Welcome to Phase 6 of our 2-Year North America road trip, 2015-2016, written by your favourite family travel blogger. This leg of our family road trip took us from the Northeast all the way down to sunny Florida, and it was a fresh chapter full of warm weather, new discoveries, and plenty of adventures for Mia, Caius, and me.
We’ve broken this epic family gap year journey into 10 can’t-miss road trip phases, so it’s easy to follow:
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- Eastern Canada Road Trip
- Midwest USA Road Trip
- Pacific Northwest USA Road Trip
- Western Canada Road Trip
- North Coast-To-Coast USA Road Trip
- Northeast to Southeast USA Road Trip
- Southeast to South USA Road Trip
- Grand Circle Road Trip (Part I)
- Grand Circle Road Trip (Part II – RV Adventure)
- California Road Trip – Sacramento to San Francisco (6 Days)
- Nova Scotia Road Trip (2 Weeks)
- Florida Road Trip Finale (2 weeks)
Come along for the fun, chaos, and unforgettable family moments on this North America road trip with kids.
Phase 6 – Pennsylvania → Virginia → Tennessee → Georgia → Florida
Dates: 9th January – 4th March
Total approximate miles: 1,765 (2,840 km)
Total fuel: US$129
Phase six of our USA road trip picks up where Phase 5 left off in New York, ready to tackle the eastern and southern states. After a festive New Year with family, Mia, Caius, and I were excited to swap skyscrapers for sunshine, quirky roadside attractions, and a little southern hospitality. Join us for our Southern family vacation and Southeast USA road trip.
Check USA Hotel Prices Here
Best Things To Do in Atlanta USA
Hershey, Pennsylvania – Sweet Beginnings
Date: 9th January
Accommodation: Rodeway Inn & Suites Hershey ($66 – check latest prices…)
Best attraction: Hershey Chocolate World
After leaving New York, we rolled straight into Hershey on our family road trip. A late start meant we crashed into our hotel for a good night’s sleep, but not before spotting the iconic Hershey kiss-shaped streetlamps.
The next morning, we visited Hershey Chocolate World – free samples, a fun tour, and chocolatey smiles all around.
The perfect family holiday activity.
Charlottesville, Virginia – History & Charm
Date: 10th January
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Charlottesville-Univ Area ($66 – check latest prices…)
Best attraction: University of Virginia & Downtown Mall
With chocolate-fueled energy, we drove south to Charlottesville, soaking in the historic campus of UVA and wandering a picturesque pedestrian mall lined with quaint shops and cafes. Perfect for a slow wander before more driving days on our USA road trip with kids.
Knoxville, Tennessee – Quick Pit Stop
Date: 11th January
Accommodation: Red Roof Inn Knoxville Central ($57 – check latest prices…)
Best attraction: Knoxville After Dark Ghost Tours
A long day of family travel on the road meant a short stop in Knoxville. The kids loved stretching their legs, and we couldn’t resist a classic Cracker Barrel dinner – a southern must-try for any family road trip.
Nashville, Tennessee – Music City Magic
Dates: 12th – 18th January
Accommodation: Wyndham Nashville ($375 for 6 nights, $62.50 a night – check latest prices…)
Best attraction: Grand Ole Opry & Old Country Mansions
Seven nights in Nashville gave us a full taste of country music culture, southern cuisine, and historic mansions.
From live music venues to plantations, we soaked up the city’s charm while letting Mia and Caius explore parks, museums, and kid-friendly spots on our North America road trip. Read the 20 best things to do with kids in Nashville here.
Atlanta, Georgia – City Adventures
Dates: 18th – 22nd January
Accommodation: Airbnb ($300 for 4 nights, $75 a night – check prices in area…)
Best attraction: Ruby Falls & Georgia Aquarium
We departed Nashville for Atlanta. While we did not stay in Chattanooga overnight, we stopped to see Ruby Falls. The world’s largest commercial underground waterfall is a long, narrow cave leading to a spectacular waterfall with synchronized lights and music. The kids loved touching everything, and it was a manageable walk for everyone.
Back above ground, we drove straight into downtown Atlanta to our new Airbnb apartment for the next 4 nights. While in town, we enjoyed the World of Coca-Cola tour, CNN headquarters, Georgia Aquarium, and more. See our favourite things to do with kids in Atlanta here.
Tallahassee, Florida – Sunshine Surprise
Dates: 22nd – 25th January
Accommodation: 4 Points Sheraton (check latest prices…)
Best attraction: College town charm & local parks
From Georgia to Florida, we hit a small hiccup when the car battery died, but we were soon back on the road. Tallahassee was an unexpected delight with green spaces, local eateries, and friendly vibes – perfect for a 4-day stop on our family gap year road trip. Check our 19 best things to do with kids in Tallahassee here.
Orlando, Florida – Theme Park Central
Dates: 25th January – 2nd March
Accommodation: Palisades, Winter Garden
Best attraction: Walt Disney World & Universal Studios
We were sad to leave Tallahassee, but looked forward to Orlando. On the way, we detoured to the “Florida Welcome Centre,” a timeshare promo with a $100 Disney World ticket incentive. We didn’t bite, but the 13″ stuffed alligator was fun to see.
In Orlando, we explored LEGOLAND and Universal Studios, and primarily spent our time catching up on writing and working. The kids were thrilled, and I soaked in the warm sunshine after months of winter on our family road trip across the USA.
We made it to the promised land! Icy winds, cold weather, and long johns were behind us, and it was sunshine and flip-flops ahead. This brings phase 6 of our North America Road Trip Adventure to a close – an epic 2 year long family road trip around Canada and the US.
Road Trip Itinerary Driving Distances Table
| From | To | Distance (miles) | Approx. Drive Time |
| New York, NY | Hershey, PA | 170 | 3h |
| Hershey, PA | Charlottesville, VA | 190 | 3h 30m |
| Charlottesville, VA | Knoxville, TN | 430 | 7h |
| Knoxville, TN | Nashville, TN | 180 | 3h |
| Nashville, TN | Atlanta, GA | 250 | 4h |
| Atlanta, GA | Tallahassee, FL | 260 | 4h 15m |
| Tallahassee, FL | Orlando, FL | 260 | 4h 30m |
Phase 6 East Coast Family Road Trip Tips
Traffic & Toll Prep: East coast highways have tolls. Keep a small cash stash handy.
Weather Packing: Southern states can swing from winter chills to sunny days. Pack layers, long sleeves, and flip-flops.
Kid-Friendly Stops: Plan extra breaks for stretching legs and exploring attractions like indoor playgrounds or aquariums.
Accommodation: Opt for family-friendly Airbnbs with kitchens – saves on meals and gives space to relax on your Southeast USA road trip.
Packing List – Southeast USA Road Trip
- Layered clothing: t-shirts, long-sleeves, hoodies
- Comfortable walking shoes & flip-flops
- Rain jacket & hat for unpredictable showers
- Swimwear for pools & hotel waterparks
- Chargers, power banks, and travel adapters
- Snacks & refillable water bottles\
- Travel games, tablets, and books for kids
Important Family Road Trip Ideas We Might Have Missed
While our southern east coast road trip route covered the major highlights, some nearby gems are worth mentioning on a USA road trip with kids:
Savannah, Georgia: Historic streets, Spanish moss, and quirky squares – perfect for a family photo stop.
St. Augustine, Florida: America’s oldest city with a charming historic district.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia/North Carolina: A scenic detour with epic mountain views and short hikes.
Everglades National Park, Florida: Wildlife encounters and airboat tours, ideal if you have extra time.
Wrapping Up Phase 6 of Our North America Road Trip
Phase 6 was full of sunshine, southern charm, and plenty of family adventures. From the historic streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, to the theme park thrills of Orlando, Florida, this leg of our USA road trip with kids showed just how fun and diverse a Southeast USA road trip can be for a family gap year.
And just like that, we hit another milestone on our North America road trip with kids. For more of our best family road trips across the USA, check out:
👉 Read Phase 7 as we head on a Southern road trip
👉 Or head back to Phase 5 – Cross country Road Trip
