Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!
Are you dreaming of a Florida road trip that swaps the theme parks for white-sand beaches, island sunsets and the wild Everglades? You’ve come to the perfect place!
I absolutely loved living in St. Pete but I must admit that this road trip from Tampa to Miami was one of my favorites.
It takes you down the gulf coast and across the Everglades to Miami.
If you don’t stop, you’ll only need about 4 hours to do it but I would recommend taking a few days to truly enjoy it.
🚗 You’ll need a car: Honestly public transport in Florida just doesn’t work for this. If you want to go from Tampa to Miami in the quickest way possible, there are trains and buses but if you want to enjoy it as a road trip, you’ll need a car.
If you need to hire a car, I recommend Discover Cars, because I always find great deals and you can compare all the companies in one place.
🌆 Stop 1: Tampa
📍 Highlights: Tampa Riverwalk, historic Ybor City, Busch Gardens, ZooTampa, Henry B. Plant Museum, Sports game (baseball, football & ice hockey)
You will be starting in Tampa, one of the liveliest cities in Florida.
There is plenty to do here so you’ll be spoiled for choice!
I recommend starting with the Riverwalk along the Hillsborough River. You can pop into museums and parks along the way.
Then, head to historic Ybor City, the old cigar-making district, for its brick streets, Cuban heritage and nightlife.
This is a great place for a food or ghost tour by the way.
Also, I would recommend going to Bernini of Ybor as they have a $4 martini happy hour deal!
For food, the historic Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City has been serving Spanish and Cuban dishes since 1905 and is a Tampa institution. Grab a proper Cuban sandwich while you’re there.
Drive to St. Petersburg: about 30 minutes (25 miles)
🌇 Stop 2: St. Petersburg
📍 Highlights: Downtown St Pete, the Salvador Dalí Museum, Sunken Gardens, St Pete Beach
Next up is St. Pete, and I have to admit I’m a little biased here because I absolutely loved living in this city!
It’s one of the most fun and creative places in Florida, with a brilliant arts scene, a great waterfront and some gorgeous beaches.
Start downtown and walk along Central Avenue before heading to the Salvador Dalí Museum, which holds the largest collection of his work outside Europe. The building alone is worth it.
You can then go to the Central Arts District to spot the amazing murals all the way to St. Pete Pier, and if you love plants, the century-old Sunken Gardens are a lovely escape.
You’re also right by some of Florida’s best beaches, so head over to St. Pete Beach or the charming Pass-a-Grille for sunset.
Drive to Anna Maria Island: about 55 minutes (35 miles)
🏝️ Stop 3: Anna Maria Island
📍 Highlights: Bean Point, Manatee Public Beach, Coquina Beach
Next, cross over to Anna Maria Island, a gorgeous barrier island that feels like Old Florida.
Think pastel cottages, quiet beaches and a wonderfully laid-back pace. This is the place to slow right down.
For a bit of Old Florida feel, head to Pine Avenue where you’ll find loads of charming shops. You can then walk out on the historic City Pier, and pick a beach to settle into.
Bean Point at the northern tip is stunning!
Also, at this point, if you want to leave the car behind, you can. There is a free island trolley that runs the whole length of the island every 20 minutes from early morning to late evening, so it’s really easy to get around.
Drive to Sarasota: about 45 minutes (20 miles)
🎨 Stop 4: Sarasota
📍 Highlights: The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, St. Armands Circle, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Your next stop will be Sarasota, Florida’s cultural gem!
The big must-do here is The Ringling, the sprawling estate of circus magnate John Ringling. You can tour the excellent art museum (it’s stunning and really looks like something you’d find in Europe rather than Florida), the Ca’ d’Zan waterfront mansion and the Circus Museum.
A little tip: the art museum, gardens and glass pavilion are free to enter on Mondays.
Afterwards, head to St. Armands Circle, an elegant open-air ring of boutiques, galleries and restaurants dotted with Italian statues from Ringling’s own collection.
Drive to Siesta Key: about 20 minutes (8 miles)
🏖️ Stop 5: Siesta Key
📍 Highlights: Siesta Key Beach, Siesta Key Village
Just south of Sarasota, Siesta Key is home to one of the most famous beaches in the entire country.
Siesta Key Beach is made of sand that’s 99% quartz, so it’s blindingly white and stays cool underfoot even on the hottest days.
It’s also so soft!!!
It regularly tops “best beach in America” lists, and it’s easy to see why.
I absolutely love Siesta Key and I genuinely think it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, however it can get quite busy so try to get there early if you can!
You can spend the day swimming and sunbathing, then go to Siesta Key Village for dinner and drinks.
If you’re here on a Sunday, don’t miss the drum circle near the main beach before sunset. It’s such a fun, only-in-Siesta thing to do.
Drive to Myakka River State Park: about 30 – 40 minutes (20 miles)
🐊 Stop 6: Myakka River State Park
📍 Highlights: the Canopy Walkway, airboat tours on Upper Myakka Lake, alligators and wildlife, hiking and paddling trails
Your next stop is Myakka River State Park, one of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks.
This is your chance to see the real, wild Florida. Take one of the airboat tours across Upper Myakka Lake (aboard the huge “Gator Gal” or “Myakka Maiden”) to spot alligators, wading birds and more.
Then climb the Canopy Walkway, the first public treetop trail in North America, suspended 25 feet up, with a tower rising 74 feet for sweeping views over the wetlands.
Keep your eyes peeled for alligators, as Myakka is home to hundreds of them (you’ll want to admire those from a safe distance!).
Drive to Fort Myers: about 1 hour 30 minutes (80 miles)
💡 Stop 7: Fort Myers
📍 Highlights: the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, historic downtown, Fleamasters Flea Market
Next, head to Fort Myers which is home to a historic downtown.
The unmissable stop here is the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, the neighboring winter homes of inventor Thomas Edison and carmaker Henry Ford.
The 21-acre riverfront site includes their preserved homes, Edison’s laboratory, a museum of his inventions and gorgeous botanical gardens.
Afterwards, explore the downtown with its brick streets, art galleries, boutiques and restaurants.
If you are visiting on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, I would also recommend going to Fleamasters Flea Market. It’s a very unique market.
Drive to Sanibel Island: about 50 minutes (25 miles)
🐚 Stop 8: Sanibel Island
📍 Highlights: shelling on the beaches, the Sanibel Island Lighthouse, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum
Your next stop is Sanibel Island. This is one of the best islands in Florida and it will for sure be a highlight of your trip.
It’s famous for its shelling, thanks to its east-west orientation that catches shells from the Gulf. You’ll spot people doing the “Sanibel stoop” all along the sand!
Visit the historic 1884 lighthouse at the island’s eastern tip, cycle the flat, scenic bike paths, and drive the wildlife loop through the Ding Darling refuge to spot birds, alligators and more.
Just note there’s a toll to reach the island via the Sanibel Causeway.
For food, Gramma Dot’s at the marina is a lively local fish house, or grab breakfast at the much-loved Over Easy Cafe.
Drive to Captiva Island: about 30 minutes (10 miles)
🌅 Stop 9: Captiva Island
📍 Highlights: Captiva Beach for sunset, Turner Beach for fishing
Just north of Sanibel, you’ll find Captiva, an even quieter, more intimate island known for its dreamy sunsets.
You can easily reach it with a car as there is a bridge.
Captiva is all about slowing down. It’s smaller and more upscale than Sanibel, with a laid-back, tropical feel.
You can spend the day at the beach (it’s great during the day and at sunset) but also hop on one of the dolphin cruises.
Drive to Lovers Key State Park: about 1 hour (35 miles), back over the causeway and south
🌴 Stop 10: Lovers Key State Park
📍 Highlights: the two-mile natural beach, dolphin and manatee spotting, kayaking through the estuary, the nature trails
After Captiva, you’ll head towards Naples. On the way, you can stop at Lovers Key State Park.
Once only reachable by boat, Lovers Key is now a peaceful state park with a beautiful, undeveloped beach reached by a short boardwalk or a handy tram.
It’s a wonderful place to swim, kayak the tidal lagoons, and look out for dolphins and manatees, which are often spotted in the surrounding waters, especially in winter.
Drive to Naples: about 1 hour (35 miles)
🌸 Stop 11: Naples
📍 Highlights: Downtown, Clam Pass Park, Naples Beach, the Naples Botanical Garden
Naples is one of Florida’s most elegant and upscale cities.
You can start by Clam Pass Park which will be on your way from your last stop.
Then head downtown where Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South are packed with chic boutiques, galleries and excellent restaurants.
If you love plants, the Naples Botanical Garden will be an excellent stop for you as well. It’s one of the best in Florida.
Drive to Marco Island: about 40 minutes (20 miles)
🐚 Stop 12: Marco Island
📍 Highlights: Tigertail Beach, South Marco Beach, shelling, dolphin watching, boat trips to the Ten Thousand Islands
Marco Island is the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands. It’s known for its wide beaches and shelling.
First, head to Tigertail Beach. It’s a nature lover’s dream, with a tidal lagoon that’s brilliant for kayaking, paddleboarding and birdwatching, plus a long sandbar to walk out to.
South Marco Beach is quieter and great for shelling and dolphin spotting. It’s also a fantastic base for boat tours out into the wild Ten Thousand Islands.
Drive to the Everglades: about 50 minutes (40 miles)
🐊 Stop 13: Everglades National Park
Once you’re done with Marco Island, it’s time to head inland and discover one of the best national parks in the US!
First head to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center which is the western gateway to the Everglades National Park.
This is where the Gulf Coast meets the wild wetlands.
From here you can take a ranger-led or guided boat tour weaving through the maze of mangrove islands and see alligators and countless birds.
It’s a magical, remote corner of Florida and a real highlight for nature lovers. Do check ahead on current facilities and tour schedules, as this area is still recovering from past hurricanes.
You can then head to the Shark Valley Visitor Center.
There, I would recommend going on an airboat tour of the Everglades and visiting the beautiful Shark Valley (it’s a great place to explore with a bike).
The Anhinga Trail is also a great family friendly boardwalk where you can see a lot of wildlife.
Drive to Miami: about 1 hour 45 minutes (85 miles) east across the Everglades on the scenic Tamiami Trail (US-41)
🌴 Stop 14: Miami
📍 Highlights: South Beach and the Art Deco district, Little Havana, Wynwood Walls, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, the Miami nightlife
Next stop and final one: Miami!
There are many things you can do in Miami. The most famous ones are located near South Beach where you can of course go to the beach but also walk along Ocean Drive and discover the Art Deco district.
Another thing I recommend doing is going to Little Havana. It’s a great place to grab food and coffee.
Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine is an iconic restaurant and their Cuban Sandwich is so good!
Make sure to also visit the Wynwood Walls if you like street art.
For something calmer, the Italian-style gardens at Vizcaya are gorgeous.
Then treat yourself to a proper night out, because Miami does nightlife like nowhere else.
🗺️ Map of this Tampa to Miami Road Trip
💡 A few practical tips
- A car is essential, and I’d allow a few days (ideally around a week) to enjoy the route without rushing.
- Winter and spring bring the best weather and the best manatee spotting, while summer is hot, humid and stormy.
- Book island accommodation and boat tours ahead in peak season (roughly December to April).
- Budget for tolls and paid beach parking on the barrier islands, and always carry water, sunscreen and bug spray for the Everglades.
🔗 You May Also Be Interested In:
