Florida RV Road Trip: Keys, Gulf Coast & Everglades (2026 Guide)

Why Florida Is Perfect for an RV Road Trip

Florida is America's RV playground — flat, easy driving, year-round warmth, and an incredible density of campgrounds right on the water. With RV pickups available in Miami and Orlando, you can be on the beach within an hour of collecting your rig.

This guide covers a 10–14 day loop that hits Florida's three headline regions: the Florida Keys, the Everglades, and the Gulf Coast. It works as a one-way trip (Miami → Orlando or vice versa) or a round loop from either city.

💡 Tip: Compare RV rental prices from all major Florida operators on CamperCompare — and book direct at the best price.

The Route: Miami → Keys → Everglades → Gulf Coast

Days 1–3: Miami to Key West (Overseas Highway)

The drive from Miami to Key West via the Overseas Highway (US-1) is one of the world's great road trips — 180 miles across 42 bridges with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other.

Key stops along the way:

• Key Largo — John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (snorkelling, glass-bottom boats). Camp at John Pennekamp State Park ($40–$55/night with electric hookups).
• Islamorada — Robbie's Marina to feed giant tarpon. Rent a kayak and explore the mangroves.
• Bahia Honda State Park — Regularly voted one of America's best beaches. RV sites are right on the water ($33–$55/night). Book months ahead.
• Key West — Walk Duval Street, watch sunset at Mallory Square, visit the Hemingway House. Boyd's Key West Campground is the closest RV park to Old Town ($90–$130/night winter).

Days 4–5: Everglades National Park

Head back up US-1 and cut west into Everglades National Park — 1.5 million acres of subtropical wilderness, alligators, manatees, and some of the best birdwatching in North America.

• Flamingo Campground — The only in-park RV campground, at the southern tip of the Everglades ($30/night, electric hookups). Wake up to pelicans and crocodiles.
• Must-do: Anhinga Trail (easy 0.8-mile boardwalk — guaranteed gator sightings), Nine Mile Pond canoe trail, and a ranger-led slough slog (wet-walk through the swamp).
• Shark Valley — Rent bikes or take the tram tour to the observation tower overlooking the River of Grass.

Days 6–8: Gulf Coast — Naples to Sarasota

Cross Alligator Alley (I-75) to Florida's laid-back Gulf Coast, where the sand is white, the sunsets are legendary, and the pace is blissfully slow.

• Naples — Upscale beach town with beautiful pier sunsets. Collier-Seminole State Park ($28–$33/night) is a great base.
• Fort Myers / Sanibel Island — World-famous shelling beaches. Park the RV at Periwinkle Park on Sanibel ($65–$85/night).
• Sarasota / Siesta Key — Siesta Beach has the whitest, finest quartz sand in America. Oscar Scherer State Park ($28/night) is a peaceful RV base.

Days 9–11: St Pete, Tampa & the Space Coast

• Fort De Soto Park (St Petersburg) — Consistently rated one of America's top campgrounds. Waterfront RV sites ($40–$45/night, book months ahead).
• Tampa — Ybor City for Cuban food, the Florida Aquarium, and craft beer in Seminole Heights.
• Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral) — A must-visit if you're returning to Orlando. Jetty Park Campground is right at the port ($45–$55/night).

Days 12–14: Return to Orlando or Miami

Drop off in Orlando if you've done a one-way rental, or loop back to Miami via the Atlantic coast (stop at West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale). One-way fees in Florida are typically US$200–$400.

Florida RV Rental Tips

• Pick-up cities: Miami and Orlando have the most RV rental options — Cruise America, El Monte, Road Bear and Escape Campervans all operate here.
• Vehicle choice: A 22–25ft Class C is ideal for the Keys (easy to park). Avoid anything over 30ft if you plan to drive to Key West — spaces are tight.
• Insurance: Most US RV companies include basic liability. Add collision damage waiver (CDW) for US$15–$25/day for peace of mind.
• Tolls: Florida uses electronic SunPass tolls on some highways. Ask your rental company if a toll transponder is included.

Best Florida RV Campgrounds at a Glance

Campground	Location	Price/Night	Why Stay
Bahia Honda State Park	Florida Keys	$33–$55	Beachfront, best in Keys
Flamingo Campground	Everglades	$30	Wild & remote, in the park
Fort De Soto Park	St Petersburg	$40–$45	Top-rated in USA
Boyd's Key West	Key West	$90–$130	Closest to Old Town
Jetty Park Campground	Cape Canaveral	$45–$55	Watch rocket launches

How Much Does a Florida RV Trip Cost?

A 14-day Florida RV trip for two adults typically costs US$3,500–$5,500 all-in (RV rental, fuel, campgrounds, food, activities). For a family of four, budget US$5,000–$7,500. That's significantly cheaper than 14 nights in Florida hotels + car rental + dining out.

💰 Save more: Compare RV rental prices on CamperCompare to find the best deal for your dates and pick-up city.