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A Southeast road trip

3,700-miles through the beautiful south.

  • 18
  • 63:35
  • 3,742 mi
  • $522
Take This Trip

Created by Tatiana Danger - March 20th 2017

The American Southeast is home to a few pretty amazing roadside attractions and natural wonders...as well as some of the best food in the country.

ROAD TRIP TIP: The best time for a road trip in the south is March through May when you want to avoid crowds and enjoy weather that's not too hot and not too cold. Summer is crowded and can get very hot. And from August to November you could encounter hurricanes. December to February the weather can be snowy in the northern part of the trip, and chilly in the South.

Photo of Bourbon Street
3.5

Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA, US

Bourbon Street

TIP: Grab a drink at Jean Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, then hit up the Old Absinthe House, and order a hurricane from Pat O'Brien's.

1
472mi 07h 54m
Photo of Hot Springs National Park
4.4

101 Reserve St, Hot Springs, AR, US

Hot Springs National Park

1

TIP: The warm, "healing" waters cost about $30 for a relaxing soak.

2
199mi 04h 01m
Photo of Thorncrown Chapel
4.5

12968 Highway 62 W, Eureka Springs, AR, US

Thorncrown Chapel

2

Amazing photo op!

3
336mi 05h 40m
Photo of Graceland
4.5

3764 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN, US

Graceland

3

TIP: Visit Beale Street for live music and BBQ; tour Graceland, and pay your respects to the King at his grave.

4
305mi 04h 45m
Photo of Mammoth Cave National Park
4.5

1 Visitor Center Parkway, Mammoth Cave, KY, US

Mammoth Cave National Park

4

This is the world's largest cave system!

5
225mi 03h 39m
Photo of Rock City Gardens
4.5

1400 Patten Rd, Lookout Mountain, GA, US

Rock City Gardens

5

Fun, kitschy stop. Great photo ops!

6
158mi 02h 54m
Photo of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
4.9

107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN, US

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

6

TIP: exploring the abandoned ghost-town resort of Elkmont; drive around Cades Cove, and hike up to Clingmans Dome.

7
7mi 00h 20m
Photo of Elkmont
4.3

Little River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN, US

Elkmont

7

Elkmont Historic District is an awesome abandoned resort town, and it's super accessible from a paved road, and the Appalachian Clubhouse parking lot.

8
55mi 01h 27m
8
9
42mi 00h 51m
Photo of Biltmore Estate
4.5

1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC, US

Biltmore Estate

9

TIP: This is a bit pricey, $50-60 but it's totally worth it. You can explore the entire estate and massive gardens. You'll want to spend at least a few hours here to get the full experience.

10
382mi 06h 13m
Photo of Shenandoah National Park
4.6

Shenandoah National Park, Luray, VA, US

Shenandoah National Park

10

TIP: Hike Stony Man and Old Rag, and plan to spend time exploring the cute towns around the park, and Luray Caverns.

11
85mi 01h 40m

East Capitol Street, NE and 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC, US

National Mall

11

TIP: If you only have a couple hours in DC, hit up the National Mall, it's the best place to see all the iconic monuments and memorials.

12
151mi 02h 21m
Photo of Colonial Williamsburg
4.5

101 Visitor Center Dr, Williamsburg, VA, US

Colonial Williamsburg

12

TIP: You can walk around without paying for admission, but a ticket allows you access to the shops, reenactments, demonstrations, and exhibits.

13
141mi 02h 36m
Photo of Bodie Island Lighthouse
4.5

Bodie Island Lighthouse Rd, Nags Head, NC, US

Bodie Island Lighthouse

13

Classic North Carolina.

14
497mi 07h 38m
Photo of Forsyth Park
4.5

102 W Hall St, Savannah, GA, US

Forsyth Park

14

TIP: Forsyth Park is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon. Also, downtown Savannah has an open container policy, which makes the walking ghost tours at night infinitely more fun.

15
236mi 03h 52m
Photo of Juniper Springs
3.5

26701 FL-40, Silver Springs, FL, US

Juniper Springs

15

TIP: Rent an inner tube and relax for an afternoon.

16
322mi 05h 06m
Photo of Everglades National Park
4.5

40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL, US

Everglades National Park

16

TIP: Boat tours are awesome here!

122mi 02h 40m
Photo of Seven Mile Bridge
4.3

Marathon, FL, US

Seven Mile Bridge

TIP: Once you get to Key West take a picture at the Southernmost Point buoy, and then hit up Sloppy Joe's for a daiquiri.

Tatiana Danger

Roadtrippers co-founder. When I grow up I'm going to be Indiana Jones or a professional pizza tester. Current Status: Mom to Bruce and Nina.