If you have a week or more to explore Florida, there’s no better way than by taking a road trip! There are so many sights to enjoy, so you can quickly feel overwhelmed by the planning process. Luckily, we’ve put together an itinerary of our favorite Southern Florida spots to get you started. Check out our road trip tips!
Half-Day in South Beach & Miami
On the first day of your trip, you’ll need to stop in South Florida to pick up your RV rental. And Ondevan is within close proximity to several must-see spots in the city. We recommend heading directly to South Beach. Even if you don’t have time to lay out on the sand, you’ll want to see this world-famous beach that has been featured in countless movies and TV shows.
From there, you can head to Little Havana and have a Cubano on Calle Ocho. You also have the option to visit Wynwood. It another lively neighborhood filled with funky breweries, vibrant murals, and eclectic galleries.
If you find that it’s too late to start your drive to your next stop, you can set up camp in Miami at Larry and Penny Thompson State Park. You can also drive a little further to Homestead if you want to start your day closer to the keys.
2-3 Days in the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are the official start to your road trip. Depending on how far you drove the night before, you can spend a full day in the Keys. Whether you’re visiting Florida for the first time, or a lifelong resident, you can’t go wrong with spending a few days driving the 113-mile Florida Keys Overseas Highway.
Since this itinerary gives you 2-3 days in the keys, you have plenty of time to leisurely drive to Key West. Along the way, we recommend that you stop in Key Largo. For adventurous travelers, this is an ideal scuba diving location. If you’d rather relax on white-sand beaches in a tropical setting, you can visit Islamorada. It is home to coral reefs, dolphin encounters, and more.
When you finally reach the end of the highway, make sure you stop at the Southern Most Point of the Continental US. You can then spend some time touring Hemingway’s House or walking Key West’s Duvall Street. Don’t forget to have a slice of key lime pie before you leave!
2-3 Days in the Everglades & Big Cypress National Preserve
After you drive North from the Keys, we suggest that you stop at Flamingo Campground or Long Pine Key Campground to spend some time in the Everglades National Park. We strongly recommend that you take an airboat tour through the wetlands, so you can really immerse yourself in nature and see some alligators.
If you’d rather see the reptiles from the comfort of your motorhome, you can drive the Shark Valley Loop Road before driving onto Big Cypress National Preserve. Your family will love all of the camping adventures to be had in the swamp! From ranger-guided tours to swamp buggy rides, there’s no shortage of activities.
2-3 Days in Naples and Sanibel Island
To wrap up your travels, continue to the Gulf city of Naples. While it is known for luxury shopping and high-end golf courses, you can find more to do off of 5th Avenue South. For example, the Naples Pier is one of the most popular destinations and symbols in the city. Make sure you stop there to fish or watch for dolphins! You can also spend some time soaking up the sun on the “sugar” sand beaches.
While you’re in the area, you can drive up to Sanibel Island. You can even camp there for a night to get away from it all. Between the peaceful beaches and wildlife refuges, you can finish your road trip with the perfect island escape. Specifically, you should visit Captiva Island, the Sanibel Lighthouse, and Bowman’s Beach.
Source: Florida State Parks
1 – 2 days in Okeechobee Lake
Often referred to as Florida’s inland sea, Lake Okeechobee is central to a region of Florida well known for its agriculture, but in recent times also equated with superior fishing, boating and trails.
When you’re ready to return to the “real” world, you can return your rental campervan 🙁
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