Summertime is the perfect time for exploring the United States East Coast. From beautiful tree-lined streets to beach-centric islands, there’s no shortage of incredible road trip destinations on the East Coast. So pack up the RV and get ready to see some of the best sights!
Planning Your East Coast Road Trip
Also known as the Eastern Seaboard, the East Coast stretches from Maine all the way down to Florida, with thousands of miles to explore. The coast includes beachfront views, historic 13 Colonies educational stops, New England attractions, Southern hospitality, and so much more. RVers of all ages can find their perfect stops on the East Coast, with year-round fun throughout this region of the United States.
When planning your East Coast road trip, consider a few factors to help you narrow down your route. Your road trip itinerary will depend on:
- The time of year you’re traveling. Depending on your weather preferences, some parts of the East Coast may not be best to visit in warmer or cooler months.
- The type of destinations you’re interested in seeing, such as historical or recreational.
- The ages of everyone on your road trip, some stops are better for kids while others are more relaxing.
- The amount of time you’re looking to drive each day, which will determine the overall length of your route.
With these components of road trip planning in mind, we’re sharing popular East Coast road trip destinations that are easy to squeeze into any itinerary. Get ready to hit the road for a memorable East Coast adventure!
East Coast Road Trip Routes
Many RVers are searching for East Coast road trip routes, but with so many memorable, historic, and bucket list-worthy stops all throughout the Eastern Seaboard, we don’t want to limit your adventures to one route. Instead, we’re sharing our favorite destinations throughout the East Coast to make planning your road trip easy.
Essential East Coast Destinations
Ready to hit the road? Make sure to add some of these top East Coast destinations to your route!
The Keys, Florida
The Florida Keys are an incredible road trip within themselves, with beautiful sights throughout your journey on The Overseas Highway. Whether you’re driving all the way down to Key West or you’re sticking closer to the mainland, there’s plenty to see in The Keys! On your way back north, you can also enjoy relaxation and family fun at our popular Tampa RV resort. The Sunshine State is also home to theme parks, the Kennedy Space Center, and historic cities such as St. Augustine.
Washington, DC
The Nation’s Capital is an essential East Coast road trip destination, with plenty to see. Museums, historic buildings, statues, and monuments are located all throughout the city. For RVers traveling with kids, this is an especially enlightening area to visit with real-life history, social studies, and political science lessons to be learned all around the city. Attractions include The White House, the Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian Museums, and The Washington Monument. In springtime, there are also cherry blossom trees in bloom throughout The Capital.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Considered the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast, Acadia National Park is perfect for hiking and camping [1]. You can also see the East Coast’s highest point, Cadillac Mountain. The park also features stunning rocky shorelines where visitors can see the waves crash in thunderous beauty.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is home to 60 miles of coastline, with unique maritime fun for visitors of all ages [2]. It’s an area especially famous for its family fun with marketplaces, an amusement park, boardwalks, state parks, mini-golf, and museums. At the backdrop of all the Myrtle Beach fun sits stunning shorelines and relaxing ocean waves.
Savannah, Georgia
This eastern Georgia city is rich with history and things to see. Its tree-lined streets are home to parks, historic districts, and cathedrals. Savannah is your perfect stop for a foodie road trip, with plenty of Southern food restaurants throughout the area. This makes Savannah a popular city to visit on your East Coast road trip.
Stowe, Vermont
Many visitors agree that Stowe offers the best of Vermont’s sights. Located on the famous Vermont 100 highway, Stowe is known for its skiing, hiking, and cultural sights. Whether you’re visiting for the area’s beautiful fall foliage, summertime greenery, or wintertime activities, there’s no shortage of East Coast excitement in Stowe. Visit one of the many mountain skiing areas, resorts, and parks.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s largest city is also home to incredible historical attractions. It features many American Revolution destinations including The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Visitors can also explore museums and culinary destinations. While in the city, try its two most famous Philadelphia cheesesteak shops to help settle the longstanding beef between these two cheesesteak businesses.
Asheville, North Carolina
Located in the western part of this East Coast state, Asheville is a must-visit, especially for those who are driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains. This scenic city is home to sights such as The North Carolina Arboretum, breweries, and the Pisgah National Forest. For museum-minded visitors, there’s the Asheville Art Museum, the Biltmore Estate, the Carl Sandburg Home, and the Folk Art Center. North Carolina is one of the states with unique requirements for RV license laws when registering rigs over certain weight limits.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
The Chesapeake Bay brings plenty to do, and Virginia Beach is at the doorstep of this natural wonder. Virginia Beach’s Visitors can enjoy a laid-back beach vacation with opportunities for natural and educational sights. Visit the Cape Henry Lighthouse, First Landing State Park, and waterparks throughout the area.
New York, New York
While we may have saved The Big Apple for last, there’s plenty to see in this massive metropolitan area. Composed of five boroughs, NYC is a must-do East Coast destination. The Big Apple is home to museums, botanical gardens, restaurants, Times Square, and countless classic American destinations that are as memorable as they are famous. Wherever you find yourself in New York City, there’s plenty to see! You may need to park your RV in a larger area and utilize your smaller passenger vehicle or take advantage of the city’s famous subway system to venture further into the sights of Manhattan.
RVing Throughout the East Coast
RVing is one of the best ways to see everything the East Coast has to offer. There are opportunities for camping and sightseeing right from your motorhome or RV!
Visit our local Lazydays RV dealership to explore the best variety of motorhomes and RVs, including Class B RVs for sale. We look forward to helping you find your dream RV so you can hit the road and enjoy our very own East Coast road trip!
Sources:
- National Park Service, Acadia
- Visit Myrtle Beach, Escape to The Beach
