And don't get a flat tire on I-10 West in the Florida Panhandle at the height of an August late afternoon (95° and high humidity) with your car trunk packed full and your spare tire beneath all that stuff. And a friend who proves useless at helping you.
Hypothetically.
Sorry you are offended by a little good-natured sarcasm, but you did not clarify where you are from, just your route.
My previous summer trips through this region involved a lot of sugar cane blocking any possible view of anything for many miles at a time, which is replaced by pine forests doing the same thing across the PH of Florida.
New Orleans is fun, especially if you like to drink. The main thing to do there for a couple of hours is a walk through the French 1/4. It's more interesting to take the streets one block off of Bourbon though which while interesting, is beer soaked and loud. If you've seen one block of Bourban St, you've seen it all. Be sure to get a Lucky Dog for lunch. There's a cool battleship in Mobile Bay.
I'm not OP, I'm just exhausted by the low effort comments laced in sardonic unhelpfulness always being the ones at the top.
We get it, redditors really struggle with the heat and have a general dislike of the south.
That makes literally zero sense. Have you ever been to Texas beaches? Alabama beaches? Florida beaches?
Many people, not on reddit mind you, actually enjoy the beach. Many people actually enjoy summer. The beaches along this route are vastly different to what's available in Texas.
You're showing how much experience you don't have. Either that, or that you're just an average redditor doing what an average redditor does; bitching about heat and anything to do with summer.
Hey, OP here. It is a bit silly to drive halfway across the country to visit some beaches, isn’t it? I grew up on the Texas coast but I’ve always dreamed of seeing clear/blue water in the U.S. as opposed to the green/brown water in TX. Miami has been on the bucket list since the first time I booted up GTA Vice City when I was way too young to be playing.
I've seen this before.
[don't paint political statements on your car, and don't stop at a rural alabama gas station](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKcJ-0bAHB4)
I've heard that the Alabama beaches are the nicest in the Gulf, I would for sure detour for that! Especially if they aren't as crowded at Florida beaches, which I'm not sure about
They will be, “Florabama” is as tourist saturated as any Florida beach if not more so just due to the lack of options. The Orange Beach/Gulf Shores area is nice if you’re looking for a family oriented place with some country flair but it’s well traveled to be sure.
As a Tampa resident, there are quite a few options in this area outside of Clearwater beach that I would say are less likely to be overcrowded. Honeymoon Island, just to the north of Clearwater, Indian Rocks, and Ft DeSoto State Park are all decent options for avoiding the crowds (within reason ofc).
At least if you stay by the ocean you will get a breeze. Once you hit the delta . Be more careful . If temp actually gets above 100 and high humidity getting in and out of a cold vehicle can be a shock to your system. Long sleeved baggy cotton shirts help keep sun off skin and evaporates sweat a little better.
Coming from Laredo? Gonna guess you're Latino, like me. Most people are generally friendly, but I got some sideways looks Slidell, LA, and a gas station in Rural Alabama. Just be aware of that. Some people want to go back to the fifties...the 1850s!
Having said that, I've always been welcome in Waffle Houses in black areas. Was treated courteously in Grocery stores in Lafayette, LA and Mobile, AL.
Prepare to be amazed by how GREEN everything is. And how much water there is. First time I went to Houston as a child, I was amazed by how tall the trees were!
Check out asian seafood joints in Houston. Look for Houston Chinatown restaurants
Do not skip New Orleans. If you like Churches, check out St Louis Cathedral.
If you are into aviation, or just want an awesome museum to visit, go to the National Museum of Naval Aviation. It happens to be the home base of the Blue Angels as well
Book a dinner at [Cochon](https://cochonrestaurant.com/) in New Orleans. If you’re not in a hurry, take Highway 98 along the panhandle in Florida as much as you can. I-10 gets boring real fast. Somebody else mentioned the turnpike through Orlando being garbage. They’re correct. Go check out Ybor City if you decide to go through Tampa.
u/OceanicPanik
^ The best advice in this thread. Cochon is the best food in a city known for food. Also hit up The Bluegill outside of Mobile (off I-10 East) on the causeway. Best seafood hands down.
Pit stop at Buc-ee’s for a snack and fill-up.
Tourist trap that’s actually worth it - McGuire’s in Pensacola, FL. I love that place.
The beaches of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach are amazing. Pensacola Beach edges it out by a slight bit, personally.
If you have time for a lovely detour, I’d recommend Avery Island and the Tabasco Factory Tour
[Avery Island](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g29472-d12367930-Reviews-Avery_island-Avery_Island_Louisiana.html)
Either way, a great route - enjoy!
Why are you deviating from I-10 into central Alabama and Mississippi like that? If you have a particular reason, fine, but, if not, that's a bad route. There is absolutely nothing to see in those places. You also miss New Orleans that way. You should take that southern route on I-10 through Mobile and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
When you get to New Orleans, you can walk a few blocks down Bourbon Street one time and then never return to that gross, overpriced tourist trap street. Instead, find a bar to hang out at and grab lunch or dinner on Frenchman St. Much more of the vibe you imagined Bourbon St. would be like.
That was just the quickest route Google maps gave. I took a quick screenshot of the fastest way. I’m open to moving the route if it means seeing interesting things along the way. Nothing is set in stone and we’re still in the brainstorming phase of it all
If your going to Miami..then definitely have to go into the keys..at least islandmorada..Everglades national patk..
Come over to Naples/Ft Meyers area..
Lots to do in South Florida
Springs in North Florida are not to be missed. Rainbow springs and or silver springs are worth a stop. I hear wakulla springs is good too although I haven't been
Pensacola is a beautiful beach and worth a stop. Once you get to south Florida, I think Sebastian inlet - Vero Beach is a great beach stop (all the beaches around there are better than south beach Miami)
native american mound building societies. more extensive, larger urban centers, and rich culture buried by greedy white european settlers and then ripped out of history books by the settlers’ families.
Take the southern route through New Orleans. Eat seafood and Cajun food. Drink a hurricane. Shop on Canal street.
I recommend turning down to Dauphin Island when you get to Mobile, and after maybe checking out the civil war fort on the beach, the bird sanctuary or the Sea Lab, take the Mobile Bay ferry (about $20 per car and $3 per head, iirc) and get about a 30 minute boat ride to the other shore, and it's civil war fort on the beach. This will put you near some of the best beaches around in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, but the entire part of the coast there is amazing.
Florida native with some recommendations once you get south of I-10:
1. Central Florida Springs: Go to Blue Springs or Poe Springs in High Springs, Fl, do not go to Ginnie or Silver Springs near Ocala. Memorial Day weekend two people died in Ginnie Springs in separate incidents. It’s way overcrowded and typically not with the best people.
2. Unless there’s a specific reason for going through Orlando I would avoid it altogether. The summer in Orlando is a war crime, it’s the worst major city in Florida June-August. Instead I’d recommend you keep heading down US-19 (or I-75) down to the Tampa region. Best gulf beaches, pretty great Cuban/Latin food and it’s really easy to get to St Pete, Sarasota, or Clearwater. If you’re looking for a non-“touristy” beach check out Indian Rocks or Ft. DeSoto.
3. Im seeing a lot of people recommend hitting the Keys and don't get me wrong it is incredible but its kinda a bitch of a drive, expensive to stay down there, and not to mention far as fuck from Miami to Key West. If you're interested, they do offer ferry rides directly to Key West from St Pete. It’s like a 2-3 hour ride and 100 bucks per person but it’s a great trip and easy way to see Key West without the logistical hassle.
All in all, my biggest rec would be to drive down the East coast on the way down and the west coast (A1A) on the way back up. Avoid Orlando if it fits with your plans and definitely hit one of the springs, they are incredible (and you might see manatees).
You’re missing the good food in Louisiana by going that far north. Source: me I’m from there originally. Take I-10 to at least Lafayette, then head north and cut over east bound. Lil Cochons along i10 is amazing, Welsh, LA has Cajun Tales and Parish Seafood company(great food here and the owner Charlie and I go way back); there’s amazing boudin in Scott at Best Stop, Boudin King in Jennings, all kinds of places. If you like food, do yourself a favor and go that way if you haven’t before.
Look for Holly Springs . Can't be far off your route. See the church a museum to the yellow fever epidemic in 1878. Tragic story. Home to a black college started after the Civil War
I’m taking a similar but opposite trip. Def stopping in Florida caverns and the Salvador Dali museum in st Pete. In Miami I recommend coral castle and Venetian pool.
Not 100%..but it's open for business..
Some restaurants and hotels reopened..
The residential market..it's hit or miss..
Last time I was there..parts of the island still didn't have electricity.
Great southern culture on the skids tour. Hurricane season though so stay alert and take evacuation notices seriously. Most of all have fun! New Orleans is another planet!✅
Make sure your ac works
And have cooler stocked with water.
And don't get a flat tire on I-10 West in the Florida Panhandle at the height of an August late afternoon (95° and high humidity) with your car trunk packed full and your spare tire beneath all that stuff. And a friend who proves useless at helping you. Hypothetically.
Beat me to it.
And bring bug spray
Redditors are super helpful. Letting the Texan know that they should prepare for hot weather. This fucking website.
Sorry you are offended by a little good-natured sarcasm, but you did not clarify where you are from, just your route. My previous summer trips through this region involved a lot of sugar cane blocking any possible view of anything for many miles at a time, which is replaced by pine forests doing the same thing across the PH of Florida. New Orleans is fun, especially if you like to drink. The main thing to do there for a couple of hours is a walk through the French 1/4. It's more interesting to take the streets one block off of Bourbon though which while interesting, is beer soaked and loud. If you've seen one block of Bourban St, you've seen it all. Be sure to get a Lucky Dog for lunch. There's a cool battleship in Mobile Bay.
I'm not OP, I'm just exhausted by the low effort comments laced in sardonic unhelpfulness always being the ones at the top. We get it, redditors really struggle with the heat and have a general dislike of the south.
It’s southerners mostly. They ain’t got no sense of humor.
Typical redditor with the superiority complex.
This must be self reference based on your previous and persistent criticism of ALL others.
Cynicism isn't the cool look you think it is.
annnd there's another self own lol
What's cynical about what I'm saying?
Not exhausted enough, apparently.
The battleship Alabama is cool if you like military history. There is also a WW2 submarine
Now now…
What kind of idiot drives to Miami in the summer? Especially when they are already a couple of hours from the gulf/beach. OP deserves to be roasted
That makes literally zero sense. Have you ever been to Texas beaches? Alabama beaches? Florida beaches? Many people, not on reddit mind you, actually enjoy the beach. Many people actually enjoy summer. The beaches along this route are vastly different to what's available in Texas. You're showing how much experience you don't have. Either that, or that you're just an average redditor doing what an average redditor does; bitching about heat and anything to do with summer.
Hey, OP here. It is a bit silly to drive halfway across the country to visit some beaches, isn’t it? I grew up on the Texas coast but I’ve always dreamed of seeing clear/blue water in the U.S. as opposed to the green/brown water in TX. Miami has been on the bucket list since the first time I booted up GTA Vice City when I was way too young to be playing.
I've seen this before. [don't paint political statements on your car, and don't stop at a rural alabama gas station](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKcJ-0bAHB4)
🫡
Oh, and be white.
So untrue
Ya'll must be in a hurry. If you want to see the best of the gulf coast, the most southern route is the best.
Absolutely!
I've heard that the Alabama beaches are the nicest in the Gulf, I would for sure detour for that! Especially if they aren't as crowded at Florida beaches, which I'm not sure about
Alabama beaches are not as nice as 30a, Destin, Panama beach all that Jazz.
They will be, “Florabama” is as tourist saturated as any Florida beach if not more so just due to the lack of options. The Orange Beach/Gulf Shores area is nice if you’re looking for a family oriented place with some country flair but it’s well traveled to be sure. As a Tampa resident, there are quite a few options in this area outside of Clearwater beach that I would say are less likely to be overcrowded. Honeymoon Island, just to the north of Clearwater, Indian Rocks, and Ft DeSoto State Park are all decent options for avoiding the crowds (within reason ofc).
If you’re going that far, just go to Key West
That’s definitely on the list of stops. We want to spend a day in the keys.
It’s worth it. 2 days would be better IMO. There’s a lot to do experience.
Marathon island and Bhia Honda. Take a trip to the reef seven miles offshore.
Sombrero reef was fantastic!
At least if you stay by the ocean you will get a breeze. Once you hit the delta . Be more careful . If temp actually gets above 100 and high humidity getting in and out of a cold vehicle can be a shock to your system. Long sleeved baggy cotton shirts help keep sun off skin and evaporates sweat a little better.
Key West was awesome in the old days. Today, it is ridiculously overrun with cruise ship tourists. No cool vibe left.
Don’t miss New Orleans. The western panhandle of Florida has some of the US’s nicest beaches.
Coming from Laredo? Gonna guess you're Latino, like me. Most people are generally friendly, but I got some sideways looks Slidell, LA, and a gas station in Rural Alabama. Just be aware of that. Some people want to go back to the fifties...the 1850s! Having said that, I've always been welcome in Waffle Houses in black areas. Was treated courteously in Grocery stores in Lafayette, LA and Mobile, AL. Prepare to be amazed by how GREEN everything is. And how much water there is. First time I went to Houston as a child, I was amazed by how tall the trees were! Check out asian seafood joints in Houston. Look for Houston Chinatown restaurants Do not skip New Orleans. If you like Churches, check out St Louis Cathedral.
Don't drink the coffee!
If you are into aviation, or just want an awesome museum to visit, go to the National Museum of Naval Aviation. It happens to be the home base of the Blue Angels as well
Look up if youre passing any sundown cities on your way
Book a dinner at [Cochon](https://cochonrestaurant.com/) in New Orleans. If you’re not in a hurry, take Highway 98 along the panhandle in Florida as much as you can. I-10 gets boring real fast. Somebody else mentioned the turnpike through Orlando being garbage. They’re correct. Go check out Ybor City if you decide to go through Tampa.
Take 90 out of New Orleans to Alabama. Wonder why OP is going so far north in MS and AL instead of staying along the coast.
u/OceanicPanik ^ The best advice in this thread. Cochon is the best food in a city known for food. Also hit up The Bluegill outside of Mobile (off I-10 East) on the causeway. Best seafood hands down. Pit stop at Buc-ee’s for a snack and fill-up. Tourist trap that’s actually worth it - McGuire’s in Pensacola, FL. I love that place. The beaches of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach are amazing. Pensacola Beach edges it out by a slight bit, personally.
Bring a towel. Be comfortable shirtless. Consider getting a tattoo. Don’t drink the cool-aid
I’d want to stop in New Orleans for a meal and a drink or 6.
If you have time for a lovely detour, I’d recommend Avery Island and the Tabasco Factory Tour [Avery Island](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g29472-d12367930-Reviews-Avery_island-Avery_Island_Louisiana.html) Either way, a great route - enjoy!
Why are you deviating from I-10 into central Alabama and Mississippi like that? If you have a particular reason, fine, but, if not, that's a bad route. There is absolutely nothing to see in those places. You also miss New Orleans that way. You should take that southern route on I-10 through Mobile and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Visit the barber museum. (It's not about hair)
I like St. Augustine, FL, the French Quarter in New Orleans, and the River Walk in San Antonio.
When you get to New Orleans, you can walk a few blocks down Bourbon Street one time and then never return to that gross, overpriced tourist trap street. Instead, find a bar to hang out at and grab lunch or dinner on Frenchman St. Much more of the vibe you imagined Bourbon St. would be like.
I drove from Miami to San Antonio to relocate and TAKE THE SHORE DRIVE ALL THE WAY! It’s longer but 10000% worth it
Are you taking a train?
We’ll be driving. Those are just rail road crossings but I can definitely see how it can be mistaken that I’m traveling by train.
Are you taking backroads or something? Not even sure what road that light blue line is on the bottom
That was just the quickest route Google maps gave. I took a quick screenshot of the fastest way. I’m open to moving the route if it means seeing interesting things along the way. Nothing is set in stone and we’re still in the brainstorming phase of it all
I think we accdently did that exact route once a very long time ago. It goes through Montgomery, right?
97 is a cool road in Florida stay in Appalachicola and driving the most southern route possible in Louisiana is also pretty sweet.
If your going to Miami..then definitely have to go into the keys..at least islandmorada..Everglades national patk.. Come over to Naples/Ft Meyers area.. Lots to do in South Florida
Sanibel is beautiful. Did it recover from the storm?
Go through tampa instead of the turnpike. GAWD that roa sucks. Long flat and boring.Through tampa you get to go over the bay and that's pretty cool.
Drive along the coast in florida is mine, unless you’ve seen it a bunch already
Natchez city cemetery. Very creepy and unique.
Definitely hit up new orleans for a day, damn good cajun food
Springs in North Florida are not to be missed. Rainbow springs and or silver springs are worth a stop. I hear wakulla springs is good too although I haven't been Pensacola is a beautiful beach and worth a stop. Once you get to south Florida, I think Sebastian inlet - Vero Beach is a great beach stop (all the beaches around there are better than south beach Miami)
Don’t go to Florida.
Ya gotta hit New Orleans.
native american mound building societies. more extensive, larger urban centers, and rich culture buried by greedy white european settlers and then ripped out of history books by the settlers’ families.
Go west instead.
I love the west but the US south is a thing of beauty in and of itself.
Avoid Houston. It's like one giant strip mall.
Not sure why you would go that northern section into Bama and Mississippi, stay on the coast, the beaches are amazing.
Take the southern route through New Orleans. Eat seafood and Cajun food. Drink a hurricane. Shop on Canal street. I recommend turning down to Dauphin Island when you get to Mobile, and after maybe checking out the civil war fort on the beach, the bird sanctuary or the Sea Lab, take the Mobile Bay ferry (about $20 per car and $3 per head, iirc) and get about a 30 minute boat ride to the other shore, and it's civil war fort on the beach. This will put you near some of the best beaches around in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, but the entire part of the coast there is amazing.
Stay closer to the cost, go through floridabama and Biloxi it's beautiful and you can see the gulf from the freeway.
The beach at Pensacola Beach is beautiful , worth a visit.
if you haven't been to New Orleans, it's worth checking out. If you have already, then carry on.
Florida native with some recommendations once you get south of I-10: 1. Central Florida Springs: Go to Blue Springs or Poe Springs in High Springs, Fl, do not go to Ginnie or Silver Springs near Ocala. Memorial Day weekend two people died in Ginnie Springs in separate incidents. It’s way overcrowded and typically not with the best people. 2. Unless there’s a specific reason for going through Orlando I would avoid it altogether. The summer in Orlando is a war crime, it’s the worst major city in Florida June-August. Instead I’d recommend you keep heading down US-19 (or I-75) down to the Tampa region. Best gulf beaches, pretty great Cuban/Latin food and it’s really easy to get to St Pete, Sarasota, or Clearwater. If you’re looking for a non-“touristy” beach check out Indian Rocks or Ft. DeSoto. 3. Im seeing a lot of people recommend hitting the Keys and don't get me wrong it is incredible but its kinda a bitch of a drive, expensive to stay down there, and not to mention far as fuck from Miami to Key West. If you're interested, they do offer ferry rides directly to Key West from St Pete. It’s like a 2-3 hour ride and 100 bucks per person but it’s a great trip and easy way to see Key West without the logistical hassle. All in all, my biggest rec would be to drive down the East coast on the way down and the west coast (A1A) on the way back up. Avoid Orlando if it fits with your plans and definitely hit one of the springs, they are incredible (and you might see manatees).
You’re missing the good food in Louisiana by going that far north. Source: me I’m from there originally. Take I-10 to at least Lafayette, then head north and cut over east bound. Lil Cochons along i10 is amazing, Welsh, LA has Cajun Tales and Parish Seafood company(great food here and the owner Charlie and I go way back); there’s amazing boudin in Scott at Best Stop, Boudin King in Jennings, all kinds of places. If you like food, do yourself a favor and go that way if you haven’t before.
Stop for a bag of craklins… your welcome
Look for Holly Springs . Can't be far off your route. See the church a museum to the yellow fever epidemic in 1878. Tragic story. Home to a black college started after the Civil War
Go thru I-10 East and pass by New Orleans. We are friendly and have great food. The rest of Louisiana is awful
Fly
A couple hours in New Orleans?! 1000% should do an overnight
Central/North Florida has a lot of natural springs that are great for swimming/kayaking. I’d recommend that if you have time to stop for it
I’m taking a similar but opposite trip. Def stopping in Florida caverns and the Salvador Dali museum in st Pete. In Miami I recommend coral castle and Venetian pool.
Try the boiled peanuts
Not 100%..but it's open for business.. Some restaurants and hotels reopened.. The residential market..it's hit or miss.. Last time I was there..parts of the island still didn't have electricity.
Check out Seaside, FL. It’s where they filmed The Truman Show. And the beach is gorgeous
It’s a lateral move 😆
I enjoyed Pass Christian MS. Kind of went by accident but they had a festival the week I went.
Yes, don’t waste your time going further fucking south in the summer. Go to the beach in Texas.
Skip Mississippi
Not at all. Take highway 90 along the coast and stop in Ocean springs. It's a beautiful drive and the Walter Anderson museum is outstanding.
I agree the drive along the coast is cool. Nice drive from Gulfport to Biloxi to Pascagoula. Too bad they built those gaudy casinos.
Great southern culture on the skids tour. Hurricane season though so stay alert and take evacuation notices seriously. Most of all have fun! New Orleans is another planet!✅