The Best Road Trips from D.C.
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I don’t know about y’all, but with travel still a bit weird, I have had to get creative with my travel plans. I even created a handy quarantine summer bucket list for your summer plans. One type of travel that I am excited to continue is to take more road trips. If you have a car, this is a great way to get away while still staying close to home. And if you’re near D.C., there are so many options to choose from when planning a road trip. Keep reading for my list of the best road trips from D.C.
1. Baltimore, MD
~Location: About an hour from D.C.
~Mode of transportation: Car or Amtrak.
~Parking: Street and some deck parking.
~Highlights: Inner Harbor, National Aquarium
Baltimore is the closest spot on my list of road trips from D.C., which makes it perfect for a short weekend trip or even a day trip. If it’s your first time visiting, I’d recommend exploring Inner Harbor first. It has lovely water views, as well as the National Aquarium and funky Fells Point nearby. The thing that surprised me most about Baltimore is how many cultural and historical attractions there are.
Other than the aquarium, check out the Walters Art Museum, George Peabody Library or Maryland Science Center. Also, the original Washington Monument is here and you can climb to the top for stunning city views. And if you’re a baseball fan, catch a game at Camden Yards. For more on Baltimore, check out my solo weekend trip itinerary.
2. Annapolis, MD
~Location: About an hour from D.C.
~Mode of transportation: Car
~Parking: Street parking
~Highlights: All the water activities, the seafood, Quiet Waters Park
Another short trip from D.C., Annapolis is also perfect for anyone who loves vacations by the water. For a quieter place to stay, look for options in Eastport, which is a short walk or water taxi ride from downtown.
A few attractions worth visiting are Pinkney Street, which has charming historic row houses, Old Fox Books for a quaint back patio to read and sip some coffee, and Quiet Waters Park for picturesque views. For more information about Annapolis, read about my solo weekend trip.
3. Harpers Ferry, WV
~Location: About an hour and 15 minutes northwest of D.C.
~Mode of transportation: Car or Amtrak
~Parking: Limited street parking.
~Highlights: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Appalachian Trail, water sports, small-town charm
Harpers Ferry is probably my all-time favorite road trip destination close to D.C. I am obsessed with this small town at the corner of Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. Probably because it has all of my favorite things, including hiking, history, water activities, and a welcoming small-town charm.
This is a great destination at any time of year, but it’s especially gorgeous in the Fall. Go for the fall foliage and stay for the ghost tours every weekend. And make sure to stay at a quaint historical bed and breakfast, like Rockhaven B&B, while you’re there.
4. Shenandoah National Park, VA
~Location: The Front Royal entrance is about an hour and a half west of D.C.
~Mode of transportation: Car
~Parking: Lots throughout the park.
~Highlights: Overlooks, waterfalls, Skyline Drive
The only national park in the mid-Atlantic region, Shenandoah National Park is another great fall destination. It is most famous for its fall foliage, which can be viewed while driving on Skyline Drive. If you’re like me and want to experience nature up close, there are too many trails and overlooks to count. Some of the most popular are Old Rag, Stony Man, and White Oak Canyon. Regardless of the season, Shenandoah is a great road trip destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
5. Philadelphia, PA
~Location: Two and half hours from D.C.
~Mode of transportation: Car or Amtrak
~Parking: Limited street parking.
~Highlights: Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell
Philadelphia is the perfect road trip destination for history buffs. The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed, are the most popular attractions, with good reason. However, there are other historical sites to see, including Benjamin Franklin’s burial place and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Of course, if you’re a sports fan, catching a Phillies or Eagles game should also be on the itinerary.
6. Lewes, DE
~Location: Two and a half to three hours east of D.C.
~Mode of transportation: Car
~Parking: Plentiful street parking.
~Highlights: Ocean views, beach, Cape Henlopen State Park, ferry to Cape May
Although not as well-known as the other destinations on this list, don’t discount Lewes for a weekend or day trip. Located on the Atlantic Ocean, Lewes is close to the more popular Rehoboth Beach while still staying quiet and underrated. The highlight is Cape Henlopen State Park, which has hiking, free bike rentals and beach access. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is also here, so you can pack two destinations in one trip.
7. Cape May, NJ
~Location: Three and a half to four hours, depending on your route
~Mode of transportation: Car, Ferry if coming from Delaware
~Parking: Limited parking.
~Highlights: Cape May Lighthouse, beaches, Victorian houses
For a beach vacation or coastal charm, take a trip to Cape May. With its Victorian houses and pristine beaches, this road trip from D.C. is a bit more posh. Although a bit pricier, Cape May is worth it for a romantic getaway to one of the best beaches in the country. And if you’d rather stay in Lewes and take the ferry to Cape May for the day, that is definitely an option.
8. Norfolk, VA
~Location: Four to four and half hours, depending on your route
~Mode of transportation: Car
~Parking: Street parking
~Highlights: Proximity to the bay and Virginia Beach, Neon District street art
For a beach vacation, Norfolk and the nearby Virginia Beach are both great options. If you want a less-crowded beach, check out Willoughby Beach. Although it is on the bay instead of the ocean, Virginia Beach is close enough for a day trip.
Norfolk also has a great brewery scene and its downtown street art should not be missed. There is even a map to find all the best murals in the Neon District.
There are so many other great road trips from D.C. on my list. Here are just a few that I haven’t made it to yet, but hope to soon!
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Richmond, VA
What are your favorite road trips from D.C.? I’d love to hear more in the comments below!
22 Comments
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kmf
Wow…these are some pretty fabulous day trips!
Cindy Mailhot
It’s hard to believe that these are all day trips! Great ideas-thank you!
Jordan
Hi Cindy,
I know, right?! They all seem like they wouldn’t be that close to D.C. One of the perks of living in this area for sure.
Cindy
These are some great destinations! Of those, Izvestia only been to Philadelphia. I’m doing the same this summer, taking road trips.
Jordan
Hi Cindy,
That is great to hear you’re going to be taking road trips too. I hope you enjoy them!
Jennifer
Looks like some interesting road trips from DC