Miami, Florida — Several affordable road trips within a day’s drive of Miami offer spring break escapes for students attending the University of Miami and colleges across South Florida.
With thousands of students living near the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus, nearby destinations across South Florida and the Florida Keys provide travel opportunities that often require only a few hours on the road, according to regional tourism agencies.
One of the most popular drives heads southwest to Everglades National Park, where visitors explore wetlands, wildlife viewing areas and scenic drives through one of the largest protected subtropical ecosystems in the United States.
Students also frequently travel south along the Overseas Highway to Key West, a roughly four-hour drive through the Florida Keys. The route crosses dozens of bridges between tropical islands and offers waterfront parks, historic streets and sunset views over the Gulf of Mexico.
Another common getaway is Biscayne National Park, located just south of Miami. The park protects coral reefs, mangrove shorelines and small islands that are accessible by boat or guided tours.
Travelers looking for beaches often head north to Palm Beach, where visitors explore waterfront parks, historic districts and stretches of Atlantic shoreline.
Closer to campus, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo offers snorkeling areas and glass-bottom boat tours over coral reef habitats.
Miami’s location at the southern tip of Florida places national parks, tropical islands and coastal towns within reach of a manageable road trip.
For younger travelers and college students balancing tight budgets, these destinations provide opportunities to explore South Florida while staying within driving distance of the University of Miami campus.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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