A road trip from Miami to Atlanta takes you between two of the most famous and vibrant cities in the American South.
A 700-mile road trip from Miami to Atlanta takes you up the Atlantic coast of the United States. You’ll pass beautiful beaches, historic cities, and stunning natural areas, as you travel through the states of Florida and Georgia, to a city affectionately known as “The Capital City Of The American South”.
A fabulous journey no matter how you go about it, those who truly want to get the most out of the trip should read on to find out all you need to know.
A Road Trip From Miami To Atlanta: How Far Is It, How Long Will It Take To Get There & What Is The Best Route?
A road trip from Miami to Atlanta covers 700 miles (1,126 km) and takes 10 hours to drive.
Despite its reasonable length, the best route for a road trip from Miami to Atlanta is very straightforward. You begin by heading north on I-95 and following it for 350 miles (563 km) to Exit 351B, on the outskirts of Jacksonville, Florida, where you begin heading west on I-10. Take this 68 miles (110 km) to Exit 296B, then follow I-75 north for the remaining 282 miles (454 km) to your destination in Atlanta, Georgia.
Best Time For A Road Trip From Miami To Atlanta
The best time for a road trip from Miami to Atlanta is between early April and mid-June. This window allows you to avoid hurricane season in Florida, which usually hits between mid-June and late October, as well as the blistering highs and large crowds that Atlanta experiences in the height of summer, while still enjoying a climate that is warm and dry throughout the journey and at your destination.
Best Places To Stop On A Road Trip From Miami To Atlanta
With at least 10 hours of driving on a road trip from Miami to Atlanta, many people will want to break the trip up, to make sure they leave enough time to enjoy all of the sights and sounds along the way. There are plenty of great places you could stop along our route, although one offers far more bang for your buck than anywhere else when it comes to an extended stop, and that is Jacksonville, Florida.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States, as well as the most populous city in Florida and the 10th most in the nation. Nicknamed “The River City”, Jacksonville is perhaps best known for its tropical climate and the nine iconic bridges that cross the countless waterways that intersect the city, which combine to draw people in for the abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities on offer in the city.
It boasts countless attractions such as museums, historic districts, golf courses, beaches, parks, gardens, hiking trails, and more, while being far less touristy than most of the big cities in Florida. This makes it an ideal place to enjoy the culture and history of Florida on a road trip from Miami to Atlanta, without being surrounded by mobs of tourists or having to spend a fortune.
Best Hotel To Stay At In Jacksonville – Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront is a stunning, 3-star hotel in an incredible location that offers amazing views of the rivers that Jacksonville is famous for. With a choice of 2 restaurants, an outdoor, rooftop swimming pool, a bar, a market shop, and a fitness center, you can enjoy the views however you choose, while ample facilities for disabled guests means everyone will be able to enjoy them.
This includes from the luxurious rooms, which all feature private bathrooms, stylish décor, comfortable furniture and linens, tea and coffee makers, flat-screen cable TVs, safety deposit boxes, desks, and air conditioning. The entire hotel is pet friendly and features high-speed Wi-Fi, while breakfast is served daily, and a free shuttle is available to take guests into town.
The Best Things To See On A Road Trip From Miami To Atlanta
Jacksonville may be the best place to stop on a road trip from Miami to Atlanta for an extended break, but it is far from the only place worth visiting on your journey. We will now look at the best things to see on a road trip from Miami to Atlanta, to ensure everyone can plan the perfect road trip itinerary to truly make the most of every second of their trip.
Davie, Florida
Located immediately north of Miami, Davie holds the unique distinction of being Florida’s most populous town. Home to a collection of ranches and other Western-themed establishments, it is a great place to go horse-riding and enjoy other attractions that are not usually associated with Florida, or just get a feel for what life in Florida can be like outside of the big cities.
Davie is also an extremely popular destination for poker players. Its Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is a luxury establishment that is popular with gamblers of all kinds, but particularly so with poker players, as it is well known to boast one of the best poker rooms in the state. This makes it an ideal stop for anyone wanting to play a hand or two on a road trip from Miami to Atlanta.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Situated just 30 miles north of Miami, Fort Lauderdale offers many of the same attractions as its more famous neighbor in a far quieter, more laid-back city. This makes it a perfect opportunity to enjoy many of the things that Miami is known for, without having to spend a fortune or deal with mobs of tourists, allowing you to truly embrace the culture and lifestyle of the region.
Boca Raton, Florida
Boca Raton is a South Florida city well-known for its blend of stunning scenery, vibrant history, distinct culture, beautiful beaches, and historic buildings boasting a Mediterranean Revival Style that make it one of the most unique cities in the United States. With attractions including Red Reef Park, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton Museum Of Art, Mizner Park Amphitheater, and so much more, it is a destination that everyone should experience.
Orlando
The fourth most populous city in Florida, Orlando is known around the world for boasting a collection of some of the very best theme parks on Earth. This includes destinations like Disney World Florida, Universal Studios Florida, and SeaWorld Orlando, ensuring there is a place for people of all ages to let loose and have some fun.
Orlando isn’t only a destination for theme park fans though, as attractions such as Orlando’s own Everglades, amazing river kayaking opportunities, and the Harry P Leu Gardens botanical garden, Orlando Eye Ferris wheel, and Orlando Science Center mean there is plenty to enjoy for everyone in the city known as the “Theme Park Capital Of The World”.
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is a mid-sized coastal city in what’s known as Florida’s “Fun Coast”. Well-known for its stunning beaches and abundance of waterfront attractions, including piers and amusement parks, it is a fantastic destination for people looking to enjoy a fun-filled day at the beach. That isn’t all it has to offer though, as it is perhaps even better known for its links to the motorsport world.
Daytona Bike Week may be its most famous attraction. The weekly event held annually at the start of March is an absolute can’t-miss for motorcycle enthusiasts, whether you ride or not, as it is the 2nd biggest motorcycle rally in the United States, only behind Sturgis in South Dakota. If you do miss it though, Biketoberfest in October is a great backup plan and one of the city’s biggest end-of-summer parties.
Daytona Beach is then equally linked to NASCAR, as not only is the city where the sport was invented, but it is also home to the NASCAR headquarters and Daytona International Speedway, making it perhaps the best place in the country for fans to learn about its history.
St. Augustine
St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States, having first been settled by Spanish colonists in 1565. Florida’s capital city between 1821 and 1824, it’s a destination brimming with historical attractions for visitors to explore.
With a collection of buildings that span the 1st and 2nd Spanish eras, the British era, and the American era, it has perhaps the most diverse architectural offering you will find anywhere in the nation, which includes some of the oldest churches in the U.S. Add in its museums, monuments, and other historic establishments, and it is a city that history buffs simply cannot afford to miss.
Even if you aren’t that interested in history though, its selection of amphitheaters, aquariums, state parks, and more means St. Augustine is an amazing, diverse city that has something for everyone to enjoy.
Osceola National Forest & Wildlife Management Area
Osceola National Forest & Osceola Wildlife Management Area is a protected area spanning 190,932 acres that was established in December 1974 to protect and preserve the landscape and wildlife of north central Florida.
Named in honor of the Seminole warrior Osceola, its swamps, ponds, beaches, and forests are home to a diverse array of wildlife. It features several endangered species and is known to be home to species including alligators, eastern indigo snakes, skunks, muskrats, black bears, coyotes, raccoons, gopher tortoises, bobcats, foxes, opossums, cougars, fox squirrels, and red-cockaded woodpeckers, as well as many other birds.
A popular destination for activities like camping, hiking, horse-riding, fishing, boating, water skiing, and BBQing, it is perhaps the best place to get out and enjoy the natural side of the region anywhere on a road trip from Miami to Atlanta.
Macon, Georgia
Macon is the 4th most populated city in Georgia, as well as its 3rd largest by area. A charming Southern city with a rich history and vibrant culture, Macon was founded in 1809 around Fort Benjamin Hawkins. Known for its musical heritage, it was home to famous artists like Little Richard and Otis Redding, and it maintains an active and diverse music scene to this day.
Visitors to Macon will enjoy exploring the city's historic districts, where beautiful antebellum architecture can be admired, as well as beautiful parks, restaurants serving the region’s distinct and delicious southern cuisine, and festivals, especially during the cherry blossom season when the city is often called the "Cherry Blossom Capital of the World", all while being embraced by a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere throughout the city.
The top attractions in the city include Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, where you can learn about Native American history, The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House, the 19th century Hay House mansion, The Museum of Arts and Sciences, and Rose Hill Cemetery, the resting place of many notable figures, including musicians and former Georgia governors.
Jackson, Georgia
Jackson, Georgia, is a small, charming town with a rich history and welcoming, laid-back Southern atmosphere. Known as the "Gate City of Butts County," it offers visitors a relaxed experience with a mix of outdoor activities, nature, history, and Southern hospitality.
Key attractions for tourists include the Jackson Historic District, a walkable area with charming shops, local restaurants, and beautifully preserved historic buildings that showcase the town's history, Butts County Historical Society Museum, where you can learn about the history of the area, Indian Springs State Park, one of Georgia’s oldest state parks, the historic Indian Springs Hotel, the 1,200-acre Dauset Trails Nature Center, and High Falls State Park and its scenic waterfalls.
In recent years, it has also become a popular destination for TV fans, as Jackson is the real-life town of Hawkins from the hit show Stranger Things. Fans will love exploring the town, as countless iconic filming locations can be explored, with many now offering attractions related to the show.
Conclusion
As we bring our guide to a road trip from Miami to Atlanta to a close, you should now have a good idea of exactly when to go, what route to use, how long it will take, and all of the best things to stop and see along the way. Now that you have your perfect itinerary compiled, all that’s left is to get everything booked, so you can start looking forward to experiencing everything this amazing route has to offer for yourself.
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