Hi there!
Driving directly from St Augustine to Orlando is around 2 hours.
You would be driving along I-95 and I-4 for much of the way.
Or, you can also mostly skip the interstate and take your time and make stops along the way!
Of course there are many different ways to get from St Augustine to Orlando. (As in, you have lots of options for stops.)
Consider the list below some ideas of stops to make along the way!
Florida a1a highway
The most important thing to know if you want to take the slow scenic route when doing the drive from St Augustine to Orlando is to be sure that you make your way onto the Florida a1a highway at some point!
There are parts that will have you driving with ocean views!
Also if you are driving to Orlando from Georgia on I-95, be sure to stop for free orange juice at the Florida Welcome Center!
Now…
What is there to see between St Augustine and Orlando?
I did the drive from St Augustine to Orlando in November 2021.
1. Anastasia Island
Cost: $8 per car for Anastasia State ParkOn your way out of St Augustine, you can make a stop at a quieter beach for the Anastasia Beach overlook.
Anastasia State Park is located just south of the historic district of St Augustine.
You can buy the daily pass for Anastasia State Park, or there is also an annual Florida state park pass that you can buy.
Although unless you know you will be visiting at least 8 state parks in Florida, it likely won’t be worth it. (There are 3 Florida state parks on this list as stops to make on the drive from St Augustine to Orlando!)
Explore the map of St Augustine to Anastasia State Park to Orlando.
See more about this stop between St Augustine and Orlando: Anastasia State Park beach overlookAlso on your way out of St Augustine…
For a spot to eat along the waterfront, there’s the St Augustine food trucks at Marina Munch!
My brother who is a foodie approved of the Funkadelic food truck. He ordered the fish tacos.
2. Fort Matanzas National Monument
Cost: FREEThe Fort Matanzas National Monument is a national park site in Florida that you can visit on your drive from St Augustine to Orlando.
To make the most of your time here, a little bit of planning will be required.
That’s because the best thing to do at Fort Matanzas National Monument is to take a ferry to Fort Matanzas.
So you will want to be there so you can catch the ferry!
It’s a free ferry to Fort Matanzas provided by the National Park Service, but you need to pick up a ferry ticket. See more about current timings.
Even if you aren’t able to make it for the ferry (I did not), you can still go and see the fort off in the distance.
You’ll go to the ferry dock area and look off to the right.
You won’t be able to walk onto the pier without a ferry ticket, but there’s a space off to the left of the pier that you can walk out a little bit.
Explore the map of St Augustine to Fort Matanzas to Orlando.
3. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Cost: $5 per car for Washington Oaks Garden State ParkIf you’re from the north, then the trees in Florida are just different!
So Washington Oaks Gardens State Park can be a pretty walk to see these different kinds of trees.
There is a short trail.
Even just the short drive through Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is nice.
If you bought the Florida state park pass, then entry to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park will be free.
Explore the map of St Augustine to Washington Oaks State Park to Orlando.
4. Flagler Beach FL
The town of Flagler Beach FL was more or less a convenient spot to find a place to stay (and eat!) nearly directly along the ocean!
You will also be driving with ocean views as you drive through Flagler Beach along the Florida a1a highway.
I stayed at Beach Front Motel in Flagler Beach for 1 night. (reviews)
If you are an early-riser or sunrise person, then I am sure a sunrise walk on the beach would be amazing here. (As long as there’s good weather!)
All you need to do is cross the road and there are the steps to the beach!
I ate at Oceanside Beach Bar and Grill in Flagler Beach. (reviews) My brother who is a foodie said the food was okay.
But, there is outdoor dining here, and you can’t beat the views from the top deck.
Eat with ocean views!
Explore the map of St Augustine to Flagler Beach to Orlando.
5. Wekiwa Springs
Cost: $6 per car for Wekiwa Springs State ParkYou can make a detour on your drive from St Augustine to Orlando to go swimming at some natural springs in Florida!
It’s said that the water temperature of many springs in Florida are a constant 72 degrees year-round.
This includes the Wekiwa Springs.
This means that in theory, you can go swimming in the Wekiwa Springs any time of year.
Well, personally I find a water temperature of 72 degrees to still be cold. And when the air temperature is in the upper 60s (as it was when I was there midday in November), it can feel colder! I was not able to make it in past my waist. 😜
It was a bit overcast at the time which also didn’t help!
But, swimming in the springs is something you can give a try when you are in Florida!
Bring goggles so you can see the underwater life! (You can bring snorkeling gear if you have it!)
You may also consider wearing a swimming shirt for swimming in the Florida springs too.
If you bought the Florida state park pass, then entry to Wekiwa Springs State Park will be free.
Explore the map of St Augustine to Wekiwa Springs State Park to Orlando.
See more about this stop between St Augustine and Orlando: Wekiwa Springs State ParkAnd that will take you to just north of Orlando!
For more options of Florida springs as you make your way from St Augustine to Orlando, you can also go to the Ocala National Forest springs. This is just north of Wekiwa Springs State Park.
Explore the map of St Augustine to Ocala National Forest to Orlando.
See more about this stop between St Augustine and Orlando: Ocala National Forest springsAnd then you’ve made it to Orlando!
Also just south of Orlando, you can do a Lake Kissimmee airboat tour for a chance to see alligators in Florida!
If you’re headed to Orlando at the end of the year, also see: The Disney World campground in December