Miami to New Orleans Road Trip Guide

Introduction

Miami is an iconic US city but after a day or two enjoying one of the world’s most popular vacation spots, you might just feel it’s time to hit the road and see a bit more of the Deep South where plenty of adventure awaits. Just over a thousand miles away lies another famous southern city, New Orleans Louisiana and there is much to see between the two. All along the route there is no shortage of charming RV parks and deciding where to pitch camp will be the most difficult part of the trip.

A steady four-hour cruise from Miami lies Orlando with the renowned Disneyworld. If you feel you need an introduction to this one, just ask the kids. To get there you can take the more scenic drive through stunning hills with long-distance ocean views or, the Florida coastal road which runs closer to the beach in case you need to hop out for that cooling dip in the ocean.

From Orlando, a further two-hour road trip up the coast will take you through to Jacksonville where the St. John’s River meets the ocean. Along with swimming and surfing, there are plenty of museums to explore in Florida’s most popular city. From there, another five-hour drive takes you past the Apalachicola National Forest to Pensacola. Here you can visit the historical town center, stroll along the boardwalk or go crabbing in the abundant lagoons.

Pensacola to New Orleans is a mere three-hour drive, but allow plenty of time in this city because there is much to see and do. Whether it is listening to music, strolling through the French quarter, or admiring the mansions in the garden district, the city is sure to delight.

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Details

60'
Max RV length
60'
Max trailer Length
Road trip length: 3-5 days
Recommend rig: trailer
audience: family

Point of Interest

Tour the Mississippi

This is the second longest river in North America and exploring it from New Orleans is easy. One way to do this is to simply jump on the cross river ferry to Algiers. This only costs two dollars and offers great views of New Orleans.

If you are feeling like a more substantial cruise, then you might want to do a tour on either a paddle wheel or a steam boat. There are a wide variety of options including musical jazz evenings which allow you to see the river and listen to the city’s most famous music, all in a period of around two hours. If this doesn’t resurrect memories of Huckleberry Finn then nothing ever will.


Swamp and Bayou Tour

If you want to try something a little more outdoorsy, then the city is still a great place to kick off. Various tour operators propose boat journeys into the swamps where you will be exposed to Cajun life, alligators, raccoons, and eagles while gliding along waterways beneath canopies of trees decorated with hanging Spanish moss. Many of these operators will pick you up in town or you can drive half an hour to the launch sites yourself.


Pensacola

After a five hour drive from Jacksonville, this small city offers great Florida beach benefits but free from that resort atmosphere. Palafox Street has been named as one of the ten great streets in America. It is teeming with restaurants and coffee shops. There is a market and plenty of art and antiques. Nightlife in this street will be a perfect warm up for when you hit New Orleans.

The nearby Avalon Landing RV Park, located on the Indian Bayou waterway is a paradise for canoeing and kayaking and very accessible to Pensacola. It offers full facilities and a pool. Big Lagoon State Park is slightly further away but it still only takes half an hour to drive there if you unhitch your truck.


Tallahassee

This city lies between Jacksonville and Pensacola and makes a good break if you don’t want to do that full drive in five hours.

The Tallahassee Museum is no ordinary museum. It covers fifty two acres and includes wildlife and nature trails as well as zip line tours for those seeking a little more of an adrenaline rush. Dinosaur sculptures flying through the trees will also keep younger travelers entertained.

In the town itself, there is a walk called Cascade Park that gently winds through twenty-four acres of countryside along the St Augustine stream. It is dotted with restaurants, coffee shops, playgrounds, and water features. If you feel inspired to break your journey for more than a few hours, Tallahassee RV Park offers straightforward access to town and has a pool and plenty of trees.


Jacksonville

This city dates back to the late 18th century, so there is plenty of history here to delve into. This is also where the Blues were first officially performed so music lies flows through its DNA.

Not only does this city have more parks than any other in the US, but it is also surrounded by a protected forest where there is no shortage of hiking and canoeing, or wildlife to see. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is a great place to park the trailer and there is so much for the kids to do that you might be able to pop up the folding chairs and sip a glass of wine. Another kid-friendly RV resort is Flamingo Lake, and it also offers easy access to the city.


Disneyworld

This major theme park won’t need much introduction. Don’t be afraid that its attractions are only for the kids. There are plenty of adventures for daring parents to enjoy as well.

Frederick-Park-At-Turkey-Lake is a great place to park the trailer, then you simply unhitch the truck and drive. The journey shouldn’t take more than twenty minutes and there is parking at the theme park. There is a walk around the lake with a small farm zoo to keep the kids happy if you haven’t wiped them out at the park. Lakebreeze RV Park is another great alternative convenient for theme park visits.


Summary

This is the quintessential southern city, famed for its twenty four hour nightlife, music, and food. Don’t even think about trying to drive an RV into this town, which is why a trailer rig offers you both comfort and flexibility. Pontchartrain Landing offers RV camping with all facilities and is twelve minutes drive from the French quarter. They also offer shuttles if you would prefer not to drive.

The city is famous for its French quarter where that colonial influence is most obvious. It is the oldest part of this city dating back to 1718. The cast-iron balconies are emblematic in this part of town but don’t forget the food. Fried oysters, spicy Cajun dishes and Poor Boy sandwiches are all renowned and you can taste the French, Creole, southern Caribbean and African influences that contributed to their history.

For just a dollar and twenty five cents, you can ride a streetcar through the garden district and admire the old colonial architecture. The oldest African American neighborhood is not too far away and that played a great part in the musical heritage which this town is so famous for.

The Miami to New Orleans road trip offers a wide range of entertainment for both children and adults. With both cultural and outdoor adventures on offer, choosing what you are going to do is not going to be easy. The area is generously blessed with RV friendly sites, so finding somewhere to stay shouldn’t be a problem. There is a lot to take in so you will need to think carefully as to which destinations are going to make it onto your ‘must do’ list. Alternatively, you could add a few extra days to your journey and really make it a holiday to remember.

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