Who said road trips were just for the summers? There are many great East Coast winter road trips to do this season. With a few precautions when driving in the winter, you can have fun family trips.
We did so many road trips in the wintertime and while it takes a little more preparation, there is something unique about driving on a fresh snow carquet.
We’ve prepared a list of the 6 best East Coast winter road trips in the USA to do with your family.
P.S. We can’t travel everywhere, so if you did an epic family East Coast winter road trip that isn’t on our list, please message me and we can feature your family road trip to the list.
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1. Pittsburgh, PA to New York City, NY
PITTSBURGH TO NEW YORK CITY
⏰ Recommended road trip time: 5 days
🗺️ Distance: 215 miles (346 km)
🚗 Suggested itinerary: Pittsburgh → Hershey → New York City
⭐ Main highlight of the road trip: The vibrant cultural scene in Pittsburgh and the endless entertainment in New York City.
A five-day, 215-mile road trip from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to New York City, New York is just enough to get a taste of the rich history and family fun of each city on this road trip itinerary. It’s a great East Coast winter road trip in USA.
A trip to Pittsburgh isn’t complete unless a day is spent downtown exploring the city and its museums. The Andy Warhol Museum has seven floors of art (and event spaces) from the artist who hails from Steel City. The art on display comes from his early years as an artist to the pop culture iconography that made Warhol famous.
Pittsburgh is famous for many things, and two of the most interesting are displayed at the Heinz History Center:
- the children’s TV show Mister Rogers Neighborhood was filmed in the city, and sets from the beloved show, as well as puppets that brought the stories to life, are showcased and bring a touch of nostalgia for visitors.
- Another exhibit is about Heinz ketchup and how it was first manufactured in the city. Many cute and interactive displays tell the history of ketchup and its place in Pittsburgh’s history.
The next day, head out early to Hershey, Pennsylvania, to visit the town where Hershey’s chocolate was first created. The town is undeniably proud of its heritage and Hershey’s Kisses even top their street lamps. You can easily spend the day at Hersheypark, a theme park with roller coasters, a water park, a zoo, and lots of chocolate.
For day three, plan to have lunch at the Lancaster Central Market, a short drive from Hershey. Lancaster is in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and the Market has various booths that sell traditional jams and housewares, as well as numerous food stalls to choose from for a hearty meal.
There are plenty of museums in town, but for something different, why not go and see some alpacas? A couple of farms dot the area and visitors can get up close with the furry animals.
NYC is still a couple of hours away so don’t spend too much time with your new furry friends. If there is still time on your itinerary, Philadelphia is an excellent stop to learn about American history and have a Philly cheesesteak sandwich. Otherwise, head straight to the Big Apple and have your fill of all the City That Never Sleeps has to offer its visitors.
Curated by: Bernadette of Live a Relaxed Life
2. Washington, DC to New York City, NY
WASHINGTON, DC TO NEW YORK CITY, NY:
⏰ Recommended road trip time: 3 days
🗺️ Distance: 215 miles (346 km)
🚗 Suggested itinerary: Washington, DC → Baltimore → Philadelphia → New York City
⭐ Main highlight of the road trip: Historical landmarks in Philadelphia and the iconic sights of Washington, DC.
Driving from New York City to Washington DC is the ultimate family winter road trip in the USA. It’s just over 220 miles long and takes around four hours if you drive without stopping, which we rarely do with kids.
You’ll definitely want to make some pit stops along the way and enjoy the incredible scenery and beautiful landscapes you’ll be passing.
Since this road trip isn’t too long, it’s perfect for families with younger kids who aren’t quite ready to commit to a longer adventure yet. Of course, Philadelphia will be the biggest city you’ll be driving by so why not stop here for a delicious lunch? Philly Cheese Steaks are world-famous so this is your chance to finally try one if you haven’t already.
Before you leave, snap a photo of the iconic Liberty Bell and maybe even see the Independence Hall if you have time. Of course, you could spend the night in Philadelphia but those on a tight time schedule will be happy with just an afternoon in the city.
After so much culture and history, the kids will be a bit restless. Stop in Baltimore and visit the National Aquarium which is fantastic for kids of all ages. Finally, you’ll reach Washington where you can stop by the Washington Monument to snap a family picture.
Curated by: Victoria from Guide Your Travel
3. Miami, FL to Key West, FL
MIAMI TO KEY WEST, FL:
⏰ Recommended road trip time: 5 days
🗺️ Distance: 166 miles (267 km)
🚗 Suggested itinerary: Miami → Key Largo → Islamorada → Marathon → Key West
⭐ Main highlight of the road trip: The underwater wonders in Key Largo and the sunset celebrations in Key West.
Of all the winter road trips in the USA a family can take, a Florida Keys road trip from Miami to Key West is hands-on one of the best. You don’t have to worry about cold or poor driving conditions. In winter the temperatures are mild and the humidity low in Florida, and there’s so much for a family to see and do.
Depending on traffic and how often you stop to see the sites along A1A, it will take you approximately 3 1/2 to 4 hours of actual driving time to cover the 166 miles between Miami and Key West.
Your first stop is Key Largo, where you can spend time scuba diving or snorkeling, but for most families, a tour on a glass-bottom boat is an ideal way to see the coral reef. John Pennekamp State Park is the best place for all three!
Further down the highway, Islamorada is the Sport Fishing Capital of the World, with world-class fishing. The History of Diving Museum is a great place to visit and later on you can stop at Robbie’s for lunch and to hand-feed tarpon. Kids will love it! There’s plenty to see here so plan on an overnight or two.
In Marathon, the whole family will love The Turtle Hospital where you can interact with injured sea turtles who are being rehabilitated and learn more at the Dolphin Research Center. Marathon is only 50 miles from Key West and is also a good place to spend the night.
In the morning drive across 7-mile Bridge into the Lower Keys and Key West, where you can take the Old Town Trolley around town, and enjoy a family catamaran cruise at sunset. Whether you spend a few days or a week, the famous Florida Keys road trip is always a great winter family trip.
4. Dallas, TX to Destin, FL
DALLAS, TX TO DESTIN,FL:
⏰ Recommended road trip time: 7 days
🗺️ Distance: 700 miles (1127 km)
🚗 Suggested itinerary: Dallas → Monroe/Vicksburg → New Orleans (optional detour) → Gulf Springs → Destin
⭐ Main highlight of the road trip: The beautiful beaches of Destin and family fun at Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park.
A road trip from Dallas to Destin is a fantastic family vacation because the reward is so great for such an easy drive! In 11.5 hours or 700 miles, you’ll escape the sultry Texas heat and be greeted by palm trees and coastlines. Granted, it’ll still be hot, but hey- you’re at the beach!
The easiest way to do this trip with children is to split the drive into two days. We usually stop in a small town (Monroe, LA, or Vicksburg, MS) and stay in an affordable hotel equipped with a pool. This is one of my favorite tricks to keep the kids happy in the car- be patient and you’ll get to swim at the hotel tonight!
There are tons to see along the way. Add a couple of hours to your drive and plan a night in New Orleans. The culture, food, and history there are worth the extra mileage.
Gulf Springs, Alabama, is another very popular destination for families and a great stop on your way to Destin. It may even inspire you to plan another road trip!
Finally, we love Destin because it has many things for kids to do besides the beach. No worries if some storm clouds roll in, just go bowling, hit the race track, play a round of mini-golf, see a movie, or play laser tag. Destin will forever be our favorite summer getaway.
Curated by Beth from The Travel Fam
5. Chicago, IL to Wisconsin Dells, WI
CHICAGO, IL TO WISCONSIN DELLS, WI :
⏰ Recommended road trip time: 5 days
🗺️ Distance: 388 miles (624 km)
🚗 Suggested itinerary: Chicago → Lake Geneva → Wisconsin Dells
⭐ Main highlight of the road trip: Indoor waterparks in Lake Geneva and the thrilling attractions in Wisconsin Dells.
Chicago to Wisconsin Dells makes for a great road trip in the winter with kids. There are plenty of indoor activities to avoid the cold, but also some outdoor activities to get you into the holiday spirit. You will find tons of child-friendly activities along the way. Depending on what you want to see, you can make this trip as long as you would like, but two days in each location should be sufficient.
Your trip begins in Chicago. This city is home to amazing museums, including the Museum of Science and Industry and the Field Museum. You can visit the Shedd Aquarium. If you can brave the cold, both Brookfield Zoo and Lincoln Park Zoo feature holiday lights. Visit Skydeck Chicago in the Willis Tower to view the city from 1,300 feet up.
Next, travel to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The distance from Chicago to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is approximately 83 miles. Lake Geneva is home to Timber Ridge, an indoor waterpark resort that is sure to please kids for days. The town also has an ice castle display that is not to be missed and places to ski.
Finally, head to Wisconsin Dells. The distance from Lake Geneva to Wisconsin Dells is approximately 118 miles. Wisconsin Dells offers skiing and tubing. There are also plenty of family-friendly indoor activities like Ripley’s Believe it or Not and a magic theater. Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor waterpark resort, is a great kid option.
Curated by Adriane from Put on Your Party Pants
6. Minnesota Twin Cities, MN to Lutsen, MN
MINNESOTA ROAD TRIP:
⏰ Recommended road trip time: 4 days
🗺️ Distance: 500 miles (805 km)
🚗 Suggested itinerary: Twin Cities → Banning State Park → Duluth → Lutsen
⭐ Main highlight of the road trip: Exploring the frozen waterfalls at Gooseberry Falls and family skiing in Lutsen.
For this winter family road trip, you’ll start in the Twin Cities and end in the ski town of Lutsen. It’s a four-day road trip around 500 miles round trip. The Minnesota North Shore is an amazing destination any time of the year and winter is no exception with snow-capped trees, an icy Lake Superior and lots of rosy cheeks!
It’s an easy drive up I-35, and there are plenty of stops along the way to get out and stretch your legs. Just about an hour and a half from the city is Tobies, where you can get a famous cinnamon roll before heading to Banning State Park, which has excellent kid-friendly hikes that are scenic too.
The next stop is Duluth. Plan to stay a night here so you can hit up the Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth Children’s Museum, and catch a view of the Harbor.
It only gets better from here as you continue to drive north, where the state parks provide a lot of entertainment. Gooseberry Falls is a short walk from the parking lot to see the majestic frozen falls. It is quite a scene and perfect for kids to play in a winter wonderland and get close to the falls.
Just ten minutes from here is Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, another iconic Minnesota site. It may be too cold for a lakeside picnic, but kids will be entertained for hours throwing pebbles and walking along the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior.
Continue North to Lutsen for Minnesota skiing or tubing. There is a wide variety of places to stay along the North Shore, ranging from luxury cabin rentals to standard hotels but we love the outdoor hot tubs overlooking the slopes at Eagle Ridge Resort.
We recommend at least four days to enjoy all the area has to offer!
Why Should You Plan a Winter Road Trip in the USA?
While driving in the winter can be scary, there are many benefits to planning a winter family trip. Here are a few of the main reasons you should plan a winter road trip in the USA this season:
- Tourist attractions, such as National Parks and theme parks, are way less crowded than in the summer season which makes your visit most enjoyable.
- Most hotels, rentals, and even some attractions offer discounted rates in the winter season (except ski resorts of course)
- Some places have a magical charm in the winter with the ground covered in winter.
Of course, there are some precautions to take when planning winter road trips in the USA, especially when changing states and climates. Here are a few things to keep in mind with planning a road trip in the winter:
- Always check weather reports and road condition reports before hitting the road
- Be informed on the winter tire requirements where you are heading
- Take your time on the road. A winter road trip will probably take more time than a summer one, but it’s for the family’s safety.
Final Thoughts: Best East Coast Winter Road Trips
There are so many options for fun winter road trips on the East of Coast the USA for family vacations or long weekends.
Which of these winter road trips in the USA will you add to your family travel list?
Let us know in the comment section or on Instagram.
Emilie is the founder of Love Life Abroad. She helps moms plan epic road trips and outdoor adventures with their families. Because who said adventuring had to stop once we have kids? She’s based in the Canadian Rockies and shares her love for the region as well as other unique places in Canada & USA. She works with tourism boards and outdoor brands to inspire families to experience new unique destinations and outdoor activities.