6 Best Day Trips by Car from Orlando
Updated: Sep 30
Orlando is famous for its theme parks, but some of Florida's best experiences are just a short drive away. Rockets, historic forts, white-sand beaches and springs full of manatees: all of them fit into a single day trip. Here are our favorite driving routes from Orlando.
1. Space Coast: Kennedy Space Center & Cocoa Beach
Distance: About 1 hour east via SR-528 (Beachline Expressway).
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: see real rockets, the Space Shuttle Atlantis and, with luck, a launch.
Cocoa Beach: relax on the sand and walk the Cocoa Beach Pier at sunset.
Tip: check the launch schedule before you go; launch days bring heavy traffic.
2. St. Augustine: America's Oldest City
Distance: About 2 hours north via I-4 and I-95.
Castillo de San Marcos: a 17th-century Spanish stone fort on the bay.
St. George Street: a pedestrian street full of shops, cafés and historic homes.
Tip: leave early and plan a full day; parking in the old town fills up fast.
3. Tampa Bay & Clearwater Beach
Distance: About 1.5–2 hours west via I-4.
Tampa Riverwalk & Ybor City: waterfront walks and the city's historic Cuban cigar district.
Clearwater Beach: white sand and calm Gulf water, one of Florida's most popular beaches.
Tip: stay for the Gulf Coast sunset before driving back.
4. Blue Spring State Park & DeLand
Distance: About 45 minutes north via I-4.
Blue Spring: crystal-clear spring water; in winter (roughly Nov–Mar) hundreds of manatees gather here.
DeLand: a charming small downtown for lunch and a stroll.
Tip: in manatee season, arrive early; the park can close its gates once it reaches capacity.
5. Mount Dora & Winter Park
Distance: 20–45 minutes from downtown Orlando.
Winter Park: Park Avenue boutiques and the relaxing Scenic Boat Tour through the lakes.
Mount Dora: an antique-filled lakeside town with a small-town Florida feel.
Tip: a perfect half-day trip when you want a break from the theme parks.
6. Bok Tower Gardens & Lake Wales
Distance: About 1 hour south.
Bok Tower Gardens: peaceful gardens and a historic singing carillon tower.
Tip: combine it with a stop at LEGOLAND Florida in Winter Haven if you travel with kids.
Tips for a Smooth Day Trip
Start early to avoid I-4 traffic, especially on weekdays.
Many Central Florida highways have tolls, so a SunPass or toll transponder saves time.
Pack water, sunscreen and a rain jacket; afternoon storms are common in summer.
Check opening hours and ticket availability before you leave.
Let Us Do the Driving
Want to enjoy the views instead of the traffic? Orlando Drive Trip offers comfortable private rides to all of these destinations. Contact us to plan your day trip.
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