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 islands are close enough to invite a little spontaneity but still offer all the essentials of a beachy holiday:
17. Anna Maria Island, Florida
Skip the ferry—just drive over a bridge from Bradenton and you’re on this seven-mile barrier island off Florida’s Gulf Coast. The island feels like a step back in time. You get white-sand beaches and turquoise water, but without those massive crowds that flock to Miami or Daytona. Only about 4 million people visit each year, which is nothing compared to Florida’s 140 million tourists overall.
Three small beach towns dot the island. Each one keeps that old Florida vibe with local shops and family-owned restaurants. The beaches stretch along the entire western side, so there’s plenty of space to explore. Swim, fish, nap on the sand—whatever. The laid-back atmosphere makes it easy to unwind and soak in those Gulf views.
16. Long Island, New York
Long Island stretches over 100 miles from New York City into the Atlantic. Just drive through bridges or tunnels from Manhattan and you’re there. The island has a bit of everything. Sandy beaches line both the north and south shores. The North Fork is all about wineries and farms—great for tasting local wine or picking your own produce.
Historic towns pop up along the coast. The Hamptons draw folks in with their charming downtowns and upscale shops. You can check out lighthouses, museums, or stroll through state parks. There’s a wide range of food, from seafood shacks to high-end restaurants. No ferry needed, which makes it perfect for a quick getaway or a longer escape.
15. Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Just 30 miles from Charleston, you can easily drive to Kiawah Island for a beach escape. This barrier island stretches along 10 miles of Atlantic coastline with soft sand and gentle waves. The island feels like a private retreat even though you can get there by car. Spend your days biking through maritime forests or kayaking in saltwater marshes. Over 300 bird species call the island home, which is pretty impressive for birdwatchers.
Golf fans will love the world-class courses here. When you’re not golfing, you can relax at upscale resorts or wander the beaches. The island stays quiet compared to places like Myrtle Beach.
14. Tybee Island, Georgia
Just 18 miles east of Savannah, Tybee Island is one of Georgia’s easiest beach getaways. The drive takes about 25 minutes along US-80 E, and you’ll pass through some gorgeous coastal scenery on the way. This barrier island offers three miles of sandy beaches perfect for lounging. Check out the historic Tybee Island Lighthouse, watch dolphins in the waves, or wander through salt marshes bustling with wildlife.
The island keeps things pretty low-key. You’ll find fresh seafood spots, nature trails for hiking, and protected areas where sea turtles nest. The back river area is great for kayaking and paddleboarding. Since Tybee is so close to Savannah, you can easily do both in one trip. Spend your morning exploring the historic city, then head to the beach for sunset. Not a bad combo.
13. Marco Island, Florida
Two bridges connect Marco Island to mainland Florida, so you can just drive right in. The island sits on the Gulf Coast between Naples and the Ten Thousand Islands. It’s the biggest barrier island in the area—about 6 miles long and 4 miles wide. The drive from Fort Myers Airport takes about 45 minutes. You’ll either follow I-75 or US-41 through the Everglades. The two-lane roads leading to the island usually stay pretty quiet.
Marco Island blends luxury resorts with natural beauty. The beaches are clean and well-kept. You’ll find good restaurants and parks to check out during your stay. The island is 15 miles south of Naples and 50 miles south of Fort Myers. Miami’s about 100 miles east if you feel like stretching the trip out.
12. Whidbey Island, Washington
Whidbey Island is easy to reach. Drive across the Deception Pass Bridge from the north—170 feet above the water, so it’s a bit of a thrill. Or, if you’re up for it, take a ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton on the southern tip. The island runs about 40 miles long, making it one of the longest in the country. Small coastal towns are scattered along the shore, and you’ll find local restaurants serving up fresh seafood.
State parks cover much of the island, with trails through forests and access to rocky beaches. The tide pools are fun to explore. You can also visit lavender farms when they’re in bloom. Whidbey sits just an hour from Seattle, so you can pop over for a day or stay a while. The pace is way more relaxed than the city, which is honestly a relief sometimes.
11. Dauphin Island, Alabama
Hop on a 3-mile bridge from mainland Alabama and you’re on this Gulf Coast barrier island. No ferry needed, though you can catch one from Fort Morgan if you want a scenic ride across Mobile Bay. The island keeps things chill. You won’t see casinos or high-rise hotels. Instead, you’ll find white sand beaches that aren’t crowded and a pace that actually feels relaxed.
History buffs can check out Fort Gaines. The Audubon Bird Sanctuary is a draw for wildlife lovers. When you’re ready for the water, fishing and kayaking are go-to activities. Local shops and restaurants give you a taste of small-town Gulf Coast living. The beaches have plenty of room to stretch out, and the sunsets honestly live up to the island’s nickname as Alabama’s Sunset Capital.
10. Galveston Island, Texas
Just 50 miles southeast of Houston, Galveston Island is one of Texas’s easiest beach escapes. The island sits right on the Gulf Coast and connects to the mainland by a causeway you can drive across. Galveston offers 32 miles of sandy beaches. The water isn’t always crystal clear, but the beaches are great for relaxing and enjoying the sun.
Beyond the beach, the historic downtown is packed with restaurants and shops. You’ll also find attractions like Moody Gardens and The Pleasure Pier if you want something extra. Dolphin-watching tours are also a thing here. With 30 million people living within a few hours’ drive, Galveston has stayed a popular beach destination for years. It’s close enough for a quick weekend trip, but still feels like a real getaway.
9. Amelia Island, Florida
You can reach Amelia Island by car using two bridges that connect it to mainland Florida. Most folks just take the Thomas J. Shave Jr. Bridge from Yulee—it’s a pretty quick drive, especially if you’re heading up from Jacksonville, about 34 miles south. The island sits less than 10 miles from the Georgia border in northeastern Florida. You’ll hop on I-95, then take the A1A exit. Jacksonville International Airport is only 25 miles away, so you can get there in around 40 minutes, give or take.
Once you roll onto the island, you’ll stumble across beautiful beaches and the historic town of Fernandina Beach. Main Beach has volleyball courts, playgrounds, and picnic spots—great for families or anyone who just wants to relax. Fort Clinch State Park is perfect if you’re up for exploring or maybe hunting for shark teeth along the coast. The island feels like a tropical getaway, but you don’t have to deal with sky-high prices or those packed resort crowds.
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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