Traveling the east coast is filled with basically every vibe you could be searching for. Charming beach town? Historic cities? Insane hiking trails? We’ve got it all! And below I am going to actually share 14 itinerary ideas for an east coast road trip to go on this year.

I don’t want to ramble too much because let’s be real- you’re here for the road trip inspo so let’s get into it 🙂

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14 East Coast Road Trip Ideas That are Scenic and FUN!

East coast road trip itineraries-

East coast road trip itinerary: Maine’s Coastal Route 1

• Start in Portland (Maine of course lol), make sure to enjoy as much of the city’s famous seafood and vibrant arts scene as possible!
• Head north to explore the charming coastal towns of Rockland and Camden. Make sure to visit Acadia National Park for stunning ocean views and hiking trails.
• End your journey in Bar Harbor, enjoying a boat tour or whale watching.

East coast road trip itinerary: The Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia and North Carolina)

• Begin your journey in Charlottesville, VA, and explore the historical sites of Monticello and the University of Virginia as well- yes it’s a college but the history is so cool and campus area is gorgeous!
• Drive south along the Blue Ridge Parkway, enjoying spectacular mountain vistas and stopping for hikes that you will NEVER forget.
• Continue into North Carolina (my home so I love this itinerary so much but hey I am biased), exploring Asheville’s vibrant arts scene and craft breweries – if you don’t go to Burial brewing my husbands gonna be so disappointed 😉 – before ending your trip in the Great Smoky Mountains.

East coast road trip itinerary: Cape Cod (Massachusetts)

• Start in Sandwich, the Cape’s oldest town, then make your way to Provincetown at the tip of the peninsula.
• Stop at beaches like Nauset and Coast Guard Beach for the perfect east coast beach vibes. And visit the Cape Cod National Seashore, and don’t miss the stunning sunsets at Race Point. End your trip with whale watching and exploring the local galleries.

East coast road trip itinerary: The Outer Banks (North Carolina)

• Begin your coastal adventure in Kitty Hawk or Nags Head, soaking in the local history and beach vibes. Drive through Cape Hatteras National Seashore, stopping for lighthouse tours and possible kite surfing.
• End your trip in the quaint town of Beaufort with a visit to the wild horses on Shackleford Banks!!

East coast road trip itinerary: Historic Route 1 from Boston to New York

• Start by exploring Boston’s Freedom Trail, then head to the historic cities of Providence and New Haven.

• Continue to New York City, stopping at sites like Coney Island and the Statue of Liberty. Spend your final day enjoying Manhattan’s parks, museums, and Broadway shows.

East coast road trip itinerary: Adirondack Adventure (New York)

• Begin this insanely scenic road trip in Saratoga Springs with its famous horse racing tracks.
• Then venture into the heart of the Adirondacks at Lake Placid, a winter sports haven and two-time Olympic site. Explore hiking trails or kayak on Mirror Lake.
• Wrap up your journey with a visit to Fort Ticonderoga on the shores of Lake Champlain.

East coast road trip itinerary: Philadelphia to Washington D.C.

• Start with the historical sites of Philadelphia, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. I also personally love the overall culture in Philly and I highly recommend spending some time exploring the food and culture scene if you haven’t been to Philly before!

• Travel through Amish Country in Lancaster County before heading to Gettysburg to tour the famous Civil War battlefield.
• End your trip exploring the monuments and museums of Washington D.C. Personally I also love the vibrant florals around DC so if you have the opportunity to do this road trip in the spring time I HIGHLY recommend it.

East coast road trip itinerary: Charleston to Savannah

• Begin in Charleston, South Carolina, with its well-preserved architecture and southern charm. If you want the perfect beach town but high end vibes then spend some time exploring the stores and restaurants around Charleston.
• Drive down to Beaufort and explore its historic district before ending your journey in Savannah, Georgia, known for its enchanting tree-lined streets and vibrant riverfront district.

East coast road trip itinerary: Florida’s Atlantic Coast

• Start in St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city and one that I highly recommend we all try to get to before the sea levels rise even more around this insanely cool town. See the fort, see the beaches but more than anything go explore the pedestrian only cobblestone streets filled with great food and lots of live music too. It’s a town that feels like American culture but in an older European setting- so fun!

• Then head south to Daytona Beach and the Kennedy Space Center!
• Continue to West Palm Beach for some upscale shopping and dining, and finish your trip in Miami, enjoying the vibrant nightlife and sandy beaches.

East coast road trip itinerary: New Hampshire’s White Mountains

• Begin your trip in Concord with a visit to the State Capitol, then head north to Franconia Notch State Park. Spend a day hiking or skiing in the area, and drive through the stunning Kancamagus Highway with stops for scenic views.
• End in North Conway with its local shops and historical sites.

East coast road trip itinerary: Maryland’s Eastern Shore

• Start your journey in Baltimore, exploring the Inner Harbor and historic ships. Head east to explore the charming towns of Easton and St. Michaels, indulging in local seafood and boutique shopping.
• Finish your trip with a relaxing stay in Ocean City, enjoying the boardwalk and beaches. Don’t let old reputations hold you back from enjoying the fun and affordable Ocean city!!

East coast road trip itinerary: Connecticut’s Gold Coast

• Begin in Greenwich, exploring its affluent neighborhoods and local museums.
• Continue along the coast through Stamford and Norwalk, stopping at beaches and nature reserves.
• End your trip in New Haven, enjoying its rich history, Yale University’s campus, and vibrant dining scene. I like to think of this itinerary as the Rory Gilmore road trip 😉

East coast road trip itinerary: The Green Mountains (Vermont)

• Start in Bennington, exploring local museums and historical sites.
• Drive through picturesque towns like Manchester and Woodstock, stopping for local cheese and maple syrup.
• End your trip with a few days in Burlington, enjoying Lake Champlain and the vibrant local arts scene.

East coast road trip itinerary: The Catskills (New York)

• Begin your trip with outdoor activities in Catskill Park, from hiking to fishing in pristine lakes. Visit the artsy town of Woodstock and enjoy local galleries and concert venues.
• End your journey with a visit to the historic sites along the Hudson River, such as the Vanderbilt Mansion. Which is MORE than worth the visit!

Korra the Explorer

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