Road Trip From Boston To Miami
If you're in the mood for a truly monumental road trip down the length of the Eastern Seaboard, this drive south through 13 different states to the south of Florida won't disappoint.
The 1,580-mile road trip from Boston to Miami takes 25 hours to drive before adding in stops for fuel, food and rest so allow for at least 3 days on the road. Stops include New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Charleston, and Savannah.
Read on for the full details of the itinerary, best places to stay and things to see along the way.
How Far is Miami from Boston and How Long Will the Road Trip Take?
Our road trip from Boston to Miami is 1,580 miles long before you account for any detours or stops along the way.
That's at least 25 hours of pure driving time, so given you'll need to stop for food, fuel and sleep, it'll take you at least 3 days to get from Massachusetts down to the southern tip of Florida.
The route passes through some of the busiest cities in the United States so plan ahead to avoid getting stuck in rush hour traffic as you drive across New York or Washington DC.
Given there is so much to see and do along the way, you can easily take a couple of weeks to drive one way and still only scratch the surface.
But if you don't have endless time on your hands and want to avoid driving for two entire days in a row, I'd plan to break the trip up into at least 5 days to allow yourself the opportunity to stop and explore along the route.
Best Road Trip Route from Boston to Miami
The road trip route from Boston to Miami is long and you'll probably want to make a number of diversions along the way, but the most direct route is also probably the best for offering plenty of amazing sights and stops along the way.
Road Trip Route from Boston to Miami
Although Google will tell you to head along the I-90 and I-84 through Hartford, the better way to start the trip is to drive south from Boston along the I-95 to Providence, Rhode Island.
After stopping for a coffee or lunch, the route follows the I-95 along the Long Island Sound through Connecticut towards New York City.
When you reach the Bronx, you'll need to cross Manhattan to get to the George Washington Bridge or one of the tunnels across to New Jersey although I'd highly recommend stopping over and exploring the Big Apple for an evening first!
The New Jersey Turnpike will then take you past Philadelphia all the way to Wilmington - the toll is just under $20 to drive the whole length but you might want to stop in Princeton or Philadelphia on the way.
After you cross the Delaware River, you'll reach Baltimore and Washtington DC and this is a perfect place to stop if you want to break up the drive into 3 days.
From Washington DC, the route down to Miami couldn't be easier - just follow the I-95 all the way down through Richmond, Fayetteville, and past Charleston and Savannah.
This, again, is a great place to stop in either South Carolina or Georgia depending on your preference.
The rest of the route hugs the coastline as you pass Jacksonville, and Daytona Beach on the way down to Miami.
If you are coming with kids, you'll probably want to come off the interstate for a short diversion to one of Orlando's amazing theme parks on your way.
Best Places to Stop Between Boston and Miami
There is a huge list of amazing places where you can stop on the way from Boston to Miami, but here are a few options that you really can't miss.
See the city that never sleeps: New York City
Stopping over in the Big Apple can be a great start to the long road trip down to Miami.
Given you'll be looking to cross over to New Jersey afterwards, staying in Midtown gives you the perfect balance of being in the thick of things and not having to drive down the length of Manhattan (you can take the Lincoln Tunnel instead).
There are a lot of hotels to choose from, but if you want to stay just 2 blocks from Times Square and 4 blocks from the Empire State building, the Refinery hotel is an edgy boutique hotel that is perfect for exploring New York.
There is a car park right across the street and you'll get a discount through staying at the hotel plus it couldn't be any easier to get to the Lincoln Tunnel in the morning - you're 3 blocks away from the entrance!
Whether you want to spend the night at a rooftop restaurant or a basement blues bar, New York won't disappoint.
For more options and to learn more about the other areas in New York City where you can stay, please check our detailed guide below:
READ MORE - Our Area-by-Area Guide to NYC
Tour world-famous monuments in Washington, DC
If you're interested in arts, culture, and history, Washington DC is an absolute must stop on your road trip from Boston to Miami.
Whether you want to walk the sites over an evening or spend a few days exploring, there is so much to see from the Lincoln Memorial to the National Gallery of Art to the Library of Congress.
The best option for seeing the sights is the Hyatt Place Washington DC (National Mall). It is both, extremely well located and the price is reasonable by Washington standards.
The White House and the Capitol are both a short walk - and it's no ordinary walk when you're walking the National Mall past the Smithsonian and the Washington Monument.
It is maybe the most conveniently located hotel as you're just a few minutes away from The Mall and right next to the exit from the interstate that you'll be driving on your way to Miami.
There's a great parking garage right next to the hotel so dump your car and stretch your legs as you take in the history of this world-changing city.
Soak up the history of Savannah
The perfect place to stop for the night before making the last long stint of driving, you'll be passing Savannah just after crossing into Georgia from South Carolina.
Only a short distance south of Charleston, Savannah couldn't be more different. There is a relaxed and charming vibe in the air and the majestic live oak-lined streets make it a perfect place to spend the evening or a couple of days.
The Gastonian is a home away from home in Savannah a few blocks away from the hustle and bustle of the city and with the all important free parking.
Set in a historic mansion with fantastic breakfast, you're only a short drive or a 20 minute stroll to the river.
The best way to explore Savannah is on foot or you can drive out to one of the world famous plantations to take the obligatory photo on the long oak-lined driveway.
Things to See on a Road Trip from Boston to Miami
If you're looking for some awesome places to stop at along the way, you'll have no shortage on this road trip. Here are a few things you'll want to take the time to check out.
- Providence, Rhode Island - Barely into the road trip is the historic city of Providence is home to fantastic museums and one of the best culinary scenes in the United States.
- New York City - As the route cuts across Manhattan, it would be criminal not to stop and explore the Big Apple visiting Central Park, the Empire, State Building, and Times Square.
- Princeton, New Jersey - This classic town is famous for its namesake university, but is well worth visiting for a lot more than that.
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - One of the most important cities in the history of the United States where you can see the Liberty Bell, see Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed, run up the Rocky steps, and try a real Philly cheesesteak.
- Baltimore - the old city is often overlooked in favor of Philadelphia or Washington DC, but the industrial city sat around a stunning harbor is well worth a visit in its own right.
- Washington D.C. - The capital of the United States is full of jaw dropping sights, outstanding museums and history on every corner. See the White House, Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian, and the US Capitol as you make your way around the city.
- Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park - A slight detour off the interstate, this is one of the most scenic roads in the United States following the mountain ridge that eventually turns into the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - If you want to lie on a perfect beach watching the waves roll in to break up the long drive, this might be the perfect spot.
- Charleston, South Carolina - The classic city in South Carolina dates back to the 17th century with cobbled streets and traditional antebellum houses in centuries-old parts of town.
- Savannah, Georgia - Live oak-lined streets with classic mansions and the small parks spread in a grid through the city make Savannah a real gem that you keep wanting to come back to.
- Jacksonville - The biggest city in Florida has everything from miles of sand beaches to historic neighborhoods and craft beer.
- Daytona Beach - The world famous beach city is known for the Daytona International Speedway that is home to the Daytona 500 NASCAR race.
- Orlando, Florida - Home to some of the biggest and best theme parks in the world including Disney, you can't miss it if you are driving with kids!
Best Time to Go on a Road Trip from Boston to Miami
Miami is the perfect destination over the winter months, and in spring and fall seasons.
While Boston is covered in snow, the warm weather in Miami means you can sunbathe and relax by the pool.
If you're coming in the winter, be mindful of the fact that driving conditions between Boston and Washington D.C. could be mixed so allow for plenty of extra driving time on the way.
Peak summer is one of the busiest times and it's a great time to explore the whole length of the road trip from Boston to Miami, but summers in southern Florida can be very hot and humid with daily highs in the mid-90s or higher.
August and September are also hurricane season months and while that's unlikely to impact your trip, the storms can be significant as your route follows the coast all the way down.
The best time of year to go on this road trip will be between March and May or in October.
The weather should be great, especially as you get further south and if you manage to avoid spring break, it shouldn't be too busy.
