Epic East Coast Road Trip

The eastern coast of the United States of America is dazzling. It is rich in American history, resplendent with glorious beaches, and overflowing with biodiversity. The eastern states encompass dozens of American subcultures- from southern hospitality to cynical New Yorkers, and everything in between. This epic road trip spans 15 states and could take anywhere from 3-8 weeks to complete, so feel free to pick and choose, or break it up into several trips. And even if you complete this full list, there is still much to discover along the way, as I have only included my most favorite stops. Hopefully this guide will get you started on your east coast roadtrip dreams. 

We’re starting our trip in the south and going north, because I am intending this journey to begin at the end of summer, soaking in the last warm rays at the Florida Keys, and then meandering through the glorious fall foliage as you proceed further north. Of course, you can do this itinerary backwards as well if that serves you better. 

Florida Keys, Florida 

Our first destination begins at the Southernmost Point Buoy in Key West and Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Beach. Enjoy some Key Lime pie, lounge by the surf, or wander around with the wild chickens and iguanas. If you are feeling particularly motivated, take a boat tour to the furthest south National Park in the United States, Dry Tortuga’s National Park. It was pretty choppy on the water during our visit so we skipped it, but I hear it is stunning on a good day. Beginning one of the most epic road trips in the US, drive north through the Florida Keys.  Stop to snorkel at Bahia Honda State Park and eventually cross the world famous 7 Mile Bridge. Take the time to go on a scuba or snorkel trip at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and consider staying nearby a couple of nights. Keep in mind that it takes several hours to drive from Key West to Key Largo, so plan your days accordingly to allow for time out of the car as well. We highly recommend grabbing a bite at Alabama Jacks to enjoy the conch fritters, and taking an airboat tour of Everglades National Park while you are on Key Largo. Alternatively, you can drive to the Everglades, but the road is SO long, and I honestly don’t think its worth the trek on land since the canals of mangrove forests from the water tour are so amazing. 

Miami, Florida 

Heading out of the Keys, stop at the Robert is Here Fruit Stand for a smoothie. Trust me. By midday, you’ll reach South Beach, Miami. Walk down Ocean Drive and admire the Art Deco district and the 2 miles of white sandy beaches. This is a great place to lunch, or stay the night, as they have a thriving club scene here!

Cape Canaveral, Florida

Just a short drive up the coast brings you to the Kennedy Space Center, which is a phenomenal place to learn about the US space program and NASA. It’s very likely you will get to see a launch while you are here as they happen quite frequently. Unless you are obsessed with space travel you’ll probably spend about half a day here. You can also stop for a sweet treat at the nearby Florida Key Lime Pie Company, as this is your last chance for that special dessert until you return to this sunny state again. 

Bonus Round: Orlando, Florida 

DisneyWorld of course! If you have read my post about my visit to every worldwide Disney park then you know how much nostalgia I hold for the happiest place on earth. If you have the time, its close(ish) and iconic. 

St. Augustine, Florida 

Americas oldest city has a historic district perfect for strolling. You can also check out the St. Augustine Lighthouse and the the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, which are both really beautiful. This is a short stop, maybe half a day at most.

Savannah, Georgia

A little under three hours north brings you to a southern gem- Savannah. This city has some of the best preserved historic architecture on the east coast. The parks have wide paths lined with weeping willows, and boasts amazing southern food like Paula Deans Kitchen. Fun fact: the harbor is riddled with cobblestones from all over the world. When traders would come to America, they would bring empty ships laden with rocks on the voyage over, and then trade the rock for goods in the Savannah port. The city became rich and the rocks stayed in place as extra bumpy cobbles. Check out the historic district, find the filming locations for Forest Gump, and meander in Forsyth Park. I think one night here is plenty, but don’t rush. You’ll get true southern hospitality in Savannah and nearby Charleston, so soak it up while you can! 

Charleston, South Carolina

Only two hours from Savannah brings you to one of my favorite places in the whole world to eat barbecue food. We have been known to go hours out of our way to hit up Lewis Barbecue, its that good. In addition to stuffing your face, this quaint city is also the perfect place for a Plantation tour, which will blow you away. Being surrounded by the magnolia trees bordering ponds and meadows on a sprawling plantation will make you wish you were born in a different era. Again, one night here is great, of course more if you feel the need to rest. 

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Its only two hours to the Grand Strand, where the iconic SkyWheel dominates the skyline along 60 miles of sandy beaches and marshlands. This is a lively, touristy stop, but absolutely stunning. We love the wooden plank boardwalks that bring you over grasslands to the breezy shore and warm, gentle waves. This is a great place to take a break from the cities on either side of this long itinerary. 

Off Course, North Carolina 

I am being particular about North Carolina because this is significantly off the path of my east “coast” road trip. Primarily because my brother lives in Charlotte so this city holds a special place in my heart. And it is actually a really cool city, the home of Nascar, and surrounded by beautiful landscapes. However, we are going out of the way because Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway are breathtakingly beautiful, especially in the fall when the leaves turn vibrant shades of reds and orange. Here’s the thing: you can take a more coastal route and there are lots of other offerings in eastern North Carolina to discover that way… which is fine. But I promised only my favorite spots on the east coast, and this is one of them, so here we are. 

Richmond, Virginia

Virginia is known for having fantastic vineyards and world class wine tasting. I don’t drink wine and I am obsessed with history, therefore my next stop brings you to a battleground instead. A nice drive on well maintained highways brings you to Tredegar Iron Works, which produced over half of the Confederate army’s artillery in the Civil War. The on-site museum is detailed and immersive, and offers several viewpoints from the war. The nearby Richmond National Battlefield Park bestows quiet solitude on the self guided trails, and bonus, there are no entrance fees. Take a deep breath while you stand in the place where so many lost their lives fighting for the freedoms we enjoy today. You may only need a half day here, so I suggest driving on to the next stop to post up for a couple of nights. 

Washington, D.C

Just two short hours away and you’ll arrive at our nations capital. You could spend many nights here- weeks really- and not run out of amazing things to do. Start your visit at the National Mall, a 1.9 mile well maintained strip of parkland in the heart of the city. Here, you can visit some of the best museums and monuments in the world- also for free. There are so many to choose from but you absolutely should not miss the National Archives, where you can stand in awe of the United States Constitution. We also love the National Air and Space Museum, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument. The White House stands sentential amidst it all, while locals enjoy the area for exercise and birds chirp from the cherry trees. It’s picturesque, pristine, and brings a sense of pride and awe. The other experience we highly recommend in D.C is a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Visit the tomb of the unknown solider, see the changing of the guard, visit famous gravesites, and pay your respects to the thousands of Americans that have fought for freedom in the United States. 

Annapolis, Maryland 

It’s under an hour drive to the city of Annapolis. Here, you can visit the Maryland State House, which is the oldest state capitol building, still in use since 1772.  Then, visit the United States Naval Academy for a short walking tour. 

From there, south for an hour to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, where you can visit the museum and learn about this iconic activist. 

Dover, Delaware

Another hour drive brings you to Dover, Delaware. Either visit the First State Heritage Park and hear about American history by guides in period dress, or take a walking tour from Dover Green- or do both! Dover is a quaint historical city and nice place to stay the night. You can easily do Annapolis and Dover on the same day. 

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

From Dover, take the 2 hour drive to Lancaster County, to visit some authentic Amish towns. Yes, once again this is a tiny bit out of the way, but I promise its worth it. My mom and I came to Lancaster on a mother-daughter trip before she passed away and we hunted down the gravesites of our ancestors, so I have extra fond memories here. The amish people have a lovely culture of simple living. They are kind and humble, and happy to invite respectful tourists into their world. Travel through scenic farmland, take a buggy ride, and buy a handmade quilt or baked goods. Perhaps find somewhere unique to spend the night, or proceed on towards Philadelphia. 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In about an hour and a half, you can be standing in awe of The Liberty Bell. Independence Hall also houses the Declaration of Independence, and you’ll enjoy the tucked away museum. Eat a good Philly Cheesesteak, and then get out of the city, its kind of grungy. 

West Orange, New Jersey

The Thomas Edison National Historical Park is just sixty miles away. This is the home and laboratory of an American legend, with a bulk of his work on display. Plan for about two hours here before moving on to your stay in eastern New Jersey or New York City. 

New York, New York

The city that never sleeps, and one of the most recognizable cities in the world. This stop again could take you several days and nights to visit, and that won’t be enough. However, time pressed, there are a few things you should absolutely do. Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on a tour- bonus points if you book the tour that includes the inside of Lady Liberty. Its well worth the price and the effort to book the tour up to the crown, as the displays in the hollow center of the statue are informative and impressive. Admire the city skyline on your way back across the Hudson River and visit the 9/11 Memorial. You may want to stroll through Central Park, or walk down Fifth Avenue, stopping at Tiffany’s for a bobble. Times Square, the Empire State Building, and catching a Broadway show are also great options. We loved the laid back vibes of the Bronx, and the carnival show on Coney Island. Take the time to check out several fun and unique boroughs that make New York City the melting pot it’s famous for. 

New Haven, Connecticut

New Haven is a charming small town about 90 minutes from New York City, home to the Ivy League University, Yale. Nearby is Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, which is a Revolutionary War site used to defend the supply center for the Continental Army in 1778-1781. Spend a nice afternoon switching gears from Civil War to Revolutionary War history. Mystic, Connecticut is a nice place to have a meal or spend the night on your way to the next destination. 

Providence, Rhode Island

Providence is another pretty hour and a half jaunt through New England. Visit the colonial houses along Benefit street, wander down the Providence Riverwalk or Prospect Terrace Park. This is a idyllic and photogenic place to soak in a quiet break from big cities. 

Boston, Massachusetts

In less than an hour, you can be eating clam chowder at the oldest continuously operated restaurant in Boston, Union Oyster House. If you have read my post about Morro Bay you’ll know I love clam chowder for breakfast, and I can trace my obsession back to this restaurant. After you fill your belly, take a walking tour on the Freedom Trail. Here you will see landmarks such as the Boston Commons, Americas oldest public park, Old State House, and the Boston Massacre site. We highly recommend a guided tour because this city is packed with history and you won’t want to miss a thing! For a fun evening, you can visit the Cheers bar and make some new friends, or catch a baseball game at Fenway Park. Finally, visit the Boston Tea Party Museum for an amazing reenactment and sensory experience. This is one of the best museum experiences I have ever done and the kids really enjoyed it too! Clara was just happy she got her stuffed animal lobster from the gift shop. 

Salem, Massachusetts

You may choose to skip Salem, but being only a 30 minute drive, and on the way to New Hampshire, I think its a nice stop. The Salem Maritime National Historic Site observes the 1692 Which Trials with a well done memorial. If you are more interested in prehistoric history, you can circumvent Salem and choose to visit Americas Stonehenge instead. This 4000 year old stone astrological calendar was built by ancient peoples and is pretty neat, even if it is a little out of the way. 

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Less than an hour to go, Portsmouth stands in a romantic port. This historic colonial city boasts lovely 17th-19th century architecture. The Navy Shipyard here is still functioning to this day, and in World War II it turned out a submarine every 11 days! Stay near Market Square, check out the shops, and find a yummy place to eat with a view of the lapping waters. 

Portland, Maine

Our final state on the tour- you made it! Portland is just an hour drive north, a town made famous by its historical lighthouses, lobbers rolls, and the Maine Maritime Museum. We got to see a super moon rise over the lighthouses one fall evening in Portland, and it was extraordinary. 

Acadia, Maine  

Its quite far to make the jaunt to this northern National Park, but since you went to a far southern National Park on day 1, this seems a fitting end to the story. Acadia is known for its rugged rocky beaches, surrounded by sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. Make sure you get some Lobster while in Maine, it is a right of passage. 

Bonus Round: Niagara Falls, New York

Now, this is really inconsiderate of me to toss in, because its like a 12 hour drive to Niagara Falls from Acadia National Park. You either need to backtrack through Boston and across the state of New York, which feels like driving on a treadmill because the road never seems to end. OR, you drive up and through Canada, which is another sort of adventure. But I am throwing this in the end because its Niagara Falls, and when are you going to visit again? At least that’s how I convinced Colby it was a good idea to drive from Maine to Niagara Falls when we did it. Thankfully we were still in our honeymoon phase so he was nice about it but he still brings up what a terrible idea this was. However, he fondly remember the visit, and feeling the trio of waterfalls dropping 160 ft, 3000 tons of water every second, is something to leave an impression on the soul. 

The eastern coast of the United States is literally packed with experiences. You could travel your whole life in this region and still find beautiful and amazing new things to do. And this itinerary only scratches the surface, leaving out neighboring states like Tennessee, which deserve their own accolades. It was so hard to pick my favorite places, and in the end it became the places with some emotional tie for me. Places that took my breath away, left me with a profound feeling of wonder or pride, and places that have sentimental memories attached to them. After traveling the east coast several times, I am still surprised by the diversity and little pockets still undiscovered. I hope this guide can inspire, and can be a starting point. But even more I hope you leave some space for the adventure, the spontaneity, and the memories that might come up for you along the way.