10 Best East Coast Road Trips

With 14 states lining the Atlantic Coast, sprawling across big cities, beautiful seashores, mountains, and small towns, the U.S. East Coast is ripe for road tripping. Long drives on this side of the country offer enough variety to satisfy beach bums, history buffs, foodies, and travelers of all types.

Whether you’re looking for a quiet stretch of sand, the best New England fall foliage, or to fill up on oysters, stone crabs, and lobster rolls, we have an itinerary for it. These 10 best East Coast road trips from Maine to Florida are perfect for a weekend or longer.

• Best for islands and beaches: Savannah to Orlando, Florida
• Best road trip for city stops: New York City to Washington, D.C.
• Top route for fall foliage: Boston to Burlington, Vermont
• Best mountain views: Charlotte, North Carolina, to Gatlinburg, Tennessee
• Best for historical sites: Wilmington, North Carolina, to Savannah

Read on to start planning your journey through bucolic towns, old-timey fishing villages, and grand cities like Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., and Miami.

Savannah to Orlando, Florida

This trip starts with Savannah’s squares, parks, riverfront, and restaurants and ends in the land of theme parks. Most of the 300-mile trip will be on I-95, which runs fairly close to the coast, but there’s a short detour that takes you to St. Simons and Jekyll islands that’s well worth an extra hour or more.

Take I-16 West out of Savannah to meet up with I-95 South — you’ll drive mostly inland but pass over creeks and streams along the way. Shortly after the Altamaha River, watch for a turnoff onto State Route 99, then take that to hop on Route 17 heading south. Use this road to visit the islands, then get back on I-95 again when you’re ready to continue onto the Florida portion of your journey.

Feel free to stop in St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city, and Daytona Beach, home of the Daytona International Speedway. Use I-4 to go southwest toward Orlando, where hotels, Walt Disney World, Epcot, Universal Studios, and entertainment of all kinds await. Explore the natural surroundings at Shingle Creek Regional Park, where you can kayak, canoe, or just enjoy a quiet picnic.

New York City to Washington, D.C.

This 230-mile trip takes about four hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. From lower Manhattan, take the Holland Tunnel that passes under the Hudson River to New Jersey. You’ll be on I-78 in Jersey City, with views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. The interstate crosses Newark Bay on the Vincent R. Casciano Memorial Bridge, then meets I-95 heading south.

Driving south on I-95 (the New Jersey Turnpike), Staten Island will be on your left across a narrow body of water called Arthur Kill — the word “kill” is derived from the Dutch, influential in settling this part of the northeast. Continue south through New Jersey — maybe taking a detour to the beaches of the Jersey Shore — until you cross the into Delaware. Soon you’ll enter Maryland, where I-95 becomes the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway. Cross the Susquehanna River and go on to Baltimore, where you should stop for Chesapeake Bay crab cakes and a tour of Inner Harbor.

Continue south on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway into Washington, D.C., where there’s plenty to see and do from museums, memorials, and monuments to outdoor activities on the waterfront. The Smithsonian museums alone could fill several days, plus there’s hiking, biking, and boating for those who want to spend some time outdoors.

Boston to Burlington, Vermont

If you’re on the East Coast when the leaves change color, a road trip through Vermont and New Hampshire will deliver some of the greatest autumn backdrops imaginable. Starting in Boston, head north to Lake Winnipesaukee, where you’ll find one of the country’s best lake towns. Dubbed “America’s oldest summer resort town,” Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, is a place worth spending a night to soak up the Americana vibes that many describe as “Rockwellesque.”

From there, head toward North Conway on NH-16, then hop on the Kancamagus Highway, a top-tier National Scenic Byway for fall foliage that has scenic stops showcasing waterfalls and gorges. The highway travels for 34.5 miles through the White Mountains. Once you’ve come out the other side in Lincoln, New Hampshire, you can continue on your way west and cross into Vermont.

Set your sights next on Vermont’s most picturesque ski resort town and the location of the Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe. This was the home of the real von Trapp family that inspired Rodgers and Hammerstein to write “The Sound of Music.” Even if there’s no snow on the ground, there are abundant trails for biking and hiking, or you can enjoy a scenic gondola ride and the charming downtown area. You’ll finish the trip when you arrive in Burlington, a small capital city where the University of Vermont is located. You can stock up on produce at the celebrated Saturday farmers market and tour the city’s many craft breweries.

Charlotte, North Carolina, to Gatlinburg, Tennessee

This route will take you to the heart of Appalachia. It starts in Charlotte, North Carolina, home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. From there, you’ll head west to Asheville, another city with a lot of character and a unique history. Consider this your gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While in town, you should stop by The Biltmore Estate, the impressive mansion of the famously rich Vanderbilt family, and plan to spend sunset at the Omni Grove Park Inn, a historic hotel that once hosted American authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald and also has the best sunset views in town.

From Asheville, cross into Tennessee to end your trip in Gatlinburg, a gloriously showy tourist town at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains. The best way to get there is via the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, which includes dozens of stops for comfy lodgings and gentle hikes, plus incredible views of the Appalachian Mountains. Since 2024’s Hurricane Helene struck the region, parts of the parkway have been closed for repairs. Check the road conditions before you go to find out what’s open. Besides the parkway, you can get to Gatlinburg via I-40, US-19, and US-441. For a big finale, book a night at the Sanctuary Tree House Resort in nearby Pigeon Forge. These beautiful feats of architecture are equipped with trip-making amenities like outdoor hot tubs, slides, and swinging day beds.

Wilmington, North Carolina, to Savannah

Start or end this road trip by spending a few days in the riverfront city of Wilmington, strolling Cape Fear’s 1.75-mile Riverwalk, browsing the shops, or dining at one of the waterfront cafes or restaurants. Tour the Battleship North Carolina, just across the river from downtown, to catch a glimpse of its role in World War II’s Pacific Theater. Spend a day at the beach, or ride in a horse-drawn carriage among Wilmington’s historic mansions.

When it’s time to begin your drive south to Savannah, you have a few options. The fastest route is inland on I-95 (a little less than five hours and about 300 miles). But take your time and drive near the coast on U.S. Route 17. While this will add around an hour to the trip, you’ll pass through small towns and be able to stop for lunch on a nearby beach. If time allows, you could easily take three days or more to enjoy this scenic and historic section of the coast.

After taking you west across the Cape Fear River, Route 17 leads you inland for a few miles south before returning you back to the Atlantic shore for most of the drive. You’ll pass Shallotte and the Brunswick Islands, five barrier islands with beaches, seafood, and a historic atmosphere. North Carolina’s Outer Banks region, which comprises 100 miles of shoreline, is a popular summer destination, and you might decide to spend some time (or even a night) in one of the beachside towns.

Myrtle Beach in South Carolina might be your next stop, or you can continue your scenic drive along the shore and spend the night in Charleston. Route 17 will take you near the Sea Islands — dozens of barrier islands along the shores of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida — for about two hours, before landing you in Savannah.

Boston to Acadia National Park, Maine

There’s no shortage of ways to explore Boston — self-guided walking tours, museum visits, and strolls through the North End are all great options. You can take a harbor cruise or ride a seasonal Swan Boat in the Public Garden’s lagoon, then fill up on clam chowder and Boston cream pie before buckling up for a road trip.

This roughly 300-mile trip takes about five hours and passes through Salem, Massachusetts; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Portland, Maine; and Augusta, Maine’s capital, before reaching Bar Harbor. You’ll experience New England’s scenery and history if you take U.S. Route 1 with a few detours along the way.

Traveling north on Route 1 from Boston, you’ll pass over the Mystic River. If time allows, take the Yankee Division Highway east to Gloucester — a worthwhile detour if you’re interested in seeing lighthouses, fishermen’s memorial statues, and historic buildings. Back on the highway, you’ll drive north, just a mile or so from the sea most of the time, briefly passing through New Hampshire until you reach Portsmouth and enter Maine. Continue through beach towns and the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, and take State Route 9 for a detour to Kennebunkport. Spend the night, dine on Maine lobster, and check out the stunning mansions in this 17th-century town.

Take Route 9 around the shore, then head back to U.S. Route 1 on Route 208. Continue on Route 1 to Portland, another great option for an overnight stay. From Portland, three hours on the shore-hugging scenic route will get you to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.

New York City to Newport, Rhode Island

Spending a few days in Manhattan is the ideal lead-in to a relaxing getaway somewhere quiet. Don’t leave without walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, meandering along The High Line, and experiencing The National September 11 Memorial Museum. After getting your fill of bagels or pizza, shopping, museums, and strolls through Central Park, embark on a classic road trip from New York City to Newport, Rhode Island.

When it’s time to leave, head north on Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive (FDR Drive) to the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, which runs across the Harlem River. I-278 then takes you through the Bronx and onto I-95 through Westchester County. The highway runs northeast, close to the shore of the Long Island Sound into Connecticut. You’ll pass through New Haven, home of Yale University, and have an opportunity to explore the campus.

Shortly after the town of Guilford, exit onto State Route 1, which will take you closer to the sea for the views and beach access. You’ll rejoin Interstate 95 to get back on your way to Newport, eventually exiting onto State Route 102 and then Route 138.

In Newport, park your vehicle and spend a few car-free days along the shore, strolling the three-and-a-half-mile Cliff Walk, exploring vintage mansions, and enjoying fresh seafood. Take a bike ride along one of many trails or relax on a sunset cruise.

Baltimore to Virginia Beach

Starting in Baltimore, this East Coast road trip will take you on a long detour from I-95 that passes through a rare coastal landscape populated by wild horses. From Baltimore, it’s a 120-mile drive across the Chesapeake Bay to Delaware’s Bethany Beach, a lovely first beach to set the tone for this coastal adventure. From there, travel south along the water until you reach Ocean City, Maryland, a classic American beach town to base your adventures on the Assateague Island National Seashore. This 48,000-acre stretch of grass and sand is considered one of the country’s most scenic camping destinations.

You’ll find wild horses roaming the landscape on Assateague and further south on Virginia’s Chincoteague Island, which is your next stop. There’s no main road connecting the two islands, so you will have to briefly go back inland to get to Chincoteague. If you go in the summer, don’t miss the week-long Pony Swim, when the horses are herded across the bay by the “Saltwater Cowboys” in an impressive display of the animals’ swimming chops.

From there, it’s a beautiful drive with the Atlantic on one side and the Chesapeake Bay on the other. Make sure to stop for lunch in one of the small towns along the way for fresh seafood. When you reach the end of the island, you’ll travel across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and arrive at your final destination in Virginia Beach, where you’ll have your pick of chic hotels and a large boardwalk with plenty of restaurants and attractions for all ages.

Washington, D.C., to Nags Head, North Carolina

After taking in the sights and history of the nation’s capital, you may be ready to head to the beach. As it goes with many road trips, there’s a more scenic way than the most direct route. In this case, the 5.5-hour, 280-mile drive follows rivers and the Atlantic Coast all the way to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Head south out of Washington, D.C. on Interstate 395 (which turns to Interstate 95). You’ll pass the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, then cross the Potomac River into Virginia. Continue south until you reach State Route 3 around Fredericksburg — head east on Route 3, then south on Route 17. Called Tidewater Trail, Route 17 meanders along next to the Rappahannock River, a spot known for outdoor fun and delicious oysters.

You’ll cross the York River and the James River, which empty into the Chesapeake Bay. Follow Route 168 from Chesapeake into North Carolina. The highway meets up with Route 158, takes you along a narrow peninsula to the Wright Memorial Bridge, and south to the Outer Banks town of Nags Head. Relax on the beach, climb to the top of the still-active Bodie Island Lighthouse, or watch the hang gliders at Jockey’s Ridge State Park among massive sand dunes.

Miami to Key West, Florida

This classic road trip takes you to the furthest reaches of Highway 1 and the southernmost point of the continental U.S. From Miami, it’s a 170-mile drive to Key West, but it’s a trip that should be broken up along the way to enjoy the diversity of the many islands that make up the Florida Keys — and maybe even a detour to Everglades National Park if you’ve always wanted to see gators in person. Before you set out, make sure you take the proper time to enjoy the scene of South Beach, have a cafecito on Calle Ocho in Little Havana, and take a few shots of the street art at Wynwood Walls.

From Miami, embrace the laid-back style of the Keys by traveling slowly, first stopping at Key Largo for a slice of Key Lime Pie at Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen. As you roll down Highway 1 past Islamorada and Marathon, you’ll see fabulous resorts and cozy bed-and-breakfasts, but for an experience that’s a little different, park the car and hop on a boat to the celebrated Little Palm Island, a private island resort where you can have your own luxury bungalow. It’s possible to spend an entire trip exploring the many wildlife-rich snorkeling and diving spots, especially if you take an excursion to Dry Tortugas National Park, a protected marine reserve.

For literature fans and animal lovers, a visit to the Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West is a must. You’ll meet the unique six-toed cats descended from the great American author’s precious pet Snow White, who lived there with him in the 1930s. Of course, with only one way to go from Key West, the drive back is just as scenic as the drive there, so keep track of your favorite spots and make sure you never miss the sunset, which is magnificent from just about every angle.