Roadtrip with RVshare Detroit to Orlando

A Detroit to Orlando road trip will take you all the way from close to the Canadian border down to the Florida coast. Along the way, you’ll be able to explore some of the nation’s greatest national and state parks. Numerous fantastic cities await; each one has its own personality and interesting attractions. If you’ve already packed your suitcases and gassed up the RV, then you’re ready to set out on your road trip from Detroit to Orlando. 

Nearby National Parks

Cuyahoga Valley National Park  

If you travel two hours east of Toledo, you’ll reach Cuyahoga Valley National Park. When you’re surrounded by the lush forests and serene waterfalls of the Cuyahoga Valley, you won’t likely be thinking about the big cities like Cleveland and Akron that are nearby. Instead, you’ll find yourself focusing on exploring the 125 miles of hiking trails and the 100 miles of the Cuyahoga River to which you’ll have access. Boating, fishing, hiking, bird-watching, and other outdoor activities are all popular here. 

Indiana Sand Dunes National Park  

If you head a few hours west of Toledo, you’ll be able to visit Indiana Sand Dunes National Park. The biggest attraction here is the 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, but you’ll also enjoy exploring 20 miles of the nearby countryside. Dunes, prairies, wetlands, forests, and more are all ripe for exploration via over 50 miles of trails. 

Mammoth Cave National Park  

Two hours west of London, Kentucky, is the wondrous underground world of Mammoth Cave National Park. You’ll be able to explore a portion of the world’s longest known cave system. Awesome features like Frozen Niagara, Gothic Avenue, and the Rotunda are proudly on display here. The Green River provides ample opportunities for fishing, boating, and hiking while multiple trails take you through some gorgeous Kentucky countryside. 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park  

The wonders of Great Smoky Mountains National Park are easy to reach via a 45-minute drive east of Knoxville, TN. You won’t have any problem understanding why this is America’s most visited national park once you explore its many sources of beauty. Gorgeous panoramic mountain views are commonplace here as are lovely forests and serene waterfalls. Your hardest decision will likely be choosing which portion of the park’s 800 miles of trails you wish to explore. You could also decide to hike on the famous Appalachian Trail since a portion of it runs through the park. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park  

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park is different from any other national park on your road trip itinerary from Detroit to Orlando thanks to its urban location. It’s only four minutes from downtown Atlanta, so it’s in the heart of this large Southern city near a host of popular attractions. In the midst of all this modern hustle and bustle, you’ll be able to take a trip back in time to the civil rights era by visiting historical locations like Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthplace, his home church, and Fire Station No. 6. You’ll also be able to tour the visitor center, the King Center, and the World Peace Rose Garden.

Nearby State Parks

Maumee Bay State Park  

Maumee Bay State Park is only 20 minutes east of Toledo, so it’s an early stop on your Detroit to Orlando RV road trip. Its location on lovely Lake Erie makes it an ideal place to go fishing, swimming, and boating. Multiple trails take you through woodlands, marshes, meadows, and more. They even have an 18-hole golf course, so you can play a round or two. 

Big Bone Lick State Park  

Big Bone Lick State Park gets its name from the ice age fossils located there plus the salt deposits that likely drew the living animals to the area. Nowadays, this state park 15 minutes west of Walton, Kentucky, is known for its bison herd. Once you’re done looking at the bison, you can walk along some lovely trails that will help you learn more about the history of the area. Then, you can tour the museum that features fossils, Native American artifacts, and more.

Frozen Head State Park  

Frozen Head State Park is named for the effect of winter snow and ice on the park’s highest points, but you can enjoy its beauty all year long. You only have to travel an hour west of Knoxville to get there, so you’ll soon be walking in the high mountains contained in this park’s 24,000 acres. More than 50 miles of trails provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and backpacking. 

Indian Springs State Park  

Indian Springs State Park is situated between Atlanta and Macon roughly 25 minutes east of Locust Grove. As its name implies, Native Americans frequented the area around the natural springs here. Many people have visited here since in order to enjoy the springs and the gorgeous area around them. You’ll be able to explore over 500 acres of forest, springs, and grasslands via multiple trails. Chief McIntosh Lake is a great place to go swimming and boating. 

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park  

While “15 minutes southeast of Gainesville, Florida,” might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about bison, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, nevertheless, does have its own bison herd. Before you end your road trip from Detroit to Orlando, you should stop and explore the lovely prairies and savannas found in this park. Wild horses, birds, gators, and more all call this interesting state park home.

Along the Way

Carillon Historical Park  

Ten minutes south of downtown Dayton, Ohio, is Carillon Historical Park. The park is named for Deeds Carillon, which is a lovely limestone carillon, with 57 bells, that’s over 150 feet high. You’ll also be able to visit the John W. Berry Sr. Wright Brothers Aviation Center, Carillon Brewing Co., and the Carousel of Dayton Innovation. 

Kentucky Horse Park  

Lexington is the heart of horse country, so you should add the Kentucky Horse Park to your road trip itinerary from Detroit to Orlando. At this attraction about 25 minutes north of downtown Lexington, you’ll be able to meet famous thoroughbreds at the Hall of Champions, see a variety of horses at the Parade of Breeds Show, or take your own horseback trail ride in the countryside.

The Lost Sea  

The Lost Sea is America’s largest underground lake, so it’s definitely worth visiting. It’s only 15 minutes west of Northpoint, Tennessee, so it’s a reasonable addition to your Detroit to Orlando RV road trip. In addition to taking a boat tour of the Lost Sea, you can also tour some caverns with great rock formations and visit the Lost Sea Village to buy some souvenirs. 

Zoo Atlanta  

Zoo Atlanta is less than 10 minutes south of Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, so why not explore it on your Detroit to Orlando road trip? The zoo began in the late 1800s when an Atlanta businessman purchased a stranded menagerie of animals and donated them to Atlanta; it has since grown into a sizable tourist destination and conservation center. 

The Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park  

A dozen minutes before you reach Ocala, Florida, you can have a great adventure at the Canyons Zip Line and Adventure Park. You can explore this fun park via the air, land, or water, so there are plenty of opportunities to kayak, ride horses, and fly on zip lines.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Toledo, Ohio  

Toledo is just across the Ohio-Michigan border, so it’s an early stop on your road trip from Detroit to Orlando. You can park your camper at multiple campgrounds in the area as you explore attractions like the Toledo Museum of Art and the Toledo Zoo.

Cincinnati, Ohio  

Cincinnati is on the Ohio side of the Ohio-Kentucky border, which is the Ohio River. Plenty of dump stations and campgrounds are nearby. Places to visit include Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

Lexington, Kentucky  

Lexington is horse country, so you’ll want to visit attractions like Keeneland and the Kentucky Horse Park. While you’re learning more about horses, you can take advantage of multiple dump stations and campgrounds in the area.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville is home to interesting places like the University of Tennessee and Zoo Knoxville. If you decide to spend some time exploring the area, you’ll have plenty of dump stations and campgrounds at your disposal.

Atlanta, Georgia  

There are so many things to do and see in this big Georgia city that you’ll probably need to use some of the dump stations and campgrounds nearby. Places like the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights are waiting to be explored.

Find Adventure from Detroit to Orlando

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Detroit to Orlando, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Detroit or Orlando.