DRIVING FROM NEW YORK TO FLORIDA
Replies: 14 - Last Post: Aug 22, 2010 10:13 AM Last Post By: jenny3wren
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DRIVING FROM NEW YORK TO FLORIDA
HiMy Dad and I are planning a trip driving from New York to Florida, we have ten days in total and are planning to spend the last 2/3 days in West Palm Beach. We have already visited Philadelphia and Washington DC so we were going to bypass those cities but need some suggestions as to the best places to stop along the way.
We would like to visit "Kitty Hawk" in North Carolina where the first flight took off and also the Kennedy Space Centre in Orlando but aside from that we're not really sure what other places would be best to visit. There are so many cities along the way - Savannah, Brunswick, Jacksonville etc.. but with so little time we need to pinpoint the best places.
Also we are driving the US Route 1 Coastal Rd as we think it would be the most scenic, has anyone taken this route or if anyone has any suggestions for another route it would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.
1
Charleston and Savannah are must-sees in my opinion. A full day in each would be good.2
I can't think of any reason to stop in Jacksonville. But I totally agree about Charleston and Savannah. Those are both well worth it for at least a day each. Are you interested in Civil War history?4
You don't mention your interests, but it appears you like history.There is Fredericksburg, Richmond, and the surrounding sites, but given how relatively close these are to NYC, you may consider skipping them.
Fayetteville, NC is worth a day, particularly for the Airborne and Spec Ops Museum. But if you head to Kitty Hawk, it'll be out of the way.
Charleston and Savannah are worth 3 and 2 days, respectively. More if you plan on exploring the regions.
Skip Jacksonville.
St. Augustine is good for a day.
This trip will take way too long if you stick to US 1. You'll need to get onto the interstates for some of it. In fact, to make this feasible, you need to be get past Virginia Beach as quickly as possible.
US 1 is not generally "scenic." It is usually a main thorough fare crowded with commercial strips and lights, particularly along the Florida coast and and between Fredericksburg and NYC.
Btw, windy, I have driven a lot of US 1, and I have seen very few 25 mph speed limits. 35-45 is more common in built-up areas, and 55 is more common in rural areas.
6
Perhaps OP just chose Jacksonville as a convenient place to stop for the night. Saint Augustine is certainly more interesting, though not on the main north-south interstate.7
Route 1 is NOT the coastal road. For almost all of its length it is far inland. The major coastal road in N.J is US 9, to Route 13 to Norfolk & then Route 17 which is the only major route reasonably convenient to Kitty Hawk. In Fla, Route A-1-A is a real coastal highway where you'll actually see some Ocean along it's length.8
bzookaj, in a lot of Florida, you'd be hard pressed to go more than 30 mph on 1 thanks to traffic and stop lights, regardless of posted speed limits. Compared to 75 (or faster) on the turnpike.9
Everyone's been bashing Jacksonville, probably because it's just a big city, so maybe worth passing up, but just South is Saint Augustine which a few people have mentioned. St. Augustine has one of the original forts in the US, the Ponce de' Leon discovered Fountain of Youth, the Oldest School House in America, and beautiful beaches. I think it is worth an afternoon or day.I just have a question for the group, does anyone think Charleston and Savannah are somewhat similar?
10
windy, you said the speed limits themselves were 25, or at the very least implied it by your statement. Thanks for clarifying for the OP what you meant.Everyone's been bashing Jacksonville, probably because it's just a big city, so maybe worth passing up
It almost seemed like you were going to stand up for the place... but then you also realized it was Jacksonville.does anyone think Charleston and Savannah are somewhat similar?
Yes, and no.
11
They're similar in that they're both Southern cities or similar size. Other than that, if you had to choose one, I'd go with Savannah just because it's unique. The squares and Spanish moss are definitely worth it.12
I was actually not blasting Jacksonville. I just don't think there is much of interest. I have a friend who used to live in JAX so I've spent a bit of time there and it is a lot of sprawl and strip malls and not many sites that most people would feel they HAD to see.I do agree that St Augustine is a great place to stop.
Savannah and Charleston I feel are both different enough to both merit a visit. Savannah is just beautiful and has amazing character. The city is full of lovely sqaures with drooping Spanish moss and statues as smart says. Charleston is pretty and charming as well but not quite as much a Savannah. If you are into Civil War stuff you can go to Fort Sumter in Charleston. Both cities have really, really interesting histories. If you only have time for one place I agree with #11 that Savannah wins on appearances alone.
13
My general philosophy on Charleston and Savannah is that the former keeps you busy, while the latter slows you down.Not saying you can't reverse them if you want, but Charleston has many more attractions in and around it than Savannah does, while the "charm" of Savannah is best soaked in, not glanced at.
