The Open Road Travel

A road trip from Orlando Florida to New Orleans takes you along the northeast shore of the Gulf Of Mexico.

A 640 mile road trip from Orlando Florida to New Orleans will take you through the eastern Sun Belt states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. You will pass beautiful beaches and historic cities, as you drive around the Gulf Of Mexico.

Read on to find out how to plan a dream travel itinerary for a drive through the deep south of the United States.

A road trip from Orlando Florida to New Orleans will cover a minimum of 640 miles (1,030 km) and take at least 9 hours to drive. However, the best route for a road trip from Orlando Florida to New Orleans is 685 miles (1,100 km) long and takes 9 hours and 45 minutes to drive.

This route will see you begin by joining the I-4 and driving north, until the road merges with I-95. You will then follow this north for 100 miles (160 km), until you reach Exit 351B, in Jacksonville.

From here you will drive the remaining 550 miles (885 km) of the road trip on the I-10, until you reach your destination of New Orleans, Louisiana.

The best time for a road trip from Orlando Florida to New Orleans is from early February to the end of May.

This period will ensure you avoid hurricane season on the Gulf Of Mexico, which traditionally runs from the start of June to the end of November, while also avoiding the region’s coldest months of the year, which are December and January.

It also gives you the chance to attend two of the biggest events on our route and at our destination.

These are Daytona Bike Week in Daytona Beach, Florida, which is held in the first week of March, and Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, which can be held in either February or early March.

This means our suggested window will allow you to enjoy a pleasant drive and the very best events the route has to offer in warm weather that doesn’t leave you fearing for your safety.

Located roughly halfway along our route, Tallahassee is the best place to stop on a road trip from Orlando Florida to New Orleans for anyone who doesn’t want to do the drive in one hit.

The most populous city in the panhandle region, Tallahassee is also the 8th most populous city in Florida, as well as its capital, a position which it has held since 1824. As far as its attractions go, Tallahassee is a city that is all about politics and education.

Sites like both the new and old Florida Capitol buildings in the Capital Complex, Florida Governor’s Mansion, and Supreme Court Of Florida are great attractions for those interested in the historic and modern politics of Florida and the United States.

Meanwhile, some of the top colleges in both the state and country, such as Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College mean there is plenty to explore for those interested in the education system.

The local student population, which exceeds 70,000, also makes it a great destination for people who enjoy the student environment and everything that goes along with it.

This includes the vibrant atmosphere and lower prices often seen in establishments like bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tallahassee is a beautiful, 4-star hotel located just 450 yards from the city centre. Its convenient location offers easy access to some of Tallahassee’s top amenities and attractions, such as Florida’s Capital Complex.

Throughout the property you will experience its modern style, as well as access to a range of facilities like an outdoor swimming pool and sundeck, high tech fitness centre, gourmet restaurant, bar, ATM, vending machines, and free Wi-Fi.

The rooms themselves are all spacious and boast comfortable furnishings, as well as a range of amenities that includes air conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, a flat screen TV, and a safety deposit box. All guests will also have access to disabled facilities and private parking.

We now move on to our list of the 10 best things to see on a road trip from Orlando Florida to New Orleans. This will include the absolute highlights of the route, to ensure you can plan a perfect travel itinerary that makes the drive as enjoyable as possible.

Daytona Beach is a small, oceanside city in a region that is known as the Florida “Fun Coast”. It boasts beautiful beaches and waterfront attractions, like piers and amusement parks, making it a great stop for families looking to break up their drive with a day by the sea.

Daytona Beach may be even better known for its connection to motorsports though. For starters, you have the NASCAR headquarters and Daytona International Speedway, where you can watch events or learn about NASCAR in the city where it was invented.

You then also have the events held throughout the year, such as Daytona Bike Week in March and Biketoberfest in October, which make it a great stop for motorcycle lovers, as well as anyone who simply enjoys a party.

Having been settled by Spanish colonists in 1565, St Augustine holds the distinction of being the oldest continually inhabited city in the United States. It was also the capital of Florida from 1821 to 1824.

This makes St Augustine an absolutely can’t miss stop for any history buffs making the drive.

Throughout the city you will find buildings from both the 1st and 2nd Spanish eras, the British era, and the American era of the region, displaying all types of architecture from across the ages. This even includes a range of historic churches, many of which are among the oldest in the nation.

With other attractions including amphitheatres, aquariums, monuments, museums, state parks, and various other historic establishments, St Augustine is an incredible, diverse destination that doesn’t receive nearly the attention it deserves.

Jacksonville is Florida’s most populous city, as well as the largest city by area in the lower 48 states.

Nicknamed “The River City”, thanks to the 9 famous bridges that cross waterways found throughout Jacksonville, it is a beautiful city, yet is much less touristy than many of the state’s southern cities.

Boasting countless attractions like museums, historic districts, golf courses, beaches, parks, hiking trails, and much more, it is an ideal place to experience the culture and history of north Florida.

The 3rd largest city in the Florida Panhandle, Panama City is best known for its Panama City Beach area, which is an extremely popular beach destination. It even proudly uses the motto “The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches”, with sand so white it is said to resemble sugar.

With its various seaside establishments, it is an ideal destination for anyone seeking a relaxing beach vacation and has gained a reputation as the most popular Spring Break destination in the United States.

Pensacola is the westernmost city in the state of Florida. It was the first place in the contiguous United States to be settled by the Spanish when they arrived in 1559, although it was abandoned just a short time later after the area was devastated by a hurricane.

It is known as “The City Of Five Flags”, due to having been ruled by the Spanish, French, British, United States, and Confederate States during its existence. This makes it a unique destination with a rich and vibrant history.

With attractions like the first United States Naval Air Station in the country and its National Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Museum Of History, and a collection of historic buildings and monuments, it is a great place to dig into the history of both Florida and the United States.

Meanwhile, a collection of stunning, white sand beaches that have earned the city the nickname “World’s Whitest Beaches” make it equally ideal for those who simply want to stop, relax, and take a break from driving for a while.

The 3rd most populous city in Alabama, Mobile sits on the Gulf Of Mexico, in Mobile Bay. It is best known as the home of the USS Alabama, which is permanently moored in Battleship Memorial Park and dominates the city’s coastal skyline.

With other attractions like the 19th century Cathedral Basilica Of The Immaculate Conception, Mobile Carnival Museum, Mobile Museum Of Art, and so much more, Mobile is one of the best places to learn about and experience the culture and history of southern Alabama.

Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge covers more than 19,000 acres in south Mississippi.

Made to preserve the unique habitat of the endangered Mississippi Sandhill Crane, it is one of the only locations left on Earth where you can still see this incredibly rare species of bird in the wild. This makes it an ideal stop for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.

First settled in 1838 by French colonists, Biloxi was once the 3rd most populous city in Mississippi.

However, widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina saw its people leave in their droves, much like in New Orleans, and it currently boasts the 5th largest population in the state.

Split in two from east to west by Big Lake and Mullet Lake, Biloxi is known for its watery attractions.

Places like Biloxi Beach, Biloxi Lighthouse, The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, and Deer Island, with its loggerhead turtle and pelican populations, all make it a great stop for those who love the ocean.

Add in attractions like the Beauvoir Estate, Jefferson Davis Presidential Library, Ohr-O’Keefe Museum Of Art, and a large number of casinos, and Biloxi is a city on the upswing that is definitely worth a visit before it gets completely overrun by tourists again.

Pearl River Wildlife Management Area features 35,000 acres of bayous, flooded forests, and streams, set just 1 mile (1.6 km) from the iconic Pearl River itself. It was established to protect the iconic animals, plants, and landscapes of south Mississippi, many of which are endangered.

Among its inhabitants you will find bears, bobcats, beavers, coyotes, deer, frogs, opossums, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, terrapins, and turtles, as well as various species of birds, fish, and plants.

A hotspot for activities like birdwatching, boating, fishing, and hunting, it gives you the opportunity to travel the waterways and enjoy some of the rarest wildlife you are likely to find.

Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge is a collection of connected, protected marshes that cover around 23,000 acres of south Louisiana.

It boasts a varied collection of iconic wildlife that is synonymous with the region, such as alligators, bald eagles, marsh rabbits, and pelicans, as well as many other species of birds and animals.

With a fabulous network of walkways, nature lovers can hike and explore the scenery however they choose.

A road trip from Orlando Florida to New Orleans is an amazing journey that will see you drive between two of the most fun filled cities in the entire United States. Our guide will have hopefully shown you how to make the trip in the best way possible.

From when to go and how long it will take to the best places to stay in New Orleans and top things to see along the way, you should have everything you need to plan your dream travel itinerary.

All you have left to do now then is start getting everything booked, so you can look forward to experiencing the drive for yourself.