Road Trips On A Tankful
Orlando offers more things to do than most tourist destinations put together, and being located in the heart of Central Florida, Orlando’s convenient location makes it easy to go on a day trip!
Offering the perfect escape from the theme park crowds, you can explore some of Florida’s most picturesque landscapes at nearby beaches, natural springs, and state parks.
Fill the gas tank and hit the road, as these are some of the best day trips from Orlando and wherever you go, you'll be guaranteed a unique adventure in a state that offers so much!
These are some of our favorite day trips from Orlando.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
The perfect place to experience Old Florida, Weeki Wachee is famous for its underwater theater and mermaid shows, located less than a two hour drive from Orlando, it's s a beautiful state park where visitors
can enjoy the 72 degree crystal clear waters.
Perfect for a day of swimming, snorkeling and kayaking, there's even a water park with flume rides.
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Sarasota
Sarasota is only 2 hours from Orlando and offers a string of eight stunning islands tucked away into the Gulf coast of Southwest Florida.
You’ll find fascinating cultural attractions like The Ringling Museum and Marie Selby Botanical Garden and you can't miss the beautiful Siesta Key Beach.
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Mount Dora
Only a 40 minute jaunt north and you’re in Mount Dora, one of Florida’s beloved small town charms.
The biggest draw to this area is the Renninger’s Antique Center & Farmer’s Flea Market, where visitors come to shop for vintage treasures, while the array of outdoor cafes, galleries and wineries are perfect for a day trip away.
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Caladesi Island State Park
Drive two hours west past Tampa and you’ll find Caladesi Island State Park,in the city of Dunedin.
Located along the Gulf Coast, its white powdery sand, emerald waters, and lack of tourist crowds make this area feel like an off the grid slice of paradise, regularly ranked one of the top beaches.
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New Smyrna Beach
A favorite of Orlando locals, New Smyrna Beach is just a short one hour drive away from the city.
Perfect for when you need a quick getaway to the coast, this alluring area boasts soft sand beaches and easy-going vibes that make it ideal for a day of swimming, surfing and boating.
The Marine Discovery Center is another popular attraction, where you can find guided kayak and dolphin tours around the Indian River Lagoon.
Blue Springs State Park
Located in Orange City just 45 minutes from Orlando, Blue Springs State Park is the largest spring on the St. John’s River, a manatee refuge offering 72 degree temperatures that are perfect for cooling off.
Take a dip in the pale blue waters and soak in the views of the forested banks that surround you.
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St Augustine
The oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine is a great two-hour day trip for history enthusiasts.
Founded in 1565, here you can walk along the cobblestoned streets in the National Historic Landmark District,
walk the walls of the 17th-century Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, and climb the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum for a stunning view of the city below.
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Tampa
In less than two hours you can be in Tampa, a vibrant city with a long list of family friendly attractions.
Browse artwork at the world renown Salvador Dali museum, relax on the award winning Clearwater Beach, or cheer on the local Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If you’re an animal lover, you’ll enjoy an afternoon of feeding giraffes at Lowry Park Zoo or observing manatees at the Electric Manatee Viewing Center.
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Ocala National Forest
Outdoor enthusiasts will delight in the opportunities at nearby Ocala National Forest, the world’s largest sand pine scrub forest, it’s here that you can explore over 360,000 acres of hiking or take a swim in the crystal clear waters of Silver Glen Springs.
One of the best places to experience Florida’s natural landscapes, an excellent choice for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
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Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is a name that’s familiar to many people, largely because of the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s 500-mile-long (804.6 kilometers) motor race held at the Daytona International Speedway.
Daytona Beach is also a popular tourist spot for visitors to Orlando, it takes approximately an hour to get to this coastal city. it has several typical beach activities to choose from, along with a boardwalk perfect for satisfying your junk food craving, hitting the arcades, and shopping for new bathing suits.
Driving Distances From Orlando
What are the driving distance from Orlando?
The timings shown here are average driving times and distances, as of course they depend on traffic conditions, how fast (or slow) your driving and if you stop for refreshments!
Central Locations
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Driving from Orlando to Gainesville
Distance: 124 miles
Driving Time: 2 hours
Driving from Orlando to Ocala
Distance: 65 miles
Driving Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Driving from Orlando to LegoLand
Distance: 53 miles
Driving Time: 1 hour
Driving from Orlando to Lakeland
Distance: 57 miles
Driving Time: 1 hour
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Locations on the East Coast
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Driving from Orlando to Jacksonville
Distance: 159 miles
Driving Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Driving from Orlando to St Augustine
Distance: 122 miles
Driving Time: 2 hours
Driving from Orlando to Daytona Beach
Distance: 70 miles
Driving Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
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Driving from Orlando to New Smyrna Beach
Distance: 75 miles
Driving Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
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Driving from Orlando to Titusville
Distance: 43 miles
Driving Time: 1 hour
Driving from Orlando to Merritt Island
Distance: 44 miles
Driving Time: 1 Hour
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Driving from Orlando to Cape Canaveral
Distance: 48 miles
Driving Time: 1 Hour
Driving from Orlando to Cape Canaveral
Distance: 44 miles
Driving Time: 1 Hour
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Driving from Orlando to Melbourne
Distance: 65 miles
Driving Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
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Driving from Orlando to West Palm Beach
Distance: 172 miles
Driving Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes
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Driving from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale
Distance: 214 miles
Driving Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Driving from Orlando to Miami
Distance: 232 miles
Driving Time: 3 hours, 50 minutes
Miami is well-known for its nightlife and club scene.
Driving from Orlando to Key West
Distance: 388 miles
Driving Time: 7 hours
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Locations on the West Coast
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Driving from Orlando to Panama City
Distance: 387 miles
Driving Time: 6 hours
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Driving from Orlando to Pensacola
Distance: 462 miles
Driving Time: 7 hours
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Driving from Orlando to Tallahassee
Distance: 268 miles
Driving Time: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Driving from Orlando to Tampa
Distance: 86 miles
Driving Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Driving from Orlando to Sarasota
Distance: 131 miles
Driving Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.