Best Places to Visit En Route to Florida from North Carolina

We’ll share with you our top destinations in this post that you should see on your way from North Carolina to Florida.

Look no further than this route from North Carolina to Orlando, Florida, for a leisurely drive through the cities of the Southeast US. This drive is filled with natural scenery, history, culture, entertainment, and endless fun activities, making it the ideal length to complete over a long weekend.

The 670-mile road trip from North Carolina to Orlando, Florida, takes over 11 hours to drive along the coast from Raleigh through Fayetteville, Myrtle Beach, and Savannah or from Charlotte, visiting Columbia, Augusta, and Gainesville via inland way.

Do you have any plans to travel the South East Coast? Our top recommendations for destinations to see along the East Coast between North Carolina and Florida are here to assist you.

Places to Visit in North Carolina

You might be tempted to finish the journey without stopping for the night given the short driving distance. But when you have so many fascinating cities and breathtaking landscapes to discover en route, you will want to stay at one of these incredible locations.

Raleigh, NC

Although Raleigh is one of the 11 locations on our list of potential residences, it lacks major tourist attractions. But in our opinion, it has developed into one of the coolest tourist destinations in the US over time.

Its amazing food and local brew scene, live music, distinctive festivals, and laid-back vibe make it a deserving stop on your road trip along the east coast of the United States. Additionally, since we live here, it must be good. Out of all the 50+ countries in the world we’ve traveled to, including the 5 countries we’ve lived in, we chose Raleigh. That’s a clue!

The Outer Banks, NC

Beaufort is a small fishing town, most noted for one of its most infamous dwellers, Captain Blackbeard. My dad loved exploring the neighborhood in search of buried treasure tied to one of his favorite childhood pirate figures. Shackleford Island is home to wild horses and definitely worth the short boat trip from A few hours in Beaufort.

Only stunning white sand beaches, turquoise water, and wild horses munching on sand dunes can be found on Shackleford Island.

Wilmington & Wrightsville Beach

America’s third largest movie and TV production town, Wilmington is a quaint historic town on the banks of the Cape Fear River. Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach is a favorite weekend destinations for us, and we highly suggest them both for your East Coast road trip itinerary!

Elijah’s, which is close to the Riverwalk’s end and faces the bridge, is a great place to eat. Be sure to attend sunset drinks; they are magical. You can also take a tour of the Studios while there or visit the Battleship North Carolina across the river.

Asheville (and the Smoky Mountains)

This may be too much of a detour on your road trip from the coast, but just in case you want to experience some North Carolina mountains adventure, Asheville and the Appalachian mountains is worth the visit.

The alternative, somewhat eclectic hippy lifestyle is prevalent in Asheville. The Biltmore Estate, the largest estate in the nation and the former residence of the Vanderbilt family, once the richest family in America, is close to Asheville. It is truly impressive, and I enjoyed learning the tales of the friendly and welcoming family who resided there.

Places to Visit in South Carolina

South Carolina is a state we can’t wait to explore more of on future East Coast vacations. On our upcoming road trip south to Florida, we have plans to pass through more coastal communities.

Myrtle Beach, SC

A few fun activities in Myrtle Beach have just come to our attention. One of the most well-known East Coast vacation spots, Myrtle Beach State Park, and kayaking through a salt marsh at Huntington Beach State Park were our highlights.

We also enjoyed visiting Brookgreen Gardens, exploring Murrells Inlet, and taking in a performance at the Carolina Opry.

Charleston, SC

Charleston, South Carolina, is one of our favorite American destinations because of its fascinating American history, particularly the Civil War. We enjoyed seeing the city and learning more about it on an informative horse and carriage tour of the city, which we have now done 4 times now.

Each time I learned something new, mostly thanks to the four different routes this tour takes. Aside from taking a carriage tour, you can also explore the beautiful historic homes with their renowned Southern piazzas (porches) by walking from the main market area around the waterfront to the Battery and back.

Beaufort, SC

Another one of our favorite South Carolina destinations on the east coast road trip we took with my parents was Beaufort. From North Carolina to Georgia, we made our way. We recently returned from a three-day vacation in Beaufort. We thoroughly enjoyed learning more about this lovely southern town and its surroundings.

Most of the filming for Forest Gump was done in the marshlands and islands of Park on Hunting Island. The town is adorable and charming, and the Intracoastal waterway setting is stunning. We had dinner at Luther’s, which is a good location for a stroll at dusk. Don’t miss Dockside and Fish Camp for delicious seafood and sunset views.

How Far is Orlando, Florida, from North Carolina, and How Long Will the Road Trip Take?

Direct travel along the coast for 670 miles, without stops for gas or overnight stays, takes about 11 hours and 30 minutes from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Orlando, Florida, using the Durham/Raleigh Route.

As an alternative, you can choose to take a shorter inland route or The Charlotte Route, starting in Charlotte, North Carolina, and traveling 600 miles in 10 hours and 30 minutes, not including detours and rest stops.

You can easily cover this drive through the Eastern US within a day or two, but to experience the best of the region at leisure, we suggest you take 4-5 days to enjoy this amazing adventure to its fullest.

Things to See on a Road Trip from North Carolina to Orlando, Florida

In order to see everything there is to see between North Carolina and Orlando, you might need to take two road trips since each of these routes crosses two different types of terrain. Prior to beginning your travel planning, check out our top suggestions for must-see locations.

The Durham/Raleigh Route

1. Fayetteville, North Carolina – Numerous parks, including lovely botanical gardens, can be found in Fayetteville. Poe House and Airborne and Special Operations Museum visits can easily take up an entire afternoon.
2. Yogi Bears Jellystone Camp Resort, North Carolina – You’re in for a treat if you enjoyed the Yogi Bear cartoon. Genuinely endearing and eccentric, The Pic-A-Nic Basket is a restaurant with a Yogi Bear theme.
3. River Island Adventures, South Carolina – This adventure park is the ideal place for outdoor pursuits like river tubing, kayaking, and S’mores night. It is situated on the banks of the Waccamaw River.
4. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – People travel to this stunning beach from all over the US to rest and relax and trust us, it is worth the hype.
5. McLeod Plantation Historic Site, South Carolina – Take a tour of the Georgian-style mansion that features the slave cabins and looks out onto the vast, still-preserved plantation grounds to get a glimpse of the dark chapters in American history.
6. Pon-Pon Chapel of Ease, South Carolina – Visit this old church to indulge your passion for history. Built over 250 years ago, it is one of the few monuments representing American religious architecture.
7. Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina – Straddling the border of South Carolina and Georgia, this refuge covers 30,000 acres and plays a huge role in conserving several bird and animal species. It’s also a great place to engage in outdoor activities.
8. Pinball Palace, Georgia – Was pinball one of your childhood favorites on the computer? If so, you have to check out this retro pinball arcade in Georgia.
9. McIntosh Sugarmill Park, Georgia – Today’s site of the sugar mill ruins was once a thriving sugar plantation. You can enjoy a picnic beneath the oaks while leisurely exploring the park.
10. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, Florida – A lot of alligators, birds, animals, and reptiles can be seen at this, one of the top tourist destinations in the area.
11. Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, Florida – This lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark, was constructed in the nineteenth century. Awe-inspiring views of the Atlantic can be had from this location, one of the tallest lighthouses in the nation.

The Charlotte Route

1. Columbia Museum of Art, South Carolina – The museum, which is in the heart of Columbia, is home to a large number of ongoing historical and modern exhibits. The museum often showcases interesting temporary exhibitions, making it popular with the artists.
2. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, South Carolina – Because of the enormous variety of birds, animals, and reptiles it houses, as well as its gorgeous botanical garden and penguin enclosure, the zoo is one of Columbia’s most popular tourist destinations.
3. Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site, South California – Visit this historic site’s plantations, mansion, and slave quarters for a quick history lesson on American slavery. You could also take guided tours to explore the property further.
4. Valdosta, Georgia – This city, which is in Southern Georgia, makes for an excellent pit stop for getting some fresh air and food. Azaleas in bloom are a beautiful sight.
5. Stephen Foster Folk Center Museum, Florida – The museum, which was created in the legendary musician’s honor, highlights local folklore. You’ll find the 200-foot-tall Carillion tower, the largest tubular bell instrument in the world, here.
6. Gainesville, Florida – Soak in the Southern vibes as you chill in this laid-back university town of Gainesville.
7. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlins Historic State Park, Florida – The Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marjorie Kinnan owned this historic farmhouse in the 1930s, and it has been converted into a museum devoted to her life and work.
8. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, Florida – An important American Indian battle took place at this historical location. As a result of its transformation into a community hub, this location is now a popular spot for picnics and live events.
9. Boyett’s Grove & Citrus Attraction, Florida – The feeding zoo here is the best thing about this place. In addition, there are various outdoor amusements available, including a mini-golf course and Florida citrus drinks.

Conclusion: Places to Visit En Route to Florida from NC

An east coast drive will offer you the diversity of culture, history, food, and stunning natural scenery. The numerous theme parks and gorgeous weather make Orlando, Florida, one of the best vacation spots all year long. It continues to be a top attraction for travelers, particularly in the summer.