The Ultimate One Week Florida Road Trip Itinerary (2024)
Want to know the ultimate one week Florida road trip itinerary? We’ve got you covered with everything we did on our road trip!
Over the years, my family and I have lived all over Florida and always made road trips all over the state to visit each other.
We’ve lived everywhere from Tampa to Orlando to Jacksonville to Fort Lauderdale to Punta Gorda, and more.
When I started taking JP with me to visit family in Florida I decided the best way for him to see all of Florida was during an epic one week road trip all over the state.
So that’s exactly what we did!
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The Ultimate One Week Florida Road Trip Itinerary
This one week Florida road trip itinerary takes you all over the state to some of it’s most popular destinations, including St. Augustine, National Parks, and the coastline.
Day 1: St Augustine
Day 1 of your Florida road trip itinerary takes you to St. Augustine.
St. Augustine is a city in Florida that is known for its rich history and beautiful beaches.
It is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in what is now the contiguous United States.
You can see all of the highlights from our day in St. Augustine in this video on our YouTube Channel.
✅ Flagler College
You can get a tour of the school or just take a stroll around the block.
After this cool photo op, we decided to walk down the main stretch of shops and restaurants.
✅ The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse In The USA
In this area you’ll find the oldest wooden schoolhouse in the country.
✅ City Gate Spirits Distillery
Our next stop was the City Gate Spirits Distillery.
They do FREE tastings (but you have to leave a tip).
I think the Apple Pie Moonshine was the fan favorite.
✅ Castillo de San Marcos
After the distillery, we went across the street to Castillo de San Marcos.
The fort wasn’t open to walk through the inside, but we were able to walk around the area and get some good photos.
✅ Meehan’s Irish Pub and Seafood House
After Castillo de San Marcos, we were ready for some pub food, so we walked over to Meehan’s Irish Pub and Seafood House.
The guys did Irish Car Bombs and then for food we had Fish & Chips and Mac & Cheese.
Then for dessert we had Bread Pudding.
✅ Isabela’s Bar Cuba
Next stop was for some drinks!
We came across Isabela’s Bar Cuba and tried some Sangria.
We planned to just do tastings all day, but these Sangrias were huge, so that changed our plans for the rest of the day.
✅ Carriage Rides Through St. Augustine
Our next stop was a carriage ride around town.
They do about an hour long tour through all of St Augustine explaining the history of the city.
There are at least a dozen different carriages to choose from, all decorated differently, and we chose this one.
✅ Tini Martini Bar
After our carriage ride we made one last stop – the Tini Martini Bar!
Where To Stay In St. Augustine: Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront
Hilton has a beautiful historic property right in the middle of St. Augustine that I highly recommend.
It’s nothing like you’d expect from Hilton’s city center properties.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Stay At Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront Today!
Day 2: Kennedy Space Center + The Space Coast
Day 2 of your Florida road trip itinerary takes you to Florida’s Space Coast.
The Kennedy Space Center is a popular tourist attraction on Florida’s east coast.
This area also includes Port Canaveral, one of the most popular cruise ports in Florida.
You can see our full day at Kennedy Space Center in this video on our YouTube Channel.
✅ Kennedy Space Center
This place really reminded me of a theme park.
It was so well put together and thought out.
After checking out the outdoor exhibits, we made our way indoors.
The indoor exhibits have lots of interactive spots like slides and tunnels you can crawl through.
One of the coolest parts of the indoor exhibits was the mission control room.
It reminded me so much of when I worked at Mission Space in Epcot.
There is a mission control room there right at the end of the queue, but it is significantly smaller.
Once we were back outside we realized that there is a launch simulation that anyone can participate in.
We saw these different colored places to step on that had electric bolts on them and I walked all over them and realized it had a meter that you have to fill.
Once it is full it will simulate a rocket launch.
✅ Lunch At Sonny’s BBQ
Sonny’s BBQ is a popular restaurant chain in Florida that we love to visit when we’re there.
I recommend sharing a sampler of pulled pork, ribs, and chicken.
For sides we had cornbread and mac and cheese and mashed potatoes.
They also have a variety of BBQ sauces you can try with your food from sweet to smoky to hot.
✅ Golf N Gator Mini Golf
After lunch we went to play mini golf at Golf n Gator.
They have a Mario Kart Go-Kart track, 2 mini golf courses and small gators and some other animals you can feed.
The mini golf courses were unique too because a handful of the holes had a wheel to spin and it would give you either advantages or disadvantages for that hole.
Some of them included picking a player to stand anywhere on the course when you make your first putt.
There was also always one where you play the hole normally.
I even spun one that gave me a 1 putt advantage on the hole.
Where to Stay In Cocoa Beach: Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral
Between Cape Canaveral being a popular cruise port and Cocoa Beach being a popular beach spot, there are plenty of hotels to choose from.
Hampton Inn is always a favorite of ours when we road trip due to usually being a more affordable option while also providing free breakfast.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Stay At Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral Today!
Day 3: Explore Florida’s Treasure Coast
Day 3 of your Florida road trip itinerary takes you to Florida’s Treasure Coast.
Florida’s Treasure Coast consists of areas like Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and Jensen Beach.
Here is a bit of the scenery in the area.
We recommend experiences like the Treasure Coast Wine & Ale Trail which includes 9 breweries, one winery, one cidery, and one meadery.
There is also a Navy SEAL Museum here and Vero Beach has a large outlet mall.
✅ Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House
For lunch we recommend the Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House in Jensen Beach.
They have a great variety on their menu.
When we went here we were with a bunch of family and all ordered vastly different meals, so we have lots of pictures!
There’s a variety of shrimp, po-boy’s, pasta, calamari, and several types of fish.
Along Florida’s Treasure Coast you can enjoy a beach day at a less developed spot than most of Florida’s other popular destinations.
Jensen Beach is one of the most southernmost points of this area, so I recommend getting a hotel in this area so you’re not back tracking.
Where To Stay: Home2 Suites By Hilton Stuart
It gets a little pricey to stay oceanfront every night, so it doesn’t hurt to just get a classic room.
We love staying at Home2Suites properties when we’re traveling because it’s a newer part of the Hilton brand and always spacious.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Stay At Home2 Suites By Hilton Stuart Today!
Day 4: Drive A1A To Miami + Sightseeing In Miami
Day 4 of your Florida road trip itinerary takes you along A1A to Miami.
We LOVED driving by all of the mansions around Palm Beach and finding all of the places where we could see the ocean along the way.
You can see our full day of driving A1A in this video on our YouTube Channel.
Here is one of our favorites that we were able to get some photos of.
✅ Skyline Chili
Once we made our way toward Fort Lauderdale, we stopped for lunch.
One of my favorite restaurants of all time is Skyline Chili, which is out of Cincinnati, Ohio.
But some amazing people have decided to open a handful of locations in Florida.
Whenever we go we like to share a Chilito (which is a small tortilla filled with chili – you can also get cheese, sour cream, or even spaghetti in it), a Cheese Coney (small hot dog with chili, cheese, onions, and mustard), and we each get our own Chili Spaghetti.
I always get a small 3-Way which is just spaghetti, chili, and cheese.
JP always gets a 5-Way which adds onions and beans. You can also get a 4-Way where you choose to add onions OR beans.
It is a great, cheap restaurant where everything on the menu is good.
So I highly recommend checking it out.
✅ Miami, Florida
The highlight of our drive once we made it into Miami was driving through the Art Deco District.
There are so many buildings still in this architectural style and they are just so nice to look at!
✅ Versailles Cuban Restaurant
One of the main reasons we stopped in Miami was for some Cuban food.
I mostly just wanted a Cuban sandwich.
So we did a quick online search to narrow down our top food options.
It was a little later than the usual dinner time, so we also had to make sure we picked out a place that would be open until 8 pm or so.
Our search turned up Versailles Cuban Restaurant “The World’s Most Famous Cuban Cuisine”.
Most tables were full, which for us was a good sign that the food would be good.
For this meal we decided on a Cuban sandwich (obviously), and Roast Pork Cuban Style which comes with Boiled Yuca with Mojo.
We were also served garlic bread as an appetizer.
For dessert we went to the take out window and picked out a few fruit filled empanadas to take back to the hotel later for a midnight snack.
Where To Stay In Miami: Homewood Suites By Hilton Miami Downtown/Brickell
After passing through the Art Deco District, we eventually made it to our hotel.
We had decided to stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami Downtown/Brickell because it was one of the cheaper options that was close enough to everything we wanted to do.
We booked a studio room, which isn’t as typical for the Homewood Suites properties, but it was all we needed.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Stay At Homewood Suites By Hilton Miami Downtown/Brickell Today!
Day 5: Biscayne National Park + Key West
Day 5 of your Florida road trip itinerary takes you to Biscayne National Park and Key West.
To start off our day we had to be up at 6 am.
We had to pack a day bag for our little excursion and we had to get our luggage back to the car.
Our first stop was hitting up Publix for some pub subs.
We had to bring our food for our day trip and our go-to is always subs.
Depending on where we are we’ll get them either at a grocery store or a place like Jersey Mike’s.
After this pit-stop we were on our way!
✅ Biscayne National Park
After about an hour or so of driving we arrived at Biscayne National Park.
We had some time before we needed to check in so we lathered up our sunscreen and our bug spray.
Then roamed the area around the visitor center before our sailing trip was set to start.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Biscayne National Park Excursion Today!
We picked up our souvenir ornament before heading out since we knew we wouldn’t have time after.
There actually was no wind on the day of our sailing trip, so we opted to switch to the power boat instead so we could still go to all of the islands and see as much of the park as possible.
There are also several other excursion options of varying lengths and prices.
So there is something for every budget and interest.
We found that our sailing/snorkeling/paddle boarding excursion was actually less than spending a day in a theme park!
✅ Snorkeling
Our first stop on our excursion was for snorkeling.
The water was perfectly clear, but we opted out and stayed on the boat to take photos.
We did eventually sit on the back of the boat and dip our feet in.
We also took the time to reapply sunscreen and drink some ice cold water from the cooler onboard.
✅ Lunch
After snorkeling we stopped at one of the islands for lunch.
There were probably a dozen other boats docked.
But everyone was spaced out at picnic tables or just walking around.
So it was still peaceful and quiet.
After our lunch break it was time for SUP.
Also known as stand up paddle boarding.
When we booked the trip it said we would choose that or kayaking.
But once we were there they just said we were paddle boarding, which was fine with us.
We had never done it before.
But I always wanted to try it and now I can say I’ve done it.
The only downside of this is that we left our phones on the boat.
So we didn’t get any pictures of that portion.
We didn’t want to risk falling in the water and ruining our phones or losing them.
✅ SUP
It was the highlight of our boating trip because I successfully stood up on the paddle board without falling over.
And we saw several baby sharks about 2 feet long or so.
This whole excursion was about 6 hours.
We left at 10 am and made it back to the Visitor’s Center at 4 pm.
You can see our full experience at Biscayne National Park in this video on our YouTube Channel.
✅ Key West, Florida
After our excursion to Biscayne National Park, we drove A1A to Key West.
We made it to our hotel at 7:30 pm and they had a free shuttle to Mallory Square, the center of all the action.
We were by the airport which was about 10-15 minutes away from everything.
But the Trolley does have a stop next door.
So you could buy a day pass to take it into town and back and tour everything while you’re there if you wanted or take the free shuttle from the hotel.
We boarded our shuttle at 8 and we were dropped off around 8:15.
We walked through Mallory Square to check out the sunset and then put our name down at a restaurant.
✅ Conch Republic Seafood Company
For dinner we ended up eating at Conch Republic Seafood Company and didn’t have to wait very long.
We had to try their Award-Winning Conch Chowder, so we started off our dinner with Conch Chowder and Coconut Shrimp.
For our entree we split the Fried Shrimp Platter and shared a Strawberry Mojito.
Then for dessert, which I was so excited for, we tried the Hot Pineapple Upside-Down Rum Cake.
Where To Stay In Key West: Doubletree Resort By Hilton Hotel Grand Key – Key West
Staying near Mallory Square is quite expensive, staying somewhere about 10-15 minutes away can save quite a bit of money.
They have a free shuttle down to Mallory Square or you can take the trolley stop next door.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Stay At Doubletree Resort By Hilton Hotel Grand Key – Key West Today!
Day 6: Key West + Everglades National Park
Day 6 of your Florida road trip itinerary takes you to Key West and Everglades National Park.
You can see our full day in this video on our YouTube Channel.
We woke up bright and early to catch the first shuttle into Key West at 9 am.
For this itinerary, we had to be driving up North by 1 pm at the latest to catch the last airboat ride of the day, so we had to get as much done as we could before then.
We checked out and loaded our luggage into the car so that we would be able to leave right away after taking the shuttle back.
✅ Conch Train
When we got into town we decided to take a walk until the Conch Train started running at 10.
We were able to get a bit of sightseeing done, checking out Sloppy Joe’s Bar (where Ernest Hemingway used to go), we walked down Duval Street, and ended at the Southernmost Point.
Luckily since it was still early, there was no line to get our picture here.
When we passed by again later on the Conch Train the line was all the way down the block.
After getting this photo we circled back to the closest stop on the Conch Train and took the first tour out.
A couple highlights you want to be sure to visit in Key West are the Little White House and Ernest Hemingway’s House.
If you have an extra day, be sure to take an excursion out to Dry Tortugas National Park!
✅ Margaritaville
After our tour we had just enough time to squeeze in lunch before our long drive.
Of course we had to have lunch at Margaritaville!
We started with Margaritas and then decided to share a Cheeseburger in Paradise and a Key Lime Pie for dessert.
✅ Coopertown Airboat Rides
After leaving Key West, you’ll make your drive up to the Coopertown Airboat Rides in the Everglades.
I’ve been on this airboat ride before because my grandparents take everyone to this one, so I figured I would take JP to this one too.
After our airboat ride, we had a long drive up to Tampa.
✅ Dinner At Salt Rock Grill In Indian Shores
When I lived in Tampa, we used to eat here all the time, so I knew I had to take JP here for his first visit.
We started with the Shrimp Louie Salad and Coconut Shrimp, then shared a side of Truffled Mac & Cheese with their Scallop Crusted Sea Bass and Mashed Potatoes.
Where To Stay: The Don CeSar In St. Petersburg
If you’ve ever been in this area before, you’ve probably seen this huge pink hotel.
It’s a historic, classic hotel you have to visit at least once.
👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your Stay At The Don CeSar In St. Petersburg Today!
Day 7: Tampa
Day 7 of your Florida road trip itinerary takes you to Tampa.
On this day of our trip, I took JP to where I went to college (Saint Leo University), then we made our way to Orlando to fly out from there the next day.
However, I know the average person has no interest in that itinerary.
So this day we have a few suggestions.
Explore Tampa, St. Petersburg, or Clearwater Beach if you want to stay local.
Maybe even go to Busch Gardens for the day.
You could also make your way to Orlando and go to Disney Springs or City Walk.
Lastly, you could drive a couple hours north to Crystal River and go swimming with the manatees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a road trip around Florida can be overwhelming.
These are the most frequently asked questions we see about planning a trip like this.
☑️ How To Plan A Road Trip To Florida
There are 4 main things to consider – what you’ll do, where you’ll eat, where you’ll sleep, and how you’ll get there.
The first thing would be to determine where you want to go, what attractions you want to see, etc.
Then you’ll figure out how to get around whether you’ll drive your own car, a rental car, take public transportation, etc.
You’ll also then decide where you’ll stay each night.
Once you have all those steps, you’ll decide where you’ll want to eat and any additional attractions to visit.
This itinerary will give you a good idea of where to start with your planning.
☑️ How Many Days Are Needed For A Florida Trip?
We actually did the above itinerary in 9 days instead of 7 days because we started and ended our road trip with an extra day in Orlando.
There were a couple things we missed like Dry Tortugas National Park because no excursions were available.
We also could have taken it a little slower with some more down time built in.
But in general anywhere from 7-10 days would be enough time to visit all the places we listed.
☑️ What Is The Best Time To Leave For A Road Trip To Florida?
Generally with any road trip you’ll want to leave as early in the morning as possible each day.
You want to get ahead of traffic and ahead of the crowds to be able to see and do as much as possible.
☑️ Where Do You Stop When Driving To Florida?
This depends on what you want to see and do.
Generally the beach destinations are the most popular.
Additionally the National Parks and the theme parks are also great destinations for a Florida road trip.
☑️ What Is The Most Scenic Drive In Florida?
A1A, the coastal highway, is the most scenic drive in Florida.
You can drive it from Jacksonville all the way to Key West.
The most scenic section of A1A is definitely when you’re driving along the Florida Keys.
☑️ How Long Does It Take To Drive The Full Length Of Florida?
The driving time across Florida from north to south depends on the route you take.
The shortest route is along Interstate 95, which takes about 8 hours and 30 minutes without stopping.
However, this route can be congested during peak travel times.
A more scenic route is along the Atlantic coast, which takes about 10 hours.
This route takes you past some of Florida’s most popular beaches, such as Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, and Miami Beach.
If you want to take your time and enjoy the scenery, you could also take a road trip along the Gulf Coast.
This route takes about 12 hours and passes through some of Florida’s most popular tourist destinations, such as Naples, Fort Myers, and Tampa.
No matter which route you choose, driving across Florida is a great way to see the state’s many attractions.
Just be sure to allow plenty of time for traffic and rest breaks.
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Conclusion: The Ultimate One Week Florida Road Trip Itinerary
This one week Florida road trip itinerary takes you to a ton of Florida’s best destinations outside of the typical theme park vacation.
Many of these once in a lifetime destinations (especially the National Parks) are a must for any Florida bucket list trip.
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