NEWS

Florida is a top road trip state . Here are 7 driving routes to fun attractions

Lianna Norman
USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida

Last year, 60% of the people who visited Florida drove instead of getting on a plane, according to Visit Florida.

And this year, AAA predicted busy travel seasons for the spring and summer in Florida.

Florida has plenty of road trip destinations, from the state’s 825 miles of sandy beach, to the theme parks and popular scuba and snorkeling destinations like freshwater springs and the Florida Keys.

So it isn’t surprising that Florida recently ranked high on WalletHub’s list of the best states for road tripping this summer.

Here’s where Florida ranks on WalletHub’s “Best States for Summer Road Trips in 2024” and some of the best road trip destinations in the state.

Where is the best place to road trip in the U.S.?

To find the best states in the U.S. for road trips, WalletHub compared each state based on more than 30 key metrics, like how many attractions and national parks are in each state, gas and car repair costs, vacation rentals per capita and quality of roads and bridges.

According to the study, Texas is the best state in the country for road-tripping this summer.

“Texas (leads) the country when it comes to the number of available attractions, especially things like zoos, botanical gardens and amusement parks,” the study says.

“Even in between activities, the act of being on the road in Texas can be very enjoyable, since the state has over 9,500 miles of scenic byways”

And while the Buc-ee’s convenience store and gas station chain wasn’t mentioned by name in the study, the gas station sensation that excites road trippers across the south was born in Texas. There are more than 35 locations throughout the state.

“Accommodations and food are very important during road trips as well, and the Lone Star State has those things covered,” the study said.

Florida took fifth place on WalletHub’s rankings list, behind Minnesota, New York and Louisiana.

Here’s WalletHub’s list of the top 10 best states in the U.S. for road tripping this summer:

  1. Texas
  2. Minnesota
  3. New York
  4. Louisiana
  5. Florida
  6. Ohio
  7. North Carolina
  8. Wyoming
  9. Maine
  10. Pennsylvania

Florida ranked high in individual categories, too, taking first place for having the most attractions out of all 50 states and sixth place for the most nightlife options per capita.

Where are the best places to road trip in Florida?

Here are seven “Unforgettable Road Trips to Take Before You Die” from travel and culture website Only in Your State:

  • North Florida -This road trip route stretches from Fort Clinch State Park, near Jacksonville on Florida’s northeast coast, to Florida Caverns State Park near Tallahassee. “This road trip showcases the best of North Florida, from the state's biggest waterfall to the nation's oldest city, and so much in between. It will take you almost 13 hours, but you should have no trouble finding incredible places to stay in cities like St. Augustine or Fernandina Beach -- or one of the many state parks on the trip.”
  • Central Florida -This road trip route is a 9- to 10-hour drive that will take you in a big circle around central Florida, from the gulf coast, to the east coast. “On this 9-hour trip, you'll see some of our favorite pieces of Old Florida, plus some of the must-visit attractions in Florida.”
  • Florida frights -This road trip route follows a theme and covers a huge portion of the state, with haunted stops as far north as St. Augustine and as far south as the Everglades. “Florida has its fair share of ghost stories and haunted places, and this is the ultimate trip for you ghost story fans out there. From a town of psychics to Florida's most haunted house, you'll find it all on this 15-hour drive.”
  • Florida’s small towns -This road trip route is a 10-hour tour of Florida’s most picturesque small towns. “We have a huge crush on Florida's charming small towns, and we can't think of anything better than to see as many of them as possible. This trip goes through some of our favorite towns, including Cedar Key, Mount Dora, and Tarpon Springs.”
  • Florida’s natural wonders -This road trip route is a 13-hour trip that stretches from Florida’s panhandle, running diagonally across the state, all the way down to Key Largo. “A lot of people think Florida is all beaches and theme parks, but this trip is full of all of Florida's jaw-dropping natural wonders. Get ready for a waterfall, springs, coral reef, and caves (yes, caves!). Of course, they can't all be nearby, so this trip will take about 13 hours of driving.”
  • Take a lighthouse tour through the state - This road trip route will take you from the panhandle, across the top of the state and all the way down the east coast, with stops at nine Florida lighthouses along the way. “Living in Florida, you're probably aware of our large collection of romantic, scenic lighthouses dotting the coast. See nine of the most picturesque examples in Florida, and even climb a few of them for some incredible views.”
  • Road trip on one tank of gas -This road trip route is great if you’re on a budget or don’t want to spend too much time in the car. It’s a little under five hours long, with stops at multiple freshwater springs and restaurants. “This trip has a couple of our favorite small towns, natural wonders, and mom-and-pop restaurants. Get ready for some of the best day trips in Florida on one map.”