Florida Panhandle, USA, Surfer on Beach, New Orleans to Miami

New Orleans to Miami

Visit New Orleans, The Florida Panhandle, Orlando, Florida Gulf Coast, Everglades National Park & Miami Beach.

a beautiful drive to some of America's best beaches and most exciting cities.

14 Nights from £1,799pp
i
‘from’ prices are based on off peak travel, 2 people sharing a standard car, economy flights and 2-3* Hotels. All trips are completely bespoke so just tell your expert any requirements you have.

New Orleans, Louisiana to Miami Beach in Florida is a beautiful route offering up some of the USA’s best beaches and most exhilarating cities. Experience Orlando’s incredible theme parks and vast swimming pools, along with the unique Everglades landscape and the pristine beaches of the Gulf Coast as you cruise between The Big Easy and The Magic City. This relatively short road trip is a relaxing holiday offering new experiences from start to finish.

Key road trip highlights:

  • Discover the jazz-filled bars and lively streets of the French Quarter in The Big Easy, New Orleans.
  • Spend time exploring the deserted and unspoilt beaches found along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend areas.
  • Witness gorgeous Manatees in their natural habitat along Crystal River.
  • Stay for as little or as long as you like in the world’s theme park capital – Orlando.
  • Relax on the white sands and bask in turquoise waters of the Florida Gulf Coast.
  • Drive through the extraordinary Everglades National Park on the Tamiami Trail or Alligator Alley.
  • Watch out for crocodiles, alligators, manatees, exotic birds and possibly even panthers!
  • Finish your trip with at least two nights in lively Miami Beach.
  • What’s included? Direct flights with a premier carrier like Virgin Atlantic, accommodation to your desired standard and length of stay, car rental and a detailed road trip pack.
New Orleans to Miami route with The American Road Trip Company

Our Favourite Hotels

We’ll suggest properties to match your preferred budget, be it low-cost, mid-range or high-end luxury that you’re looking for. We can also mix it up so you’ll experience a range of standards and experiences along your road trip.

Holiday Inn Express Pensacola Beach, Florida Panhandle

Hotel:

Holiday Inn Express

Location:

Pensacola Beach

Plantation Resort on Crystal River, Crystal River

Hotel:

Plantation Resort on Crystal River

Location:

Crystal River

Universal Endless Summer Resort, Dockside Inn & Suites

Hotel:

Universal Endless Summer Resort, Dockside Inn & Suites

Location:

Orlando

The Eliza Jane New Orleans

Hotel:

The Eliza Jane

Location:

New Orleans

Inn on Fifth, Naples Florida

Hotel:

Inn on Fifth

Location:

Naples

Virgin Hotels New Orleans

Hotel:

Virgin Hotels

Location:

New Orleans

Four Seasons, Walt Disney World Resort Orlando

Hotel:

Four Seasons, Walt Disney World Resort

Location:

Orlando

1 Hotel South Beach, Miami

Hotel:

1 Hotel South Beach

Location:

Miami

Road Trip Itinerary

All of our American road trips can be tailored to meet your requirements. Do you have more or less than 14 days for your road trip? No problem, we can bolt on extra nights to allow more time to explore or shorten the number of destinations as required.

1

Welcome to New Orleans, Louisiana

Fly directly to New Orleans and head to your chosen hotel in the French Quarter. After checking in, the jazz-fueled bars of the French Quarter will be waiting to offer you dinner and drinks; you’ll then rest up and get ready for a full day of exploration in the “The Big Easy”.

Location:

New Orleans, LA

Drive:

0 miles

New Orleans, LA, American Music Tour - Bourbon St
2

A second day to fully experience New Orleans

Built at the mouth of the Mississippi, New Orleans is the home of jazz, blues, voodoo and the craziness of Mardi Gras. The French Quarter offers incredible allure and is a great place to take a walking tour around all the essential sights like St. Louis Cathedral, the French Market and Cafe Du Monde.

Location:

New Orleans, LA

Drive:

0 miles

New Orleans, Deep South USA, St Louis Cathedral
3

Collect your car and drive to Florida's Panhandle

The “Panhandle” area in the northwest of Florida lays claim to having many of the world’s best beaches along its 95-mile coastline. Large sections of this gorgeous stretch are protected National Seashore, and thus, the outstanding natural beauty of this coastline remains unspoilt or less developed than other areas of Florida.

Location:

Florida Panhandle

Drive:

209 miles

Florida Panhandle, Florida, USA, Road along gulf coast
4

Relax on some of the world's best beaches

Explore the Panhandle’s outstanding coastline. State Parks help reduce commercial activities from taking too much away from the white sandy beaches, such as St. George Island State Park, which is voted one of America’s best beaches.

Location:

Florida Panhandle

Drive:

0 miles

Florida Panhandle, USA, Surfer on Beach, New Orleans to Miami
5

Drive along the Florida Panhandle to Big Bend

Drive east along Highway 98 to find the Big Bend region of Florida. Along the way, you can stop for lunch in the picture-perfect town of Seaside or the touristy city of Panama City Beach. Next, you’ll continue along less travelled roads, spotting lighthouses and unspoilt beaches as you approach the area around Wukulla Springs.

Location:

Florida Big Bend

Drive:

223 miles

Florida Panhandle, Florida, USA
6

Say hello to adorable manatees in Crystal River

Complete the drive around Florida’s Big Bend in search of one of the region’s most unique characters, Florida’s Manatees. Spend the afternoon in Crystal River, the only place in Florida where you can swim with these gentle sea cows.

Location:

Crystal River, FL

Drive:

155 miles

Manatee , Crystal River, Florida ,USA
7

From Crystal River to Orlando

It’s a short drive southeast to the world’s theme park capital, Orlando, today. Whether you spend your time enjoying Orlando’s numerous theme parks and golf courses, or you just like the idea of relaxing in one of the luxury hotels located here… as always, the choice will be entirely yours. Don’t fancy visiting Orlando? Then just let us know, and we can plan more time on the Gulf Coast or in any other location along this route.

Location:

Orlando, FL

Drive:

87 miles

Roller Coaster, Orlando, Florida, USA
8

Theme Park, Golf Course or Swimming Pool?

Walt Disney World alone is the size of Greater Manchester and boasts 4 theme parks and 2 water parks. Further parks have also sprung up over the years and Orlando is now a mecca for theme park enthusiasts. The amazing year round climate helps make this area a golfers dreamland too.

Location:

Orlando, FL

Drive:

0 miles

Orlando, Florida, USA - Golf
9

A third day in sunny Orlando, Florida

Another day to enjoy more of Orlando’s world-class attractions, shopping and luxury hotels.

Location:

Orlando, FL

Drive:

0 miles

Lake Eola , Orlando, Florida, USA
10

Drive west to the lower Florida Gulf Coast

From Clearwater down to Naples, you can enjoy two or more days relaxing on world-class beaches with warm gulf waters and luxury hotel service. Do you get bored laying under palm trees on perfect white sands? Then, fabulous shopping is always nearby, or why not try one of the amazing theme parks here, such as Busch Gardens.

Location:

Florida Gulf Coast

Drive:

180 miles

Beach chairs in Sanibel, Florida, USA
11

A second day on the Florida Gulf Coast

Beautiful Sanibel and Captiva Islands are famous for their shells, sandy beaches and stunning sunsets. Don’t be tempted into shell collecting without understanding the strict collecting rules that apply on the islands. Dolphin watching cruises are also popular here.

Location:

Florida Gulf Coast

Drive:

0 miles

Dolphin along Gulf Coast, Florida
12

Onto Miami Beach via Everglades National Park

On the drive west to the glitz and glamour of Miami Beach, you’ll drive down either the Tamiami Trail or the famous “Alligator Alley”, which passes through over 1.5 million acres of subtropical wetlands filled with crocodiles, alligators, manatees and even panthers. This vast natural wonder can be further explored using canoes or thrilling airboats on guided tours. After exploring Everglades National Park, you’ll continue east to the sights and sounds of lively Miami Beach.

Location:

Miami, FL

Drive:

175 miles

Everglades National Park, Florida, USA - Airboat
13

Miami's art deco style and glamour await

Miami Beach offers miles of sandy beaches backed by glitzy Art Deco hotels sprinkled with beautiful Miami residents coming to and from model castings. This is a great place to explore by car, bicycle or on foot. Stroll along the boardwalk before enjoying a meal on Ocean Avenue while you watch the city’s characters pass by. Forget Miami Vice, this area is upscale, and the hotels are among America’s best.

Location:

Miami, FL

Drive:

0 miles

Miami, Florida, USA, Ocean drive
14

A third day enjoying Miami Beach

Spend your final day in Florida relaxing by the pool or on Miami’s white sands. You’ve spent two full weeks exploring much of what New Orleans and the Sunshine State of Florida has to offer. So, enjoy another day of rest before you fly home to the UK the following day.

Location:

Miami, FL

Drive:

0 miles

Lifeguard house on beach in Miami, Florida, USA

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Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll find answers to most of your questions right here. If you still need assistance, Feel free to get in touch, and we’ll be sure to get back to you promptly!

Can I Add Extra Nights To The Road Trips?

Not a problem. If you are lucky enough to have extra time to explore more places or add more rest days, then just let us know and we’ll adjust your trip to match your preferred timescale.

Must I Have Travel Insurance?

We strongly advise that you purchase travel insurance for your holiday to cover you against medical expenses, theft and other financial costs. Should you need to cancel before travelling, some insurance policies may pay out for any loss of funds that have been paid to us and which cannot be refunded under our cancellation policy.

Can I Do A One-Way Rental?

Many of our trips have a different end destination than the starting point, so this is not a problem. Please note a fee sometimes applies for one-way rentals between other regions or states, which will be paid to the supplier directly when collecting the vehicle. We’ll endeavour to inform you of this charge within your quote.

Am I Limited To Certain Hotels Or Chains?

No, far from it. We work with a range of properties from 3* to 5*, so we can adapt the trip to match most budgets. We have access to rooms in more than 800 hotels, motels, lodges and B&Bs across North America.

How Old Do I Need To Be?

The minimum age to rent a car is 21 in the United States or Canada, although, in addition, any drivers under 25 years of age will generally incur a surcharge.

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Our Trusted Partners And Providers

ARTCo customers can be confident that we only work with the very best service providers, such as Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Alamo. Any payments made to us are fully protected via the government’s ATOL scheme (Flight packages) or Financial Failure Insurance (Non-Flight Packages).

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