5 Best East Coast Road Trip Ideas & Destinations

Traveling along the East Coast provides some amazing views. There’s a mix of historical sites, national parks, and delicious food. If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next adventure, here are some East Coast road trip ideas.

Charleston, South Carolina to Tybee Island, Georgia

These East Coast road trip destinations allow you to travel at a slower pace through the south and feature historical spots, beaches, and interesting tours.

Charleston, South Carolina

Visit The Battery, a picturesque landmark with Civil War relics and memorials. Go on a boat or walking tour of the city, visit some museums and beaches, or try a food or brewery tour.

Savannah, Georgia

Check out Forsyth Park or hop on a trolley tour. Love art? Make time to visit The Davenport House Museum or catch a show at Lucas Theatre for the Arts or the The Historic Savannah Theatre.

Tybee Island

Visit Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse or go on a guided kayak tour. Indulge in delicious unique desserts at The Sugar Shack or watch out for dolphins just off the coast. You can also go on a dolphin tour if you want to see these animals up close.

Trip Length: 5 days

Estimated cost: $900.00-$950.00

Blue Ridge Parkway

Admire breathtaking scenery when you travel along the Blue Ridge Parkway—one of the most popular East Coast road trip destinations. Stop for short hikes that will take you closer to nature as you breathe in the fresh air and appreciate the views.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Drive around the park, meet a ranger and learn from their experience, or have a picnic around Dickey Ridge or Dundo. Cruise along Skyline Drive and see spectacular views of the mountainside.

Roanoke, Virginia

Check out Mill Mountain Star Trail and Watchtower Trail for the best panoramic views. Go off-road mountain biking at Carvins Cove Natural Reserve or hike Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve. As you leave the city, stop by Roanoke Valley overlook, Pine Spur overlook, and Devil’s Backbone overlook.

Canton, North Carolina

Check out Skinny Dip Falls and Graveyard Fields Hike and Waterfalls. If you want to do a little hiking, take a detour to Grandfather Mountain or Mount Mitchell State Park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Climb up Newfound Gap and marvel at the scenic views or hike the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. If you have hiking experience, Chimney Tops is a short but steep climb where you have to scramble over rocks to reach the top.

Trip Length: 5 days

Estimated cost: $900.00-$950.00

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Brush up on history on this East Coast road trip with stops at iconic monuments, historical landmarks, museums, and more.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Visit historic sites like the Liberty Bell and Independence National Historical Park.

Strasburg, Pennsylvania

Stop by The Amish Village® and book a tour to see a close-up look at the Amish way of life.

Washington, D.C.

Tour the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Snap some photos at Capitol Hill, The Washington Monument, and the White House, among other iconic historical sights.

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Check out this quaint town that houses what’s known as the “World’s Largest Living History Museum”. You can enjoy a carriage ride or walk around on your own.

Trip Length: 7 days

Estimated cost: $1,000.00-$1,500.00

New England Road Trip

New England is a beautiful place to visit any time of the year. With its picturesque states that boast stunning shorelines, majestic forests, and quaint towns, there’s plenty to see and do.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Start at Acadia National Park with its abundant forests, shimmering ponds, and rocky coastlines. Go swimming, picnicking, hiking, biking, or driving along old carriage roads.

Stowe, Vermont

Hike up Mount Mansfield to take in stunning views or trek the Stowe Recreation Path. If you visit in the winter, you can enjoy skiing, sledding, and other winter activities.

White Mountains National Forest, New Hampshire

Drive the scenic, winding route along Kancamagus Highway and enjoy gorgeous mountain views and nearby waterfalls. Hike up Mount Washington or journey to Sabbaday Falls in Conway.

Boston, Massachusetts

Brush up on history by visiting Boston’s historical monuments and sites on the Freedom Trail. Visit the Boston Common and Public Garden and tour the various museums.

Providence, Rhode Island

Walk around the Botanical Center, New England’s biggest indoor display garden. Tour the art museums, take a cruise at Waterplace Park, or stroll along Benefit Street and see the architectural history of Providence.

Mystic, Connecticut

Visit Mystic Seaport Museum and Mystic Aquarium. Grab a bite of fresh seafood in downtown Mystic or explore history when you visit the Olde Mistick Village.

Trip Length: 10 days

Estimated cost: $1,500.00-$2,000.00

Maine to Florida

Travel from north to south and check all the sights on the following East Coast road trip.

Portland, Maine

Visit Cape Elizabeth to see Portland Headlight, the oldest lighthouse in Maine. Go shopping and sightseeing in the Old Port or visit the Portland Museum of Art. Experience great coastal views at Bug Light Park or city views at Munjoy Hill.

Boston, Massachusetts

Check out Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Visit the iconic Boston Public Library or wander around Boston Public Garden.

New York, New York

See Central Park with its fountains, sculptures, and monuments. Visit Grand Central Terminal and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. If you’re staying the night, you can catch a Broadway show.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Take a photo with the Liberty Bell and tour Independence Hall. Check out Kennedy Plaza and the famous LOVE sculpture. Sample delicious food from Reading Terminal Market and visit the different museums on Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Baltimore, Maryland

Spend time at the National Aquarium® and the Maryland Science Center at Inner Harbor. Tour famous art museums like the Baltimore Museum of Art and the American Visionary Art Museum.

Washington D.C.

Explore different museums and galleries to brush up on history. Take a photo by the White House and stop by Capitol Hill and the Lincoln Memorial.

Arlington, Virginia

Walk or bike on Mt. Vernon Trail, running parallel to the Potomac River, and keep your eyes open to beautiful views and different kinds of wildlife.

Charleston, South Carolina

Go on a self-guided walking tour that takes you back in time. Have a picnic at Sullivan’s Island Beach or catch a glimpse of Charleston’s cultural history at the Charleston Museum.

Savannah, Georgia

Listen to live music at the Savannah City Market or check out the art scene through the SCAD Museum of Art and the American Prohibition Museum. Take a walk or jog around Forsyth Park, one of Savannah’s most famous landmarks.

Orlando, Florida

Check out the Orlando Museum of Art, Madame Tussauds, and the Kennedy Space Center. Take a peaceful walk at the Harry P. Leu Gardens or the Blue Spring State Park. You can also spend the day theme park-hopping.

Miami, Florida

Swim or sunbathe on iconic Miami Beach. Close by, you can wander around the Art Deco district and check out the restored buildings. Want a bit of adventure? Check out Jungle Island or Everglades National Park—home to alligators, snakes, and crocodiles.

Trip Length: 21 days

Estimated cost: $4,000.00-$4,500.00

Rooms for Your East Coast Trip 

Any great road trip requires some rest and relaxation. Book your stay at a Wyndham Hotels & Resorts location along your East Coast road trip route today.