Welcome to Phase 7 of our 2-Year North America road trip, 2015-2016, written by your favourite family travel blogger. This leg of our family road trip is a Southeast to South USA Road Trip with Kids.
We’ve broken this epic family gap year journey into 10 can’t-miss road trip phases, so it’s easy to follow:
Phase 1: We toured Eastern Canada for over one month.
Phase 2: A little under one month in the Midwest USA.
Phase 3: We made our way from Oregon to Vancouver, Canada.
Phase 4: We discovered Western Canada with a quick side trip to Alaska.
Phase 5: Drove more than 5,500 km from British Columbia to New York.
Phase 6: A meandering journey from New York to Florida with stops in Nashville & Atlanta.
Phase 7: 2,181 miles and one month crossing from Florida to the deep South – New Orleans, Texas, Santa Fe
Phase 8: The top half of The Grand Circle Vegas, Colorado, Utah
Phase 9: Another loop of the great Grand Circle Nevada, Arizona, and Utah
Phase 10: An intense week in Sacramento & San Francisco
Phase 11: A 2-week adventure through Nova Scotia
Phase 12: Our big finale 2-week discovery of Florida
Come along for the fun, chaos, and unforgettable family moments on this North America road trip with kids.
Phase 7 – Florida → Mississippi → Louisana → Texas → New Mexico
Dates: 4th March – 4th April
Total Distance: 2,181 miles (3,509 km)
Total Fuel: US$187
Phase 7 of our 2-Year North America Road Trip Adventure took us from the sunny beaches of Florida to the heart of the Deep South and across Texas into New Mexico. With kids in tow, we explored Orlando’s theme parks, the historic streets of New Orleans, rodeo thrills in Houston, quirky attractions in Roswell, and the stunning landscapes of Santa Fe. This family-friendly Southeast USA road trip was packed with adventure, laughter, and unforgettable memories, perfect for anyone planning a Southern USA road trip with kids.
After five incredible weeks in Florida, we weren’t quite ready to leave. But the road was calling, and this next stretch, from the Southeast USA to the South, delivered everything from theme parks and family time to rodeos, road trip mishaps, and wide-open highways.
Check USA Hotel Prices Here
Best Things To Do in Houston USA
Marianna, Florida – One Last Taste of Sunshine
Date: 4th March
Accommodation: Super 8 (check latest prices)
Best Attraction: VIP Disney World Orlando
Our last days in Florida were full. My sister had been visiting, and we squeezed in Disney World, Universal Studios, and every last drop of sunshine at Cabana Bay before check-out.
But the best road trips were ahead, and so we hit the road after lunch on the start of our south road trip, driving until it felt right to stop. That freedom is one of my favourite things about a family road trip across the USA.
We said goodbye to our Southern East Coast road trip and headed into the deep South USA.
Petal, Mississippi – Southern Family Connections
Dates: 5th – 7th March
Accommodation: Family stay
Best Attraction: Local life in Petal & Hattiesburg
The day started with a flat battery, so Mia, Caius, and I turned Walmart into our entertainment while waiting for a jump-start. Soon enough, Big Red was back in action for his road trip across America.
Mississippi was all heart. Visiting family we had never met, hearing stories, and being completely spoiled with incredible home cooking. It was one of those meaningful stops that make a USA road trip with kids so much more than just destinations.
New Orleans, Louisiana – Food, Culture & Energy
Dates: 7th – 10th March
Accommodation: Le Pavillon (check latest prices)
Best Attraction: Oak Alley & Mardi Gras World
Back in New Orleans and loving every second.
We explored Mardi Gras World, wandered the French Quarter, and ate everything in sight. Beignets, po’boys, étouffée – this city is a must on any southern USA road trip itinerary. Check out our best things to do in New Orleans with kids.
Lafayette, Louisiana – Cajun Country with Kids
Dates: 10th – 17th March
Accommodation: DoubleTree / Airbnb vacation rentals
Best Attraction: Children’s Museum, Swamp Tour & Cajun food scene
Floods followed us out of New Orleans, and then I got hit with the flu. Not ideal timing.
So we stayed longer, slowed down, and leaned into it. Lafayette surprised me. Family-friendly, relaxed, and packed with incredible food. Less touristy, more authentic.
Houston, Texas – Big Energy, Big Experiences
Dates: 17th – 24th March
Accommodation: Red Roof PLUS+
Best Attraction: NASA Space Center & Houston Rodeo
Houston delivered in a big way.
We explored museums, visited NASA, and experienced our very first rodeo. It was loud, exciting, and such a uniquely Texan moment on our USA road trip. Check out our favourite things to do with kids in Houston.
Irvine, California – A Quick West Coast Detour
Dates: 18th – 21st March
Accommodation: Hotel Irvine (check prices in area)
Best Attraction: Women in Travel Summit
During our Houston stay, I jumped on a plane and headed to California for the Women in Travel Summit.
It was such a fun and energising weekend. I spoke on panels, completely lost my voice, and connected with so many incredible people in the industry. Huge thanks to Travelocity for flying me over and for the cutest gnome giveaways for 400+ attendees.
But I hadn’t finished our road trips in the South, so I flew back to Houston to resume our South USA family vacation.
Austin, Texas – Weird and Wonderful
Dates: 24th – 27th March
Accommodation: Red Roof Plus+ Austin South
Best Attraction: Bat Kayak & food trucks
Austin is its own world.
We watched the famous bat colony take flight and ate our way through some of the most unique food trucks in the US. It’s quirky, creative, and completely unforgettable.
Grapevine, Texas – Family Fun Reset
Dates: 27th – 30th March
Accommodation: Great Wolf Lodge / Hyatt Regency
Best Attraction: Great Wolf Lodge & LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
After big cities, Grapevine felt like a breather.
We went all in on family time at Great Wolf Lodge. This place is the ultimate family-friendly accommodations. Water slides, games, MagiQuest. Pure kid heaven. We also made it out to LEGOLAND and SEA LIFE, but honestly, the lodge stole the show.
Roswell, New Mexico – Classic Road Trip Weirdness
Date: 30th March
Accommodation: Best Western Sally Port Inn
Best Attraction: International UFO Museum
A huge driving day across Texas brought us into Roswell late at night.
This place leans all the way into its alien theme, and I loved it. Quirky, fun, and the perfect stop on a road trip across the USA.
On the way to Santa Fe Big Red lost power steering. We made it to our hotel and had her towed to the nearest Ford service shop for a repair.
Santa Fe, New Mexico – Turning Delays into Highlights
Dates: 31st March – 4th April
Accommodation: Homewood Suites
Best Attraction: Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks & Santa Fe historic centre
What was meant to be a one-night stop turned into four thanks to car trouble.
But Santa Fe made it easy to stay. Beautiful, cultural, and full of charm. We explored, did a day trip to Albuquerque, and I squeezed in one of the best massages ever. Not a bad way to handle a delay in our travel planning.
Southeast to South USA Family Road Trip Itinerary Summary
- Florida → Marianna
- Mississippi → Petal
- Louisiana → New Orleans, Lafayette
- Texas → Houston, Austin, Grapevine
- California → Irvine (conference detour)
- New Mexico → Roswell, Santa Fe
Driving Distances – Phase 7
| Route | Distance | Drive Time |
| Orlando → Marianna | 280 miles | 4.5 hrs |
| Marianna → Petal | 200 miles | 3 hrs |
| Petal → New Orleans | 110 miles | 2 hrs |
| New Orleans → Lafayette | 135 miles | 2 hrs |
| Lafayette → Houston | 215 miles | 3.5 hrs |
| Houston → Austin | 165 miles | 2.5 hrs |
| Austin → Grapevine | 200 miles | 3 hrs |
| Grapevine → Roswell | 480 miles | 7.5 hrs |
| Roswell → Santa Fe | 200 miles | 3 hrs |
Top Tips for a Southeast to South USA Road Trip with Kids
Our best family road trip ideas:
- Expect long distances in Texas. Break it up with fun rest stops.
- Food is a highlight. Plan around meals, not just attractions.
- Stay flexible. Delays, like car trouble, can turn into the best memories.
- Mix city and downtime. Big cities are fun, but kids need space to reset.
Wrapping Up Phase 7 of Our North America Road Trip
Phase 7 was full of southern charm, quirky towns, and plenty of family adventures. From the sunny beaches of Florida to the jazz-filled streets of New Orleans, the rodeos of Houston, and the alien sights of Roswell, this leg of our USA road trip with kids showed just how fun and diverse a Southeast to South USA road trip can be for a family gap year.
We explored theme parks, historic towns, state parks, local cuisine, and quirky attractions, creating memories with Mia and Caius that will last a lifetime. And just like that, we crossed 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 8 as we tackle the Grand Circle: Colorado, Utah & Nevada
👉 Or head back to Phase 6 – Northeast to Southeast USA Road Trip
