Normally, the last thing you’d expect from an island getaway is taking a road trip to get there. But the U.S. is always full of surprises. While most islands require catching a ferry or a plane, there are a few islands in the country that can be reached by car.
What could possibly be better than taking an island vacation without the hassle of airport lines and baggage restrictions? These islands are so accessible that some lucky locals can even visit on a day trip.
These eight islands are close enough to invite a little spontaneity but still offer all the essentials of a beachy holiday:
8. Mount Desert Island, Maine
Mount Desert Island isn’t just the largest island in Maine; it’s also home to Acadia National Park. While it might be one of the most visited parks in the U.S., it stretches across nearly 47 thousand square miles. So, it doesn’t feel as crowded as you might expect.
Made up of lush forests, rocky coastlines, and wild swells, this island is pure New England magic. You can drive straight onto Mount Desert Island using a short bridge that connects it to the mainland. It’s around a two-hour drive from both Portland and Augusta and around four and a half hours from Boston.
Cadillac Mountain is the star of the show here. It’s the highest point on the East Coast and, as a result, an incredible place to catch the sunrise.
7. Jekyll Island, Georgia
With its hauntingly beautiful driftwood beaches and historic allure, Jekyll Island feels worlds away from the mainland of Georgia. Of course, it still has that Southern charm we love from the state, but instead of busy streets, you can expect oak-lined alleys draped with Spanish moss.
The island was once owned by some of America’s wealthiest elites, who used it as a private island resort in the Gilded Age. Today, it’s open to the public and is just an hour and a half drive from Savannah, Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida.
The remnants of the Gilded Age still shines through in the countless mansions and over-the-top homes on the island. It almost feels as if they are frozen in time on this 250-hectare Historic Landmark.
6. Outer Banks, North Carolina
North Carolina’s Outer Banks are a string of barrier islands connected to the mainland via several bridges. They’ve recently caught the world’s attention thanks to the TV show of the same name. But these islands have a history as old as America herself.
The beaches are wild, windswept, and full of reeds, and the island has some iconic lighthouses. Historically speaking, The Outer Banks is where the Wright Brothers first took flight, so aviation fans will love the memorial at Kill Devil Hills. It’s also the last known location of Blackbeard’s final ship (along with countless other shipwrecks that litter the coastline).
It’s full of mystery and history but is also just a simple island for relaxing on the beach, eating freshly caught seafood, surfing, and that classic, small-town vibe.
5. Sanibel Island, Florida
Because of its location on the Gulf Coast, Florida lucks out with its share of islands. Sanibel Island is a quiet, protected conservation area only a 45-minute drive from Fort Myers. With relatively calm water (aside from the odd hurricane), the island is known for its incredible collection of rare shells, which wash up unscathed on the white sand beaches.
The island itself has the ultimate mix of beachy nature and family-friendly vibes. As mentioned, it’s a protected area home to the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Here, you can spot alligators and white ibises living in the marshy landscape.
There are also countless restaurants and cafes dotted along the coastline, as well as bike paths and walking trails to complete the perfect day out.
4. Chincoteague Island, Virginia
Wild ponies, oysters, and fresh clams – these are the three things Chincoteague Island is famous for. It’s located off the eastern shore of Virginia and is the state’s only resort island. And, while plenty of visitors flock to the beaches, the island is still really just a tiny fishing village at heart.
It’s home to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and is just across a bridge from the Assateague Island National Seashore. In short, nature thrives in abundance here — from wild horses to migratory birds. It’s a protected paradise that gives nature and wildlife a chance to flourish.
It’s around 3.5 hours from Washington, D.C., and if you visit during July, your trip could coincide with the annual Pony Swim.
3. Padre Island, Texas
Who would have thought that you could visit a tropical island in Texas? Nestled between Texas and Mexico, Padre Island is a 113-mile-long barrier island that can be reached by car from San Antonio. Although a four-hour drive from the city, the subtropical climate, crystal clear water, marshes, and meadows make it a convenient getaway for locals.
It’s a top destination for water sports, particularly those into fishing, windsurfing, and boating. If you’re more interested in nature, head to the Padre Island National Seashore to check out the sea turtle rehabilitation efforts.
As if driving on the island wasn’t convenient enough, visitors can park right in front of the beaches, making it a genuinely unique Texan beach experience.
2. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head is the second largest barrier island on the U.S. Atlantic Coastline. It was the first eco-friendly vacation area in the country, with nature preserves and strict land laws. Ironically, today, the island is most famous for its golf resorts, which are scattered across 42 square miles of the island.
It feels worlds away from mainland South Carolina, with 12 miles of untouched beach, a crafty local shopping scene, and a few upscale restaurants and members-only clubs.
Glitz and glam aside, there are miles worth of bike-friendly paths, flat beaches that make long walks on the beach a reality, and plenty of Southern charm.
1. The Keys, Florida
The Florida Keys, or just ‘The Keys,’ are made up of around 1,700 islands and islets off the southern tip of Florida.
Of these islands, 43 are accessible by car (more specifically, by the iconic Route 1 and 42 bridges connecting the islands). The drive alone is pretty spectacular since it almost feels like you’re skimming the surface of the water between Key Largo and Key West.
Each Key has its own personality, from the coral reefs of Key Largo to the quaint fishing villages of Islamorada. One of the more famous islands, Key West, is home to Hemingway’s House, among a bevy of beautiful pastel-colored houses. Even if you just visit for the drive along the causeway at sunset, this string of islands is well worth a trip.
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