The journey from Florida to California is the ideal US road trip if you enjoy warmth, sunshine, and beautiful southern highways. You may traverse some of the most distinctive regions in the nation by this route. If you take the Most Scenic route from Florida to California, You will get to see many states. A leisurely drive can span the journey across nine days.
A road trip from Florida to California is by no means a straightforward journey. To be simple, you must travel with pals who can drive or hire some drivers. You’ll need to drive for roughly 68 hours and 13 minutes, stopping at numerous locations, but obviously, it’s less when you aren’t stopping. You can see that it won’t be easy to complete this 3843-mile road trip in these hours. Make the journey luxurious by making several stops and exploring the most beautiful highways and locations. The trip is worthwhile and regret-free!
Day 1 Stop in Cocoa, Florida
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443 miles — about 8 hours, 7 minutes
If you like warm weather, ocean breezes, and soft sand on your toes — Welcome to the Florida coast! A mix of glitz, endless beaches, and nature.
Florida Wellington to Fort Pierce to Miami
1 hour 19 minutes — 69 miles
Start your journey from Wellington, Florida, driving east on the blue cypress lane. This scenic drive along Highway A1A hugs the Atlantic Coast traveling from Fort Pierce to Miami. There is so much to do and see on this 1-hour drive. The drive begins in Fort Pierce. Spending the day at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park is easy. Especially in the fall and winter, the jetty makes a great vantage point for fishing or viewing the surfers who come here for the giant waves. The Navy Seals originated in Fort Pierce. The Loxahatchee River, Florida’s first federally designated Wild and Scenic River, runs through Jonathan Dickinson State Park. One of Florida’s best rivers for canoeing and kayaking is the winding one.
As you continue south, you reach Coral Cove Park. Near the water’s edge, rocky outcrops form intriguing tunnels, arches, and shapes. A few exciting stops are nearby, roughly fifteen minutes east of US-Highway 1. Since Ponce de Leon first discovered the Jupiter Inlet in 1513, it has had a lengthy history. Returning to A1A, which is palm tree-lined, the journey continues. The A1A travels on to Miami. There are many things to do in Miami, which sparkles day and night.
Indian River Lagoon
The long, expansive Indian River Lagoon leaves a sliver of land for hundreds of miles along Florida’s Atlantic Coast. We are inevitably close to the seaside and beautiful A1A.
However, exploring the Indian River Lagoon’s other side is worthwhile. Additionally, the western coast is distinct from the beach settlements because the lagoon is large enough to preclude the construction of several bridges. You can find an Old Florida scenic route on the 20 miles linking Stuart and Fort Pierce.
Stop in Cocoa
And this marks the end of your first day. Cocoa is one of the primary cities of Florida’s Space Coast, known as the home of the famed Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station; the charming city is home to a population of approximately 17,000 residents.
Day 2 stop in Madison Florida
423 miles — about 7 hours, 59 mins
A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway
46 minutes — 43 miles
The A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway consist of three separate state scenic highways — the Scenic and Historic A1A, A1A River and Sea Trail, and A1A Ocean Shore, which link a string of stunning barrier islands. This spectacular coastal drive begins near Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, approximately 10 miles from I-95, exit 289 (Palm Coast Parkway). With year-round sunshine and the magical draw of the beach. Drive towards Panhandle and stop in Madison Florida
Day 3 Stop in Gulf Shores, AL
426 miles — about 8 hours, 3 mins
Panhandle
2 hours 58 minutes — 167 miles
Drive through Panhandle to Alabama Gulf Coast Drive. The allure of glistening white Appalachian quartz sands and deep emerald green waters is mesmerizing. Hugging the coastline of Escambia Bay and the Gulf of Mexico in Walton County, this drive delivers stunning scenery and friendly beach communities, each with its unique vibe. Lesser crowds, pure white sands, and southern flavor abound on the Florida panhandle’s shores.
Alabama Gulf Coast Drive
53 minutes — 57 miles
The journey begins on AL-188 in Bayou La Batre, Alabama’s seafood capital. Bayou La Batre, home to the commercial fishing and shipbuilding industries, is not entirely developed for tourists. However, it does have a few restaurants with fresh seafood and excellent boat watching. Visit Gulf Shores to round up your day 3.
Day 4 Stop in Houston TX
495 mi — about 8 hours
Alabama Gulf Coast Drive
At the 65-acre Bellingrath Gardens and Home, something is always in bloom. Stroll through the opulent camellia, azalea, and chrysanthemum gardens along the Great Lawn. You can reach Fort Morgan after a 40-minute trip on the Mobile Bay Ferry and witness pelicans and active commercial fishing and shrimping boats along the journey. Visit the Indian and Sea Museum at Orange Beach , housed in a one-room schoolhouse. Analyze historical fishing and farming items from Orange Beach and early Native American Indian artifacts. Free admission; fewer hours available. As you approach Devil’s Backbone, halt in Houston, Texas.
Day 5 Stop in Iraan TX
480 miles — about 7 hours, 59 minutes.
Devil’s Backbone
3 hours 4 minutes — 183 miles
On day 5, we continue the trip by traveling through Devil’s Backbone toward Davis Mountains Loop. In addition to providing spectacular views of the 400-mile-long Balcones Fault, expansive rolling hills, and winding roads, this loop drives through the eroding Edwards Plateau in the Texas Hill Country. It is also rife with ghost stories and paranormal activity of Spanish monks, Native Americans, Confederate soldiers, and other characters. From Johnson City, take US-281 south toward the Texas Hill Country. Turn left onto Farm Road 32 after passing undulating hills and ranches about three miles south of Blanco. Take the day off and visit Iraan, Texas.
Day 6 Stop in Deming
487 miles — about 8 hours
Davis Mountains Loop
2 hours 4 minutes — 134 miles
Through Davis Mountains Loop, the arduous trip continues in the direction of Trail of the Mountain Spirits. The “Texas Alps,” an ancient volcanic playground, is traversed via this scenic loop in the Davis Mountains. The circle includes Mount Livermore, Mount Livermore’s summit, Baldy Peak, the tallest peak in the Davis range at 8,378 feet, and Fort Davis, the highest settlement in Texas. Stunning beauty is present because of dramatic elevation fluctuations, a harsh topography, and exceptionally adapted animals and plants. Prepare to drive through the Trail of the Mountain Spirits by stopping at Deming.
Day 7 Stop in Tucson, AZ
425 miles— about 8 hours, 8 minutes
Trail of the Mountain Spirits
1 hour 13 minutes — 73 miles
The first US National Forest, a historic mining village, cliff dwellings, and meandering roads with endless mountain hills are all included in this picturesque journey. From US-180, which is conveniently off I-10, or NM-152, located off I-25, you can get to Silver City. The town’s historic downtown has restaurants, hotels, antique shops, art galleries, and studios. The Western New Mexico University Museum is located on the campus of Western New Mexico University and houses one of the world’s most significant collections of Mimbres pottery.
Sky Island Scenic Byway
3 hours 22 minutes — 201 minutes
The Sky Island Scenic Byway is unavoidable. The Sky Island Scenic Byway ascends more than 6,000 feet. It passes through saguaro cactus woods in the Sonoran Desert before ending in a calm coniferous forest on the Santa Catalina Mountains. Get ready for breath-taking scenery and a difference in a climate comparable to traveling from Southern Arizona to Northern Montana. Every thousand feet above sea level is equivalent to traveling 600 miles north, providing a rare chance to experience all four seasons in one journey.
Tucson Mountain Park and Saguaro National Park
1 hour 29 minutes — 51 miles
As you are ready to stop in Tucson, Arizona, drive through Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park. This scenic trip, only 30 minutes from downtown Tucson, travels through a Saguaro cactus forest and passes in front of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, one of the best zoos in the nation. Beginning on West Gates Pass Road is the picturesque drive. Take exit 257 and proceed west on West Speedway Boulevard, which will shortly turn into West Gates Pass Road, to get there.
With its vast saguaro forest, the 20,000-acre Tucson Mountain Park is a cacti lover’s dream come true. The saguaro cactus, a symbol of the Sonoran Desert, can reach heights of 60 feet and has an average lifespan of 150 years.
Day 8 Stop in Beaumont, CA.
475 mi — about 7 hours, 59 mins
Joshua Tree Journey
5 hours 17 minutes — 342 mi
Closeby is the Rim of the World Scenic Byway. Complete the Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park before beginning your Joshua Tree Journey. The Joshua tree, representing the Mojave Desert, stands tall in an area with 7.5 inches of rain annually while enduring the intense heat and wind. The oldest tree in Joshua Tree National Park, an individual of the Yucca family with spike-like leaves, is more than 800 years old. The Mojave Desert, with its twisted, jagged Joshua trees, is where this magnificent trip begins. It then travels through the Colorado Desert in creosote bushes and cacti. As you get ready to end your journey on Day 9, stop in Beaumont.
Day 9 Stop in Beverly Hills, CA
190 miles — about 4 hours, 6 minutes
The rim of the World Scenic Byway
20 minutes — 15 miles
There are several beautiful drives in California, including this Rim of the World Scenic Byway. You can use I-15 to get to Phelan. From Phelan to Mentone, proceed through the San Bernardino Mountains, past Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead. Take the exit for CA-138 if you are approaching from the south after 129. Before beginning the drive, take a quick diversion to the Mormon Rocks by traveling west on CA-138 (H1). A 0.5-mile desert track behind the Mormon Rocks Fire Station leads to a bed of uplifted sandstone.
Beverly Hills, CA
1 hour 41 minutes — 74 miles
Congratulations, the voyage has come to an end! Your trip to Beverly Hills is guaranteed to be unforgettable because there are many things to do there. Beverly Hills offers everything from quaint neighborhood boutique hotels to opulent five-star, five-diamond sanctuaries. Enjoy world-class spa treatments and shopping along legendary Rodeo Drive. When visiting Beverly Hills, you really must stop at the visitor center. You are more than welcome to use the fantastic complimentary concierge services to organize your trip, assist you in shopping for Beverly Hills-branded goods, and more.
