Orlando To Destin: Best Routes & Stops To Make!

If you’re hoping to avoid the drive from Destin to Orlando, then you may want to book a commercial flight between these two cities.

There are two main airports that make for the best places to fly in and out of, which include the Orlando International Airport and the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport.

Unfortunately, flying won’t save you too much time, since most of the available flights are not direct flights. The flight time and distance end up being around 3 to 6 hours typically.

Many of the charter flights have short layovers in places like Atlanta, Charlotte, or Miami.

The Orlando International Airport is the largest and main airport in Florida and is where you’ll find a majority of people flying from domestic or international flights.

And just 30 minutes from Destin is the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, which gets you the closest to Destin.

Aircraft operators and airlines that fly this route include popular ones like Delta, Southwest, and American Airlines.

If you’ve decided to make the drive between Orlando and Destin, then you might want to know how long the route takes to drive.

The driving distance is approximately 415 miles, which will take around 6 hours.

Depending on road traffic and weather conditions, the drive might take a bit longer, since you will pass through two major cities.

Gainesville and Tallahassee are the two cities that you’ll pass through, and during rush hour, you might find traffic.

There are two main routes that you can take to get between these cities. One has tolls, while the other doesn’t, and one is a few minutes faster than the other.

Luckily, there isn’t much of a difference in total travel style and time between the two routes, so choosing which to take shouldn’t be too difficult.

✓ Via I-75 N and I-10 W (Fastest Option)

The first and most commonly taken route is via I-75 N and I-10 W. This route is the fastest and doesn’t have any tolls.

From Orlando, you’ll follow I-75 N until you reach Lake City, about 160 miles. From there, you’ll merge onto I-10 W and follow that into the Florida Panhandle.

There are a few more turns to take, but soon you’ll make it to Destin. There are no tolls along this route, and it’ll take about 6 hours or 415 miles.

✓ Via US-27 and I-10 W (With Tolls)

An alternative route from Orlando follows US-27 until Fanning Springs before it turns into US-98.

Follow this road until it merges into I-10 W, and then follow the same route through Tallahassee and down into Destin.

If you decide to drive this route, expect it to take around 6.5 hours and about 420 miles.

There are tolls along US-27 that you’ll need to pass on this route, so be sure to have some cash or be prepared to pay afterward!

1. Silver Springs State Park

Florida is well known for its many springs, and at Silver Springs State Park, you can experience one of the very best.

Float around the springs on a glass bottom boat or rent a stand-up paddleboard to explore the water.  As you explore, you might even spot wildlife such as manatees or alligators.

2. Gainesville

Gainesville is the largest city that you’ll pass through on your journey between Destin and Orlando.

Be sure to make a stop and check out popular attractions like the Florida Museum of Natural History, Ichetukness Springs State Park, Downtown Gainesville, and Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park.

The city is also well known for being the home to the large college campus, the University of Florida.

And if you’re looking for a bite to eat while in Gainesville, check out this list of awesome restaurants! 

3. Gilchrist Blue Springs

There are many spots to see springs in Florida, and Gilchrist Blue Springs is another.

Around the park, you’ll find a variety of crystal clear, bright blue natural springs that are home to wildlife, and make for the perfect places to swim or paddleboard.

Along with exploring the water, there are many hiking trails to wander around.

4. Tallahassee

As the state capital of Florida, there is plenty to do in the city of Tallahassee.  This marks just over the halfway point from Orlando to Destin.

A few things to do include exploring the historical sites at Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park, admiring the lake at Tom Brown Park, and wandering around Downtown Tallahassee.

5. Wakulla Springs State Park

Another spot to explore the famous Florida state parks springs is Wakulla Springs State Park.  Here you’ll find one of the world’s oldest and deepest natural freshwater springs that is waiting for you to explore it.

Take a boat tour and keep an eye out for manatees and alligators, snorkel or swim in the crystal-clear waters, or admire the blue water from the shoreline of a hiking trail.

6. Florida Caverns State Park 

Differing from most of the rest of the stops between Orlando and Destin is Florida Caverns State Park, where you’ll get to explore the underground world.

Here you can take a cave tour and wander underground with a guide who will tell you all about the unique stalagmites and other rock formations in the caverns.

7. Falling Waters State Park

As you inch closer to Destin, you’ll come across Falling Waters State Park.  This unique park features Florida’s highest waterfall.

Follow a short boardwalk to the waterfall, which drops 74 feet into a sinkhole and is surrounded by large ferns and greenery.

8. Henderson Beach State Park

Just the shortest distance from Destin is the stunning Henderson Beach State Park.  Known for its soft, white sand dunes that line the ocean of the Florida panhandle.

Whether you want to swim, snorkel, go on a boating tour, or just relax on the sand dunes, Henderson Beach State Park offers some of the best beaches and is a must-stop along your drive.

You can either choose to take a route from Orlando to Destin that has tolls or take one that doesn’t have any.

The route along I-75 N and I-10 W doesn’t have any tolls, so you can avoid paying any additional fees by taking this road.

On the other hand, the alternative route, which follows US-27 and I-10 W does have a few tolls that you’ll need to pass through.

You can either choose to take a route from Orlando to Destin that has tolls or take one that doesn’t have any.

The route along I-75 N and I-10 W doesn’t have any tolls, so you can avoid paying any additional fees by taking this road.

On the other hand, the alternative route, which follows US-27 and I-10 W does have a few tolls that you’ll need to pass through.

No, there is no shuttle from Destin to Orlando or in reverse driving directions, but you can take a bus to Fort Walton Beach if you’re looking to save some money on travel costs.

Greyhound buses run between Orlando and Fort Walton Beach a few times a week for around $70 to $100 one way.

You will need to also find a way to get from Fort Walton Beach to Destin, such as a taxi or an Uber, but the bus will get you close.

So if you’re planning a visit to Florida and are wondering how to get from Orlando to Destin and where to stop, there are a few things to know.

Whether you want to just take the fastest route or you’re hoping to make it an adventure and stop along the way, you can make this trip your own!