Places to stop on the way to Florida from New York

Planning a New York to Miami road trip? Here’s all the advice you could need on routes, where to stop, distances and timings.

If you’re planning a road trip from New York to Miami, you should pack your bags for a few days extra than what you planned. This is because there are so many cool places to stop along the way on a New York to Miami road trip – you wouldn’t want to miss them!

How far is New York from Miami?

If you road trip straight from NY to Miami, it would be a 19-hour trip covering 1286 miles. However, I’d recommend taking about 2 weeks so you can stay for 1-2 days on each spot along the way. 

A New York to Miami road trip covers some diverse places, cool drives, great cities and impressive parks too.

Here’s a list of the best stops you’d love on a road trip from New York to Miami.

Road Trip from NYC to Miami

Everything you need to know to do a New York to Miami road trip.

And if you want to do the Miami to New York drive – the other way round – then just start from the bottom! 

Obviously you need to spend some time in New York before the road trip begins. I love New York. One summer I worked at a summer camp nearby, I once went for a few days at Christmas, and when I was 18 I saved up all my money to go for a week. It was just incredible.

There’s so much to do in New York, check out this 4 day NYC itinerary for some inspiration. While you’re there, check out the Bronx Zoo – it’s one of the biggest zoos in the world!

2. Philadelphia

Distance: 94.6 miles
Time: 1hr 35 mins

Philadelphia is the largest city of Pennsylvania and is host to some of the most delicious food, and rich culture. Some of the must-see attractions are The Liberty Bell and the Independence Hall. 

The Liberty Bell is a historical bell that weighs around 2000 pounds and was used to mark some of the most significant events here. The Independence Hall is where the Declaration of the Independence and American Constitution was signed.

You might also want to run the steps of Philadelphia Museum of Art and relive the moments of Rocky movies. The Museum has some famous work by Van Gogh, Picasso and many others, if you want to go inside.

The 1-95 route can take you to some of the best places enroute from NY to Miami on your road trip. Once you’re in Philadelphia, visit the Reading Market Place that has over 80 different kinds of food. YUM!

Let’s crack on with that road trip to Miami!

3. Baltimore, Maryland

Distance: 97.4 miles
Time: 1hr 40 mins 

Baltimore is known for its colourful frames, scenic harbour and the famous crab market. Once here, you cannot miss out on the USS Constellation, National Aquarium and Maryland Science Centre.

The National Aquarium is home to about 20,000 animals including an open pool with different kinds of fish, a rainforest replica and a huge shark tank. You can also check out the 15 Epic Maritime Museums belonging to the Civil War era.

Also, if you can get yourself to the top of the Federal Hill, it will give you an impressive view of Inner Harbour and Baltimore Skyline.

There are a few parks and museums that you can visit while you are there such as Baltimore Museum of Art, American Visionary Art Museum, Fort McHenry National Monument, Edgar Allen Poe House & Museum. 

Definitely one of the more cultural stops on a road trip from New York to Miami!

You can also get a bus from New York to Baltimore, if you want to start your road trip a little later, and not worry about New York traffic.

4. Washington D.C.

Distance: 97.6 miles
Time: 1hr 45 mins

While on a New York to Miami drive, you won’t want to miss visiting the capital of United States. Washington is home to many iconic places like the White House, the Washington Monument and the Capitol.

Being the capital, it also has numerous war museums, iconic centres and also performing arts centre such as Kennedy Centre. The Washington Monument is the tallest obelisk that is about 555 feet tall. There’s a museum with a particular wall dedicated to epic news events it the history of US. Apart from this, you can also visit the The Martin Luther King Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial.

Plan a trip during April if you want to catch the beauty of cherry blossoms. There’s also the National Zoo and the Washington National Cathedral to visit among other places.

READ MORE on road trips

How to Drive from LA to San Francisco

My Top Road Trip Essentials

Don’t forget to get your tourist visa if you’re coming into the US from abroad.

5. Richmond, Virginia

Distance: 109 miles
Time: 1hr 50 mins

Being one of the oldest cities, Richmond in Virginia also has a lot of relics of the civil war. There are not huge things to see, but you can spend a few hours wandering around while you take some time off the wheels.

While in Richmond, head off to the Church Hill District and take a walk to St. Johns Church. Also, check out the great marble statue of Thomas Jefferson and dine at the Jefferson Hotel.

Enjoy a relaxed stop off on a road trip from New York to Miami by stopping off in Richmond.

6. Charlotte, North Carolina

Distance: 293 miles
Time: 4 hrs

While on the New York to Miami drive you can take the I-85 route and head on to one of the most vibrant cities – Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte is also known as the birth place of NASCAR and harbours the NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum, the Mint Museum, and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.

This is an ideal place for a spot of shopping. Some of the best places are KK Bloom, Doll A Boutique and just hanging out at the South Park Mall.

Another delightful stop on the road trip from New York to Miami!

7. Savannah, Georgia

Distance: 253 miles
Time: 3 hrs 41 mins

Savannah is one of the oldest cities in Georgia but aside from the museums and parks, the one place that is an absolute must see is a drive way through the Oak Tree lane.

It’s a natural wonder with oak trees lined up on both sides and dripping with Spanish Moss. Makes for some great photos!

Drive slow and enjoy the view and once you park, you can hop out to walk through one of the scenic trails.

In fact, Forsyth Park has a 300 year old Candler Oak Tree that is a huge attraction here. Other than this, you may like walking through the cobblestone streets and the rustic mansions. Visit the Paris Market and Brocante, and the Wormsloe Historic Site too. 

8. Amelia Island

Distance: 20 miles from Miami
Time: 1 hr 

If you’re looking for some peace, the pristine beaches of Amelia Island are a perfect spot for you. Not too crowded and beautiful, they are a great getaway destination for family and friends. In fact the island has a long European history and was named after the daughter of King George II of England. 

You can just sit back on the beaches and listen to historical stories of the island while you see the waves hitting or the sky at night.

Enjoy some leisure time riding horses at the white beach or playing some games at Fernandina Beach Pinball Museum. 

9. St.Augustine, Florida 

Distance: 305 miles
Time: 5 hrs

St Augustine is great year round, but is even more of a special holiday destination in winter. Millions of lights light up St. Augustine and the city ghost tour is even scarier. Guides will take you across the city from the old jail to old drugstore regaling ghostly tales.

If you visit in the Spring, there are a number of culinary events lined up –Florida’s Birding and Photo fest and St. Augustine’s Lions and Seafood Festival to name two.

There are some very good places to grab food in St Augustine on your Miami New York road trip, and it’s particularly famous for its nightlife.

10. Orlando, Florida

Distance: 293 miles
Time: 4 hrs

Orlando is one of the most epic spots to stop on a New York to Miami drive, and definitely one of the most well known. It’s home to Universal Studios, Disney World Resort and GatorLand.

Also, the Daytona Speedway is here.

The Kennedy Space Centre is just an hour’s drive from Orlando. It’s the primary launch centre for NASA human powered fights since 1968.

You can also check out the Cannaveral National Seashore and catch some turtle nesting in Florida. There are some stunning beaches here – if you want a suntan, you’ve come to the right spot.

11. Blowing Rocks Preserve, Hobe Sound, FL

Distance: 97 miles
Time: 2 hrs

Hobe Sound is another ideal stop on a New York to Miami drive or the other way, Miami to New York drive. Hobe Sound is a really cool artistic town, just off the I-95 in Florida.

I’ve listed some of the best things to do in Hobe Sound here, but it’s most well known for its blowing rocks.

The name comes from the behaviour of rocks and waves during a rough tide. Water spurts out from the holes of the limestone and may go upto 50 ft high. Always fun to stand there and get blown away from the full brunt of the earth’s power.

The limestone shore makes it look like you’re in Maine or Hawaii.

12. Worth Avenue Palm Beach, FL

Distance: 75 miles
Time: 2 hrs

Worth Avenue Palm Beach is where the rich kids hang out – and a great stop on a New York to Miami drive. You can check out the whitewashed Mediterranean alleys and courtyards and take time out for some shopping too.

13. Fort Lauderdale, FL

Distance: 32 miles from Miami
Time: 1 hr 30 mins

In Fort Lauderdale you can find navigable waterways of about 160 miles. Secure a front seat on the yachts that take you across the city. If you aren’t up for boating then you could take a walk down the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk or the red brick road and check out landscaped park and Art and Entertainment Sections.

Fort Lauderdale is an absolute must on a New York to Miami road trip, there’s so much to do there.

You have the Fort Lauderdale Beach to the east and Hollywood’s Broadwalk to the North. The best part however, is the boat ride at the everglades.

I have a complete guide to what to do in Fort Lauderdale right here, if you need some more inspiration.

14. Miami

You’ve made it!

Your New York to Miami drive is over – hope you’ve had a great time!

If your car is a rental keep it to drive round Miami, it’s a large city and it’ll make things easier.

While you are at Miami, you must check out the zoo which has a huge collection of exotic animals of the world. There is the Miami Museum of Science and the Fairchild Botanical Garden. After the entire day, you have to head to Miami Beach to peacefully watch the sunset.

The FontaineBleau Resort has become an iconic place for so many celebrities. You can indulge yourself in the history over a dinner or lunch plan here.

I’d definitely recommend you stay a few days in Miami. If you want to check out some of the great things to do in Miami, look at this list. The Little Havana Tour was a definite highlight of the last time I was there.

And if you want to keep the road trip dreaming alive, then check out this road trip to Key West from Miami. And then when you get to Key West – here’s how to spend the day. And read this for the best places to eat in the Florida Keys too.

See, I’ve got you sorted.

Your New York to Miami road trip

This is one of the best road trips to Miami you can do. If you want to do a Florida road trip then this is one of the best.

And I think you’re all set!

PIN THIS NEW YORK TO MIAMI ROAD TRIP FOR LATER