Take These 12 Country Roads In Florida For An Unforgettable Scenic Drive
Victoria W
Author
You may have searched for country roads to drive near me, but Florida isn’t known for its rolling hills or steep mountains that you might be in search of. However, the Florida Scenic Highways project wants you to know there are plenty of scenic drives in Florida to take for the perfect road trip. Here are some videos of sights you can see on 12 of our favorite scenic byways in Florida. Before you begin your cruise across our gorgeous state, check out our article featuring our ultimate road trip packing list for all your must-have items.
1. Windows to the Gulf Coast Scenic Highway – The Tamiami Trail
Travel 70 miles along US 41 from Sarasota to the Hillsborough County line. Men worked in 90-degree heat in alligator-filled swamps to build the Tamiami Trail, which opened in 1928. Whether you stop at some of Florida’s oldest roadside attractions or visit the Myakka State Forest or the Ringling Museum, this trail has a lot to teach us about Florida’s history.
2. Keys Highway
This is one of the most beautiful places to drive in Florida, with over 100 miles of road stretching out across the Florida Keys. With gorgeous views surrounded by water and glimpses of dolphins and manatees and the old Railway bridge, take this scenic drive to some truly idyllic places. Check out this jaw-dropping drone footage from above the highway!
3. Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway
This 60-mile drive along State Road 40 cuts through the enchanting Ocala National Forest, a spot travelers should definitely consider making a stop for, especially for a dip in some of its famous springs.
4. Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway
There’s so much to see on this 166-mile journey from Central to South Florida, we’re just going to link you to a page of suggested activities, rather than try to explain them all here. This route would make an amazing road trip.
5. Lemon Bay/Myakka Trail Scenic Highway
Highlights of this Southwest Florida trail include the pristine beaches of Manasota Key, Tippecanoe Environmental Park and Myakka State Forest.
6. The Ridge Scenic Highway
Travel back in time along almost 40 miles along Lake Wales Ridge on SR 17 in Polk County. This road meanders through the historic communities and rural sites that Central Florida is renowned for. Not only will you have some amazing views, but you can also expect access to lakes, natural areas, and citrus fields.
7. Broward County A1A Scenic Highway
Cruise this 28-mile-long Intracoastal Waterway for unique views of Florida’s native plants and wildlife you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s an overview with some photos of this scenic highway in Florida!
8. Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail
Museums, historic buildings, wildlife, and state parks can all be found on this 30-mile double loop in Volusia County. The Ormond Scenic Loop even has its own website that you can check out for more details.
9. Scenic Highway 30A
The Panhandle’s 28.5-mile tourist attraction hugs the Gulf of Mexico coastline in Northwest Florida’s Walton County. 30A is popular for its white sand beaches and coastal dune lakes. Make sure to stop by Grayton Beach, an artistic Florida town with a lovely beach.
10. A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway
A1A is one of our best-known scenic drives. This 72-mile section of the road goes through some amazing parks and wildlife areas, as well as America’s oldest city, St. Augustine. There’s sure to be something for everyone on this one, it’s one of the best road trips in Florida!
11. Old Florida Heritage Highway
Scenic US 441 near Alachua offers access to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, one of the most loved parks in Florida, in addition to the antiquing town of Micanopy and the home of Florida writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings in Cross Creek. It’s a lovely drive shaded by mossy oaks in true Florida fashion.
12. Big Bend Scenic Byway
Big Bend takes a scenic route from the charming Panhandle town of Apalachicola to the local favorite St. George Island. There are tons of state parks and forests, along with many other attractions that would make this an awesome Florida road trip. Don’t just take our word for it though, check out this scenic byway in Florida for yourself.
Have you taken any of these great roads? Do you have any other suggestions for scenic drives in Florida that you’d like to share with us? Please let us know in the comments below.
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More to Explore
Best Road Trips In Florida
If I want to see beaches, what are some of the best road trips in Florida?
Florida is, of course, famous for its beaches. If you're looking to see some of the more hidden beaches in Florida, there is absolutely nothing like the trip from Little Talbot Island all the way down to Calusa Beach. If you want to learn about Florida's history and see a lot of natural beauty by admiring a few of Florida's (many, many!) lighthouses, we've got a really cool 14-hour trip planned out for you.
What are some of the best road trips in Florida to see natural wonders?
If you're looking for natural wonders, the Sunshine State has plenty to offer! We've got one road trip planned out that will take you through caverns, state parks, and forests. If you're a fan of waterfalls, why not plan out a route through some of the state's best? Blowing Rocks Preserve is one of the prettiest areas in the state. We know they're not natural, but there are also some really fascinating man-made wonders in Florida that are worth checking out! Here are some more natural wonders in Florida that we recommend:
- The Great Florida Reef
- Gulf Islands National Seashore
- Venetian Pool
- Matheson Hammock Park
- Everglades National Park
- Big Talbot Island
- Three Sisters Springs
- Bowman’s Beach
Check out this previous article telling you more about these natural wonders in Florida.
What are some of the best scenic drives in Florida?
One method of transportation a lot of Floridians don't think much about are trains, but we have several train trips that are available to us and have absolutely beautiful scenery! A1A is famous for good reason, as it has really incredible views and will take you through some of the state's gems. You'll see so many fun little towns, like Delray Beach, in addition to larger areas like St. Augustine and Daytona Beach.