Dover to Fort Myers Road Trip Guide

Introduction

Officially known as the second-largest city and the capital of Delaware, Dover has plenty of history and attractions for visitors to enjoy. The city is an ideal place to start a seven-day RV road trip with your family since it is between some of the larger cities on the east coast, and there are also some great natural areas nearby when you want to get out of the city.

Heading south from Dover will give you the chance to experience life in the capitol before you begin to see the gorgeous sights of the south. Within a seven day time period, you and your family will be able to travel to many of the larger cities in the south of the country while also being able to take part in plenty of recreational activities. Since there are so many things to do as you head south you will be able to break up the 16.5-hour drive so that it won't feel like you are constantly on the road.

Hitting the open road and driving from Dover down south will lead you to one of the best coastal areas in the country. Fort Myers is a perfect combination of city life and beachside relaxation since it is very close to Fort Myers Beach and the waters within the Gulf of Mexico. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to hit the road!

Share this road trip guide

Details

60'
Max RV length
60'
Max trailer Length
Road trip length: 7+ days
Recommend rig: motorhome
audience: family

Point of Interest

Racing at Dover International Speedway

Swap your motorhome for the sights and sounds of race cars at one of Dover's most popular destinations. The Dover International Speedway is home to six different NASCAR races throughout the year, so if you are a fan of racing it is an absolute must-visit if there is a race on during your visit to the city.

Originally constructed in 1966 and opened in 1969, the track is massive and has a capacity suitable for 95,000 rev-heads at any given time. The speedway is less than three miles outside of the city center and to get there you will drive over the gorgeous Silver lake and past the Delaware Agricultural Museum. Before planning your RV road trip check out the Dover International Speedway schedule to see if you will be able to head out to the track and enjoy some racing fun. If you want to drive the track there are also several private companies that offer you the chance to do so.

Another great benefit to the Dover International Speedway is that there are 10 RV-friendly camping areas that you can stay at during your visit. The camping areas vary in amenities but there is a central dump station and water collection points for your convenience.


Smithsonian Institution Museums

After you have been at the speedway surrounded by rev heads you may be wanting to take it easy and soak up some knowledge. You and the family will be less than two hours from Washington D.C., so why not pay a visit to the capital?

The Smithsonian Institution Museums are some of the most well-regarded in the world, and due to their diversity, there will be something of interest for everyone in the family regardless of their age. Park your RV outside of the city center and catch the metro in to spend a day (or two) checking out a total of 17 museums that make up the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. 11 of these can be found in the famous National Mall and some of the most popular ones include the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of Natural History.

Driving your RV around Washington D.C isn't super easy or convenient, but the Cherry Hill Park campground or the Washington DC / Capitol KOA Holiday are great options for you to park your RV at and stay the night.


Pocahontas State Park

Now that you have seen the city sights for the last couple of days you may feel like its time to get back to nature. Located around 23 miles southwest of Richmond, Pocahontas State Park is the perfect family-friendly park to visit during the early stages of your trip.

The landscape of the park is mostly wooded and it is renowned for having many recreational activities for visitors of all ages. If you and the family want to do some hiking, biking, swimming, or boating, you have come to the right place! There are also three lakes where you can go fishing and a 2000 seat amphitheater where there are concerts and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy during the peak season.

Pocahontas State Park is also home to a rather large campground, so you can park your motorhome and set up for the night with no issues at all. Suitable for rigs up to 50 feet in length, there are over 100 sites available with some also featuring electrical and water hookups.


Museum of Life and Science

The next logical step on your road trip from Dover to Fort Myers would be to pay a visit to the leafy city of Durham. Known by many for being the home of Duke University, there are also some great family activities that you can do during your visit to the "Bull City".

The Museum of Life and Science is a highly regarded museum that is just a few minutes away from the downtown area of Durham. Spread over 80 acres, the Museum of Life and Science features many things for you and the little ones to enjoy. The two-story science center is extremely interactive, and the museum is also home to a very large butterfly house and more than 60 animal species that you can watch go about their day.

There are a few campgrounds for you to choose from in and around Durham, including the Triangle RV Park that is in Duke Forest. Open all year round, the campground has WiFi access and on-site laundry.


Manchester State Forest

As you continue making your way towards Fort Myers you will notice the scenery changing from more populated areas to thick woods and forests. One of the best places to get away from it all during your trip is to pay a visit to Poinsett State Park. Located near Congaree National Park and the city of Columbia, the park is nicknamed the "mountain of the Midlands" and has a varied ecosystem perfect for exploring.

The park is home to many recreational activities suitable for visitors of all ages, including fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching. If you want to do more hiking you can also check out the three looped trails within the Manchester State Forest, which is located on the eastern side of the park.

Poinsett State Park has one campground that you are welcome to stay at during your visit. Suitable for motorhomes up to 40 feet in length, there are 24 sites that have electrical and water hookups for a little added luxury.


Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Driving through Georgia will be a treat, as will stopping into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Featuring over 400,000 acres, the refuge is a great choice to spend a day and night as you get closer to your final destination of Fort Myers.

Originally established in 1937, the refuge is a combination of swampland and wilderness areas. It features one of the largest freshwater ecosystems in the country and the Okefenokee Swamp, which is the largest freshwater wetland in all of North America.

There are around 400,000 visitors a year to the wildlife refuge with activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, and hunting available for family members of all ages. The Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center is also a must-visit since you will be able to ask any questions to the staff and volunteers at the wildlife refuge before you begin your visit.

The small city of Folkston is only a few minutes away from the northeastern side of the refuge and has many chain restaurants and a grocery store.


Walt Disney World Resort

It might be the common choice for families who visit Orlando to spend some time at Walt Disney World Resort, but really, you can't not experience it at least once.

Located just over three hours from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Walt Disney World Resort (more commonly known as Disney World) comprises of four theme parks, two water parks, and 27 different themed hotels. You could spend weeks at Walt Disney World Resort thanks to how much there is to see and do, and this is also a great chance to live a little luxuriously by visiting one of the many fantastic restaurants, including the Yachtsman Steakhouse, Garden Grill Restaurant, and Cape May Cafe.

There are several RV campgrounds in and around the resort, including the Tropical Palms RV Resort and the Orlando / Kissimmee KOA Holiday so you won't have to travel far after your day out having fun.


Jonathan Dickinson State Park

The end of your trip is near, but before you head over the western side of Florida you need to enjoy what the east coast has to offer. Jonathan Dickinson State Park is located to the west of Jupiter Island and contains over 10,000 acres, which makes it the largest state park in the southeast area of Florida.

The Indian River is the main attraction to the park and is perfect for a relaxing paddle no matter what time of the year you are visiting. The park has watercraft available for rent, so if you aren't traveling with a kayak or canoe you won't have to miss out on all of the fun. There are also plenty of learning opportunities for you and your family on the ranger-led boat tours and guided horseback tours. There is even a food and beverage garden where you can get a hot meal without having to leave the park.

Once you are ready to hit the hay you can stay at the Pine Grove Campground if you want electric hookups or The River Campground for those seeking a water view.


Summary

After around a week on the road, arriving at Fort Myers will give you some time to experience the west coast of Florida, and it is a wonderful place to end your trip. Fort Myers has grown significantly in the last few years and has attracted thousands of people due to its combination of affordable living and great outdoor recreation.

There are plenty of great restaurants to enjoy in the city, but since you are now on the west coast of Florida you should head around 15 miles south to Fort Myers Beach. Located on Estero Island, this is the perfect place if you want to chill out or have some fun in the sun during the last day of your RV getaway. You can also check out the Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center, which is just before the bridge that separates the island from the mainland.
If you feel like staying in an area surrounded by nature you can call Koreshan State Park or head to the Fort Myers / Pine Island KOA to end your trip. What a journey! Congratulations on a successful motorhome road trip, now, where to next?

Share this Road trip guide