When people think of classic American road trips, areas like the Southwest and Route 66 first come to mind. While these are fantastic places to go, many travelers overlook the incredible beauty, nature, and, culture of the East Coast. The Eastern Seaboard is the birthplace of America and there’s just so much to do and see there.
On this trip, you’ll head out from the nation’s capital down along the coast cruising over bridges through valleys and across some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. You’ll see where the Wright Brothers first took flight, taste the delicious flavors of Charleston, and end up on the fabulous beaches of Miami. For an authentic RV rental travel experience, then dive into this Classic American road trip.
Day 1: Washington Arrival
Kick start your adventure in Washington DC. Before you hit the road, be sure to explore some of the capital. You can head to iconic places like the Washington Monument, the National Mall, the Smithsonian Museum, and more. Just outside downtown, there are some great RV parks like Cherry Hills Park that boasts a huge range of amenities like an outdoor pool, full hookups, and daily info sessions on the best activities to check out.
Day 2: Washington - Richmond
Cruise out of the capital and down into Virginia. As you make way from the city, the rolling hills and forests of Virginia will start to surround you. You’re not going too far, however, as you head to the historic city of Richmond. After the hustle and bustle of DC, this medium-sized city is a perfect retreat. You can check out the great microbreweries in the historic district and enjoy a nice cold one to wrap up your day.
Day 3: Richmond - Norfolk/Virginia Beach
Get ready for one of the most unique drives of your life. Today, you’ll cross the Chesapeake, not by bridge—but by tunnel. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnels dives 108 feet below sea level underneath the busy shipping channel. It’s one of the most beautiful and surreal drives with an incredible sea view before disappearing and re-emerging in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area. Here you have many great choices. After a few days in the city, you might want to spend the night in False Cape State Park, where you can camp on the beach and enjoy a night under the stars in your RV rental. Or, if you’re looking for a little more excitement, you can also head to the always popular nearby Virginia Beach or into Norfolk.
Day 4: Virginia Beach - Kitty Hawk
You’ll further enjoy the drive today as you stay along the beach and ride into the Outer Banks of North Carolina. These incredible beaches are known for their great surfing, fishing, and massive sand dunes. It was here the Wright Brothers first took flight in 1903. The Outer Banks are simply gorgeous and there are so many places to enjoy camping in your RV. During the summer months, many of the parks even host live music and other fun activities.
Day 5: Kitty Hawk- Wilmington
This is a coastal trip so you’ll be soaking up even more of the great Atlantic Beaches. You have two options, you can take your time and drive through most out of the Outer Banks to catch a ferry back to the mainland and the Cedar Island Terminal. Or, you can cross over near Nag’s Head and discover some great places like the Alligator River National Refuge. Either way, you’ll have some beautiful roads ahead of you. By evening, you’ll make it to the fun city of Wilmington. Wilmington is a little mixture of everything―from surfer town to southern charm with a wide range of fun things to enjoy.
Day 6: Wilmington - Charleston
You’re winding down along the Atlantic Coast. You’ll pass beautiful beaches and incredible natural areas. Not too far from Wilmington lies Myrtle Beach—one of the most famous vacation destinations in the Southeast. If you’re up for a detour and some partying, then you might want to spend a couple of nights here to soak up the revelry of this classic southern getaway. However, don’t forget Charleston awaits. Charleston often tops the list of top cities in America with its incredible cuisine, beautiful historic downtown, and the perfect mixture of modern and classic charm. Be sure to take at least a few days to really enjoy the city.
Day 7- 8: Charleston - Hunting Island - Savannah
You definitely should consider stopping off for a day or two to enjoy Hunting Island. Located roughly halfway between Charleston and Savannah, Hunting Island is one of the best nature parks in the region. You can camp on the beach and enjoy every aquatic activity imaginable. It is one of the best places to truly enjoy an RV rental vacation. You can catch some fish and grill them right up at night. It’s also located nearby the charming town of Beaufort, which has great restaurants and shopping. Afterward, head to Savannah, which rivals Charleston in beauty and culture, but with its own artsy, unique flare.
Day 9: Savannah - St. Augustine
No exploration of the East Coast would be complete without a trip to St. Augustine. St. Augustine was the first European city built in the western hemisphere dating back nearly 500 years. Heading there is truly like a trip back in time, where you can explore the original fortress and check out cannons and other incredible historical artifacts. You can then enjoy great RV camping at Anastasia State Park. Located right on the beach, it offers kayak rentals, fishing gear, and beautiful beach hiking. You’ll be able to have the best of this beautiful place from the comfort of your RV.
Day 10: St. Augustine - Miami
Starting to wrap up the journey as you continue cruising along the Atlantic Coast of Florida. Between St. Augustine and Miami are many great beach towns, state parks, and great areas that are well worth exploring. Or you can zoom straight on down to the exciting beachfront metropolis. There’s so much to do in Miami, from exploring its great communities like West Palm Beach and Biscayne Bay to partying at South Beach—one of the most famous party spots in America. There are many great RV rental campgrounds to choose from as well. It’s well worth doing a little mini-tour up and down the Intracoastal to soak up all the different flavors of Miami. If you have extra time, then be sure to head down to the Florida Keys for even more adventures.
