As the new year arrives, have you considered trying a different way to travel? Especially if you live near the Atlantic or plan to visit, an East Coast road trip is practically a rite of passage for most travelers, an adventure into the unknown.

From Maine’s rugged, lobster-filled wharves to the neon-blue waters of the Florida Keys, the East Coast is a vast and diverse playground. We’ve curated the best East Coast road trip routes, featuring eight scenic itineraries that offer a diverse range of experiences. Ready to pack the snacks and hit the gas?

Best Time of Year for an East Coast Road Trip

Overall, spring and fall are ideal seasons for a United States East Coast road trip. However, the East Coast spans a vast area, and different seasons offer distinct scenery.

• Spring (April to June): This is the sweet spot for the Mid-Atlantic and the South. You’ll catch the cherry blossoms in D.C. and the azaleas in Charleston. At this time of year, the weather in these areas is mild, and there are fewer people compared to summer.

• Summer (July to August): If you are heading to New England or the Jersey Shore, this is prime time. Thanks to the warm weather, you can try a variety of water activities, and everything is open for business.

• Fall (September to October): In autumn, traveling to New York, Virginia, and Maine to see the fall foliage is one of the most popular activities.

• Winter (November to March): Stick to the South. Florida is gorgeous this time of year, warm, dry. Unless you love skiing, avoid the northern routes as many seasonal attractions close down.

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Top 8 East Coast Road Trip Routes

To help you find the perfect route, we’ve curated various East Coast road trip routes featuring ocean views, national parks, and urban landscapes. Each route varies in length, allowing you to plan a compact weekend getaway or a leisurely vacation.

Road Trip Route	Estimated Length (Miles)	Recommended Vacation Duration
New York to Niagara Falls, NY	~400 Miles	3–5 Days
Washington, D.C., to Atlanta, GA	~640 Miles	5–7 Days
Nags Head to Beaufort, NC (Outer Banks)	~150 Miles	3–4 Days
Front Royal to Waynesboro, VA (Skyline Drive)	105 Miles	1–2 Days
Waynesboro, VA to Cherokee, NC (Blue Ridge Parkway)	469 Miles	5–7 Days
Key Largo to Key West, FL (Overseas Highway)	113 Miles	2–4 Days
Kittery to Calais, ME (Coastal Route 1)	~280 Miles	4–6 Days
Charleston, SC to Jacksonville, FL	~240 Miles	3–5 Days

New York to Niagara Falls, NY

Most people think of the East Coast as just the ocean, but New York State offers a stunning inland drive that takes you from the skyscrapers of Manhattan to one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls. This route breaks you out of the city bubble and shows you the rural beauty of the Empire State.

Route Highlights

Leaving NYC, you’ll head north through the Hudson Valley before cutting west. Heading north on I-87 and then west on I-90, you’ll also pass through the Catskills. The real star of this drive is the Finger Lakes region. It is a massive area of long, narrow lakes carved by glaciers. The driving here is relaxing, with rolling hills and vineyards at every turn.

When you arrive at Niagara Falls, marvel at the spectacular Horseshoe Falls or take a boat ride into the mist. Along the way, Letchworth State Park will be a highlight of your journey. Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, it features stunning waterfalls and towering cliffs.

Stopover Locations

• Beacon, NY: A trendy art town with a cool Main Street.
• Corning, NY: Famous for the Museum of Glass. It’s a great place to stretch your legs.
• Watkins Glen: The state park here has a gorge trail that passes behind waterfalls. It looks like something out of a fantasy novel.

Washington, D.C., to Atlanta, GA

This is one of the best road trip destinations on the East Coast for history buffs. You’re moving from the seat of the federal government to the heart of the “New South.” This route takes you through the Piedmont region and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It is a mix of heavy history and southern hospitality.

Route Highlights

You leave the nation’s capital and head into Virginia, passing Civil War battlefields and presidential estates. As you move into North Carolina and South Carolina, the landscape changes to red clay and pine forests.

If you stick to US-29 or skirt the mountains via I-81 and I-26, you get better views and better food. You get to see the transition from the mid-Atlantic to the deep South. In Atlanta, you’ll discover the World of Coca-Cola, home to the company’s headquarters, where you can snap photos with the mascots. For families, the Georgia Aquarium is a must-visit destination, ranking among the largest aquariums in the United States.

Stopover Locations

• Charlottesville, VA: Home to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and the University of Virginia.
• Asheville, NC: You have to stop here. The Biltmore Estate is massive, and the downtown arts scene is vibrant.
• Greenville, SC: A surprisingly walkable city with a waterfall right in the middle of downtown.

Nags Head to Beaufort, NC

This is the Outer Banks Scenic Byway. If you like the idea of driving with water on both sides of your car, this will be a landscape that no other route can rival.

Route Highlights

You start in Nags Head, close to where the Wright Brothers took their first flight. The route heads south on Highway 12, a thin ribbon of asphalt on a barrier island. On your left is the Atlantic, on your right is the Pamlico Sound.

And you have to take ferries. The road literally ends at Hatteras Village, and you drive your car onto a boat to get to Ocracoke Island. It slows you down and forces you to match the rhythm of the tides. The lighthouses here, especially Cape Hatteras with its black and white spiral, are among the most representative lighthouses on the East Coast.

Stopover Locations

• Jockey’s Ridge State Park: The tallest living sand dune system in the eastern U.S.
• Ocracoke Island: Spend the night here. It was Blackbeard the Pirate’s favorite hideout.
• Cedar Island: The end of the ferry line, leading you back to the mainland and down to the charming town of Beaufort.

Front Royal to Waynesboro, VA

For nature enthusiasts with limited time, Skyline Drive is an ideal choice. It runs the entire length of Shenandoah National Park along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is only 105 miles long, but you should budget a whole day for it because the speed limit is 35 mph, and you will want to stop constantly.

Route Highlights

There are 75 overlooks on this short stretch of road. On a clear day, you can see for miles across the Shenandoah Valley. What I love about this route is the wildlife. It is almost guaranteed that you will see white-tailed deer, and black bear sightings are very common.

This isn’t a route for rushing. It is for rolling the windows down and breathing in the mountain air. In the spring, the wildflowers are out of control. In the fall, it is one of the premier East Coast road trip ideas for foliage. The area surrounding Waynesboro is home to a cluster of wineries and breweries in the Shenandoah Valley, making it perfectly convenient to visit local wineries along the way.

Stopover Locations

• Big Meadows: A high-elevation meadow where you can spot deer and hike to Dark Hollow Falls.
• Luray Caverns: Technically just off the drive, but worth the short detour to see the massive underground formations.

Waynesboro, VA to Cherokee, NC

If you have ample time, after completing Skyline Drive, continue on to visit the Blue Ridge Parkway, America’s most popular scenic highway. Stretching 469 miles from Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina. It connects two massive national parks and offers arguably the best driving experience in the eastern U.S.

Route Highlights

Experience the authentic roads of the Appalachian Highlands, where commercial traffic is prohibited, with no semi-trucks, no billboards, and no gas stations along the parkway. You’ll enjoy a slow, meditative drive.

You will cross the Linn Cove Viaduct, a bridge that hugs the side of Grandfather Mountain. You will also pass Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. The elevation changes make the drive dynamic; you might be in the clouds one minute and in a deep green valley the next.

Stopover Locations

• Mabry Mill: One of the most photographed spots on the parkway. It’s a historic gristmill that looks great in any season.
• Blowing Rock, NC: A quaint mountain village perfect for lunch and shopping.
• Linville Falls: A massive, multi-tiered waterfall that is easily accessible from the road.

Key Largo to Key West, FL

On this route, you can experience the renowned US-1, unlike any other road in the nation. It connects the Florida Keys through a series of 42 bridges, surrounding you with ocean views.

Route Highlights

The water color here changes from deep blue to bright turquoise. The drive itself is the destination. The most famous section is the Seven Mile Bridge. When you are in the middle of it, you can’t see land on either side, just water and horizon.

This fits perfectly into any East Coast road trip itinerary focused on relaxation. The vibe is incredibly laid back. You can stop at roadside stands for boiled peanuts or fresh fish. The goal is Key West, the southernmost point of the continental U.S., where the sunset transforms into a scene straight out of an oil painting. Head to Mallory Square to witness it, where celebrations take place every evening. Beyond the diverse water activities, visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum to see the adorable six-toed cats that call it home.

Stopover Locations

• Islamorada: Known as the sportfishing capital of the world. Great for grabbing lunch.
• Bahia Honda State Park: Home to one of the best natural beaches in Florida and views of the old rail bridge.
• Marathon: A good midway point with a turtle hospital you can visit.

Kittery to Calais, ME

As the northern terminus of U.S. Route 1, this stretch bears no resemblance to the Florida route. Here, it’s all about rugged coastlines, immersing you in Maine’s quintessential New England atmosphere.

Route Highlights

You’ll see granite cliffs, dark spruce forests, and the gray Atlantic Ocean, passing through dozens of small port towns where lobster boats float in the water.

This is a long drive, and the further north you go, the quieter it gets. By the time you reach Calais at the Canadian border, you feel like you are at the edge of the world. Across the St. Croix River, you can still see the town of St. Stephen in New Brunswick, Canada. Don’t forget to detour slightly onto Mount Desert Island to see Acadia National Park.

Stopover Locations

• Portland, ME: A foodie paradise. Walk the Old Port and get a potato donut.
• Camden, ME: Often called the prettiest town in Maine. You can drive up Mount Battie for a view of the harbor.
• West Quoddy Head Light: The easternmost point in the U.S. The lighthouse has candy-cane stripes.

Charleston, SC to Jacksonville, FL

This route takes you along U.S. Route 17, where a distinctive atmosphere permeates every corner. If you wish to witness Spanish moss draping from living oak trees or explore the ruins of ancient churches, this is the perfect route for you.

Route Highlights

The scenery here is lush and verdant, as you drive through salt marshes and tidal streams. This highway connects two major cities, meaning you’ll have ample opportunities for urban exploration. You’ll pass the entrance to the “Golden Isles” of Georgia, places like Jekyll Island and St. Simons. These are barrier islands with massive driftwood beaches. The history here runs deep, from the Gullah Geechee culture to the remnants of the plantation era.

When you visit Jacksonville, don’t miss watching the sunset at Jacksonville Beach Pier. While it may not be as spectacular as Key West, it has its own unique charm.

Stopover Locations

• Beaufort, SC: Not to be confused with the NC Beaufort, this one is full of antebellum mansions and movie filming locations.
• Savannah, GA: You must walk through the squares here; it is one of the most beautiful walkable cities in the country.
• Driftwood Beach: A photographer’s dream with ancient, weathered trees lining the sand.

East Coast Road Trip Tips

Before you throw your bags in the trunk, let’s talk logistics. Driving the East Coast isn’t quite like driving the wide-open West. Understanding these practical road trip tips will help make your journey smoother.

Road Conditions

Note Peak Hours: The corridor between Washington, D.C., and Boston is notorious for congestion. If possible, avoid driving through major cities during peak hours (7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.).

Tolls: Be warned, the Northeast, especially NY, NJ, and PA is heavy on tolls. Get an E-ZPass before you go; it works in almost every state from Maine to Florida and will save you a ton of time and money.

Construction: Summer is “orange barrel season.” Check apps like Waze or Google Maps for real-time updates.

What to Prepare

Download Maps: Service can be spotty in the Appalachian Mountains, like Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway, and parts of rural Maine. Download offline maps on Google Maps before you go.

Car Check: Just because it’s not a desert doesn’t mean your car won’t struggle. Check your brakes; mountain driving wears them down fast.

Clothing: If you are driving North to South, pack layers. You might need a sweater in Maine and a swimsuit in Florida in the same week.

An Emergency Kit: Jumper cables, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, and extra water.

FAQ

Where is the most scenic drive on the East Coast?

This will depend on what kind of scenery you prefer. If you love mountains and mist, go Blue Ridge Parkway. If you want tropical vibes and ocean views for miles, go with the Overseas Highway to the Keys.

What is the prettiest town on the East Coast?

Savannah, Georgia, is often at the top of the list because of its historic squares and Spanish moss. For a coastal vibe, Camden, Maine, is picture-perfect, boasting a harbor and stunning mountains.

What is the most beautiful road trip in the USA?

The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) in California usually takes the top spot, but for many, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a close second. The scenery between the East and West Coasts differs from the experience of a road trip.