, home to one of the city’s most prominent African American citizens, Dr. Manessa Thomas Pope.
What to see: Get out of the car and stretch your legs at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Its outdoor park has works of art, or you can head inside to see Egyptian artifacts, paintings and more.
10. George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
If you want to take a bit of detour (depending on what route you choose), bring your hiking and camping gear to spend some time in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in northwestern Virginia, stretching into West Virginia and Kentucky. Situated along the Appalachian Mountains, there are lots of recreational activities to do here including hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, horseback riding and camping. Just keep in mind that you need a permit do some activities, so you might want to plan ahead.
What to see: Hike the 325-mile portion of the Appalachian Trail that’s within the forests, or go even further!
Road Trip Tips
Whether you are traveling with children, a group of friends or solo, we have some ways to make your road trip a success.
Play Games Early: The boredom can set in quickly after hitting the road. That is why it’s a good idea to play games with kids – whether it’s a card game like Go Fish or the license plate game – to start the day before they get tired and lose focus.
Download Maps of Your Route: If you decide to take a more scenic route that goes through forested or mountainous areas, it’s a good idea to have the maps available offline. That way if you lose cell service, you can still find where you need to go.
Pack an Overnight Bag: On a long road trip, you’ll likely have a lot of luggage with you that you don’t want to haul into a hotel every night. The easiest solution is to pack an overnight bag with pajamas, toiletries and a couple of changes of clothes, plus any valuables you don’t want to leave in a vehicle overnight.
Preplan Where You Will Sleep: If you know how much time you want to spend getting from Florida to New York, it is worth planning good places to spend the night. That way you won’t be stuck driving further than you want to if you get tired while driving and can’t find a hotel room.
One-Way Car Rental
Renting a car one way gives you the comfort of driving a new-model vehicle coupled with choosing what kind of car you will drive. Need lots of cargo space? Choose an SUV or minivan. Or ride in the lap of luxury by booking a luxury car from BMW or Mercedes-Benz. With our one-way car rentals, you can choose from optional add-ons like additional drivers, express toll unlimited and GPS guaranteed. Whatever your reason for needing a one-way car rental is, whether it’s a relocation for work, a canceled flight or simply a road trip, book with SIXT for affordable rates, whether it’s for one week or 28 days or more.
