Road trip with a 15 and a 11y old girls to the south.

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone,

I’m planning a road trip to the south. My main goal is to visit New Orleans and Destin beach in FL.

I’m thinking about stoping at Nashville for 2 days or so on the way to NOLA, spend about 5 days in New O, drive to Destin beach and spend about 2 to 3 days, then head back home.

On the way home I’m thinking of stopping in Charleston SC, or maybe somewhere nicer?


Does this sound like a fun trip? My youngest loves beaches and my oldest loves food, experimenting new things.

Any suggestions or recommendations are appreciated. Our itinerary and schedule is flexible, but preferably I would not like to spend more than 2 weeks or a few days extra. It fully 3 weeks for sure!

TIA

[Anonymous]

Does it sound fun? It sounds like too much driving. Too much unpacking and repacking.

But you know your girls better than we do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does it sound fun? It sounds like too much driving. Too much unpacking and repacking.

But you know your girls better than we do.

+1

[Anonymous]

Where are you leaving from? Everything sounds good, except for Nashville which is out of the way. Consider that traffic can be terrible, so it adds hours to your trip. I'd also throw in random roadside kitsch for fun. Maybe a night at Pedro South of the Border or whatever roadside attractions you find along the way. Google road trip ideas for suggestions.

My DDs would like this trip, but each stop should be at least 2 nights, 3 nights towards the end.

[Anonymous]

At that age I’d do Myrtle Beach instead of Charleston. Much more to do there.

[Anonymous]

This summer? That’s a lot of really hot places to go to in the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are you leaving from? Everything sounds good, except for Nashville which is out of the way. Consider that traffic can be terrible, so it adds hours to your trip. I'd also throw in random roadside kitsch for fun. Maybe a night at Pedro South of the Border or whatever roadside attractions you find along the way. Google road trip ideas for suggestions.

My DDs would like this trip, but each stop should be at least 2 nights, 3 nights towards the end.

Hi! We are leaving from Oakton in VA!

[Anonymous]

Going to the South in the summer sounds like hell. Driving in the hot sun for hours sounds awful too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This summer? That’s a lot of really hot places to go to in the summer.

Yes, this summer! We already have plans for next summer and the following summer.

I want to take advantage of this time with my 15y old. Soon she will be going to college snd God knows what her plans will be then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are you leaving from? Everything sounds good, except for Nashville which is out of the way. Consider that traffic can be terrible, so it adds hours to your trip. I'd also throw in random roadside kitsch for fun. Maybe a night at Pedro South of the Border or whatever roadside attractions you find along the way. Google road trip ideas for suggestions.

My DDs would like this trip, but each stop should be at least 2 nights, 3 nights towards the end.

Do you suggest going straight to NOLA? That would be a very long drive, maybe only a pit stop to sleep and rest.

Or do you suggest some other cool place to visit in between Oakton VA and Nola?

[Anonymous]

You don’t need 5 nights in NOLA; 3 nights max. It’s too far to drive in one day imho.

The Destin area is very, very crowded. Stay oceanfront or don’t bother going.

We love Charleston. Stay in a walkable area near King St. And perhaps add a few nights at the beach (Folly, Kiawah, Seabrook, Wild Dunes, etc.). You can drive home in one day afterwards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you leaving from? Everything sounds good, except for Nashville which is out of the way. Consider that traffic can be terrible, so it adds hours to your trip. I'd also throw in random roadside kitsch for fun. Maybe a night at Pedro South of the Border or whatever roadside attractions you find along the way. Google road trip ideas for suggestions.

My DDs would like this trip, but each stop should be at least 2 nights, 3 nights towards the end.

Do you suggest going straight to NOLA? That would be a very long drive, maybe only a pit stop to sleep and rest.

Or do you suggest some other cool place to visit in between Oakton VA and Nola?

In the grand scheme of a three week road trip, Nashville isn’t that far out of the way. If it’s somewhere you really want to go, then do it. An alternate stop if you’re taking I-81 is Pigeon Forge/Gatlingburg/Great Smoky Mountains.

Also, you can skip South of the Border night. Definitely don’t spend a night there. The place is pretty run down and depressing (and the theming has not stood the test of time.)

Since beaches and food are your top priorities, I’d pick Charleston over Myrtle Beach. Stay at Kiawah or Wild Dunes for the beach access.

I’d also dip more into Florida if I was already driving all that way. Space Coast to watch a rocket launch. It might be too late in the season to catch the turtles hatching. Theme parks, if that’s your thing.

[Anonymous]

I haven't been, but have heard Chattanooga is fun Ruby Falls and a lot more), and it's right on your way if they don't want to do Nashville. If you do Nashville, see if they'd like the Parthenon.

https://www.nps.gov/jela/index.htm is free and has alligators. There are also paid alligator tours around NO, but I haven't done those.

Try shrimp and grits somewhere on the way home.

[Anonymous]

How far do you want to drive per day? I'd stop in Roanoke and see the Roanoke Star because I wouldn't want to drive from Oakton to Nashville in one day, but YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At that age I’d do Myrtle Beach instead of Charleston. Much more to do there.

Depends on how long. I was just in Charleston with a 13 and 15 year old and they were in shopping heaven - and, although I’m not a shopper, I had a great time too. Two days is good if you want to work in a some tours plus dinner at magnolia.

Granted, I’ve never been to Myrtle Beach.