#The Great Midwest to Sunshine State Journey: Cedarville, Illinois to Hollywood, Florida
If you're looking to trade the cornfields of Illinois for sandy beaches or the swamps of the south, then a road trip from Cedarville to Hollywood might just be the ticket. The trip wouldn't just be filled with roadside attractions and pit stops. The miles you'll cover are worth the destination.
Here's a roadmap of different routes to take on the 1,300-mile journey.
##The Southern Route: 1,440 miles (Drive time: 23 hours)
One route option is to head south to Nashville, Tennessee, then towards Georgia and down to Florida. The journey will take you through a lot of highways, but no scenic route is there to transform your journey into a scenic one.
Starting: Cedarville.
- Clocked in at around 300 miles, 4-5 hour drive going south towards Nashville TN, and stopping by for a classic country breakfast at Loveless Cafe, famous for its biscuits and gravy.
- Nashville is around 800 miles away. Famous for live music, nightlife, and attractions like the Ryman Auditorium and Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Next, head southeast towards Georgia. It's around 400 miles away, a 7-hour drive through the scenic Georgian countryside, where you'll get an authentic BBQ experience in places like Salt Lick Barbecue Pit.
- Finally, make your way along I-75 S, then I-595 E towards Hollywood Beach in Florida. It's around 400 miles away and will take you roughly 6-7 hours. Step out of the car, and onto the sandy beaches, where you can get a Gatorata and a good experience at the Fort Lauderdale Beachfront Promenade.
##The Eastern Route: 1,389 miles (Drive time: 21 hours)
Another way to consider road-tripping to warmer weather is venturing east through Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and then the Carolinas. The first part will be traveling on the Turnpike, but there will be plenty of picturesque views.
Starting: Cedarville.
- Cruise down the bustling streets of Columbus (100 miles away), Ohio's capital, and have a taste of excellent craft beer and bustling nightlife.
- Drive beyond Pittsburgh (300 miles away) and stop over for some traditional Philly Cheese Steak and sports memorabilia at Pat's King of Steaks in Philadelphia before hitting the different attractions like Penn's Landing and the Liberty Bell.
- Next, make your way to Richmond (650 miles and a 10-hour drive away), spending a good amount of time exploring the museums, high beer culture, and art galleries.
- Follow 1-95 S, then turn off in South Carolina, and finally reach your last stop at Hollywood Beach, Florida (350 miles and 6 hours drive away). Be sure to grab a drink in South Carolina; we'd recommend the world-renowned Firefly Distillery and do a quick stopover at the Myrtle Beach area, which has fantastic golf courses and the historic boardwalk promenade.
##The Ridge Route: 1,318 miles (Drive time: 20 hours)
The contour of the eastern borderline is worth exploring, with mesmerizing views of the Great Smoky Mountains part of the journey. This route shares its name with the Ridge Route Highway in Southern California.
Starting: Cedarville.
- Driving via Indianapolis, Indiana, which is the perfect place to stopover and catch the Indianapolis 500 at the Brickyard (250 miles away, 4 hours drive)
- From here, head south to Knoxville, Tennessee. Its scenic views, exciting nightlife, and excellent cuisine have recently made it rise to the top of travel destinations. Traveling 450 miles (6 hours' drive) will get you here.
- Next, take your head east on I-40, and you'll make your way out to Cherokee and the Great Smoky Mountains (500 miles away, an 8-hour drive).
- Finally, head south to Hollywood Beach, Florida, which is roughly a 4-hour drive (118 miles), taking you through the I-75 S and I-595 E. Try stopping over at the coastal city of Savannah, Georgia, which offers an amazing walking tour of its colonial district and local cuisine mix like the crab cake sammies.
#Final Thoughts
The road may seem a bit long, but four days is sufficient to cover this 20-23 hour journey. This road trip is an ideal way to travel across the continental United States, including historic cities and scenic countryside. While you're on the road, stop along the way and see the country. It might just be an exceptional adventure worth experiencing.