Best East Coast Road Trip Destinations

The East Coast is full of gorgeous destinations, perfect for road trips and discovering what this part of the country has to offer. From National Parks, beaches, foodie spots and historic towns, this list is sure to grab the attention of many wanderlusters.

So read on if you’re a wanderluster looking for a fun road trip destination!

 

Cape May, NJ to Assateague National Seashore Park, MD

Cape May features Victorian homes, boating, fishing and many charming activities, great for a few days trip. The ferry from Cape May to Lewes is also worth checking out, as it ends in the Cape Henlopen State Park, a 3- side ocean park with wildlife and bird watching stations, offering stunning views of the region.

Assateague National Seashore, known as the jewel of the eastern seaboard, is also one of the best-kept secrets on the east coast. Being Maryland’s only oceanfront park, there are numerous wild horses that call this place their home, a stunning sight to see amidst sand-dunes and the ocean. There are 2-miles of beaches for swimming or just laying in the sun, a perfect place to relax by the sea and unwind.

If Maine is a place you enjoy, we think you’ll like the next item on our list.

 

Kennebunkport to Acadia National Park, ME

The Maine coast is rumored to be the most beautiful in the United States in any season. Starting from Kennebunkport Northeast on Route 1 to Acadia National Park is about a 4 hour journey, but there are so many quaint villages and charming harbors that you might as well make it a few day’s trip.

Some cities worth noting along the way are Freeport, Rockland and Bar Harbor. These quaint towns have an abundance of shops, nature spots and are the gateway to Acadia National Park further North. Acadia National Park is a 47,000-acre Atlantic coast park located mostly on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. It has mostly wooded landscapes and rocky beaches, as well as glaciar granite peaks like Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest point on the East Coast.

New York, NY to Amherst, MA

New York is always a good idea and New England is the perfect distance for a little getaway. Only about 4 hours away from each other, Amherst has good views from the top of Mount Sugarloaf and is a perfect vantage point if you go in the fall to watch the foliage. There is also the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory, where you can check out the most beautiful butterflies and the Emily Dickinson Museum, registered as a National Historic Landmark.

The area has great sights for nature lovers, like Puffers Pond and Waterfall and the Notch, a very enjoyable hiking trail.

 

Portland, ME to Burlington, VT

Northern New England is one of the most beautiful parts of the country year-round, but autumn is a season that makes this region shine with the changing of the leaves. Starting from one of the best coastal cities in the Northeast, Portland, you head west to New Hampshire and go straight through the White Mountains, which are a site to see. There are hundred of hiking trails here, so if this is something you like, you should definitely stop and explore. A quaint town to stop in is North Conway, a resort town filled with shops and eateries.

Further west you will find Vermont’s Green Mountains. Your final destination, Burlington,  is home to Lake Champlain, great for taking a lake cruise, strolling the shops on Church St, catching live music at the areas multiple venues and sampling local beers. You will definitely not regret it.

 

Blue Ridge Parkway, NC  to Asheville, VA

Considered one of the most beautiful drives in the United States, Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles of nature connecting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The route features stunning mountain views, waterfalls and hundred of trails for hiking or even camping.

The route is great in the fall for “leafers” in search of fall foliage or just looking for a good expanse of nature. Your destination, the city of Asheville,  features breweries, coffee shops and quaint shops in what you could call a “hippie paradise” in the middle of the mountains.

Heading to Massachusetts? Check out next road trip destination

 

Boston, MA to Portsmouth, NH

Full of small, charming towns, this road trip is sure to satisfy your New England wanderlust. Leaving from Boston, which in itself has so much history and things to do, head North to Salem, MA, famous for the 1692 witch trials and features sights like the Witch House, the Witch Trials Memorial and a downtown full of alternative shops.

Less than an hour away is Portsmouth, NH, a port city along the Piscataqua River. There are so many local shops to check out, as well as amazing seafood to eat and a life-size whale mural on the wall of Cabot House, a furniture and design store.

 Virginia has so much to offer, which is why this next destination is a great idea

 

Washington, DC to Charlottesville, VA

This road trip is great for history buffs and nature lovers alike. Starting out in Washington, DC, with its many museums and monuments, begin your journey west towards Front Royal, Virginia’s wine country, making sure to stop at one of the 50+ wineries along the way.

In Front Royal, drive through Skyline Drive, one of the most scenic byways in the country. It is 100 miles of winding road through Shenandoah National Park, that features sweeping vistas, hiking trails such as Bearfence Mountains and Dark Hollow Falls and restaurants as well in Skyland and Big Meadows.

Ending at Rockfish Gap, take Route 64 to Charlottesville, home to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s estate. There are many good restaurants here, as well as a bricked in mall in the downtown area.

Savannah, GA to Outer Banks, NC

Southeastern United States features beautiful cities, Atlantic coastline and the best cuisine. With beaches, historical cities and so much food to taste, this road trip will surely be memorable. Starting in Savannah, a great place for wandering around many squares, antebellum mansions and plantations with their signature oak trees and spanish moss, stop in Charleston for amazing food and so much history, as well as Myrtle Beach for a glimpse of the coastline and small towns.

While making your way through Georgia, South and North Carolina, make sure to taste North Carolina barbecue, pecan pie, peach cobbler, biscuits and gravy, sweet tea and the abundance of southern cuisine.  

If you liked the south, you should definitely stop by the next destination

 

Miami to Florida Keys, FL

A road trip through the Florida Keys is must do experience if you are visiting southern Florida. Miami is the perfect way to start the roadtrip, since it is a quick drive from the first island of Key Largo. The Florida keys are a great place for stunning nature, beaches and landscapes. If adrenaline is your thing, there are many places for water sports and recreational activities.

This area is also known for its fresh seafood, Caribbean and Latin inspired cuisine, so you’re sure to never go hungry.

 

We hope this list was useful for deciding where your next road trip will take you. We’re sure you will enjoy any of these destinations and we know any one of our Kia’s will get you there without a hassle. For a list of available inventory of new or-owned cars at the Nutley Auto Kia dealership visit: https://www.nutleykia.net/searchnew.aspx

 

Sources

Marquestra

https://marquestra.com/10-fabulous-east-coast-road-trips/

Travel US News

https://travel.usnews.com/gallery/10-epic-east-coast-road-trips-to-take-this-summer

 

Tags: east coast, on the road, road trips, trips
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