Los Angeles to Miami 3 – A trip from the Pacific coast to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, along the southern route – from Los Angeles to Miami. This is a route that includes relatively long drives. It’s main anchors in order are: the city of Los Angeles, the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Saguaro, White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks, San Antonio, Houston, sites in Louisiana, New Orleans, the beaches and the springs of northwestern Florida, Orlando, the Everglades National Park, the Keys Islands and Miami. Some important things to take under consideration: although it is possible to travel in this route in the winter months, in some areas winter months may be cold and even snowy; in June-October there may be hurricanes along this route (in Texas, Louisiana and New Orleans as well as in Florida), the peak of the hurricane season is usually in September. It is possible to travel in this route during these months, but it is advised to be up to date regarding the forecast; in summer it is very hot and very humid along this route ; spring is the most recommended season for this trip.
Day 1 – Land in Los Angeles and spend a few hours in Venice Beach and Santa Monica
Lodging location: Santa Monica or Venice Beach
Day 2 – Spend the day in Los Angeles or visit Universal Studios
(you may also add a day to the trip and visit Visit Disneyland located in Anaheim, 1 hour drive from Los Angeles)
Lodging location: Hollywood or Santa Monica or Venice Beach
Day 3 – Drive to Kingman, 5 hours drive
(on the way stop at Barstaw’s outlet or at Calico’s or Oatman’s ghost towns)
Lodging location: Kingman
Day 4 – Drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and travel in the south rim, 2.5 hours drive
(on the way to the Grand Canyon, if you have time – drive a portion of Route 66 and stop at Seligman)
Lodging location: South Rim or Tusayan
Day 5 – Spend the day in the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, short drive
Lodging location: South Rim or Tusayan
Day 6 – Drive to Sedona through HWY 89A and on the way to Sedona stop at Slide Rock State Park, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Sedona
Day 7 – Spend the day in Sedona
Lodging location: Sedona
Day 8 – Enjoy the morning in Saguaro National Park and drive east to New Mexico, 4 hours drive
(on the way you may add a detour to the wild west town of Tombstone)
Lodging location: Las Cruces
Day 9 – Visit Saguaro National Park, less than 1 hour drive in each direction
(you may divide this day to two days and add a night in Phoenix and add a tubing trip)
Lodging location: Tucson
Day 10 – Enjoy the morning in Saguaro National Park and drive east to New Mexico, 4 hours drive
(on the way you may add a detour to the wild west town of Tombstone)
Lodging location: Las Cruces
Day 11 – Visit White Sands National Park and drive to Carlsbad, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Carlsbad
Day 12 – Visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park, less than 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Carlsbad
Day 13 – Visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park, less than 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Carlsbad
Day 14 – Start driving to San Antonio, 5 hours drive
Lodging location: Junction
Day 15 – Continue driving to to San Antonio and on the way stop here, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: San Antonio
Day 16 – Visit San Antonio
Lodging location: San Antonio
Day 17 – Drive Houston and visit the Houston Space Center, 3.5 hours drive
(another great attraction near Houston is Lago Mar)
Lodging location: Houston
Day 18 – Enjoy one more day in Houston
(a great attraction near Houston is Lago Mar)
Lodging location: Houston
Day 19 – Continue driving east and cross the border to Louisiana, in the afternoon take an Alligator viewing tour in Lake Martin, located near the town Lafayette, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Lafayette
Day 20 – Drive to New Orleans through the plantations along the Mississippi River (see map here, most recommended: Whitney and Oak Alley Plantations), 3 hours drive
Lodging location: New Orleans
Day 21 – Enjoy the day in New Orleans
Lodging location: New Orleans
Day 22 – Spend one more day in New Orleans
Lodging location: New Orleans
Day 23 – Start driving to Florida’s panhandle and on the way visit Gulf State Park, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Pensacola
Day 24 – Continue driving east and on the way visit Navarre Beach, 3.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Cape San Blas
Day 25 – Enjoy the beaches of Saint George State Park and Saint Joseph Peninsula State Park, short drive
Lodging location: Cape San Blas
Day 26 – Enjoy one more day in the Cape San Blas region, short drive
Lodging location: Cape San Blas
Day 27 – Drive to Manatee Springs State Park, and on the way visit Wakulla State Park, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Chiefland
Day 28 – Visit Manatee Springs State Park, and drive to Orlando, 2.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Orlando
Day 29 – Visit one of Disneyworld’s theme parks
Lodging location: Orlando
Day 30 – Visit Blue Springs State Park or the Kennedy Space Center or visit one of Orlando’s great water parks, 1 hour drive in each direction to Blue Springs or the Kennedy Space Center
(You may also consider on going on a day tour and swim with the Manatees or go on a short wildlife airboat tour out of Orlando)
Lodging location: Orlando
Day 31 – Visit one of Universal’s theme parks
Lodging location: Orlando
Day 32 – Drive to Everglades City and in the afternoon take a boat tour in the 10,000 Islands region of Everglades National Park (It is possible to add to the drive a visit to Myakka River State Park), 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Everglades City
Day 33 – Visit the northern part of Everglades National Park (including Shark Valley) and drive to the Keys Islands, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Marathon
Day 34 – Drive to Key West and tour the Keys Islands (don’t miss the beaches of Bahia Honda State Park), 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Marathon
Day 35 – Enjoy one more day in the Keys Islands, 1 hour drive in each direction
Lodging location: Marathon
Day 36 – Drive to Miami and on the way visit the Flamingo region of Everglades National Park, 3.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Miami Beach
Day 37 – Enjoy the day in Miami
Lodging location: Miami Beach
Day 38 – Fly Home
– In order to fill this route with content – see our California and Southwest USA and Southeastern USA destinations pages, where you can find articles that include suggestions what to do in various locations along this route.
