Itinerary
- Day 1
New York
You'll arrive in New York and head straight to your hotel for check-in. Book a shuttle transfer from the airport rather than renting a car right away, since parking here is limited and expensive. You've got 2 nights to get settled before moving on.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Airport shuttle transfer
- Day 2
New York
Spend the day exploring New York City on your own schedule. Walk along 5th Avenue to check out St. Patrick's Cathedral and Rockefeller Center, or take the ferry out to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Times Square is worth seeing in the evening when it lights up, and Central Park or the High Line offer nice spots to relax if you need a break.
Optional Activities
- Walk along 5th Avenue
- Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Visit Rockefeller Center
- Visit Ellis Island
- Visit Statue of Liberty
- Explore Times Square
- Walk through Central Park
- Walk along the High Line
Landmarks St. Patrick's Cathedral Rockefeller Center Ellis Island Statue of Liberty Times Square Central Park High Line 
- Day 3
New York to Philadelphia
Pick up your rental car today and drive south to Philadelphia, about a 2.5 hour trip (165 km). See Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed, and visit the Liberty Bell nearby. You'll stay 1 night in the city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Independence Hall
- Visit Liberty Bell
Landmarks Independence Hall Liberty Bell 
- Day 4
Philadelphia to Washington DC
Drive to Washington DC, roughly a 3.5 hour drive (230 km). In the afternoon, walk along the National Mall to see the Washington Monument, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the National Museum of American History. After that, head to Georgetown for dinner and browsing the shops. You'll have 2 nights here.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Stroll along the National Mall
- Visit Washington Monument
- Visit Thomas Jefferson Memorial
- Visit National Museum of American History
- Explore Georgetown district
Landmarks National Mall Washington Monument Thomas Jefferson Memorial National Museum of American History - Day 5
Washington DC
Explore Washington DC's historic sites today. Visit the Capitol building, the White House grounds, and the Lincoln Memorial with its iconic Abraham Lincoln statue. You can also pop into one of the free Smithsonian museums if you have time and interest.
Optional Activities
- Visit the Capitol
- Visit the White House
- Visit Lincoln Memorial
- Visit Smithsonian Institute museums
Landmarks United States Capitol White House Lincoln Memorial - Day 6
Washington DC to Outer Banks
Drive south through Virginia to North Carolina and the Outer Banks, a long stretch of about 7 hours (450 km). Make a stop in Richmond to walk the 10 km Liberty Trail and see 15 historic landmarks along the way. Continue to Kitty Hawk for 2 nights.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Stop in Richmond
- Follow Liberty Trail
- Explore historic landmarks in Richmond
Landmarks Liberty Trail - Day 7
Outer Banks
Explore Kitty Hawk and the Outer Banks region. Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial to learn about the first motorized flight, then head to Kill Devil Hill for views from the museum. Later, drive south to Jockey's Ridge State Park near Nags Head to see the highest sand dunes on the East Coast, or continue further to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse if you're interested in seeing one of the Atlantic's most dangerous stretches.
Optional Activities
- Visit Wright Brothers National Memorial
- Climb Kill Devil Hill
- Visit Jockey's Ridge State Park
- Hike at Jockey's Ridge State Park
- Kite flying at Jockey's Ridge State Park
- Sandboarding at Jockey's Ridge State Park
- Sunset viewing at Jockey's Ridge State Park
- Visit Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Landmarks Wright Brothers National Memorial Kill Devil Hill Jockey's Ridge State Park Cape Hatteras Lighthouse - Day 8
Outer Banks to Atlantic Beach
Head back to the mainland where long beaches stretch out (approximately 310 km). Consider stopping at Fort Macon State Park, a Civil War-era fort surrounded by water on three sides. You'll stay 1 night in Atlantic Beach.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Fort Macon State Park
Landmarks Fort Macon State Park - Day 9
Atlantic Beach to Myrtle Beach
Drive to Myrtle Beach, about a 4.5 hour trip (290 km). It's a seaside resort with wide white sandy beaches and plenty of shops. The restaurants here serve fresh seafood and traditional Cajun food. You'll have 1 night to spend here.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Beach relaxation
- Shopping
- Dine on fresh seafood
- Enjoy Cajun cuisine
- Day 10
Myrtle Beach to Charleston
Drive to Charleston, roughly 2.5 hours away (160 km). Known as the Southern Belle, this city is recognized for its charm and southern character. You'll have 2 nights to explore what it offers.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
- Day 11
Charleston
Spend the day in South Carolina's oldest city. Walk through cobblestone streets and see Rainbow Row with its colorful historic houses. Check out the antebellum mansions and try the fantastic local food. Consider taking a trip to nearby Boone Hall Plantation if you want to see a working plantation.
Optional Activities
- Stroll through cobblestone streets
- Visit Rainbow Row
- Visit Boone Hall Plantation
Landmarks Rainbow Row Boone Hall Plantation - Day 12
Charleston to Savannah
Drive to Savannah, about 2.5 hours away (180 km), with a detour through Beaufort to see its historic town center that's been used for filming. In Savannah, walk through the Historic District with oak avenues covered in Spanish moss and see the magnificent houses. You'll stay 1 night here.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Beaufort
- Explore Savannah Historic District
Landmarks Savannah Historic District - Day 13
Savannah to St. Augustine
Continue to Florida and St. Augustine, roughly a 4.5 hour drive (285 km), the oldest city in North America. Explore the restored town center with Spanish architecture that brings the colonial era to life. You'll have 1 night in the city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore St. Augustine town center
- Day 14
St. Augustine to Orlando
Take a short walk through historic St. Augustine this morning before driving to Orlando, about 3 hours away (190 km). You can pass through the Ocala National Forest or drive by the famous Daytona race track on your way. You'll have 2 nights in Orlando.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Short stroll through historic St. Augustine
Landmarks Ocala National Forest Daytona race track - Day 15
Orlando
Enjoy Orlando's theme parks and attractions. Visit Universal's Epic Universe or Disney's Animal Kingdom, or check out other theme parks and water parks in the area. There are also numerous outlet malls for shopping and evening entertainment throughout the city.
Optional Activities
- Visit Universal's Epic Universe
- Visit Disney's Animal Kingdom
- Visit other theme parks
- Visit water parks
- Shopping at outlet malls
- Evening entertainment
- Day 16
Orlando
Your road trip ends with returning your rental car, a short drive of about 50 km. You can arrange individual extensions if you'd like to stay longer or continue elsewhere.
