A road trip from New Orleans To Miami takes you between two of America’s most vibrant cities.
An 865-mile road trip from New Orleans to Miami takes you along the Gulf Of Mexico, through the eastern Sun Belt states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. You’ll see beautiful beaches, historic cities, and stunning natural areas, as you travel between cities that boast two of the most unique cultures in the United States.
Anyone looking to plan the perfect itinerary for a road trip from New Orleans to Miami should definitely consider reading on.
A Road Trip From New Orleans To Miami: How Far Is It, How Long Will It Take To Get There & What Is The Best Route?
A road trip from New Orleans to Miami covers 865 miles (1,392 km) and takes roughly 12 and 1/2 hours to drive.
A relatively straightforward journey despite its length, the best route for a road trip from New Orleans to Miami will see you set off on the I-10 heading east and follow it to Exit 296A, some 480 miles (772 km) away near Winfield, Florida. From here you will head south on the I-75 and follow it to Exit 328, where you join the Florida Turnpike, which can take you the rest of the way to your destination in Miami.
That said, for anyone who wants to tick off some of the stops near the bottom of our list of attractions that we are about to move on to, you may be better served getting off of the Florida Turnpike at Exit 116 and using the I-95 to complete the final stretch of your trip instead.
Best Time For A Road Trip From New Orleans To Miami
The best time for a road trip from New Orleans to Miami is from the beginning of February to the end of May.
First and foremost, taking your road trip during this window means you won’t be going during hurricane season, which traditionally hits the Gulf Of Mexico between early June and late October. Despite missing out on the summer months, this period still avoids the coldest months in the region, December and January, and offers a generally pleasant, warm, dry climate.
Outside of the weather, this window also allows you to experience one of the biggest annual events on our route, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, which can be held in late February or early March. Our suggestion of the best time for a road trip from New Orleans to Miami therefore truly gives you the best of everything the journey offers.
Best Places To Stop On A Road Trip From New Orleans To Miami
With more than 12 hours of driving time on a road trip from New Orleans to Miami, most people will want to split the journey into more manageable chunks, especially if they want to see all the amazing attractions on offer along the way. While there are many great places to make an extended stop on our route, one stands head and shoulders above the rest, and that is Orlando, Florida.
Orlando
The fourth most populous city in the state of Florida, Orlando is best known as the home of some of the world’s best theme parks, such as Disney World Florida, Universal Studios Florida, and SeaWorld Orlando. This makes it a perfect place to get off the road and have some carefree fun, particularly if you’re traveling as a family.
Even if you aren’t a fan of theme parks, attractions like Orlando’s very own Everglades, fantastic river kayaking opportunities, Harry P Leu Gardens botanical garden, Orlando Eye Ferris wheel, and Orlando Science Center still mean there is plenty for everyone to enjoy here, making it easily the best place to stop on a road trip from New Orleans to Miami for an extended period.
Best Hotel To Stay At In Orlando – Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek
The Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek is a fantastic, 4-star hotel located near all of Orlando’s most prominent theme parks yet offers a level of value you would not experience staying in one.
Its stylish rooms are beautifully decorated in a Mediterranean style and boast luxury linens, robes, spa features, and furniture, plus amenities like high-speed Wi-Fi, big-screen TVs, private modern bathrooms, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Depending on your room type, some even come with a private hot tub.
Meanwhile, in the communal areas, facilities like 5 outdoor pools, a fire pit, a balcony, a choice of 5 restaurants, a bar, and a full-service spa, nail salon, and fitness center will keep everyone happy. This is all without even mentioning the fantastic breakfast served each morning and the world-class golf course located right next door.
The Best Things To See On A Road Trip From New Orleans To Miami
We now move on to our list of the best things to see on a road trip from New Orleans to Miami. This will detail all the very best stops and attractions you will encounter on or near our suggested route, to help make planning your perfect road trip itinerary as easy as possible.
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge contains over 23,000 acres of protected marshland in south Louisiana. Home to a selection of the region’s most iconic wildlife, including alligators, bald eagles, marsh rabbits, and pelicans, as well as a variety of other species of birds and animals, its numerous walkways make it a fantastic place for nature lovers to enjoy a hike while taking in the scenery.
Pearl River Wildlife Management Area
Pearl River Wildlife Management Area boasts 35,000 acres of bayous, flooded forests, and streams just 1 mile (1.6 km) from the Pearl River. Established to protect the iconic animals, plants, and landscapes of southern Mississippi, its collection of bears, bobcats, beavers, coyotes, deer, frogs, opossums, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, terrapins, turtles, and countless varieties of birds, fish, and plants make it a fabulous stop for enjoying activities such as birdwatching, boating, fishing, hiking, and even hunting.
Biloxi, Mississippi
Founded by French colonists in 1838, Biloxi is the fifth most populous city in Mississippi. Split into two halves by Big Lake and Mullet Lake, Biloxi boasts a variety of watery attractions, including Biloxi Beach, Biloxi Lighthouse, The Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, and Deer Island, which features significant loggerhead turtle and pelican populations.
With other attractions including the Beauvoir Estate, Jefferson Davis Presidential Library, Ohr-O’Keefe Museum Of Art, and some of the largest, most popular casinos in the Deep South, Biloxi is a great city for people who want to experience a little bit of everything that makes south Mississippi great.
Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge is a more than 19,000-acre preserve in south Mississippi that protects the unique habitat of the endangered Mississippi Sandhill Crane. One of the last remaining places on Earth where this incredibly rare bird still exists in the wild, it is a can’t-miss opportunity for anyone who considers themselves a birdwatcher or nature lover.
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in Alabama. Located in Mobile Bay on the Gulf Of Mexico, it is most famous for being the permanent docking location of the USS Alabama, which dominates the city’s skyline from its home in Battleship Memorial Park and makes the city a great place to stop for anyone interested in US military history.
When you add attractions such as the 19th century Cathedral Basilica Of The Immaculate Conception, Mobile Carnival Museum, Mobile Museum of Art, and more, Mobile becomes a place where anyone can embrace the history and culture of South Alabama.
Pensacola, Florida
The westernmost city in Florida, Pensacola was the first place in the lower 48 states to be settled by the Spanish upon their arrival in 1559. Known as “The City Of Five Flags”, due to having been ruled by the Spanish, French, British, United States, and Confederate States at one point or another, it boasts a vibrant history that is unlike virtually anywhere else.
Home to the oldest United States Naval Air Station in the nation and its National Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Museum Of History, a great selection of historic buildings and monuments, and the countless white sand beaches that gained Pensacola the nickname “World’s Whitest Beaches”, this is a city that can accommodate anyone from history buffs to beach bums and everything in between.
Panama City, Florida
Panama City is the 3rd largest city in the Florida Panhandle and a destination synonymous with its Panama Beach Area, which it claims possesses “The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches”.
One of the most popular beach destinations in the United States, especially during Spring Break, it features beaches with sand so white it resembles sugar, surrounded by fabulous seaside establishments, making it a perfect pit-stop for beach lovers making a road trip from New Orleans to Miami.
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital and 8th most populous city in Florida, and the most populous city in the Panhandle region. Much of its tourism relies on it being the heart of the state’s government, with attractions like the Florida Capitol Complex, Florida Governor’s Mansion, and Supreme Court Of Florida all being of great interest to the very politically minded.
It then also features some of the top colleges in the state and country, including Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College. Not only does this create more attractions for people to visit, but the more than 70,000 students who live in the area give its bars, clubs, restaurants, shops, and nightlife a vibrant, youthful atmosphere that people looking to let loose will surely enjoy.
Gainesville, Florida
The most populous city in North Central Florida, Gainesville is perhaps best known as the home of the University Of Florida, the 4th largest public university in the US, and its Florida Gators sports teams. This makes it an ideal stop for people interested in collegiate sports or the US education system in general.
Throw in attractions like the Hippodrome State Theatre, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, The Oaks Mall, and a variety of bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops boasting a vibrant, youthful atmosphere, and Gainesville can be an enjoyable place to visit for the vast majority of people.
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is the 3rd most populous city in Florida and a destination best known for its bay area. With MLB, NFL, and NHL teams in the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tampa Bay Lightning, it can be a great place to visit for sports fans, while the Tampa Riverwalk is a fantastic place for people to take a stroll and enjoy the stunning views of the bay.
Add attractions like theatres, theme parks, historic districts, and more, and there is a reason that Tampa is one of the most popular destinations in all of Florida.
Boca Raton, Florida
Boca Raton is one of the most famous cities in Florida, thanks to its combination of beautiful scenery, rich history, and vibrant culture. With the oldest buildings in the city having been designed in the Mediterranean Revival Style by prominent architect Addison, the city has a feel that is unlike many other places in the United States.
Beyond simply marveling at the stunning buildings and beaches the city has to offer, attractions like Red Reef Park, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton Museum Of Art, and Mizner Park Amphitheater make this a more than worthwhile stop for pretty much everyone, no matter how close to your final destination you may be.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Located just 30 miles north of Miami, Fort Lauderdale offers many of the same attractions as our final destination. That might leave some people wondering why we would suggest stopping there, but there is one easy answer, which is just how much quieter this city is.
With far fewer tourists and a much more laid-back atmosphere, Fort Lauderdale gives visitors the chance to enjoy some of the sights and activities synonymous with the region, without worrying about the crowds or faster pace of life that you will inevitably encounter in the many hotspots of Miami.
Conclusion
A road trip from New Orleans to Miami is a fantastic adventure that boasts plenty of attractions for everyone to enjoy at every stage of your trip. This guide will hopefully have given everyone all of the information they need to plan a perfect itinerary when they make the journey themselves, and other articles we have written on things like the best places to stay in New Orleans and how to enjoy Miami on a budget should ensure you are fully prepared for your trip from start to finish.
All you have left to do now is start getting everything booked so that you can look forward to experiencing it all for yourself.
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