14 Days Fort Lauderdale to Washington Coast: Cross-Country Road Trip Itinerary

A coast-to-coast easy driving adventure in a regular car, this 14-day itinerary traces a route from Fort Lauderdale through New Orleans, San Antonio, West Texas, Albuquerque, Durango, Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, Moab, Salt Lake City, Boise, and Portland before reaching the wild beaches of the Washington Coast and concluding in Seattle. Travelers will sample Creole cuisine and jazz in New Orleans, stroll the San Antonio River Walk, explore ancient cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde, marvel at the red rock towers of Monument Valley, hike riverside trails in Durango, and take in dramatic coastal scenery at Ruby Beach before wandering the historic streets of Port Townsend and the markets of Seattle.

Built stop by stop, not written as an article.

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Days
14
Stops
74
Driving
4,323 mi
On foot
16.4 mi
Overnights
12
Level
easy

Published by Xploreum · August 2026

ARE YOU XPLORER MATERIAL?

The average Xplorer every year...

  • Sleeps outside 24 nights

  • Explores 1,800 miles

  • Covers 500 miles on foot, skis, bikes, boats and trails

  • Experiences a 120°F temperature difference

  • Discovers 18 new places

  • Does something for the first time 18 times

  • Sees the Milky Way 11 nights

  • Takes 6 people on their first adventure

  • Spends 240 hours away from notifications

  • Creates stories remembered for decades

The shape of it

How the route moves

14 days and 74 stops, covering 4,323 mi of driving, 16.4 mi on foot. Every distance comes from the route records behind this Xpedition.

Route overview map for 14 Days Fort Lauderdale to Washington Coast: Cross-Country Road Trip Itinerary: 74 stops from Fort Lauderdale area to Music and entertainment venue in Pioneer Square.

Route overview, not navigation

Start: Fort Lauderdale areaEnd: Music and entertainment venue in Pioneer Square74 numbered stops, in itinerary order© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

Stops are shown at place level. Each leg is coloured by the travel mode we infer from the stops at either end, then drawn along that network: blue for driving and magenta for walking. The mode is our inference, not a confirmed record of how the route was travelled. A grey dashed leg is one we could not route, shown as a straight overview instead. This is an overview of the route, not a turn-by-turn track, and it is not suitable for navigation.

The itinerary

Day by day

All 74 stops, free to read. Every day is editable once the route is yours.

Large American alligator resting beside a calm swamp surrounded by cypress trees and wetland vegetation.

Photo by Alla Kemelmakher on Unsplash

Day 1

Fort Lauderdale to New Orleans

  • 845 mi drive
  • Night: Hotel in New Orleans area (downtown),

The journey begins in the Fort Lauderdale area and heads west across the Florida Panhandle, with a lunch stop in Tallahassee to stretch your legs. Continue along the Gulf Coast to the historic port city of Mobile for dinner before arriving in the heart of New Orleans. Settle in for the night at a luxury hotel in downtown New Orleans, ready to explore the city.

  1. Fort Lauderdale areaDrive

    Departure point in the Fort Lauderdale area.

  2. +475 mi along the route

    Tallahassee areaDrive

    Florida Panhandle city. Lunch stop and stretch break.

  3. +225 mi along the route

    Mobile areaDrive

    Historic Gulf Coast port city. Dinner stop.

  4. +145 mi along the route

    New Orleans areaDrive

    Arrival in the heart of New Orleans.

  5. +0.6 mi along the route

    Hotel in New Orleans area (downtown)lodge

    Luxury hotel in downtown New Orleans.

Wooden boardwalk leading toward a peaceful mountain lake framed by green meadows and towering peaks.

Photo by Michael Sanchez on Unsplash

Day 2

Full Day in New Orleans

  • 9.1 mi drive
  • Night: Hotel in New Orleans area (downtown)

Spend a full day soaking in the character of New Orleans. Morning hours are spent wandering the French Quarter, admiring its historic architecture, galleries, and landmarks, followed by a classic stop for beignets and cafe au lait at a riverfront cafe. In the afternoon, stroll the oak-lined streets of the Garden District past grand historic mansions, then enjoy a legendary Creole fine dining experience in a historic mansion setting. As evening falls, head to the Marigny neighborhood for live jazz clubs and street musicians before returning downtown for a second night.

  1. Hotel in New Orleans area (downtown)lodge

    Morning in New Orleans.

  2. +0.6 mi along the route

    New Orleans French Quarter areaDrive

    Explore historic architecture, galleries, and landmarks.

  3. +0.3 mi along the route

    Cafe on Mississippi riverfrontmeal

    Iconic beignets and cafe au lait on the riverfront.

  4. +3.1 mi along the route

    Garden District areaDrive

    Stroll past historic mansions and oak-lined streets.

  5. +0.1 mi along the route

    Fine dining restaurant in historic mansionmeal

    Legendary Creole fine dining experience.

  6. +3.7 mi along the route

    Marigny neighborhood with live jazzDrive

    Live jazz clubs and street musicians.

  7. +1.2 mi along the route

    Hotel in New Orleans area (downtown)lodge

    Second night in New Orleans.

Great blue heron standing quietly along the edge of a shallow marsh in coastal wetlands.

Photo by Aleksandar Popovski on Unsplash

Day 3

New Orleans to San Antonio

  • 570 mi drive
  • Night: Hotel in San Antonio area (River Walk)

Leaving New Orleans behind, the drive heads west into Cajun country with a lunch stop in historic downtown Lake Charles. From there, continue the long stretch to San Antonio, arriving at the famous River Walk in time for an evening stroll and dinner along the waterfront. Overnight at a luxury all-suite hotel directly on the River Walk.

  1. Hotel in New Orleans area (downtown)lodge

    Departure from New Orleans.

  2. +200 mi along the route

    Lake Charles areaDrive

    Cajun country stop in historic downtown. Lunch break.

  3. +370 mi along the route

    San Antonio River Walk areaDrive

    Arrival at River Walk. Evening stroll and dinner along the waterfront.

  4. +0.3 mi along the route

    All-suite hotel in San Antonio River Walk arealodge

    Luxury all-suite hotel directly on the River Walk.

Wide desert plain backed by colorful mesas and distant mountain ranges beneath clear blue skies.

Photo by Jeffrey Keenan on Unsplash

Day 4

San Antonio to West Texas

  • 385 mi drive
  • Night: Hotel in Midland area

Start the day with a visit to one of the Spanish colonial missions near San Antonio, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Head into Texas Hill Country for lunch in Fredericksburg, a historic German town with dining and shops along Main Street. The route then stretches deep into West Texas, arriving in the Midland area for dinner and an overnight stay at a comfortable hotel.

  1. All-suite hotel in San Antonio River Walk arealodge

    Departure from San Antonio.

  2. +6.2 mi along the route

    UNESCO World Heritage Mission site in San Antonio areaDrive

    UNESCO World Heritage site, a Spanish colonial mission among several in the area.

  3. +77.7 mi along the route

    Fredericksburg areameal

    Lunch in historic German Hill Country town. Dining and shops on Main Street.

  4. +301 mi along the route

    Midland areaDrive

    Arrival in West Texas. Dinner stop.

  5. Hotel in Midland arealodge

    Comfortable hotel in Midland.

Red rock canyon with layered sandstone cliffs rising above desert vegetation in the Southwest.

Photo by Alec Krum on Unsplash

Day 5

West Texas to Albuquerque

  • 389 mi drive
  • Night: Historic hotel in Albuquerque Old Town area

Depart Midland and drive toward New Mexico, stopping in the historic town of Roswell for lunch and a walk through downtown. Continue on to Albuquerque, arriving in the Old Town area to admire adobe architecture, browse galleries, and enjoy regional dining. Spend the night at a historic hacienda-style hotel adjacent to the Old Town plaza.

  1. Hotel in Midland arealodge

    Departure from Midland.

  2. +183 mi along the route

    Roswell areaDrive

    Historic New Mexico town. Lunch stop and downtown exploration.

  3. +205 mi along the route

    Albuquerque Old Town areaDrive

    Arrival in historic Albuquerque. Adobe architecture, galleries, and regional dining.

  4. +0.2 mi along the route

    Historic hotel in Albuquerque Old Town arealodge

    Historic hacienda-style hotel adjacent to Old Town plaza.

Iconic sandstone buttes framed by a rustic wooden window overlooking Monument Valley.

Photo by Mick Kirchman on Unsplash

Day 6

Albuquerque to Durango

  • 233 mi drive

Covering about 233 miles today, the drive leaves Albuquerque behind for New Mexico's Four Corners region, with a lunch stop in Farmington. The route continues north into Colorado, arriving in the historic Victorian downtown of Durango, known for its galleries and mountain views. Overnight at a historic Victorian hotel on Main Avenue.

  1. Historic hotel in Albuquerque Old Town arealodge

    Departure from Albuquerque.

  2. +177 mi along the route

    Farmington areaDrive

    New Mexico Four Corners region. Lunch stop.

  3. +109 mi along the route

    Durango downtown areaDrive

    Arrival in historic Durango. Victorian downtown, galleries, and mountain views.

  4. +0.1 mi along the route

    Historic Victorian hotel in Durangolodge

    Historic Victorian hotel on Main Avenue.

Golden sunset casting warm light across towering sandstone formations in Monument Valley.

Photo by Mick Kirchman on Unsplash

Day 7

Durango to Mesa Verde

  • 47.2 mi drive
  • 16.4 mi on foot
  • Night: Hotel in Cortez area (Southwest Colorado),

Begin the day with a walk along the Animas River Trail, a paved 1-mile riverside loop with mountain views, right near your Durango hotel. From there, drive to Mesa Verde National Park, stopping at the visitor center to learn about the site's exhibits. Take the Spruce Tree House Trail, a loop of about three quarters of a mile with a descent of roughly 200 feet to a cliff dwelling viewpoint. In the evening, continue to Cortez for dinner and an overnight stay at a comfortable hotel, your base in southwest Colorado.

  1. Historic Victorian hotel in Durangolodge

    Departure from Durango.

  2. +0.5 mi along the route

    Animas River Trail areaDrive

    Riverside trailhead parking.

  3. +1 mi along the route

    Animas River Trail WalkHike

    Paved 1.6 mile riverside loop with mountain views.

  4. +1 mi along the route

    Animas River Trail areaDrive

    Return to trailhead.

  5. +46.6 mi along the route

    Mesa Verde National Park Visitor CenterDrive

    Arrival at Mesa Verde National Park. Visitor center and exhibits.

  6. +0.7 mi along the route

    Spruce Tree House TrailHike

    Loop: 1.2 mile, 200 ft descent to cliff dwelling viewpoint.

  7. +13.7 mi along the route

    Cortez areaDrive

    Arrival in Cortez. Dinner and Southwest Colorado base town.

  8. +0.1 mi along the route

    Hotel in Cortez area (Southwest Colorado)lodge

    Comfortable hotel in Cortez.

Brilliant blue pool nestled inside a rocky canyon illuminated by warm desert light.

Photo by Tom Gainor on Unsplash

Day 8

Cortez to Monument Valley to Moab

  • 412 mi drive
  • Night: Boutique hotel in Moab area

Leave Cortez and cross into Utah, pausing in the small desert town of Mexican Hat for coffee and a rest stop. Continue to the Tribal Park entrance at Monument Valley, taking in the iconic red rock towers of this legendary landscape. The drive then continues to Moab, an adventure town hub surrounded by red rock views, where dining and a boutique desert hotel await near downtown.

  1. Hotel in Cortez area (Southwest Colorado)lodge

    Departure from Cortez.

  2. +74.6 mi along the route

    Mexican Hat areaDrive

    Small Utah desert town. Coffee and rest stop.

  3. +21.7 mi along the route

    Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor CenterDrive

    Arrival at iconic Monument Valley. Tribal Park entrance.

  4. +170 mi along the route

    Moab downtown areaDrive

    Arrival in Moab. Adventure town hub with red rock views and dining.

  5. +146 mi along the route

    Moab downtown areaDrive

    Arrival in Moab. Adventure town hub with red rock views and dining.

  6. +0.3 mi along the route

    Boutique hotel in Moab arealodge

    Boutique desert hotel near downtown Moab.

River winding through a lush canyon surrounded by towering cliffs and dense green forest.

Photo by Yannick Menard on Unsplash

Day 9

Moab to Salt Lake City

  • 218 mi drive
  • Night: Luxury five-star hotel in downtown Salt Lake City

Depart Moab and head north, stopping in the historic coal mining town of Helper for coffee. Arrive in downtown Salt Lake City for lunch and time to explore the Temple Square area. In the afternoon, join a walking food tour through downtown to sample regional cuisine, craft breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants. Spend the night at a luxury five-star hotel in the heart of downtown.

  1. Boutique hotel in Moab arealodge

    Departure from Moab.

  2. +103 mi along the route

    Helper areaDrive

    Historic coal mining town. Coffee and rest stop.

  3. +115 mi along the route

    Downtown Salt Lake City areaDrive

    Arrival in Salt Lake City. Lunch and exploration of Temple Square area.

  4. Walking food tour through downtownactivity

    Walking food tour through downtown. Sample regional cuisine, craft breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants.

  5. +0.3 mi along the route

    Luxury five-star hotel in downtown Salt Lake Citylodge

    Luxury five-star hotel in downtown Salt Lake City.

Powerful waterfall plunging into a rocky gorge surrounded by evergreen forest and mist.

Photo by Lenni Stratton on Unsplash

Day 10

Salt Lake City to Boise

  • 343 mi drive
  • Night: Boutique hotel in downtown Boise

Leaving Salt Lake City, the route crosses into Idaho with a lunch stop in Twin Falls, a town set along the dramatic Snake River canyon. Nearby, take in the scenic Shoshone Falls waterfall on the Snake River before continuing on to Boise. Arrive in the historic downtown neighborhood for dinner and settle into a boutique hotel in the heart of the city.

  1. Luxury five-star hotel in downtown Salt Lake Citylodge

    Departure from Salt Lake City.

  2. +211 mi along the route

    Twin Falls areaDrive

    Snake River canyon town. Lunch stop.

  3. +0.6 mi along the route

    Shoshone Falls scenic viewpointViewpoint

    Scenic waterfall on the Snake River.

  4. +130 mi along the route

    Downtown Boise areaDrive

    Arrival in Boise. Historic neighborhood and downtown dining.

  5. +0.4 mi along the route

    Boutique hotel in downtown Boiselodge

    Boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Boise.

Multi-tiered waterfall cascading over moss-covered rocks into a crystal-clear forest stream.

Photo by Cristofer Maximilian on Unsplash

Day 11

Boise to Portland

  • 442 mi drive
  • Night: Historic luxury hotel in downtown Portland

Today's drive covers roughly 445 miles, starting with a stop in Pendleton, a historic Oregon town known for its woolen mills and rodeo heritage, for lunch. Continue toward the Columbia River Gorge, pausing at a scenic overlook to admire the river cutting through the Cascade Range. Arrive in downtown Portland for dinner and evening exploration, staying overnight at a historic luxury hotel downtown.

  1. Boutique hotel in downtown Boiselodge

    Departure from Boise.

  2. +258 mi along the route

    Pendleton areaDrive

    Historic Oregon town famous for woolen mills and rodeo. Lunch stop.

  3. +115 mi along the route

    Columbia River Gorge scenic overlookViewpoint

    Scenic overlook of the Columbia River cutting through the Cascade Range.

  4. +68.4 mi along the route

    Downtown Portland areaDrive

    Arrival in Portland. Dinner and evening exploration of the city.

  5. +0.4 mi along the route

    Historic luxury hotel in downtown Portlandlodge

    Historic luxury hotel in downtown Portland.

Sunset over the Pacific Ocean with rocky shoreline silhouetted against colorful evening skies.

Photo by Ryan Pohanic on Unsplash

Day 12

Portland to Washington Coast

  • 199 mi drive
  • Night: Oceanfront resort in Ocean Shores

Depart Portland and head north into Washington, stopping in downtown Olympia, the state capital, for lunch and a walk through the city center. Continue west to Ocean Shores, arriving at the Washington coast to enjoy sandy beaches and ocean views. Settle in for the night at an oceanfront resort with direct beach access.

  1. Historic luxury hotel in downtown Portlandlodge

    Departure from Portland.

  2. +112 mi along the route

    Downtown Olympia areaDrive

    Washington state capital. Lunch stop and downtown exploration.

  3. +87 mi along the route

    Ocean Shores areaDrive

    Arrival at the Washington coast. Beach town with ocean views and sandy shores.

  4. +0.3 mi along the route

    Oceanfront resort in Ocean Shoreslodge

    Oceanfront resort with beach access.

Rocky Pacific beach with sea stacks rising from the ocean beneath an overcast coastal sky.

Photo by Micah & Sammie Chaffin on Unsplash

Day 13

Ocean Shores to Port Townsend

  • 171 mi drive
  • Night: Historic Victorian waterfront hotel

Travel north along the coast, stopping at a coastal lodge overlooking the Pacific for coffee and beach views. Continue to Ruby Beach, an iconic Olympic coast beach known for its sea stacks and driftwood. The drive then heads to Port Townsend, a historic Victorian seaport on Puget Sound, arriving in the afternoon. Enjoy wine tasting and small plates featuring local wines and regional ingredients before overnighting at a historic Victorian waterfront hotel.

  1. Oceanfront resort in Ocean Shoreslodge

    Departure from Ocean Shores.

  2. +59 mi along the route

    Coastal lodge areaDrive

    Coastal lodge overlooking the Pacific. Coffee stop and beach views.

  3. +9.3 mi along the route

    Ruby BeachViewpoint

    Iconic Olympic coast beach with sea stacks and driftwood.

  4. +103 mi along the route

    Port Townsend areaDrive

    Historic Victorian seaport on Puget Sound. Afternoon arrival.

  5. +0.1 mi along the route

    Wine lounge with small platesmeal

    Wine tasting and small plates featuring local wines and regional ingredients.

  6. +0.2 mi along the route

    Historic Victorian waterfront hotellodge

    Historic Victorian waterfront hotel.

Moss-covered rocks and a cascading forest creek flowing through lush Pacific Northwest woodland.

Photo by Jael Coon on Unsplash

Day 14

Port Townsend to Seattle

  • 60.3 mi drive

On the final day, covering about 60 miles, depart Port Townsend and take a scenic ferry crossing over Puget Sound. Arrive in Seattle to explore the iconic Pike Place Market, with its fresh seafood, flowers, local vendors, and famous coffee roaster. Enjoy lunch nearby featuring Pacific Northwest seafood, then check into an iconic waterfront hotel on Elliott Bay. Cap off the trip with an evening at a premier music and entertainment venue in Pioneer Square.

  1. Historic Victorian waterfront hotellodge

    Departure from Port Townsend.

  2. +34.2 mi along the route

    Ferry crossing areaDrive

    Ferry crossing. Scenic Puget Sound water views.

  3. +18.6 mi along the route

    Pike Place Market areaactivity

    Iconic Seattle market. Fresh seafood, flowers, local vendors, and famous coffee roaster.

  4. Downtown Seattle lunch areameal

    Lunch near Pike Place Market with Pacific Northwest seafood.

  5. +0.6 mi along the route

    Iconic waterfront hotel in Seattlelodge

    Iconic waterfront hotel on Elliott Bay, prominent waterfront location.

  6. +2 mi along the route

    Music and entertainment venue in Pioneer Squareactivity

    Premier music venue in Pioneer Square with DJs and live entertainment.

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WHAT XPLORERS ARE SAYING

I discovered Xploreum yesterday while searching for an app to plan a road trip to Newfoundland and Labrador. The conversational approach allows us to pinpoint exactly our needs and expectations and build an ideal itinerary. Highly recommended!

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Before you go

What this route assumes

Only the fields this route actually holds data for.

Where you sleep

Overnight areas in route order: Hotel in New Orleans area (downtown),, Hotel in New Orleans area (downtown), Hotel in San Antonio area (River Walk), Hotel in Midland area, Historic hotel in Albuquerque Old Town area, Hotel in Cortez area (Southwest Colorado),, Boutique hotel in Moab area, Luxury five-star hotel in downtown Salt Lake City, Boutique hotel in downtown Boise, Historic luxury hotel in downtown Portland, Oceanfront resort in Ocean Shores, Historic Victorian waterfront hotel. Xavier pairs each with live lodging options once the route is yours.

Vehicle

Built as a regular car route, scenic driving and cultural exploration. Xavier adapts it to what you actually drive.

Level

Paced for easy travelers. Days can be split or merged to change the load.

How this Xpedition was built

Assembled from structured route and waypoint records, not written as an article, and reviewed before publication. Confirm conditions, closures, and permits before you travel.

  • Route structured
  • Distances calculated
  • Reviewed before publication
  • Published August 2026

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