How Long Does the Atlantic Coast Road Trip Take?

By Anna Duncan

Are you planning a road trip along the Atlantic coast? One of the most common questions that comes to mind is – how long does it take to complete the entire trip?

The answer to this question depends on several factors such as the route you take, your travel style, and how many stops you plan to make. In this article, we will break down the different factors that can affect your road trip and give you an estimate of the time it takes to complete this epic journey.

Factors that can affect your Atlantic coast road trip

Route: The length of your road trip on the Atlantic coast will depend on which route you choose. The two popular routes are Route 1 and I-95.

Route 1 is a scenic drive but can be slower due to traffic lights and smaller roads. Whereas I-95 is a faster route but lacks scenic views.

Travel style: Your travel style will also impact how long it takes to complete the road trip. If you prefer leisurely drives with frequent stops and detours, it will take longer than if you plan on driving straight through with minimal stops.

Number of stops: Another factor that affects the duration of your road trip is how many stops you plan to make along the way. The more stops you make, the longer it will take to complete your journey.

The Route

The popular Route 1 starts in Maine and ends in Florida. This scenic drive covers approximately 2300 miles and passes through some of America’s most beautiful coastal towns such as Cape Cod, Newport Rhode Island, Charleston South Carolina, and Savannah Georgia. Driving time for this route is around 50 hours without any stops.

Another option is I-95 which runs parallel to Route 1 but cuts through major cities such as Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and Miami. The driving time for this route is around 20 hours without any stops.

Travel Style

If you prefer taking your time and exploring the different towns along the route, it can take anywhere from two weeks to a month to complete the journey. This travel style allows you to soak in the local culture, try new foods, and enjoy the scenery.

On the other hand, if you are in a hurry to complete your journey, you can drive straight through without making any stops. This travel style is not recommended as it does not allow you to enjoy all that the Atlantic coast has to offer. It takes approximately 29 hours of non-stop driving to reach Miami from Maine using I-95.

Number of Stops

The number of stops you make will depend on your interests and preferences. If you are interested in history, you may want to stop at Fort Sumter National Monument in South Carolina or St Augustine’s historic district in Florida. If you are a seafood lover, there are several coastal towns that serve some of the freshest seafood such as Portland Maine or Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

Overall, it is difficult to give an exact estimate of how long an Atlantic coast road trip takes as it depends on several factors. However, if you plan accordingly, a leisurely road trip can take anywhere from two weeks to a month while a straight-through drive can take around 20-30 hours depending on your route. Remember that the journey is just as important as the destination so enjoy every moment along the way!