Washington to New Orleans 2 – A very diverse trip that combines the most interesting cities of Southeastern United States (New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville and Washington DC) with a variety of natural sites – the swamps of Louisiana, the white beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, the banks of the Mississippi River, the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains, the scenery of the Blue Ridge Highway and the beautiful waterways of the Outer Banks Islands.
Please note: In the winter it can often be cold in the northern areas of this route (and even snowy in the Smoky Mountains, along the Blue Ridge Highway and in Washington DC). During summer months it is very hot and humid along this route. This route can be affected by summer hurricanes (which may mainly affect the New Orleans area 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. The most recommended months for taking this trip are March to May, as well as October (the fall foliage season in the Smoky Mountains).
Day 1 – Land in Washington DC and enjoy half a day in the city
Lodging location: Washington DC
Day 2 – Visit Washington DC
Lodging location: Washington DC
Day 3 – Enjoy a morning in Washington DC and drive the coastal town of Virginia Beach, 3.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Virginia Beach
Day 4 – Drive to Nags Head in the Outer Banks Islands and visit Kitty Hawk and sites near Nags Head, 2 hours drive
Lodging location: Nags Head
Day 5 – Drive south along the Outer Banks Islands (plus a take a short ferry ride to the island of Ocracoke) and visit sites along the way, 3 hours drive plus 45-60 minutes ferry ride
Lodging location: Ocracoke
Day 6 – Take the ferry to Cedar Island and start driving west, 2.5 hours ferry ride plus 3.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Raleigh
Day 7 – Drive to Ashville and on the way visit Mount Mitchell State Park , 5 hours drive
Lodging location: Asheville
Day 8 – Drive south on the Blue Ridge Parkway and visit sites along the way, 2.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Cherokee
Day 9 – Cross the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from south to north on route 441 and visit locations along the way, 1 hour drive
Lodging location: Gatlinburg
Day 10 – Visit the northern part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Lodging location: Gatlinburg
Day 11 – Spend the morning around the town of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and in the afternoon drive to Nashville, 3.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Nashville
Day 12 – Enjoy a day in Nashville
Lodging location: Nashville
Day 13 – Drive to Memphis and enjoy half a day in the city, 3.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Memphis
Day 14 – Drive south toward the beautiful town of Natchez (in Mississippi) along the Natchez Trace Parkway, on the way stop for a visit in Jackson, 5.5 hours drive
Lodging location: Natchez
Day 15 – Visit Natchez and drive south to Lafayette (in Louisiana), on the way stop for a short visit in Baton Rouge and/or join a swamp tour, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Lafayette
Day 16 – Visit Lafayette and take an Alligator viewing tour in Lake Martin, then drive to Grand Isle State Park, 3 hours drive
Lodging location: Grand Isle
Day 17 – Drive to New Orleans, on the way visit the plantations along the Mississippi River (most recommended: Whitney and Oak Alley Plantations), 3 hours drive
Lodging location: New Orleans
Day 18 – Enjoy a day in New Orleans
Lodging location: New Orleans
Day 19 – 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.
