Top 6 Beach Road Trips in the USA
The best beach road trips in the USA will take you to some of the most beautiful beaches and coastal scenic views, both in your own backyard and across the country. These are great, short weekend getaways or weeklong holidays with some of the top 10 destinations for beach lovers, including Miami Beach, Honolulu Beach, and more.
Either with your own car or with a rental car, drive through these wonderful places, contemplate their beauty and enjoy with your friends or family.
This ranking will look at America's coasts on both sides: east coast and west coast.
Here are the best 6 beach road trips in the USA:
1. Road trip to Florida Beaches
Florida is the number one state for beach lovers. There are 362 miles of coastline with hundreds of beaches, coves, and islands to explore. The beaches in Florida range from secluded, family-friendly beach parks to ritzy and glamorous, high-end resorts. There are so many to choose from that it's hard to decide which you should visit first.
Miami Beach is one of the best locations for a beach road trips. The iconic "Hollywood" sign is visible from miles away, and the local beaches are pristine coves with few crowds or trash. You won't have to travel far to find great wildlife spotting with alligators and sharks around these areas too. Miami Beach is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Florida and a flat 5-6 hour drive from Orlando.
Head north to visit Clearwater Beach with its miles of white, soft sand and warm Gulf water. Visitors can enjoy a laid-back lifestyle while visiting this beach town, home to many street festivals and art events. You can also hit the famous Pier 60 at the end of the boardwalk for sunset views over the gulf.
But if you have a hankering for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, head to Palm Beach. This is one of the most expensive areas in Florida, a playground for the rich and famous. If you want to see President Trump's opulent home, it's here too. A trip to Palm Beach will cost more than eight hours drive from Miami.
If you don't mind a longer drive, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach are great for families. There are many attractions including the boardwalk with arcades and rides, water sports, and marine shows. The beaches are also family-friendly, are lined with restaurants, shops, and hotels.
The best way to experience Florida's beaches is by car, so you can get easily from one destination to the next. Try visiting Miami Beach, Barefoot Beach House, St. Augustine Beach, Daytona Beach, or anywhere else on the Florida Keys.
2. Road Trip to Hawaii
Hawaii is set apart by its beautiful white sand beaches and calm blue waters. With over 200 miles of coastline, there are many great locales to escape to for a beach getaway.
If you prefer the tropics over sunshine, then a road trip to Hawaii is sure to pep up your holidays. Famous for their amazing beaches and glorious coastline, the islands are a must for beach lovers.
Hawaii's water is really clean and clear. You can see the bottom of the sea bed in places like Hanauma Bay, which is one of Hawaii's top scuba diving locations. The ocean floor drops off sharply and you can see great coral formations.
The best beaches to visit are on the west side of the islands near Kauai in Poipu and Waimea Bay. The latter is one of Hawaii's most popular beaches, especially with families. The water is shallow so small children can play in it and the waves are gentle. Surfers have a home base at this beach too.
The best time to visit the West Coast of Hawaii is from the end of March to October when the weather is calm. We recommend using our interactive map to locate your ideal spots for beaches in Hawaii.
3. Beach Road Trip to Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is in the state of Oahu, on the west side of Hawaii. In addition to its busy Waikiki Beach and downtown Honolulu, it is also home to many hidden beaches and lagoons. Visitors can find many interesting things to do here whether they're traveling with kids or on a honeymoon.
If you love martial arts, take a lesson at the Kakaako Boxing Club. It's free to the public and a great workout for one and all. The club occasionally hosts charity events like the "Healthiest Weight" run, which was held in 2012.
Try Mahi Mahi fish sandwiches at Pint & Jigger. This is a great place to order from if you're wanting some delicious local food on your holiday away from home. There are many other choices here too like pizza, pasta, and burgers.
You can also visit the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. This monument is dedicated to those who fought and died for the United States during World War II. Visitors can learn more about the history of Pearl Harbor, see a 1/5 scale model of the USS Arizona, and more.
The best time to visit Honolulu is from mid-November to early March. The rest of the year, you will have to wait for a still day as Hawaii can get quite windy at times. The climate is tropical but with rain not too often during certain seasons.
Wander around Chinatown, where you will find many historical buildings dating back over a century. There are also plenty of must-see sights like the USS Arizona Memorial, which is located on Waikiki Beach and tells the story of the bombing at Pearl Harbor during World War II. The best way to move around Honolulu is by car as it is easy to get around that way.
4. Road Trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore is located on the coast of North Carolina, and it's one of the most remote beaches in America. It's popular with hikers and surfers who want to get away from the crowds. The area also offers great views for photographers and wildlife lovers.
The best time to visit is in spring or fall when the weather is warm and not too hot. The area is popular with birdwatchers, who can spot many different species of migrating birds. Plus, the beaches are often deserted, so you'll have plenty of space for swimming and sunbathing.
There are many ways to get around when visiting the Outer Banks. You can go by car or bus, or even take a tour on a bike or in a boat. Hiking is popular, especially on the Cape Lookout National Seashore trail.
You can find some great hotels and restaurants in the area if you're looking to stay awhile. Try renting a house or apartment on the Outer Banks, especially in Buxton. It's one of the best places in North Carolina, with great beaches and lots of fun things to do.
5. Road Trip to Southern California for Families
If you're looking for a road trip that combines fun activities like surfing, hot weather, and Hollywood tours, then you should scope out southern California. It's one of the most popular destinations for families, but you can find plenty to see and do here. You may even find a place to rent on the beach if you're planning a longer stay.
Hollywood is full of tours and landmarks like Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Warner Bros. Studios, and Universal Studios. There are also plenty of family-friendly attractions like LEGOLAND California Adventure and Disneyland Park in Anaheim.
If you're looking for a very low-key vacation, then you might want to rent a house in Hollywood for the week. There are many to choose from and you can rent right on the beach. Just be sure to book early, especially if you're visiting during the winter, when it may get too cold to enjoy the area outside your home.
A good road trip to Southern California is made up of varied activities like hiking, scuba diving, golfing, and more. If you're an active person, then you can get all your exercise in a week in the area.
6. Road Trip to Maine for the Best of Nature, Fun, and Dining
If you're looking for a road trip that combines fun activities like surf fishing and biking, then Maine is the best place to visit this summer. It's one of the most popular destinations for road trippers who want to explore America's largest state by land.
You have plenty of choices when it comes to where to go here. For instance, Narragansett has a long stretch of beachfront property for you to relax on after a day of hiking or horseback riding. You can rent kayaks in the summer to take out onto the waters of the bay, and there's also great scuba diving here in the winter.
You can find many great hotels and restaurants in this area if you're staying for more than one night. The Ocean House is one of our favorites because it offers plenty of outdoor activities like kayaking and paddle boarding.
You can also find some great activities in other parts of the state like bike riding, hiking, boating, and surfing. Plus, you can visit some amazing wildlife sanctuaries like the Natural History Center and Marine Sciences Center.
Conclusion
Whether you're visiting a city or a beach resort, a road trip is an ideal way to get away from it all and reconnect with nature. If you live in the city, then this is a great way to clear your mind and explore the country. Plus you don't have to spend a fortune on travel, food, and entertainment. The best beach road trips are those that combine nature and fun activities like biking, surfing, and enjoying nature on foot.