Miami to Orlando road trip plans usually start with a simple question: beach first or theme parks first? But the real magic happens when you combine both cities with the comfort of family-friendly vacation rentals along the way. Somewhere in these 11 ideas there is a route that fits your family so well that every night feels like coming home — and at the end, you will get a simple blueprint to design your own perfect itinerary in minutes.
Why a Miami to Orlando Road Trip With Vacation Rentals Is Perfect for Families
Driving from Miami to Orlando gives you something a quick flight never can: freedom. You choose when to leave, where to stop, and how to split your days between beaches, shopping, nature and theme parks. Add vacation rentals to the mix and your Miami to Orlando road trip looks like this:
- Separate bedrooms so everyone sleeps well — especially kids and grandparents.
- Full kitchen to prepare breakfast and simple dinners instead of eating out three times a day.
- Living room where the family can relax, watch a movie or plan the next day.
- Washer and dryer so you can pack lighter and reset after beach or park days.
- Private pools or resort amenities to enjoy true downtime between driving and attractions.
With Florida On Vacation, you can book everything from an oceanfront condo near Miami to a large home near Disney in Orlando, making the whole trip feel like one seamless experience instead of a series of disconnected hotel rooms.
11 Fabulous Miami to Orlando Road Trip Ideas With Family-Friendly Vacation Rentals
Use these 11 ideas as building blocks. You do not need to use them all — pick the ones that match your family, your time and your budget.
1. Start in Hollywood Beach With an Oceanfront Condo
Begin your Miami to Orlando road trip with pure beach time. An oceanfront condo like Amazing New Condo In Hollywood Access Dir Beach lets you wake up to ocean views, walk to the sand and enjoy a full kitchen and balcony.
Spend one to three nights here to shake off travel fatigue, stroll the Hollywood Broadwalk and adjust to the Florida sunshine before driving north.
2. Add a Night in a Quiet House Near the Beach
If you are traveling with kids or another family, consider a house such as Relaxing And Bright 3/2 House, Walking To The Beach. You get extra bedrooms, a yard or patio, and a calmer residential feel while still staying near the ocean.
This is a great moment in the trip to enjoy barbecues, early nights and slow mornings before the busy Orlando park days.
3. Sleep in a Pool Home at Lighthouse Point
For families who love pool time as much as beach time, a stop in a pool home like Cozy Home At Lighthouse Point With Pool is a game changer. You can split your days between the beach, the backyard pool and short drives along the coast.
This type of home is perfect if you want a soft transition from beach-focused days to the driving phase of your Miami to Orlando road trip.
4. Stay in Aventura for Shopping and Easy Highway Access
Another smart idea is to sleep in Aventura, a sweet spot between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. A condo such as Aventura 2 Bed or Yacht Club 3 Bed puts you close to Aventura Mall, restaurants and the main highways north.
From here, it is easy to hit the road toward Orlando after a last relaxed morning of shopping or pool time.
5. Drive the Coast Before Cutting Inland
Instead of going straight up the Florida Turnpike, you can drive part of the way along the Atlantic coast, stopping for lunch in places like West Palm Beach or Vero Beach. Use a beach morning in Hollywood or Aventura as your starting point, then:
- Leave after breakfast to avoid rush hour.
- Stop in a coastal town for a walk and lunch.
- Arrive in the Orlando area by late afternoon to check into your next vacation rental.
For planning coastal stops, browsing general resources like Visit Florida can help you choose beaches and small towns that fit your style.
6. Use a Solterra Resort Home as Your Orlando Theme Park Base
Once in the Orlando area, you can make a home in Solterra Resort your base for the parks. A property like the 5 Bedroom Vacation Rental Solterra Resort – Stunning Home with Pool Near Disney gives you:
- Plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms for big families or two families traveling together.
- Private pool plus access to the resort pool, lazy river and clubhouse.
- Easy driving distance to Disney, Universal and SeaWorld.
Spend four to six nights here, rotating between park days and pool days.
7. Go Big With a 9-Bedroom Storey Lake Villa
If your Miami to Orlando road trip is a multi-family reunion, look at a huge house such as Luxury 9 Bedroom Storey Lake. It is designed for large groups and can sleep up to 18 guests.
Fill the home with cousins, friends and grandparents, share food in the big kitchen, and enjoy a cost per person that often beats several hotel rooms.
8. Choose a Tuscana Resort Condo for a Budget-Friendly Orlando Stay
If you want to keep costs under control while still being close to the parks, a condo like Charming 3 Bedrooms in Tuscana Resort that Sleeps 6 is a very smart option. You get resort amenities — pool, kids’ pool, hot tub, fitness center — without paying for a giant villa.
This works especially well for families of up to six who plan to spend most of their days at Disney and only need a comfortable, practical place to recharge.
9. Pick an Orlando Town House for Mixed-Attraction Trips
Maybe your family wants to combine Disney with outlets, local restaurants and day trips. In that case, a property like the Orlando Town House in a gated community is a great fit:
- Enough bedrooms for a typical family or two smaller families.
- Community pool and playground so kids can play on non-park days.
- Good access to major roads for exploring beyond Disney.
This is a good choice if you want flexibility instead of a parks-only itinerary.
10. Reverse the Trip: Start in Orlando, Finish in Miami
Another fabulous idea is to invert the order: fly into Orlando, stay near Disney first, and then drive down to the beach to recover from the park days. After a week in a Storey Lake or Solterra home, you can finish with three or four nights at the beach in places like:
- Amazing New Condo In Hollywood Access Dir Beach for oceanfront views.
- Relaxing And Bright 3/2 House, Walking To The Beach for a calmer neighborhood feel.
Ending your Miami to Orlando road trip (in reverse) with easy beach days is a fantastic way to send everyone home relaxed.
11. Short Version: 4–5 Day Miami to Orlando Road Trip
If you have limited days, you can still enjoy a powerful mini version of the route:
- Day 1–2: Stay in an oceanfront condo in Hollywood or a condo in Aventura for beach time and shopping.
- Day 3: Drive north, stopping once on the coast for lunch.
- Day 3–5: Stay in an Orlando condo or townhouse near Disney, like Tuscana Resort or Orlando Town House.
This compressed itinerary still gives you both beach and theme park energy with only one main driving segment in the middle.
How to Plan Your Miami to Orlando Road Trip With Vacation Rentals
To turn these 11 ideas into a real plan, follow this simple process:
- Decide on your total number of nights. For example, 3 nights in the Miami area and 5 nights in Orlando.
- Choose your “Miami base” type. Oceanfront condo, pool home or quiet residential house.
- Choose your “Orlando base” type. Large resort villa, townhouse or condo near Disney.
- Lock in the rentals first using the filters on the Book Your Stay page, then fill the gaps with activities and stops.
For extra inspiration about attractions, events and seasons, you can also check general travel resources like Miami and Beaches, Visit Orlando and Visit Florida before finalizing your dates.
Quick Answers About the Miami to Orlando Road Trip
How long does it take to drive from Miami to Orlando?
Driving directly, the Miami to Orlando road trip usually takes about 3.5 to 4.5 hours by car, depending on traffic and your exact starting and ending points.
Is it better to start in Miami or Orlando?
Families with small kids often prefer starting in Miami to relax on the beach first and then head to the parks. Others like to “do the intense part first” and start with Orlando, finishing with quieter days by the ocean.
How many days do I need for a Miami to Orlando road trip?
A classic route is 7–10 days: 3–4 nights in the Miami area and 4–6 nights near Disney. Shorter trips of 4–5 days are possible if you focus on just one or two stops in each region.
Are vacation rentals better than hotels for this route?
For most families, yes. Vacation rentals give you more space, kitchens and laundry, and you can choose homes that match each leg of the trip — beach condos in the south and resort homes near the parks in Orlando.
Can I do the Miami to Orlando road trip without renting a car?
It is technically possible with trains, buses and rideshares, but much less flexible. Renting a car makes it far easier to combine multiple vacation rentals and spontaneous stops along the way.
A Simple Blueprint to Design Your Own Miami to Orlando Road Trip
Here is the blueprint promised at the beginning — a quick way to build your own route using these ideas:
- Pick your direction: Miami → Orlando or Orlando → Miami.
- Select two “anchor stays”: one vacation rental in the Miami area and one in the Orlando area.
- Add optional stops: pool home, coastal lunch stop, extra beach night or additional Orlando resort night.
- Book your rentals first, then your park tickets and activities.
When you plan your Miami to Orlando road trip around vacation rentals that actually match your family, every stage of the journey feels intentional: relaxed mornings, comfortable evenings and just enough driving in between. That is how a simple line on the map turns into a Florida memory your family will talk about for a very long time.
