So you want to take a road trip along the east coast from Florida to Maine, but you don’t have the time or energy to plan your road trip? I’ve got you covered!
With 13 stops in different states, I’ve suggested a wide range of attractions, routes, hotel options, and campground options.
Depending on which lodging choices you select, you can visit 14 states (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine), plus Washington D.C. on this trip!
Starting Point – Key West, Florida
Start in Key West and walk around the historic downtown area and island hop by boat. Once you’ve had your fill, it’s time to take off for your east coast road trip!
Stop #1 – Marathon, Florida
Attraction – Dolphin Research Center
- Address: 58901 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, Florida 33050
- Phone Number: (305) 289-1121
- Distance from Starting Point: 57 miles
- Drive Time from Starting Point: 1 hour 14 minutes
At the Dolphin Research Center, you will have the opportunity to see dolphins who were previously held in captivity and cannot be released into the wild. You’ll have the option to observe, or you can get more hands-on. You can do their Meet a Dolphin program where you’ll get to shake a dolphin’s fin and pet it. They offer a Paint with a Dolphin program and a Researcher program as well. You can also swim with the dolphins!
Hotel Option- Hampton Inn
- Address: 102400 Overseas Highway PO Box 1024, Key Largo, Florida 33037
- Phone Number: 305-451-1400
- Distance from Dolphin Research Center: 43 miles
- Drive Time from Dolphin Research Center: 55 minutes
The Hampton Inn is located a half-mile away from America’s only living coral reef! Visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to see it! The hotel offers an outdoor pool, a Tiki bar, a private beach, WiFi, daily breakfast, parking, and a fitness center.
Camping Option – John Pennekamp State Park Campground
- Address: Mile Marker 102.5 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037
- Phone Number: 305-676-3777
- Distance from Dolphin Research Center: 43 miles
- Drive Time from Dolphin Research Center: 1 hour 1 minute
What a unique campground! Take a glass bottom boat over the coral reef, go snorkeling, or even scuba diving. This campground offers full hookups, access to a beautiful state park, cabins, tent camping, RV camping, and even boat camping!
Stop #2 – Cape Canaveral, Florida
Attraction – Jetty Park Beach and Pier
- Address: 400 Jetty Park Rd, Port Canaveral, FL
- Phone Number: (321) 783-7111
- Distance from Starting Point: 289 miles / 270 miles (depending on lodging option)
- Drive Time from Starting Point: 4 hours 27 minutes / 4 hours (depending on lodging option)
Watch cruise ships, go fishing, spend the day at the beach, watch a rocket launch, see stingrays, dolphins, turtles, and more.
Hotel Option – Home2 Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral Cruise Port
- Address: 9004 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920
- Phone Number: (321) 784-0025
- Distance from Attraction: 1.9 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 6 minutes
Located just 20 minutes from Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach, Home2 Suites is the perfect hotel choice for this route. They offer free WiFi, free breakfast, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a business center, and a poolside Tiki bar.
Camping Option – Jetty Park Campground
- Address: 9035 Campground Circle, Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920
- Phone Number: 321-783-7111
- Distance from Attraction: 0.3 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 6 minutes
Another unique campground, Jetty Park Campground, is located right on Cape Canaveral. Watch for cruise ships, submarines, and rocket launches. They offer tent and RV camping with full hookup.
Stop #3 – Tybee Island, Georgia
Attraction – Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum
- Address: 30 Meddin Drive, Tybee Island, Georgia 31328
- Phone Number: (912) 786-5801
- Distance from Starting Point: 314 miles
- Drive Time from Starting Point: 4 hours 35 minutes
Near Savannah, Georgia, the Tybee Island Lighthouse is a great stop for scenic lovers and history buffs. You can walk up to the top of the lighthouse (178 steps), visit the Farmer’s Market, or enjoy the beautifully maintained grounds.
Hotel Option – Tybee Island Inn
- Address: 24 Van Horne Ave, Tybee Island, Georgia 31328
- Phone Number: (912) 786-9255
- Distance from Attraction: 0.7 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 4 minutes
Choose from a wide array of themed rooms. Options include The Captain’s Quarters, The Dolphin Room, The Lighthouse Suite, The Savannah Beach Room, The Sea Cabin, and more.
Camping Option – River’s End Campground & RV Park
- Address: 5 Fort Avenue, Tybee Island, Georgia 31328
- Phone Number: (912) 786-5518
- Distance from Attraction: 0.5 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 3 minutes
River’s End Campground is located less than 1/2 a mile from the beach. The campground offers tent, cabin, and RV rentals as well as a pool, a full-service laundry room, a fitness center, and a TV lounge.
Stop #4 – Santee, South Carolina
Attraction – Santee State Park
- Address: 251 State Park Rd, Santee, South Carolina 29142
- Phone Number: (803) 854-2408
- Distance from Starting Point: 132 miles
- Drive Time from Starting Point: 2 hours 23 minutes
Santee State Park is a quiet park known for fishing, kayaking, boating, hiking, camping, and birdwatching. With a campground included, it’s the perfect place to stop on your east coast road trip.
Hotel Option – Hampton Inn Santee-I-95
- Address: 9060 Old Number Six Highway Santee, South Carolina 29142
- Phone Number: (803) 854-2444
- Distance from Attraction: 6 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 11 minutes
Hampton Inn Santee I-95 offers an outdoor pool, free WiFi, free breakfast, a business center, and a fitness center.
Camping Option – Santee / Santee Lakes KOA Journey
- Address: 1268 Gordon Rd, Summerton, South Carolina 29148
- Phone Number: (803) 478-2262
- Distance from Attraction: 10 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 16 minutes
Santee Lakes KOA is located on Lake Marion that offers a fire pit, a pool, a dog park, fishing, miniature golf, a beach area, corn hole, a boat ramp, beach volleyball, basketball, a playground, and laundry facilities. They offer RV and tent sites.
Stop #5 – Fayetteville, North Carolina
Attraction – ZipQuest Waterfall & Treetop Adventure Park
- Address: 533 Carvers Falls Rd Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311
- Phone Number: (910) 488-8787
- Distance from Starting Point: 161 miles
- Drive Time from Starting Point: 2 hours 20 minutes
Take a zipline canopy tour through nature over forests and a waterfall!
Hotel Option – Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Fayetteville North
- Address: 4249 Ramsey St, Fayetteville, NC 28311
- Phone Number: (910) 223-7867
- Distance from Attraction: 4 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 8 minutes
Fairfield Inn & Suites offers kitchenettes, free breakfast, a fitness center, and an indoor pool.
Camping Option – Fayetteville RV Resort & Cottages
- Address: 6250 Wade-Stedman Rd, Wade, NC 28395
- Phone Number: (910) 484-5500
- Distance from Attraction: 11.7 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 13 minutes
Choose to rent a cottage or a full-service RV campsite. The campground offers 2 pools, putt-putt golf, basketball, a playground, a laundry room, a fitness center, dog parks, and free WiFi and cable.
Stop #6 – Petersburg, Virginia
Attraction – Petersburg National Battlefield
- Address: 1539 Hickory Hill Rd, Petersburg, Virginia 23803-4721
- Phone Number: (804) 732-3531 ext.200
- Distance from Starting Point: 185 miles / 172 miles (depending on lodging option)
- Drive Time from Starting Point: 2 hours 39 minutes / 2 hours 25 minutes
Petersburg was the site of a major battle during the Civil War. Walk through the park trails and be sure to read the signs that tell all about the history of the hard-fought battle that took place here. Kids love the dress-up station located in the Eastern visitor center. You will feel like you stepped back in time when you see the re-enactments and the Union and Confederate uniforms.
Hotel Option – The Westin Richmond
- Address: 6631 W Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23230
- Phone Number: (804) 282-8444
- Distance from Attraction: 33.6 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 34 minutes
The Westin is located in downtown Richmond, Virginia. They offer an indoor pool, a fitness center, an onsite restaurant, and kitchenettes.
Camping Option – Pocahontas State Park Campground
- Address: 10301 State Park Rd, Chesterfield, VA 23832
- Phone Number: (804) 796-4255
- Distance from Attraction: 25.9 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 28 minutes
This campground has so much to offer! Pools, kiddie pools, water slides, picnic areas, kayak rentals, paddleboat rentals, rowboat rentals, canoe rentals, fishing, hiking trails, and so much more. They have full hookup sites, cabins, and laundry rooms.
Stop #7 – Washington, D. C.
Attraction – Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument
- Address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20002
- Phone Number: (202) 426-6841
- Distance from Starting Point: 105 miles / 125 miles (depending on lodging option)
- Drive Time from Starting Point: 1 hour 33 minutes / 2 hours (depending on lodging option)
The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monuments are breathtaking and are a must-see for history lovers traveling through the area.
Hotel Option – Hilton Garden Inn Alexandria Old Town King St. Metro
- Address: 1620 Prince St. Alexandria, Virginia 22314
- Phone Number: 703-302-8300
- Distance from Attraction: 8.1 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 14 minutes
Alexandria, Virginia is a fun, walkable, waterfront town, with over 200 shops and restaurants. The Hilton Garden Inn is conveniently located just 2 blocks from King Street, in Old Town Alexandria. Take the free trolley into town or take a 5 minute walk to King Street. If you feel like staying in, check out the rooftop terrace, an onsite restaurant, a fitness center, and a business center.
Camping Option – Greenbelt Campground
- Address: 6565 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770
- Phone Number: 301-344-3948
- Distance from Attraction: 19.1 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 27 minutes
Greenbelt Campground is a no-frills campground with RV (no electric) and tent campsites, picnic tables, and fire pits.
Stop #8 – Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Attraction – Longwood Gardens
- Address: 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348
- Phone Number: (610) 388-1000
- Distance from Starting Point: 121 miles / 101 miles (depending on lodging option)
- Drive Time from Starting Point: 2 hours 8 minutes / 1 hour 44 minutes (depending on lodging option)
Longwood Gardens is a botanical garden that you have to see to fully appreciate. No matter what season you visit, you will love it! Be sure to allow for lots of time to explore this beautiful garden. At over 1100 acres, you’ll have plenty to check out. They even offer classes and workshops if you want to turn your visit into an educational experience.
Hotel Option – Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington-Brandywine Valley
- Address: 350 Rocky Run Pkwy, Wilmington, DE 19803
- Phone Number: (302) 479-2000
- Distance from Attraction: 12.1 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 19 minutes
This hotel offers free breakfast, an outdoor pool, free WiFi, a fitness center, pet-friendly rooms, and a business center.
Camping Option – Philadelphia South-Clarksboro KOA
- Address: 117 Timberlane Rd, Clarksboro, NJ 08020
- Phone Number: (800) 562-1727
- Distance from Attraction: 27.2 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 37 minutes
Stop #9 – New York, New York
Attraction – Central Park
- Address: 5 Av To Central Park W, 59 St To 110 St, New York, New York 10022
- Phone Number: (212) 310-6600
- Distance from Starting Point: 123 miles / 105 miles (depending on lodging option)
- Drive Time from Starting Point: 2 hours 4 minutes / 1 hour 47 minutes (depending on lodging option)
Central Park offers daily programs, educational opportunities, tours, statues, monuments, events, games, boating, kite flying, paved walking trails, volleyball, horse-drawn carriage rentals, and lots more.
Hotel Option – Hilton Garden Inn New York/Manhattan-Midtown East
- Address: 206 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022
- Phone Number: (212) 794-6000
- Distance from Attraction: 0.8 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 5 minutes
The Hilton in Manhattan, New York has an onsite restaurant, a fitness center, room service, and gorgeous views of New York skyscrapers.
Camping Option – Battle Row Campground
- Address: 1 Claremont Rd, Old Bethpage, NY 11804
- Phone Number: (516) 572-8690
- Distance from Attraction: 34 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 45 minutes
Stop #10 – Mystic, Connecticut
Attraction – Mystic Seaport
- Address: 75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, Connecticut 06355
- Phone Number: (860) 572-5387
- Distance from Starting Point: 130 miles / 145 miles (depending on lodging option)
- Drive Time from Starting Point: 2 hours 14 minutes / 2 hours 32 minutes (depending on lodging option)
Mystic Seaport is fun for the whole family. If you’re a traveling homeschooling family (roadschooling), this is a great stop, because there is so much to learn here. There are programs for kids K-12, sailing programs, workshops, classes, historical exhibits, a planetarium, a beautiful marina, a bookstore, and lots more. Mystic Seaport is one of those places that make you feel like you stepped back in time to the 1800s. Don’t forget to check out the Mayflower! There are over 50 ships and buildings to explore, so be prepared to spend all day here.
Hotel Option – Madison Beach Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Address: 94 West Wharf Road, Connecticut 06443
- Phone Number: (203) 245-1404
- Distance from Attraction: 39.9 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 42 minutes
The Madison Beach Hotel offers a beach-front spa, ocean views overlooking the Long Island Sound, complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas, and chairs. They also have a yoga studio, an onsite restaurant, free WiFi, a boutique, and a fitness center.
Camping Option – Hammonasset Beach State Park
- Address: 1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443
- Phone Number: (203) 245-2785
- Distance from Attraction: 38.3 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 40 minutes
Hammonasset Beach State Park is open from the end of May through mid-October. Their sites are rustic, but they also have cabin rentals. There are walking trails, you can go boating or fishing, or just stay back and enjoy a quiet picnic with a water view.
Stop #11 – Salem, Massachusetts
Attraction – History & Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour
- Address: Departs from Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970
- Phone Number: 888-651-9785
- Distance from Starting Point: 157 miles
- Drive Time from Starting Point: 2 hours 34 minutes
Take a day or night guided tour of Salem. You’ll learn about over 400 years of history of Salem, the witch trials, local stories, and landmarks. It’s a great way to explore and enjoy Salem. Skip the museum and take this tour! The tour guides are phenomenal and do such a great job bringing the stories to life.
Hotel Option – Homewood Suites by Hilton Gateway Hills Nashua
- Address: 15 Tara Boulevard, Nashua, New Hampshire 03062
- Phone Number: (603) 546-7470
- Distance from Attraction: 41.7 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 50 minutes
Homewood Suites is conveniently located near shopping and outlet malls. The hotel offers full kitchens and suites, free WiFi, free breakfast, an indoor pool, and is pet-friendly.
Camping Option – Beach Rose RV Park
- Address: 147 Beach Rd. Salisbury, Massachusetts 01952
- Phone Number: (978) 463-0226
- Distance from Attraction: 29.8 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 40 minutes
Beach Rose RV Park sites offer full hookups, fire pits, and picnic tables. The campground has walking paths, a dog park, a pool, and is only 1 mile from Salisbury Beach.
Stop #12 – Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Attraction – Old Orchard Beach
- Address: 11 First Street, Old Orchard Beach, Maine 04064
- Phone Number: (207) 934-2500
- Distance from Starting Point: 100 miles / 60.4 miles (depending on lodging choice)
- Drive Time from Starting Point: 1 hour 30 minutes / 58 minutes (depending on lodging choice)
Old Orchard Beach is a resort town with lots to do for families. Take a lobster boat tour, swim in the ocean, putt-putt golf, an amusement park, go-karts, fishing, shopping, parasailing, and eating the best seafood.
Hotel Option – Inn by the Sea
- Address: 40 Bowery Beach Road, Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107
- Phone Number: (207) 799-3134
- Distance from Attraction: 15.4 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 26 minutes
Inn by the Sea is a gorgeous, luxurious, oceanfront hotel. Depending on which type of room you select, you may have a fireplace, oceanfront beach views, a full kitchen, an outdoor deck or patio, an outdoor fire pit, a full-service spa, and an onsite restaurant.
Camping Option – Sun Outdoors Saco-Old Orchard Beach KOA
- Address: 814 Portland Rd, Saco, ME 04072
- Phone Number: (207) 282-0502
- Distance from Attraction: 4.1 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 8 minutes
This campground offers tent camping, RV sites with full hookups, vacation rentals, a laundry facility, free WiFi, showers, a pool, a splash pad, volleyball, basketball, a snack bar, firepits, and a hot tub. This campground is conveniently located near Old Orchard Beach, lighthouses, and whale watching tours.
Stop #13 – Bar Harbor, Maine
Attraction – Acadia National Park
- Address: Route 3, Hulls Cove Visitor Center, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
- Phone Number: (207) 288-3338
- Distance from Starting Point: 180 miles
- Drive Time from Starting Point: 3 hours 4 minutes
Acadia National Park has something for everyone – mountains, ocean views, lakes, and woods, making it the perfect ending point for your east coast road trip. With a lighthouse, the tallest mountain on the east coast, coastal cliffs, tons of trails, and Thunder Hole – you will not be disappointed with this breathtaking park.
Hotel Option – Bar Harbor Grand Hotel
- Address: 269 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
- Phone Number: (207) 288-5226
- Distance from Attraction: 3.1 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 7 minutes
Bar Harbor Grand Hotel is a newer, elegant hotel with historic vibes. They offer laundry facilities, free WiFi, free breakfast, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a beautiful porch with rocking chairs.
Camping Option – Bar Harbor-Oceanside KOA
- Address: 136 County Road, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
- Phone Number: (207) 288-3520
- Distance from Attraction: 8.3 miles
- Drive Time from Attraction: 13 minutes
This oceanfront campground offer RV sites with full hookups, a snack bar, a fun train, corn hole, a cafe, a playground, free WiFi, and a shuttle bus.
Conclusion
I hope by making this travel plan, you’ll be able to make your east coast road trip dream a reality! Happy travels!
Don’t forget your travel journals!
Looking for a great travel journal? Here are my top picks:
