This classic route is a whirlwind tour of some of the famous and family-friendly summer destinations on the East Coast. After setting off on Mt. Desert Island in Maine, where dining on buttery, fresh-caught lobsters is a rite of passage, you’ll head south to enjoy the nostalgia-inducing sweet treats of Lake George, the living history of Gettysburg, and the wild horses of Assateague Island, before arriving at the soft sand and sun-soaked attractions of world-famous Myrtle Beach. Even the famous pirates of Okracoke make an appearance along the North Carolina coast.

Distance: 1,437 Miles • Total Drive Time: 18 Hours

Acadia National Park. Photo: Nick Haupt

1. Feel the Magic of Maine’s Mt. Desert Island

Starting Point

Despite being the second-largest island on the eastern seaboard (New York’s Long Island takes the number-one spot), Maine’s Mt. Desert Island has never lost its homey feel. It’s the kind of place where long summer nights are spent dining on lobster and grilled corn, followed by views of the soft pastel sunsets that are particular to this part of the New England coast. The next day, a hike to the exhilarating Thunder Hole or the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park brings you up close with the natural beauty of this iconic coastline. Bar Harbor, the island’s biggest town, has a main drag dotted with kitschy shops selling oversized sweatshirts, but that is also steeped in New England nostalgia and a love for the sea. Be sure to swing by the local museums, especially the Dorr Museum of Natural History, which focuses on Maine’s spectacular wildlife. Off the coast, fishing and paddling excursions explore the rocky shores of Frenchman’s Bay, where adventurous guests are often joined by porpoises, seals, and bald eagles, among other animals.

Photo: Mount Desert Campground

Featured Resort: Mt. Desert Narrows Campground

Nestled right against the shoreline, Mt. Desert Narrows Campground is the ideal place to stay while in Maine. The campground features playful activities like ice cream socials and magic shows for the kids, while providing all the amenities you expect from a full-service RV resort. In addition to the heated pool and sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, both Acadia National Park and Main Street in Bar Harbor are a quick 20-minute drive away, making it easy to plan activities ahead of time or on the fly.

Kayak fishing on Lake George. Photo: Adam Bixby

2. Lake George: Family Vacation Central

Drive 434 miles • 7 hours, 30 minutes

If your childhood memories of summer vacation include things like chewing on taffy, lemonades on the lakefront, small town amusement parks, and picnics that end in oversized sundaes, you pretty much have Lake George to thank. It practically invented American summers and has been perfecting the craft for almost 200 years (and no, that’s not a typo). Luckily, not much has changed. Summer visits to Lake George still include sunset tours on the lake’s famed steamboat, sweet treats at Martha’s Dandee Cream (ranked among the best ice cream shops in the country), and outings to Expedition Park, a family-friendly amusement park with dinosaur-themed rides. Bigger kids might prefer the full-scale coasters at Six Flags Great Escape nearby. Of course, leisurely lake days are also central to any stay, so be prepared to boat, paddle, and swim away the hours in water that Thomas Jefferson himself described as the most beautiful he ever saw. Million Dollar Beach and Shepard Park Beach are the best bets for family-friendly amenities.

Photo courtesy of Lake George Escape Campground.

Featured Resort: Lake George Escape Campground

Set against a backdrop of towering Adirondack pines and the curling Schroon River, the Lake George Escape Campground is a perfect jumping-off point for exploring upstate NY. It’s only 5 miles from the village of Lake George, so eateries, amenities, and lakefront fun are easily accessible, while the campground itself offers access to pristine, unspoiled nature. Take advantage of regularly scheduled events like wagon rides and summer dances, as well as more adventurous outings, including rental canoes and river tubing.

Monument honoring the Pennsylvania Cavalry at the Gettysburg National Military Park. Photo: John Kostyk

3. Experience Gettysburg Beyond the Battlefield

Drive 393 miles • 6 hours

Touring the Gettysburg National Military Park is a solemn and insightful experience. In fact, many visitors describe it as almost spiritual. But there’s also plenty to do beyond the battlefield. After enjoying one of the expert-guided tours and exploring the 40 miles of scenic backroads that make up the historic site, head into town where you can enjoy local fare at local favorites like the historic Dobbin House Tavern, Reid’s Cider House, or the Round Barn and Farm Market, where local produce shines. There’s even the new Beyond the Battle Museum, which focuses on the lives of civilians in the wake of the Civil War. Adams County is also full of great day trips, like a covered bridge tour, which will take you along the quiet shores of Marsh Creek and to nearby towns like Fairfield, which boasts antique shops, show farms, and the annual Pippinfest, a celebration of harvest, community, and the local apple varietal. For horseback rides and canoe trips, Gifford Pinchot State Park is a quick drive to the northeast.

Featured Resort: Drummer Boy Camping Resort

Cozy and welcoming, Drummer Boy Camping Resort is focused on providing a relaxing and customer-friendly stay to Gettysburg visitors. It’s located just minutes from the military park and battlefield monuments and offers a range of amenities, including swimming, fishing, and mini golf. Summertime events are family-friendly and include Candy Bar Bingo, ’80s dance parties, and September’s always-popular Tailgate weekend.

The Myrtle Beach shoreline. Photo: Daniel Halseth.

4. Roam on the Spectacular Virginia Shore

Drive 209 miles • 3 hours, 45 minutes

Fun fact: Virginia Beach holds the Guinness World Record for the longest pleasure beach at a whopping 35 miles. That’s 25 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline and another 10 along the Chesapeake Bay. But what does that mean for road-trippers roaming Old Dominion? Simple. It means a nearly endless supply of watersports and waterfront fun. Virginia Beach holds the key to the action with miles of boardwalk, incredible sunrises, and fresh seafood like the catch of the day at The Back Deck, a local, family-run favorite whose fish tacos are not to be missed. Of course, the beaches up and down the coast — from family-friendly Kiptopeke State Park to the wild horses of Assateague — are not to be missed either.

Statue of Neptune on Virginia Beach. Photo: Jeff McLain.

Nor are the inland and Chesapeake Bay waterways that make kayaking trips and birdwatching tours here so memorable. And while you’re at it, don’t skip on a historic lighthouse visit or a morning on the fairway of one of the area’s dozens of pro-level golf courses. Just like the majestic 34-foot statue towering over the sands of VA Beach’s Oceanfront Park, Neptune is calling!

Photo courtesy of Bethpage Camp-Resort.

Featured Resort: Bethpage Camp-Resort

On the shores of the Rappahannock River, Bethpage Camp-Resort has been named the best RV resort in the nation a whopping three times, and it’s easy to see why. Movies, mini golf, and a thrilling on-site water park set the stage for good times, while easy access to the nearby Chesapeake Bay means plenty of fishing, boating, crabbing, and more. Kids will love the themed weekend events (stick around for the Grape Stomping!), while adults can indulge in food and drinks at the Beach House Grill. Many of Virginia’s top cities and beaches are also nearby, which makes exploring the region a blast.

North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Photo: Gene Gallin

5) Explore North Carolina’s Iconic Coastal Plain

Drive 293 miles • 4 hours, 45 minutes

North Carolina’s 300-mile coastline is the kind of place where fantasy and reality meet. Where tales of pirates and ghost ships are shared around campfires, and history-making adventurers first took to the skies. It’s also where family-friendly road trips go for a taste of the extraordinary. The northern half of the coastline, give or take, is known as the Outer Banks, a charming collection of barrier islands that include Kill Devil Hills, where the Wright Brothers flew the first airplane in 1903, and Nags Head, where kite flying has become a cherished pastime. The Outer Banks National Scenic Byway shepherds visitors past highlights like the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the iconic black-and-white Bodie Island Lighthouse. You can also take a ferry to the secluded Ocracoke Island, long the playground of pirates and a mecca for shipwrecks. Stop-offs include many of the Outer Banks’ charming small towns, like Manteo, where casual seafood shacks meet historic high culture during the town’s renowned summer theater season.

Featured Resort: Topsail Sound RV Park

For a centrally located, no-frills campground with top-notch customer service, head to Topsail Sound RV Park in Holly Ridge. A short drive from both Jacksonville, NC, and Wilmington, it’s known for its easy access to the 12 miles of Topsail beach and to Surf City, a laidback destination for surfing and live music on the barrier islands. The campground’s biggest draw, however, is the 100-foot fishing pier designed by the Army Corps of Engineers that’s a short walk away. Available year-round, the pier is the ideal place to land a lunker, while recent conservation efforts have made the surrounding wetlands perfect for paddling excursions and birdwatching.

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Photo: Drew Perales.

6) Myrtle Beach: A Family Fun Mecca

Drive 108 miles • 4 hours, 45 minutes

Known simply as The Beach, this classic summer getaway is the ideal endpoint for an East Coast road trip. Family-friendly and practically bursting with things to do, it simply has it all. The 60+ miles of shoreline are a great place to start, with standout beaches like Cherry Grove Beach and Huntington Beach State Park among the finest in the southeast. The 1.2-mile Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is another gem boasting oceanfront dining (try the Oysters Rockefeller at Wicked Tuna!), kitschy shops, and the 187-foot-tall SkyWheel, a glass-enclosed, gondola-style observation wheel that provides near-endless views of the Atlantic. Myrtle Beach is also a golfer’s paradise with over 90 championship-level courses. For the kids, head straight to Family Kingdom, the most extravagant seaside amusement park around, or take a stroll on the Myrtle Beach Mini Golf Trail, an informal accounting of the city’s best kids courses. Red Dragon Cover Adventure Golf is an all-time favorite! The Hollywood Wax Museum and Ripley’s Aquarium can even turn a rainy day into a splash. Myrtle Beach is also known for its special summer events and concert series, so be sure to check the calendar before arriving. A beachfront performance is a must while in town.

Photo courtesy of Carolina Shores RV Resort.

Featured Resort: Carolina Shores RV Resort

Enjoy some of the best real estate in the Myrtle Beach area at Carolina Shores RV Resort. Literally steps from the beach, you can watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean without leaving your campsite. The campground features numerous amenities, from yoga to karaoke to a lazy river, that are designed to help you relax during your stay. Large RVs are welcome. Just a few minutes to the north, Myrtle Beach proper awaits with all the fun-in-the-sun attractions that make this destination one of the most popular in the country.

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