Hi there!
So you want to do a road trip to Florida driving from Atlanta to Orlando!
How long is the drive from Atlanta to Orlando?
Driving directly, it might take around 6.5 hours of driving time from Atlanta to Orlando.
Explore the map.
So, as a 7 hour drive, for many people it would be considered doable to drive from Atlanta to Orlando in one day if you’re looking to just go straight there.
But if you want to break it up into a 2 day drive you can choose one or more of the stops below!
Below will show some ideas of stops you can make if you want to break up the drive!
Road trip to Florida state parks
The driving route to Orlando below includes a few Florida state parks.
In general, Florida state parks have an entry fee. This varies based on the state park, but it is generally around $5 per car.
If you plan on making this the year of visiting many Florida state parks, then there is also an annual Florida state park pass that you can buy when you arrive at any Florida state park that is staffed.
Florida state parks also have picnic tables so they can also make for a perfect stop for a picnic.
So stop by a Publix grocery store for prepared food or picnic food and eat your meal outdoors with views!
Road trip to Florida springs
There are said to be over 1,000 springs in Florida!
And you have a few springs to choose from along the way on your drive to Orlando!
And, many (but not all) Florida springs are for swimming!
It’s said that the water temperature of many springs in Florida are a constant high 60s to low 70s year-round.
This means that in theory, you can go swimming in Florida springs any time of year.
Bring goggles so you can see the underwater life!
👆 If you plan on making a stop to go swimming in some Florida springs, bring snorkeling gear for swimming in Florida springs!
You may also consider wearing a swimming shirt with UV protection for swimming in the Florida springs too.
👆 If you plan on making a stop to go swimming in some Florida springs, add a float to your Florida springs packing list!
Alternate route: Atlanta to Orlando via the Atlantic coast
The driving route “inland” passing by the Florida springs is the quickest route.
But if you want to make your road trip into more of a coastal route, then you can also make a detour to the Atlantic coast and drive down the coast to Orlando.
So if you’re not interested in the Florida springs, then you may be interested in the alternate route by driving to the Georgia coast and then south to Orlando:
- Atlanta to Savannah (4 hours)
- Savannah to Jacksonville (2+ hours)
- Jacksonville to Orlando (2+ hours)
👆 Explore the map: Atlanta to Savannah to Orlando
More road trips from Atlanta
- Things to do in the Florida Panhandle (5.5 hours away from Atlanta)
- Things to do in Mammoth Cave National Park (5.5 hours away from Atlanta)
See below for potential stops on your driving route from Atlanta to Orlando if you want to go to some Florida springs!
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Where should you stop between Atlanta and Orlando?
Explore the map.
1. Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
The Gilchrist Blue Springs are Florida springs you can visit on a drive to Orlando!
I saw turtles swimming at Gilchrist Blue Springs!
You can also go swimming at these Florida springs.
For camping, there is the Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park campground and the O’Leno State Park campground (30 minutes away).
Atlanta to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is around a 4.5 hour drive.
Gilchrist Blue Springs to Orlando is around a 2+ hour drive.
Explore the map: Atlanta to Gilchrist Blue Springs to Orlando
See more about planning your drive from Atlanta to Orlando:
Camping between Atlanta and Orlando:
- Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park campground
- How to make reservations for Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
- Ocean Pond Campground in Apalachicola National Forest (first come first served)
2. Silver Springs State Park
There is no swimming in the springs at Silver Springs State Park.
Instead, the big thing to do here is to take a glass bottom boat ride!
Otherwise, you can go for a simple walk along the springs.
You can also go kayaking at the springs.
For camping, there is the Silver Springs State Park campground.
Atlanta to Silver Springs State Park is around a 5.5 hour drive.
Silver Springs to Orlando is around a 1.5 hour drive.
Explore the map: Atlanta to Silver Springs to Orlando
Camping between Atlanta and Orlando:
- Silver Springs State Park campground
- How to make reservations for Silver Springs Springs State Park
3. Ocala National Forest
More options for Florida springs to stop off at on your drive to Orlando is the Ocala National Forest springs.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the water temperature of Salt Springs is a constant 74 degrees year-round.
There are several “recreation areas” in Ocala National Forest with springs, so you can take your pick:
- Salt Springs Recreation Area
- Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area
- Juniper Springs Recreation Area
- Alexander Springs Recreation Area
You can go swimming at these springs.
Explore the map of Ocala National Forest springs.
One of the prettiest springs in Ocala National Forest is Silver Glen Springs.
You can go camping at Salt Springs, Juniper Springs, and Alexander Springs.
There are more campgrounds throughout Ocala National Forest if you don’t care about being near springs.
If you are RV camping and looking for full-service hook-up, then you will want to go camping at the Salt Springs campground.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, this is the only campground in Ocala National Forest with full hook-ups for RVs.
Atlanta to Ocala National Forest is around a 6 hour drive.
Ocala National Forest to Orlando is around a 1.5 hour drive.
Explore the map: Atlanta to Ocala National Forest to Orlando
See more about planning your drive from Atlanta to Orlando:
Camping between Atlanta and Orlando:
- Salt Springs Recreation Area campground
- Juniper Springs Recreation Area campground
- Alexander Springs Recreation Area campground
- How to make reservations for Ocala National Forest
4. Lake Louisa State Park
Lake Louisa State Park is a quiet Florida state park near Orlando, and there’s nothing really “must-do” here.
But, it is a quiet state park near Orlando that can be an overnight stay, including camping or cabin!
There are Lake Louisa State Park cabins that overlook a lake which can make for an epic sunset that you can enjoy from your cabin porch! There might be a 2 night minimum to stay here.
Atlanta to Lake Louisa State Park is around a 6.5 hour drive.
Lake Louisa State Park to Orlando is around a 45 minute drive.
Explore the map: Atlanta to Lake Louisa State Park to Orlando
See more about planning your drive from Atlanta to Orlando:
Camping between Atlanta and Orlando:
- Lake Louisa State Park campground
- How to make reservations for Lake Louisa State Park
5. Orlando
And you’ve made it to Orlando!!!
And that’s a bit about some stops you can make driving from Atlanta to Orlando!
Where to next?!
- Miami to Key West
- Tampa to Miami
- Tampa to Key West
- Things to do in Southwest Florida
- Things to do in the Florida Keys
- Things to do in the Florida Panhandle
- Camping in Southwest Florida
- Camping in the Florida Keys
- Camping in the Florida Panhandle
HAPPY DRIVING TO ORLANDO FROM ATLANTA!
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