This week-long Cleveland to Florida road trip will take you from the shores of Lake Erie to the center of American Democracy before finishing with a grand tour of some of the finest East Coast tourist destinations on the map.

A Cleveland to Florida drive is a long one. Driving directly would take more than 15 hours and would span 1,000 miles. But that straight shot isn’t a lot of fun. This Cleveland to Florida road trip, brought to you by the insurance broker and comparison shopping app

Jerry

, will take longer but provides far more entertainment along the way.

Please note that you should have your car professionally inspected before departing on this epic road trip. You’ll want fresh oil and fluids and tires and brakes inspected. For even more protection, consider protecting yourself from flat tires, dead batteries, fuel emergencies, and more with Jerry’s excellent (and super cheap) roadside assistance!

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Key Trip Details

Driving time: 27 hours (2 to 6 hours per day)

Suggested length of trip: 6 to 8 days

Itinerary

This Cleveland to Florida road trip is designed for one driver with no more than six hours on the road per day.

There are three great routes from Ohio to Florida, but we chose the route best suited to traveling with kids. If you’d rather drive longer and get to Florida sooner, or if you’ve been to these cities and want an alternative route, we’re including two less-detailed alternative routes.

The cities you’ll visit include:

Cleveland,

Ohio

Pittsburgh,

Pennsylvania

Washington, DC

Virginia Beach,

Myrtle Beach,

Savannah,

Orlando,

Miami,

Please note that this road trip doesn’t take into account the time you’ll spend in Orlando or the time it takes to get back to Ohio.

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Pro Tip: This is a very long road trip spanning well over 1,000 miles. Be sure you have a professional mechanic inspect your car before you head out.

Start in Cleveland

Situated along Lake Erie and home to several awesome tourist attractions, Cleveland is a great place to kick off a big road trip. There’s a lot to see and do here, so let’s dive right in!

MORE: 8 pro tips for long car rides with kids

Where to Stay in Cleveland

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel - Downtown Cleveland Lakeside

: A short walk to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a brief drive to the other attractions listed below, the Doubletree is an affordable, nice hotel from a trusted chain. Cost per night: From $99

Hotel Indigo Cleveland Downtown

: A nice downtown hotel with recently renovated rooms, the Hotel Indigo is within driving distance of Cleveland’s major attractions. Progressive Field is within walking distance if you’re catching a game. Cost per night: from $103

Drury Plaza Hotel - Cleveland Downtown

: The Drury Plaza is a little further from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame than the Doubletree, but it has nicer, more stately rooms than similarly-priced hotels. Cost per night: From $108

Where to Eat in Cleveland

Addy’s Diner

($): We don’t usually share restaurants that don’t have websites, but Addy’s is hands-down the best place for breakfast in the downtown Cleveland area. Who doesn’t love a cheap and tasty diner breakfast?

Barrister’s Deli

($): This quaint deli is a long walk from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but it’s worth it. Get yourself a corned beef and pastrami duplex sandwich to teleport your tastebuds to New York City—without spending Katz Deli prices.

Winking Lizard Galleria

($$): A popular Ohio chain with locations all around Cleveland, the Winking Lizard Galleria offers an impressively well-rounded lunch and dinner menu for the whole family—with lots for vegetarians to enjoy, too. We love the mini burger basket—you can eat it all in one sitting or bring some back to the hotel for a late-night snack.

Lindsey’s Lakehouse Flats

($$): A nice contemporary restaurant with urban waterside views. Their “Classic Paul A” steak dinner is easily one of the best steaks you’ll find in this city.

What to do in Cleveland

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

: There are a few places in America every serious music lover must visit. New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville—and Cleveland’s world-renowned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tickets are free for Cleveland residents and children 5 and under, $20 for kids ages 6 to 12, and $30 if you’re 13+.

The Christmas Story House

: The famous house where A Christmas Story was filmed was later converted into a museum celebrating this cherished holiday film. Come and for a brief exploration of the set, or even book an overnight stay! Before you ask, booking it for Christmas costs nearly $4,000. If that’s out of your price range, just visiting the museum costs $11 per child ages 3 to 12, $14 per senior, and $15 for everyone else.

Cleveland Museum of Art

: With exhibits featuring famous works of art and content dating back thousands of years, the Cleveland Museum of Art should be on the bucket list of every art aficionado. Be sure to pose with Rodin’s “The Thinker” (a cast supervised by Rodin himself), and tour the lush gardens. Best of all, this museum doesn’t charge an entry fee!

Memphis Kiddie Park

: A fun place to take the kids for a preview of what’s to come on the rest of the trip. Each ride costs one ticket, or $2.75, or you can buy 10 tickets for $25 or 25 tickets for $39.50. Mini-golf is separate and costs $5.50 per person.

Edgewater Park

: A stunning (and free) lakeside park area with beaches, cozy picnic spots, and more. This is a nice spot to relax a little before the big Cleveland to Florida drive.

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Cleveland to Pittsburgh

134 miles, 2 hours 11 minutes

Let’s get this show on the road! The next stop is Pittsburgh, a city known for its deep roots in the steel industry and the 466 bridges that came out of that knowledge. Pittsburgh is a fun city to visit with friendly people and great food.

As much as we love Pittsburgh, you could skip this city if you want to shave off a day of travel time. The drive from Cleveland to Washington DC will take just under six and a half hours.

To reach Pittsburgh, take Interstate 76 East (the Ohio Turnpike) and continue into Pennsylvania, where it will become the PA Turnpike. Eventually, you’ll take exit 28 to Interstate 79 South, and follow that until you merge onto Interstate 279 South, which takes you into Pittsburgh.

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Pro Tip: Traffic in Pittsburgh can get a little bonkers. Be on the lookout for drivers pulling the infamous “Pittsburgh left”—cars that come off exits on the right and then quickly dart over multiple lanes of highway to a nearby exit on the left.

Where to stay in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Plaza Hotel

: The Pittsburgh Plaza Hotel is a cheap, simple hotel with nice, clean rooms and a decent-sized pool, just five minutes from downtown and easy to reach via the highway. Cost per night: From $72

The Priory Hotel

: Showcasing Pittsburgh’s love affair with the early 1900s, the Priory Hotel fills its vintage space with contemporary amenities and fresh decor to create one of the nicest hotels in the area. Cost per night: From $162

The Mansions on Fifth

(from $165): A high-end luxury hotel, situated inside a pair of beautiful gilded age mansions. The Mansions have frequent musical entertainment, a robust library, and an incredible location close to downtown.

The Parador Inn

(from $184): Arguably the nicest place to stay in Pittsburgh, the Parador Inn is a locally owned B&B with turn-of-the-century stylings steeped in Caribbean flair. We hope you like dogs because you’ll meet an adorable, friendly pair of them if you’re staying at the Parador Inn!

Where to eat in Pittsburgh

Primanti Brothers

($$): To visit Pittsburgh and not have a sandwich at one of the city’s numerous Primanti Brothers restaurants would be like not driving over one of the city’s hundreds of bridges. You have to try one while you’re here!

Pamela’s Diner

($): A great breakfast spot with locations all around the city, Pamela’s serves up huge crepe-style hotcakes that will leave you utterly stuffed. But be warned: Pamela’s is famous for drawing long lines in the morning at all of their restaurants, and they’re cash-only.

Cucina Vitale

($$): An excellent Italian eatery on the iconic Carson Street, Cucina Vitale makes a chicken parmesan so good you might start looking at the local housing market.

Fun Fact: Pittsburgh is the Big Mac’s hometown. And maybe it’s local pride, or maybe it’s some psychological thing, but the Big Mac strangely does taste better here than anywhere else.

What to do in Pittsburgh

Ride an inclined railway

: In the late 1800s, Pittsburgh was home to 17 funicular railways that pulled passengers up and down the mountains surrounding the city. Two of these inclined railways—the Monongahela and the Duquesne—are still fully functional and operational today, hauling tourists and daily commuters. Fares are $2.50 one-way and $3.50 round trip for adults. For kids, fares are $1.25 one-way and $2.50 round trip. Seniors and kids under 6 ride free.

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

: A fun, interactive museum that will keep kids entertained, engaged, and active for hours. Tickets cost $16 per adult and $14 per child ages 2 to 18.

The Andy Warhol Museum

: This is NOT a kid-friendly museum. There is a lot of adult art here, and grown-ups who like Andy Warhol’s art will love this interesting museum in Warhol’s hometown. Tickets cost $20 per adult.

Carnegie Museum of Art

: The Carnegie Museum of Art features works from Rembrandt, Monet, Rodin, and countless other famed artists, in just about every medium you can think of. General admission for adults is $19.95 per ticket while kids ages 3 to 11 get in for $11.95.

Kennywood Amusement Park

: Kennywood features the legendary Jack Rabbit roller coaster and is home to dozens of other thrilling rides with varying intensity levels. Ticket prices vary but are generally around $29.99 to $34.99 per adult and $19.99 per child.

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Pittsburgh to Washington DC.

242 miles, 4 hours 3 minutes

Washington DC is the nation’s capital city, and it’s very easy to spend a whole week here touring museums and parks.

When leaving Pittsburgh, take Interstate 376 East and watch for signs to Baltimore. Then take exit 85 to merge onto Interstate 76 East. You’ll stay on I-76 East for about 105 miles before taking exit 161 (again, watch for signs to Baltimore) for Interstate 70 East. Near Frederick,

Maryland

you’ll take exit 53 for Interstate 270 South, which will take you into Washington DC.

It’s impossible to see everything you’ll want to see in Washington DC in just one afternoon. You may want to plan an extended trip to DC in the future unless you can budget a little more time here.

Where to stay in Washington DC

Hyatt Place Washington DC/ National Mall

: An affordable hotel from a reliable brand, this Hyatt Place is located within walking distance of the National Mall. Cost per night: From $114

Hotel Madera

: A gorgeous four-star hotel at a three-star hotel price in the Dupont Circle area. Cost per night: From $116

Hotel Washington

: The Hotel Washington is a famous landmark, having hosted a variety of politicians, dignitaries, celebrities, and more since it first opened in 1917. It’s close to the White House and the National Mall. Cost per night: From $190

The Dupont Circle Hotel

: Another highly acclaimed DC hotel, the Dupont Circle Hotel is an absolute stunner. Just don’t ask for their best room.

A 3,000 square-foot suite

here goes for $12,000—per night. Cost per night: From $211

The Hay Adams

: The Hay Adams is unquestionably the finest in DC. This luxurious five-star hotel has spectacular views, including some of the White House, and the nicest rooms you’ll find on the entirety of this Cleveland to Florida road trip. Cost per night: From $383

Where to eat in Washington DC

District Taco

($): With multiple locations in DC and Philadelphia, District Taco is a quickly-expanding taco joint with excellent tacos. This is one of those chains we can see spreading nationally—and after eating here, you’ll see why.

The Hamilton

($$): A chic, upscale restaurant with a well-rounded menu and occasional live music. Their sushi is excellent, and they make a mean steakhouse burger, too. They also have plenty of vegetarian-friendly options too!

Find a Food Truck ($ to $$): DC is absolutely crazy about food trucks. They’re everywhere. You’ll almost always find them on 7th street near the Air and Space Museum and on 14th street near the Washington Monument. Some food trucks are cash-only and some are not.

What to do in Washington DC

The National Mall

and

Smithsonian Museums

: If you only have time to do one thing in Washington DC during your Cleveland to Florida road trip, visit the National Mall. From the Lincoln Memorial on the west end to the US Capitol building on the east end, the National Mall is absolutely jam-packed with treasures, including several Smithsonian museums with free admission.

Visit the Tidal Basin

: Whether you’re exploring monuments and memorials or simply looking for that one spot where a scene from your favorite political TV show or spy movie was filmed, the Tidal Basin is another must-see location. If you’re visiting in springtime, the cherry blossom trees are a beautiful sight to behold.

The National Archives Museum

: Come see the original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, as well as a 1297 copy of the Magna Carta and so much more. Admission is free, but you’ll need to reserve tickets in advance—which has a $1 reservation fee.

See the White House

: At one point, you could book tours of the White House. While you can technically still get a tour, it’s wildly difficult and loaded with security protocols. Still, you can see the White House from afar, and it’s definitely worth going slightly out of your way.

International Spy Museum

: One of the coolest (and in a way, scariest) museums in the world, the International Spy Museum houses incredible historical artifacts and interactive exhibits related to the world of spycraft. Tickets cost $16.95 per kid (ages 7 to 12) and $24.95 per adult (13+).

Pro Tip: For obvious reasons, Washington DC has a lot of security precautions and you won’t get to visit some of its sites, like the White House or Capitol Hill. Guided tours are available, but difficult to get. They mostly need to be set up months in advance, too.

Washington DC to Virginia Beach

209 miles, 3 hours 25 minutes

Next stop: the ocean! Virginia Beach is quite possibly the most underrated of the big vacation spots on the East Coast. It’s lively, but not overcrowded like so many other beaches. There are lots of great places to eat and fun activities to try, and the beaches are clean and well-kept.

As much as we love Virginia Beach, this is another city you might consider skipping if you’re crunched for time. Keep in mind, the drive from Washington DC to Myrtle Beach will take you 7 hours and 20 minutes in normal traffic.

To get to Virginia Beach, leave Washington DC on Interstate 95 South. If you’re skipping Virginia beach, stay on this highway. Otherwise, as you approach Richmond, take exit 84A for Interstate 295 South, and then take exit 28 A for Interstate 64 East. You’ll stay on this for over 80 miles into Virginia Beach.

All of the hotels we’re recommending are on or near the beach, so you can continue by taking exit 284A for Interstate 264 East, also known as the Virginia Beach Expressway, and follow that all the way to the end.

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Where to stay in Virginia Beach

Four Sails Resort

: The rooms here are a little dated, but super cozy. This Silver Crown winner has nice, clean, affordable rooms and a pleasant indoor pool. Cost per night: From $79

The Oceanfront Inn

: An affordable hotel where every single room features beautiful views of the ocean. The rooms are also a bit dated, but like the Four Sails Resort, each room is clean, comfortable, and nicely equipped. Cost per night: From $100

Courtyard - Virginia Beach Oceanfront

: Nicer, more modern rooms, though you’re not guaranteed ocean views here. Their indoor pool is nice, but the gigantic outdoor pool is really where it’s at with a tiki bar and a gentle waterfall you can swim under. They also have a nice little diner onsite. Cost per night: From $101

Coastal Hotel and Suites

: Like the Oceanfront Inn, the Coastal Hotel and Suites has ocean views from every room—with balconies, too. The rooms are nicer and more modern, as well. They also have an indoor heated pool and a hot tub, plus a spacious breakfast area. Cost per night: From $125

Hampton Inn North - Virginia Beach Oceanfront

: You get the predictable quality of the Hampton Inn chain of hotels, with quick and easy access to the beach. The Hampton Inn has a nice indoor pool and updated rooms, with nice balconies overlooking the Atlantic. Cost per night: From $126

Pro Tip: Fighter jets zoom overhead in Virginia Beach constantly. If you’re staying by the beach, keep an eye out when you hear them zipping by. The kids will love it!

Where to eat in Virginia Beach

Sunnyside Cafe and Restaurant

($$): A great breakfast restaurant at the south end of the boardwalk. This place has a serious French toast game and lots of vegetarian-safe choices, too.

Pocahontas Pancakes

($$): This restaurant on the corner of 35th and Atlantic is just a block from the boardwalk, and it easily has the best pancakes in Virginia Beach. The Food Network concurs with us, too!

Waterman’s Surfside Grille

($$): Waterman’s has a robust, kid-friendly menu with plenty of options for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. But if you like seafood, order the Ultimate Just Seafood dinner. It’s difficult—maybe even impossible—to name a better $40 seafood entry in North America. Yes, really!

Eat: An American Bistro

($$$): Situated at the north end of the boardwalk near 40th, Eat is a trendy dinner spot with a delicious charcuterie and one of our favorite burgers anywhere, the Hasselhoff. This is a half-pound of wagyu beef topped with gooey Gloucestershire cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickle, with a big slathering of truffle mayonnaise on its brioche bun. That. All of that.

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What to do in Virginia Beach

Visit the beach and stroll the boardwalk

: Virginia Beach is a wonderful vacation spot. The beach isn’t usually too crowded, especially if you head down toward the south end by

Grommet Island Park

(if you head that way, get your photo by the surfer statue!). The boardwalk is packed with shops, restaurants, and arcades.

The Statue of Neptune

: A time-honored tradition for visitors to Virginia Beach, everyone has to get their photo with the almost-intimidating statue of Neptune in Neptune Park. Stop by this ancient sea god as you explore the boardwalk.

Ocean Breeze Water Park

: A fun waterpark just a short drive from the beach, with free parking and free sunscreen. Tickets for kids ages 3 to 9 cost $26.99 each, while tickets for adults cost $36.99 each.

Virginia Beach to Myrtle Beach

357 miles, 5 hours 50 minutes

Myrtle Beach is a major vacation hotspot, and on any given day it’s usually more crowded than Virginia Beach. But you just spent six hours getting here or you drove straight from DC for well over seven hours. Either way, you might not be in the mood for beach fun.

Myrtle Beach is a fun town, and it’s easy to spend several days here. With a lively boardwalk, action-packed amusement parks, and tons of mini-golf spots, this tourist-centric town is overloaded with fun.

You’ll be leaving Virginia Beach on Interstate 264 West, then taking US-58 West back to I-95 South. From there, head south on I-95. Take exit 135 then follow US-378 East to the town of Conway, where you’ll hop on US-501 South for Myrtle Beach.

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Where to stay in Myrtle Beach

An important note here: Hotels in Myrtle Beach get very expensive in the summertime. If you’re visiting outside of the typical tourist season, you’ll easily find beachfront hotels for under $100. In the summer, those same rooms go for over $300 to $400 per night!

Aqua Beach Inn

: Within walking distance of many big attractions, the Aqua Beach Inn has nice rooms—some with ocean views—and a generally laid-back atmosphere. Cost per night: From $150

Waikiki Village Retro Motel

: Walking around this intentionally vintage motel feels like you’re visiting the set of The Wonder Years, during some episode where the family goes on vacation—and we mean that in the best way possible. This is a very fun, comfy, hip motel! Cost per night: From $180

Beverley Beach House

: Arguably the most modern of the affordable beachfront hotels in Myrtle Beach, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a nicer stay during peak tourism season from under $300. The Beverley Beach House has 25 ocean view rooms, a nice (but small) pool, and a great location. Cost per night: From $237

Where to eat in Myrtle Beach

Olympic Flame Pancake House

($): Easily the best breakfast spot in Myrtle Beach, with great waffles, French toast, and, of course, pancakes.

Captain Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood Buffet

($$): Are you a seafood lover? If so, this is where you’ll want to have dinner. Shrimp, fish, crab legs, mussels, scallops, even ribeye steaks—it’s all here in this amazing buffet.

Angelo’s Steak and Pasta

($$): While the restaurant’s claim to have “the best steaks in the universe” is more than a little outlandish, you certainly won’t complain while devouring their delicious 24-ounce “big daddy” NY Strip. Their hearty pasta buffet is the stuff of legends!

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What to do in Myrtle Beach

Explore the Boardwalk

: Like most tourist-friendly cities along the Atlantic, Myrtle Beach has a lively boardwalk loaded to the brim with shops, eateries, arcades, and more.

The Wonderworks

: Billed as an “amusement park for the mind,” Wonderworks welds excitement and learning together in a captivating space with laser tag, “6D” rides, and interactive exhibits. Tickets cost $23.99 per child ages 5 to 12 and $29.99 for everyone 13 to 59.

Ride the Skywheel

: The sixth-largest Ferris wheel in North America, this 187-foot ride is hard to miss, and it gives you an amazing view of the ocean and the town itself. Tickets cost $12 per child and $16 per adult.

Pro Tip: If you’ve never had authentic boardwalk fries, this is the perfect town in which to try them.

Myrtle Beach to Savannah

227 miles, 3 hours 45 minutes

Savannah holds the title of America’s most haunted city, and a few minutes after exiting your car, you’ll fully understand why. Creepy vibes will tingle your arm hairs nearly everywhere you go here. If that’s not enough to freak you out, there are plenty of ghost hunting activities that will raise the heart rate of even the most dismissive of skeptics.

You’ll leave Myrtle Beach by taking US-501 North back to Conway and then getting on US-378 West. You’ll then get back on Interstate 95 South, eventually taking exit 5 to merge onto US-17 South, which will take you into downtown Savannah.

Where to stay in Savannah

17Hundred90 Inn and Restaurant

: Most hotels in Savannah have ghost stories, And this one is no exception.

Avoid booking room 204

if you plan on actually getting any sleep. Cost per night: From $125

The Marshall House Hotel

: Here’s another haunted establishment. Guests staying at this swanky hotel report doorknobs jiggling, whispers and laughter in their bedrooms while they’re sleeping, and water faucets turning on by themselves. Cost per night: From $149

Hamilton-Turner Inn

: The Hamilton-Turner Inn is easily the most elegant hotel in Savannah. It’s one of America’s most haunted hotels, too, with ghosts banging on hotel doors and smoking cigars in the halls, only to disappear into the smoke. Many believe Walt Disney used the Hamilton-Turner Inn as inspiration for “The Haunted Mansion.” Cost per night: From $289

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Where to eat in Savannah

The Collins Quarter

($$): The Collins Quarter has a scrumptious brunch! Leo’s Big Breakfast will leave you feeling stuffed!

Leopold’s Ice Cream

($$): A popular Savannah establishment known for its incredible ice cream and great lunch menu. Leopold’s has been serving up delectable frozen treats since 1919, and you really shouldn’t leave Savannah without trying it. Their banana split deserves awards.

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room

($$): The best southern food you’ll find on this Cleveland to Florida road trip, period! Fried chicken and cornbread dressing are legendary at this Savannah eatery. Anticipate waiting for a table—Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room gets busy fast.

The Olde Pink Restaurant

($$$): Another classic Savannah restaurant, and a great upscale establishment for dinner. It’s a bit pricey, but their food is stellar. Try the cornbread fried oysters!

What to do in Savannah

Go on a ghost tour

: Savannah’s ghost tours are among the very best in the nation, and Ghost City Tours hosts bone-chilling daytime and nighttime excursions that will leave you sleepless. Each tour has prices that fluctuate by date, but you should expect to spend around $10 to $20 per child and $20 to $40 per adult.

Savannah Underground

: Looking for something more immersive than a traditional ghost tour? The Savannah Underground uses actors and props to scare the bejeezus out of you. This experience will be too scary for most kids. Tickets cost $30 per person for a show or $60 per person for a show and a trolley ride.

Forsyth Park

: If ghosts aren’t your thing, consider taking a stroll through Forsyth Park, a beautiful relaxing space with enchanting—but not spooky—scenery.

Old Savannah Trolley Tours

: Explore Savannah on a fun trolley tour visiting over 100 sites around the city. Tickets start at around $40 per person and allow you to hop on and off the trolley all day long.

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Savannah to Orlando

281 miles, 4 hours and 10 minutes

Orlando is one of America’s great tourism epicenters, with countless theme parks and other attractions.

Get back on Interstate 95 South when leaving Savannah. This highway would take you all the way to Miami, but take exit 260 C-B-A to merge onto Interstate 4 West, which will take you straight into Orlando.

If you’re heading for Miami, you could skip Orlando entirely. The drive from Savannah to Miami would take 7.5 hours driving down Interstate 95 South.

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Where to stay in Orlando

Buena Vista Suites

: The Buena Vista is affordable, modern, and comfortable without the gaudiness or theme-heavy aesthetics of the other hotels on this list. Cost per night: From $129

Disney World Dolphin Resort

: A stunning Disney hotel with bus and boat shuttles to the parks. It’s a great choice for families visiting Disney World and the other Disney parks in Orlando. Cost per night: From $206

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

: One of the most colorful and, well, animated hotels on Earth. It’s arguably the most kid-friendly hotel you’ll find anywhere! Cost per night: From $250

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

: One of the finest hotels on this list, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando is a great hotel for families, but an even better one for adults, with a world-class golf course, a great spa, and constant shuttles to Disney attractions. Cost per night: From $361

Where to eat in Orlando

McDonald’s

($): This McDonald’s holds the distinction of being the biggest McDonald’s restaurant on Earth, featuring a massive arcade, a playground, and a hugely expanded menu including everything from pizza to chef-prepared entrees.

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe

($$): This popular local chain is renowned for its waffles and stuffed French toast, with lots of great lunch options on the menu as well.

Bahama Breeze Caribbean Restaurant

($$): This regional chain has restaurants all over Florida, and the ones in Orlando might just be their best. Their Jamaican jerk chicken is top-notch, and they have plenty on the menu for vegetarians, too.

El Tapatio

($$): Easily some of the best Mexican food you’ll find in Florida. Be sure to get an order of El Tapatio’s “Texas-style” nachos to bring back to your hotel for later!

What to do in Orlando

Disney World (of course!)

: Florida’s most famous tourist attraction truly doesn’t need an introduction. Ticket prices start at $109 per person for one day, but you get more value if you buy multiple days.

Universal Orlando

: Another major group of theme parks, Universal Orlando is a little more fun for older kids and adults. Like Disney, ticket prices start at $109 per person per day.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort

: One of the newest theme parks in Orlando, LEGOLAND is a great all-ages park with thrilling rides and tasty food. Tickets here start at $84.99 per person. Access to their water park or their Peppa Pig theme park costs an extra $25 per person.

Fun Spot America

: Here’s an Orlando theme park you maybe haven’t heard of. Fun Spot has roller coasters, carnival rides, and go-kart racing that teenagers and adults will adore (and there are lots of activities for smaller kids to love, too!). Tickets start at $48.95 per person.

Pro Tip: Want to visit the beach one more time before you leave Florida, but don’t want to go all the way to Miami? Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach are a relatively short drive from Orlando, and both are incredible places to visit.

Orlando to Miami

235 miles, 3 hours 30 minutes

We’ve reached our last stop on this fun Cleveland to Florida road trip: Miami.

Miami has one of the most famous and recognizable beaches in the world. There is also incredible food, the biggest club scene this side of Vegas, and lots of family fun to be had, too.

Reaching Miami is pretty straightforward. From Orlando, just take the Florida Turnpike south to Fort Pierce/ Port St. Lucie, get back on Interstate 95 South, and follow that straight into Miami!

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Where to stay in Miami

Blue Moon Hotel

: A four-star hotel with rooms under $100 (if you book in advance)? Believe it! Blue Moon is a great South Beach area hotel, within walking distance of the sand and offering the nicest rooms on this list. It can be hard to get a reservation, but if you’re booking your stay several months ahead of time, this hidden gem is the place to be in Miami. Cost per night: From $89

The New Hotel

: Located in the North Beach era (but not on the water), this simple, low-frills hotel is affordable and comfortable, with a low-key retro feel. Cost per night: $120

Aloft Miami - Brickwell

: This trendy Marriott in downtown Miami is just minutes from the city’s major attractions and museums. The rooms are colorful and lively, and many of the rooms feature spectacular views of the city. Cost per night: From $160

Eurostars Langford

: An elegant hotel marrying modern amenities to vintage aesthetics, also in the downtown Miami area and a bit closer to Little Havana. Cost per night: From $160

Secret Garden Miami Beach

: A luxurious hotel within walking distance of the beach, Secret Garden has exceptional rooms and amenities. Cost per night: From $160

Where to eat in Miami

Caribe Cafe

($): Caribe keeps things simple with authentic Latin food at great prices. This is a Miami chain with locations all around the city. The perfect spot for lunch on the go!

El Bagel

($): This takeout-only spot is a little out of the way, but it has excellent bagels and cream cheese. The nova lox here is so good that you’ll wish they shipped it nationwide.

Morgan’s Restaurant

($$): A great spot for breakfast, brunch, or lunch, Morgan’s has a robust menu and the best breakfast burritos in town.

Versailles Cuban Restaurant

($$): Quite possibly the most famous restaurant in Miami, Versailles is arguably the best Cuban restaurant in the world (yes, even counting restaurants in Cuba). Try the chicken Versailles! As a heads up, their menu is a little light for vegetarians though.

CRUST

($$): You won’t find a lot of great pizza places in Miami. Miami pizza isn’t bad, it just isn’t going to knock your socks off. But CRUST is definitely an exception to that rule. Their 12” pizzas are more filling than you’d guess and very, very tasty.

Phuc Yea

($$): Their tongue-in-cheek name is playful, but their incredible “Viet-Cajun”—Vietnamese dishes with a Cajun twist—menu is all business. Phuc Yea has incredible sushi and crispy pork masitas will inspire a second visit for sure. They don’t accept cash, but that’s okay. Their food is so good you’ll find yourself standing up and shouting … well, let’s just move on.

What to do in Miami

Visit Little Havana

: The beating heart and soul of Miami isn’t the beach and it isn’t the club scene—it’s Little Havana. This vast neighborhood is bursting at the seams with culture. You’ll find fantastic food, energizing music, fascinating shops, and more. Definitely take some time to walk around this neighborhood for a while.

Visit Miami Beach

: It’s one of the world’s most famous and popular beaches. Miami Beach is almost a city unto itself, with one of America’s busiest and nicest boardwalks. South Beach tends to get crowded, but if you’re willing to walk a bit you’ll usually find areas less jam-packed with tourists.

Miami Seaquarium

: A fun aquarium with dolphins, sharks, penguins, seals, flamingos, and so much more. Tickets start at $39.99 for weekday general admission and $49.49 on weekends.

Go Clubbing

: Traveling without kids? Miami has some of the most thrilling nightlife of any city in the world, with legendary nightclubs like

, etc.

Everglades National Park

: The largest subtropical wilderness in North America, Everglades National Park is great for hiking, camping, cycling, birdwatching, and more. Just watch out for alligators!

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Two “make your own adventure” routes

This Cleveland to Florida road trip takes you through some of the best-known vacation spots on the East Coast, but some other routes could meet your needs—especially if you’re looking for the quickest way from Cleveland to Florida.

The quick way from Cleveland to Orlando

The fastest route from Cleveland to Orlando involves 15.5 hours of driving, which you can do in just two or three days.

The two-day option involves driving from Cleveland to Charlotte, North Carolina. This will take about eight hours, not counting stops for gas or food.

The three-day option is a bit easier. You’ll stop overnight in Charleston, West Virginia on night one and then Columbia, South Carolina on night two, arriving in Orlando on night three. You could add Charlotte if you wanted shorter drives.

Pro tip: Planning your own road trip? It’s always a good idea to scope out a few restaurants online before you depart.

The fun landlocked route

A great five-city alternative route that doesn’t go to the coast will have you instead visit:

Cleveland

Louisville, Kentucky

Nashville, Tennessee

Atlanta, Georgia

Orlando

This is a great route for history buffs and music lovers, with scenic and mountain forest drives along Interstates 71, 65, 24, and 75.

MORE:

9 best road trip destinations for music lovers in the US

Safeguard your adventure with roadside assistance

Exploring America’s east coast on a Cleveland to Florida road trip is immensely fun, especially when the kids get to bop from one amazing vacation hotspot to the next. But huge, lengthy road trips like this put a lot of stress on your car—and that stress can lead to an ugly roadside emergency that might just ruin your whole trip.

That’s why hardcore road trip aficionados love

Jerry’s

robust, all-inclusive, absurdly cheap roadside assistance. It covers just about everything you and your family might encounter on the road, including flat tires, dead batteries, empty fuel tanks, towing, winching, and more.

Jerry will save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year on car insurance, too. Jerry gathers as many as 50 quotes from trusted car insurance brands and lets you compare them quickly and easily. Jerry users save an average of $879 on car insurance per year, and some users save a whole lot more than that, too.

As a registered insurance broker, Jerry will help you sign up for your new policy too. The days of long phone calls and mind-numbing paperwork are behind us. Jerry takes care of it all, and even cancels your old policy so you don’t have to.

Have Jerry’s roadside assistance tag along on your epic Cleveland to Florida road trip. Because the only thing you should need to worry about on this trip is where to find the best seafood!

“
Jerry
found me useful quotes immediately, so I switched over my insurance in under an hour! I’m now helping my parents use Jerry because they just bought a new car.” —Brindi J.

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