Miami to New York 3 – A special route that includes crossing the southern part of east USA (from south to north). This route leads to great natural sites along the way, between Miami and New York, and is very diverse in it’s scenery – mountains, streams, waterfalls, beaches, islands, lush forests, as well as tropical swamps and springs. This trip also includes a visit to Orlando and it’s theme parks. This trip ends in New York city and it is advised to add a few days in this city at the end of the trip.
Please note – This route includes relatively long drives. During summer months it is very hot and humid along this route. This route can be affected by summer hurricanes (which may mainly affect Florida and the Outer Banks Islands). The peak of the hurricane season is in September. It is possible to travel this route during summer months, but it is advised to be up to date regarding the forecast. During the spring (March/beginning of April) and during the Autumn (October/November) it may be cold (and even icy/snowy) in the high altitude areas along this route (the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Highway). Fall Foliage reaches the high altitude areas along this route during the month of October.
Day 1 – Land in Miami and enjoy half a day in the city
Lodging location: Miami Beach
Day 2 – Enjoy the day in Miami
Lodging location: Miami Beach
Day 3 – Visit the Flamingo region of Everglades National Park and drive to the Keys Islands, 3.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Marathon
Day 4 – 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 5 – Drive to Everglades City through the northern part of Everglades National Park, and on the way – visit the park and Shark Valley, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Everglades City
Day 6 – Visit the northwestern part of the everglades and of the Big Cypress National Preserve, and take a boat tour in the 10,000 Islands
Lodging location: Everglades City
Day 7 – Drive to Orlando (It is possible to add to the drive a visit to Myakka River State Park), 4 hours drive
Lodging location: Orlando
Day 8 – Visit one of Disneyworld’s theme parks
Lodging location: Orlando
Day 9 – 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 10 – Visit one of Universal’s theme parks
Lodging location: Orlando
Day 11 – Drive the beaches of the Bay of Mexico and on the way visit Wakulla State Park, 6 hours drive
Lodging location: Cape San Blas
Day 12 – Enjoy the beaches of Saint George State Park and Saint Joseph Peninsula State Park
Lodging location: Cape San Blas
Day 13 – Enjoy one more day in the Cape San Blas region
Lodging location: Cape San Blas
Day 14 – Start driving north, 5 hours drive
Lodging location: Newnan
Day 15 – Drive to the town of Gatlinburg and visit the northern part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 5 hours drive
Lodging location: Gatlinburg
Day 16 – Visit the northern part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Lodging location: Gatlinburg
Day 17 – Enjoy one more day in the northern part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Lodging location: Gatlinburg
Day 18 – Cross the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from north to south on route 441 and visit locations along the way, 1 hour drive
Lodging location: Cherokee
Day 19 – Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway north to Ashville and visit sites along the way, 2.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Asheville
Day 20 – Visit Mount Mitchell State Park and start driving east, 5 hours drive
Lodging location: Raleigh
Day 21 – Drive to Cedar Island and take the ferry to the island of Ocracoke in the southern Outer Banks Islands, 3.5 hours drive plus 2.5 hours ferry ride
Lodging location: Ocracoke
Day 22 – Enjoy a day of rest in Ocracoke Island
Lodging location: Ocracoke
Day 23 – Drive north along the Outer Banks Islands (plus a take a short ferry ride to the island of Hatteras) and visit sites along the way, 3 hours drive plus 45-60 minutes ferry ride
Lodging location: Nags Head
Day 24 – Enjoy a morning around Nags Head and in Kitty Hawk and drive the coastal town of Virginia Beach, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Virginia Beach
Day 25 – Drive the Washington DC and enjoy half a day in the city, 3.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Washington DC
Day 26 – Visit Washington DC
Lodging location: Washington DC
Day 27 – Enjoy one more day in Washington DC
Lodging location: Washington DC
Day 28 – Enjoy one more day in Washington DC
Lodging location: Washington DC
Day 29 – Drive the New York City, 4 hours drive
Lodging location: New York City
Day 30 – Fly Home
– In order to fill this route with content – see our Southeast USA destinations pages, where you can find articles that include suggestions what to do in various locations along this route.
