Destin, FL Road Trips
Sitting in Florida, Destin, FL is a local road trip base with 9 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 499 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Destin, FL head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
9
Longest Drive
637 mi
Miami, FL
Quickest Drive
5h 54m
Gainesville, FL
Plan Around Destin, FL
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Destin, FL is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Destin, FL
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Destin, FL
Destin, FL to Miami, FL
Destin, FL to Miramar, FL
Destin, FL to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Destin, FL to Cape Coral, FL
Destin, FL to Tampa, FL
Destin, FL to Jacksonville, FL
Destin, FL to Gainesville, FL
Driving from Destin, FL
On average, trips departing from Destin, FL run 499 miles with a drive time of roughly 9h 19m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 637 miles (11h 49m), while the shortest is just 307 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Destin, FL most often head toward Miami, FL (637 mi, 11h 49m), Miramar, FL (622.3 mi, 11h 32m), Fort Lauderdale, FL (614.8 mi, 11h 25m), Cape Coral, FL (555.7 mi, 10h 26m), and Tampa, FL (431.9 mi, 8h 3m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in FL currently averages around $4.15 per gallon. For the typical 499-mile trip from Destin, FL, budget about $81 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. These are full-day drives. Start by 7 or 8 AM if you want to arrive at a reasonable hour without rushing.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 7 mapped routes leaving Destin, FL and 2 routes heading into Destin, FL, covering 9 total connections. Distances range from 307 to 637 miles.
The longest mapped route from Destin, FL covers 637 miles and takes approximately 11h 49m. Shorter options start at just 307 miles.
The average route from Destin, FL runs about 499 miles with a drive time of roughly 9h 19m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $4.15/gallon for regular), the average 499-mile trip from Destin, FL costs roughly $81 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Destin, FL include Miami, FL, Miramar, FL, Fort Lauderdale, FL and Cape Coral, FL. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Destin, FL by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
14,018
Median Income
$89,141
Median Home Value
$455,100
Median Age
41.5
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Destin, FL at a Glance
Founded
1984
Elevation
26 ft
Area
8 mi²
City data from Wikidata (Q2156427), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Destin, FL
Destin is an upscale resort town in the Florida Panhandle.
The beach, with its distinctive emerald green water, earning it the nickname of the Emerald Coast. Destin's enormous stretch of beach is spectacular, with some of the finest, whitest sand in the world. The sand is so soft it literally squeaks under foot. You will be spoiled forever after experiencing this. 1 Big Kahuna's, 1007 US Hwy 98 E, ☏ +1 850-837-8319, [email protected]. (updated Jun 2021) 2 The Track Family Recreation Center. 3 Henderson Beach State Park, 17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, ☏ +1 850 837-7550. 8AM-sundown. $6/vehicle (2-8 people), $4/single occupant vehicle, $2/ pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers. (updated Jun 2020)
Destin is famous for its sugar white sand beach and emerald green water. The area is renowned for its golfing opportunities. The climate is nearly ideal year-round. Ft. Walton Beach Golf Club, 1909 Lewis Turner Blvd., Ft. Walton Beach, ☏ +1 850-833-9529. Public championship course. Pro shop, lighted driving range, club rentals and snack bar. Golf Garden of Destin, 112958 Highway 98 East, ☏ +1 850-837-7422. Public lighted course and practice area. Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club, 465 Regatta Bay Blvd, ☏ +1 850-650-7800. Public, championship course designed by Robert C. Walker. Seascape Resort & Conference Center, 100 Seascape Dr, ☏ +1 850-654-7888. Public course with greens and driving range. Emerald Bay Golf Club, 4781 Clubhouse Drive, ☏ +1 850 837-5197. Adventure Charters, ☏ +1 850-654-4070. Offers many charter options. Pelican Adventures, 210-F Hwy 98 East, ☏ +1 850-650-3825. One Mo'r Fishing Charter, 314 Harbor Blvd, ☏ +1 850-502-3550. Deep Sea & Inshore Fishing Charters. Includes bottom fishing, trolling, and bay fishing. (updated Apr 2017) A Paradise Watersports, ☏ +1 850-837-0123, +1 850-302-0021. On Okaloosa island. Rents all kinds of boats and water gear. Boogies Water Sports, ☏ +1 850-654-4497. At the foot of the bridge. Offers watercraft rentals and parasailing. Destin Florida Charters, ☏ +1 850-393-7009. Charters power and sail yachts. 1 Wet-n-Wild Watersports, 288 Harbor Blvd Unit D, ☏ +1 850-243-2628, [email protected]. 8AM-6PM. Offers parasailing, pontoon boat rentals, crab island tours, etc.
There are any number of places to eat both on and off the beach. The Back Porch, ☏ +1 850-837-2023. Boathouse Oyster Bar, ☏ +1 850-837-3645. Camellia Grill, w Harbor Blvd Suite 200, ☏ +1 850 650-2907. Old style diner with New Orleans touches. A favorite in the Carrollton section of New Orleans for generations; now has a branch in Destin in the HarborWalk Village Mall. Captain Dave's on the Gulf, ☏ +1 850-837-6357. Destin Chops, 320 Hwy. 98 E (on the second floor of the Destin Yacht Club), ☏ +1 850-654-4944. Steakhouse. Dewey Destin's, 9 Calhoun Avenue. (updated Jun 2016) Fisherman's Wharf, 210-D Hwy 98 East, ☏ +1 850-654-4766. Hog's Breath Saloon, 541 E. Hwy 98, ☏ +1 850-837-5100. Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill, 20001 Emerald Coast Pkwy, ☏ +1 850 654-4200. Harbor Docks, 538 Highway 98, ☏ +1 850-837-2506. Marina Café, 404 Hwy 98 East, ☏ +1 850-650-4208. McGuires Irish Pub and Brewery, 33 E Highway 98, ☏ +1 850-650-0000. Steaks and ale. Nightown, ☏ +1 850-837-6448. Ocean Club Restaurant, 8955 Hwy. 98 West,#107, Miramar Beach, ☏ +1 850-267-3666. The grouper comes recommended! Yesterday's, ☏ +1 850-654-5251.
Vin'tij Wine Boutique (across the street from the Silver Sands Factory Stores). The wine list is extensive. The decor is an eclectic mix of local art and mosaics. The atmosphere is nice.
Motel 6, 405 Highway 98 E, ☏ +1 850-837-0007. Sleep Inn, 10775 Highway 98 E, ☏ +1 850-654-7022. Shore Dreams Vacation Rentals, toll-free: +1-855-550-8005. Pet-friendly condos, golf villas, and houses for all budgets Country Inn & Suites, 4415 Commons Dr E, ☏ +1 850-650-9191. Holiday Inn, 1020 Highway 98 East, ☏ +1 850-837-6181. Ramada Limited Destin, 39 Old Hwy 98 East, ☏ +1 850 837-2378. SkyRun Vacation Rentals Destin/30A, ☏ +1 850-460-3410, [email protected]. Club Destin, 1085 Highway 98 E, ☏ +1 850-654-4700. Inn on Destin Harbor, 402 Highway 98 E, ☏ +1 850-837-7326. Silver Shells Beach Resort and Spa, 15000 Emerald Coast Parkway, toll-free: +1-877-447-3767. Beachfront condominium resort with Ruth Chris Steak House on site. The Palms of Destin, 4201 Two Trees Rd, toll-free: +1-877-447-3767. Beautiful Gulfside resort with pool, tennis courts, spa, and fitness center. Silver Beach Towers Resort, 1050 Highway 98, ☏ +1-877-447-3767. Extraordinary beach front resort on the white sand Gulf Coast. Seascape Golf, Beach & Tennis Resort, 100 Seascape Drive, toll-free: +1-800-874-9106. One, Two and Three bedroom rentals at Ariel Dunes, Ariel Dunes II, Majestic Sun and the Villas. Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, 4000 Sandestin Blvd. A getaway for a Florida golf trip or a relaxing vacation. Top-notch accommodations, access to top-rated golf courses, upscale dining at Seagars, and relax at the Serenity by the Sea Spa.
Primary access to Destin is by private vehicle. It is on US 98 between Pensacola and Panama City. From IH-10 west, take IH-110 south through Gulf Breeze, merge with US 98, and follow US 98 along the coast through Fort Walton Beach. From IH-10 east, take FL 285 south through Eglin Air Force Base, make a left on FL 20 to go east, then a right to go south on Mid Bay Bridge. The closest public airport is Okaloosa Regional Airport (VPS IATA) (Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport). Car rental agencies are available at the airport, or offer a courtesy pickup service from the airport. There are 2 other nearby airports, Pensacola International Airport (PNS IATA), about 1 hr 20 mins away, and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP IATA), about 1 hr away.
Destin offers two public transits with limited availability but affordable prices. The transits are offered during the tourist season primarily and can be found at access points in the Crystal Beach shopping center and the Destin Commons. Coastal Shuttle Service, ☏ +1 850-687-8220. 24. Airport shuttle service. Sexton Taxi, ☏ +1 850-837-0777, +1 850-585-0908. Airport shuttle service to all local airports. Taxi service throughout the area.
Travel tips adapted from Destin on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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