Ever wanted to do a road trip in the sunshine state?! Last year, my family and I took off and drove from Atlanta all the way down to Key West and back. This road trip itinerary took us almost 2 weeks in total to complete. Below, you will find our route and perhaps you can visit one of these amazing sites on your next trip to Florida!
Here is the map of our road trip.
Day 1 :
Atlanta to Manatee Springs Drive Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
We camped that night at Manatee Springs (Reservations required)
Manatee Springs State Park
We started our road trip by driving 5 hours from our house to Manatee Springs State Park. There, we had a beautiful view of blue, clear water. While exploring the park, we found what we believed was an armadillo. It was big, black, and very beautiful. So much wildlife to see! We finished the night by cooking in our campsite, relax on our hammock by a tree and got some rest for the next day.
Day 2:
Manatee Springs to Rainbow Springs Drive Time: 1 hour
-Rainbow Springs to Three Sisters Springs Drive Time: 34 minutes
(we only got in the water at Rainbow Springs and went to three sisters springs to see if we got a glimpse of any manatees. Turns out they only come between November 15-March 31)
Rainbow Springs State Park
Once we left Manatee Springs, we drove another hour until we reached Rainbow Springs State Park. This spring is definitely one of my favorites! We took a dive and swam in this SUPER CRYSTAL CLEAR, 70 degree water. Yes, that is pretty cold, but super refreshing on a hot summer month. During our time here, we found alligator eggs, and other fishes. We had lots of fun jumping into the water, and swimming. I can't stress enough how clear the water is at all the Florida Springs!
-Three Sisters Springs to Clear Water Beach, Florida Drive Time: 2 hours 14 minutes
Clearwater
After leaving Rainbow Springs, we stayed with our water clothes on and it was worth it!!! We stopped by the beach in Clearwater Beach and had lots of fun with the kids.
-Clear Water Beach to Downtown St. Petersburg, FL Drive Time: 34 minutes
St. Petersburg
My husband and I had previously traveled to St. Petersburg before and we love this little town. Since it was so close to Clearwater, we decided to stop by and take a stroll through downtown and eat some ice cream. If you ever plan on coming here, plan on getting a carriage ride!
-St. Petersburg, Florida to Myakka River State Park Drive Time: 54 minutes
On the way to Myakka River, you will pass through the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Try to plan to be here at sunset. The view from the bridge is amazing!!! You can stop the car on the S Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier.
We camped the night at Myakka River State Park (Reservations required)
Myakka River State Park
Myakka River State Park has a river that passes through and we were able to spot a few alligators. This is not the place to get near the water or go for a swim. You can only watch them from a distance to be safe. Specially with kids!.
One of the things that stood out to me the most in this park was that there was a type of flower that closes at night and re opens in the morning. I had never seen this species of plant before and it amazed me because there were so many of them and watching them re open in the morning was quiet a spectacle!
Day 3 and Day 4:
Myakka River State Park to Miami, Florida Drive Time: 3 hours 27 minutes
(In Miami, we stayed 2 nights at my brother's Brickell Penthouse before continuing our trip and explored different places in Miami)
Miami, Florida
Miami needs another blog in itself. There are so many things to do here! During our stay, we took a long walk through South Beach, visited Bayside Marketplace and spent time with family while celebrating my husband's birthday. The picture below is from Ocean Drive in South Beach.
Day 5:
Miami, Florida to Everglades National Park Drive Time: 50 Minutes
Everglades National Park
Best way to explore the Everglades is by boat. We bought a Groupon to do an airboat adventure through the Everglades and saw so many alligators, weird specimen of flowers that grow on the water and other wildlife.
Here is a Groupon you can buy for this activity.
-Everglades National Park to Key West Drive Time: 3 hours
(in Key West we stayed at the Crowne Plaza for 2 nights. We got the hotel using hotel points from our IHG Credit Card. If you guys follow me on Instagram, you have for sure heard me how I use my points to get free stays and flights using credit cards.
Follow me on Instagram here
If you are interested in getting the IHG Credit Card you can apply here )
Key West, Florida
In Key West, We rented a six passenger electric car to drive around the city and explore downtown. We watched the sunset the night we arrived in Mallory Square and ate dinner at El Meson de Pepe's Restaurant & Bar.
Below is the electric car we rented. There are several companies in Key West that rent motorcycles, electric cars, golf cars and bikes.
Day 6:
Key West, Florida
The next day we woke up early to board our sail boat. We did an all day activity with Sebago. They take you out sailing in the blue waters of the gulf of Mexico. The all day tour includes kayaks, paddle boards, banana boat, jet ski, parasail, water trampoline and snorkeling. The package also includes breakfast buffet and lunch buffet on the boat.
Here is the link to Sebago, in case you all want to try them out.
Day 7:
Key West to Miami Drive Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
(We stayed once again in my brother's home)
Miami, Florida
When we got to Miami, my brother volunteered to baby sit our kids while we went deep sea fishing at night in Miami. The next day we continued our journey.
Something worth mentioning... If you are in the Brickell, downtown area of Miami, you can ride on the Metro Mover for FREE. This is the way we mostly transport ourselves when we visit Miami. If we have to go longer distances, we catch a Lyft. (If you don't have Lyft yet, go ahead and click here to get $5 in ride credit!)
Day 8 and Day 9:
Miami, FL to Orlando, Florida Drive Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
(In Orlando, we rented a house on Airbnb and stayed for 2 nights. Here is the house that we stayed at: Orlando House with Pool)
Orlando, Florida
When we arrived to Orlando, we went to Disney Springs to do some shopping, play with Legos and just walk around. Afterwards, we went and did some grocery shopping so we can cook an actual home cooked meal at the house we had rented.
We had previously planned on going to a Disney Park the next day but we were honestly just tired and decided to just stay in the house and play by the pool. We loved just relaxing, swimming and eating in the house. The view of the lake from the pool had a special touch. This was definitely a nice place to rest from our long drives, fully booked activities, hotel rooms, and camping nights. We finally had some space in this three bedroom home. Lol.
Day 10:
(We visited several springs in the Ocala National Forest. Each one is note worthy to visit. They are all beautiful, although I only took pictures in just a few of them and I will mention below on the blog. But please write these other springs down.)
-Orlando to Alexander Springs Drive Time: 1 hour 6 minutes
-Alexander Springs to Juniper Springs Drive Time: 20 minutes
-Juniper Springs to Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area Drive Time: 14 minutes
(We camped at Silver Glen Springs for 1 night. Reservations are required)
Juniper Springs, Florida
After our day of resting by the pool, we had a long day visiting several springs the next day. We drove to the above mentioned springs and had so much fun swimming. We honestly were having so much fun, I didn't really take any pictures of any of them besides Juniper Springs. Here is a picture I got.
Day 11: Silver Glen Springs to Devil's Den Spring Drive Time: 1 hour 16 minutes
(Here are other springs that we did not take any pictures in)
Devil's Den to Ginnie Springs Drive Time: 51 minutes
Ginnie Springs to Ichetucknee Springs Drive Time: 20 minutes
Devil's Den Springs
Devil's Den was completely packed when we went and I would love to go back making camping reservations and staying here for at least one whole day to be at this spring by itself. There are so many things to do here! They do charge for you to go in the cave and the line is pretty long. Surely, make more time to visit this spring than we did.
Ichetucknee Springs to Madison Blue Spring Drive Time: 1 hour 4 minutes
(We stayed in a hotel in Madison, Florida using points with our IHG Credit Card)
Madison Blue Springs
Madison Blue Springs is located North of Florida. Very close to the border of Georgia. If you live in Georgia, and want to experience the blue clear water of Florida Springs, Madison Blue Springs and Morrison Springs are the closest!
I won't talk about Morrison Springs in this series because it is closer to Destin, Florida and not in this road trip itinerary. If you would like to know more about Morrison Springs, leave a comment below and subscribe to my blog!
Day 11:
Madison, Florida to Wild Adventures in Valdosta Drive Time: 27 minutes
(We stayed in Valdosta, GA for one night using points with our IHG Credit Card)
Wild Adventures
Wild Adventures is one of the best theme parks I have gone to with my kids. We skipped the Disney Park but nevertheless, we took our kids to a theme park. I loved this park because it has so many kid friendly roller coasters, live alligators, safari animals and so much fun for the whole family at an affordable price. We ended the day with a spectacular fireworks show at the park. Definitely plan to go to Wild Adventures with your kids!
Make sure you get your tickets in advance online to get a better deal.
Get your tickets here.
Day 12:
Going back home Valdosta to Atlanta Drive Time: 4 hours
We definitely had fun in this road trip, and as you may see, we try to limit our spending by camping, staying with friends or family, getting FREE hotel nights through credit card points and finding deals on Groupon. Traveling with family doesn't have to be that expensive if you travel smart. Subscribe to my blog below for more travel itineraries!