Summer is almost here, which means it’s beach season! While Tennessee is landlocked, vacationing at the beach is still a favorite destination. Here are our favorite beaches that take less than 10 hours to drive to from Nashville.
For Gulf Coast beaches, I recommend driving through Alabama, which is faster and has less traffic. Birmingham makes for a nice stop along the way, and I’d put Alligator Alley on your to-do list, if feeding alligators sounds fun to you!
Florida Beaches
Drive time: 6 hours, 51 minutes
This was my first vacation with my spouse, and when we went then, the beach was mostly empty. It’s entirely different now! However, I still love Pensacola’s beaches, and the city’s downtown area is charming. There are lots of locally-owned restaurants to choose from, and I’ve never had any issues finding gluten-free or vegetarian options.
Drive time: 7 hours
Destin and beaches along Highway 30A are perhaps the most popular beaches to visit for Nashvillians, in no small part because they’re so close! I see debates online about which 30A beach is best, and honestly, I don’t think it matters much. You’ll likely find yourself traveling up and down the beachfront highway to visit restaurants and attractions that interest you.
Drive time: 7 hours, 14 minutes
This is possibly the Gulf’s busiest beach, but it’s also packed with things to do. My sister loves to go here for its bustling nightlife and plentiful shopping, while I like the two state parks.
A dolphin at Port St. Joe. (Jan Kingsbury / Best Mom Ever)
Drive time: 8 hours, 11 minutes
My favorite part of Port St. Joe is the wildlife. I saw so many dolphins, birds, alligators, and other marine creatures on my visit there, and it’s also a quiet beach with tons of seashells. My least favorite part was also the wildlife, namely, a variety of biting insects! If you go here, bring insect repellent, and I recommend a day trip to St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge (which inspired Jeff Vandermeer’s Southern Reach series!).
Alabama Beaches
Drive time: 7 hours, 5 minutes
Dauphin Island is less busy than other Alabama beach destinations, though still gets a small crowd. Check out the Audubon Bird Sanctuary while you’re there. Since there are fewer restaurants and other attractions, you’ll find yourself driving to Mobile for additional fun. (Bellingrath Gardens is lovely.)
Drive time: 7 hours, 14 minutes
Gulf Shores is Alabama’s busiest beach, but Orange Beach gets pretty busy, too. Because these are popular tourist areas, you’ll have everything you need right there, and plenty of activities if you get tired of the beach, from playgrounds to popular restaurants like The Hangout.
Drive time: 7 hours, 40 minutes
One of my favorites to visit. Hikes along the beach are peaceful with lots of birds, and it’s a great spot for fishing. The beach is named for the historic 1834 fort located there, which can be toured. You can also ride a ferry to Dauphin Island. While peaceful, you’ll need to drive quite a bit to get to grocery stores and restaurants.
South Carolina & Georgia
Drive time: 8 hours, 47 minutes
I’ve only been here once, but I loved it. I drove down with college friends, and we listened to “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” along the way! It’s located just outside Savannah, with several cute, quirky local shops. Plus, nearby Savannah is a beautiful city to explore. Make reservations early!
Drive time: 8 hours, 57 minutes
The drive to Charleston can easily be split up with an overnight stay in Asheville, NC. Several beaches surround the city; the two most popular are Folly Beach and Isle of Palms. Folly is larger, with plenty of parking and beach activities for the whole family. Isle of Palms has plenty of Airbnbs to rent and is a bit slower-paced.
Drive time: 9 hours, 51 minutes
Myrtle Beach has a similar vibe to Panama City Beach. There are endless things to do, from amusement parks to golf and hiking. You can also make a stop in Asheville along the way.
