20 scenic drives in Florida that absolutely demand a road trip

A1A
If Roger Daltrey ever drove along this endless stretch of iconic Florida highway, he surely would sing about being able to see for miles and miles. This road pushes you along the state’s eastern coast for an almost continuous view of the beachline in the distance. When sand and waves don’t take up your view, however, you’ll find yourself weaving in and out of cities like St. Augustine.
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Big Bend
Your experience here is entirely dependant on what season of the year you wish to navigate in, but no matter which one you choose, you’re bound to be in an awe of the nature you encounter. Spring will present to you blooming wildflowers and the tunes of songbirds. Summer serves for swimming. Butterflies and bird migrations take place in the fall. Even winter has its nature perks, for you’ll catch eagles nesting and alligators soaking up the Florida sun.
Photo via Big Bend website

Scenic Highway 30A
We know, we know, the name isn’t all that impressive, but the views certainly are. Avoid heading out to all the typical beaches people talk about on the regular, and instead drive through and definitely stop at the assorted ones this Gulf of Mexico-hugging highway takes you through.
Photo via Florida Scenic Highway website

Bradenton Beach
Car’s not necessary for this one, folks. This bike and pedestrian-friendly path takes you parallel to the Gulf where, if you’re lucky, you might see a manatee or two pop their adorable plumpy heads above water. Between them and the rich bird-watching opportunities, it might be better to step out of your car altogether to take it all in.
Photo via Florida Scenic Highway website

Courtney Campbell
In over 80 years of existence, this ride has become many people’s go-to route to get from Tampa to Clearwater, especially for those who are looking to get a glimpse at Old Tampa. At just under 10 miles, Courtney Campbell will let you gaze at the crashing waves as palm tree after palm tree blows in the wind.
Photo via Florida Scenic Highway website

Florida Black Bear
Most scenic highways in the state take you along the ocean, but this one will bring you right by the Ocala National Forest, the Big Scrub and a host of vibrant springs instead. In case the name didn’t clue you in, there’s a damn good chance you’ll see a Florida black bear along the way, so have your camera ready.
Photo via Florida Scenic Highway website

Green Mountain
It’s easy to forget that Florida actually has hills to its name, so going through the Green Mountain might be a bit of a shocker. In just 12 miles, you’ll be able to drive over many of the largest hills in Lake Wales Ridge such as Sugarloaf Mountain, known as the tallest point in Florida, standing at 312 feet.
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Indian River Lagoon
This scenic highway is divided into three sections - the north, center, and south loop - so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to split up your exploration of this route. There’s three national wildlife refuges as well as an insane amount of state and local parks, throughout which you’ll see thousands of plant and animal species, more than in any other North American estuary. Surfers should bring their boards along, as you’ll be passing right through Cocoa Beach.
Photo via Florida Scenic Highway website

J. C. Penney Memorial
In the constant whirring of big city life, it’s pleasant to remember that small towns can still flourish, such as with Penney Farms, the town this scenic highway will take you through. Park your car and take the trolley around in this quaint pedestrian-friendly location, where you can check out historical buildings from the ‘20s, museums or simply enjoy the shade the oaks and magnolias provide for you.
Photo via J. C. Penney Memorial/Facebook

Florida Keys
Take in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico at the same time, with there being nothing but you, your car, a bridge, and more water surrounding you than anyone can even begin to imagine. There’s stops along the way too to fuel your state park and museum needs in case you need to take a break.
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Lemon Bay/Myakka Trail
At almost 50 miles, the trail has just about everything. Those who want a piece of history can examine the early 19th century buildings and the accompanying pioneer architecture while those who want to experience the simple pleasure of a traffic light-less two-lane road along the beach can ride through Manasota Key.
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Old Florida Heritage
There’s something for everyone on this 45-mile route from State Road 441 to the Alachua/Marion County line. If you’re a history buff, Micanopy, Rochelle, Evinston and Cross Creek will bring you to towns straight from the past. Small lakes allow for waterfront relaxation, but there’s canoeing opportunities in case you want to be more active. If you’re a bird watcher, make sure to stop by in the winter time to witness the sandhill crane migration.
Photo via Florida Scenic Highway website

Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail
There’s nothing to block your view of the rivers, creeks, marshes, dunes and beaches on the 30+ mile trail. A tree canopy covers a significant portion of the nature-viewing paradisal ride One day you might spot a humpback whale while another you could come across a dolphin or loggerhead turtle. Depending on what points of the year you drive through, your trip might never be the same experience.
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Palma Sola
The drive is self-labeled as a family-friendly one, probably because of all the picnic spots available on the sidelines of the Bradenton area. Pull over with the spouse and the kids, bite into a sandwich and lay down on the beach in the middle of your trip. There’s plenty of local vegetation to catch your eye as you do so.
Photo via Florida Scenic Highway website

Pensacola Scenic Bluffs
If you’re going to explore Florida’s scenic highways, you should at least consider exploring the first official one. Go through the environmental and historical richness of this Pensacola pathway, where you can study a slew of plants, both native and invasive species, as well as drive by The Old Chimney, an artifact from a pre-Civil War sawmill.
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River of Lakes Heritage Corridor
It might be overwhelming to travel around some of the scenic highways, what with all the options presented to you when you do, so those who need a little guidance on their trip should probably start here; there’s a tour for everything. Art tour? Check! Eco tour? Check! Historic tour? Check! You’ll never be afraid of missing an important point on your outing.
Photo via River of Lakes/Facebook

Suncoast
This 42-mile road has tolls, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s not worthy; traffic tends to not be an issue on this Hillsborough to Hernando County trip anyway. If you’re more of a tree lover than an ocean one, then this will spark your fancy, as native pines cover the landscape. There’s not many exits to choose from if you need to stop, so you might as well make your breaks count. Exit FL-50 leads to Weeki Wachee.
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Tamiami Trail
You’ve got Barron Gift Collier to thank for this one, a man who wanted to break up the all encompassing swamp of the southwest in the early 1900s to make it accessible to the public. Now that a good portion isn’t alligator-filled, you can go along the coast for a cultural look at the cities you drive by. Make sure to check out the older architectural styles of the historical districts that stand the test of time.
Photo via Florida Scenic Highway website

William Bartram
The St. Johns River is a beauty to behold, and on the William Bartram scenic drive, you’ll get the perfect view, along with a breathtaking collection of oak hammocks and moss-covered trees. Despite this, what really makes this scenic highway special is that it’s an archeological wonderland, being home to many sites that passersby can explore to learn about Native American villages from way back when.
Photo via Florida Scenic Highway website

Heritage Crossroads
You don’t need a DeLorean to shoot back into the past here nor do you have to speed through Flagler, St Johns and Volusia at 88 mph. In between vast expanses of woodwork, there’s archeological sites, detailing life from a variety of cultures - Native Americans, Spaniards, the English - but if that ain’t your cup of tea, the mom and pop shops are reason enough to make the trip.
Photo via Florida Scenic Highway website