Last Minute Spring Break Road Trips

Hi there! Thanks so much for following along with Mackinaw Road!! If you live in Michigan or the midwest, sometimes you just need a “look forward to” to get through these next few gray months. Is anyone else thinking about some spring break road trips? 

We are churning around the idea of another spring break road trip to Hilton Head. We have driven to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina a couple of times now, and it made the list. Check out some other places you could take spring break road trips to from Michigan without breaking the bank. (And, let’s be honest, the sheer act of not buying plane tickets south in March and April will save you a ton of money).

Starting with the obvious of all spring break road trips: Hilton Head Island. Clearly, this is a favorite in our book. This island is family-friendly and has amenities that allow for relaxation or active living or both. The island is about an 18 hour drive (with breaks), give or take, from Grand Rapids, Michigan. We found early on that it is best for us to break up the trip, which is easy to do with fun stops along the way, including Cincinnati, Lexington, and Asheville. The past two years, the weather has been really nice, although we are aware that weather is a bit riskier here than it would be if you drove further into Florida. Read more about Hilton Head Island here and here.

Speaking Florida… I guess that is really the obvious choice. But, have you been to Jacksonville, Florida? More specifically, the beaches? My brother has lived in Jacksonville for several years and recently moved out to Atlantic Beach. Similar to Hilton Head, the beaches are perfect for running, biking, and playing. I asked about whether there is an increase in tourists during the spring break weeks, and he said they mostly notice it in the traffic passing through en route to farther south in Florida. There are several cute towns, including Neptune Beach, where we ate a few times. It’s also nice to have the larger city of Jacksonville just in case the weather is less than ideal. (You could even add Jacksonville or Atlantic Beach as a stop on spring break road trips farther south!)

While we are talking about Florida, let me tell you about Winter Park. I love it! We stayed for a couple of nights last May on our way from Atlantic Beach to Orlando and had a great time. The town is adorable and there are plenty of restaurant options. Our hotel had a pool, we took a fun boat tour, and the town was a few short blocks away. The drive is a bit longer but worth it if you like to relax but can skip the sand. Read more about the trip here.

On the topics of the South, cute towns, and no sand, let’s talk about Savannah, Georgia. This is a great side trip from Hilton Head Island but would also be fun to stay and explore. We stopped into two delicious restaurants while we were there and had a great time just walking around and exploring the adorable shops. There are also several tours from which to choose if you like to see and learn about cities that way. You can check out all of the details from our visit here.

Again, we just stopped in to visit Asheville, North Carolina, but this could be a destination in and of itself. It wasn’t super warm when we visited at the beginning of last April, but it was comfortable enough to walk around with a  light jacket or sweater on. The Biltmore is a big draw as are the surrounding hiking trails, restaurants/breweries, and quaint town. The best part is that you can get there from Michigan in a day, albeit a long day, but still…. Read more here.

Once again, we did not visit Lexington as a destination, but it truly could be and we are tempted to go back to explore more. If you have any equestrian fans, this is the place for you. It was intriguing to take a tour around the stables and to learn about the horse culture in Kentucky. I would definitely recommend it! It was cold when we visited, so you’ll want to check the forecast and dress appropriately, especially if you are doing the guided horse tours. It takes less than a day to get to Lexington if you are traveling from Michigan, which is another bonus.

Going farther north yet. Washington D.C. Another long day trip from Michigan, but it was definitely doable and worth it to just get it done in a day. The free museums, walkability, and overall educational experience of this trip make it worth considering. Check out all of our tips here and here.

New York in the springtime is beautiful! This would again take an entire day of road tripping but is definitely worth it to have a cultural spring break. I could go on and on about New York and am excited to bring our children sometime soon. The weather can be if-y, so again, check the weather before you pack. Read more about what to do and where to eat here and here.

A Boston road trip could be done in a day but is more likely a two-day road trip from Michigan and the weather can fluctuate that time of year. It is a city so rich with history, amazing parks, the Freedom Trail, the best children’s museum we’ve visited, etc., etc. Check out more info by clicking here.

If you are looking for a quick trip (it could even be a long day trip!) from Grand Rapids, Chicago is always a sure thing with it’s green spaces, delicious food options, museums, and that stereotypical midwestern friendliness. You can check out all of our guides for this fun city here, here, and here.

Of course, it you are willing and able to fly and adore the sun and sand, you’ll want to check out this list, too.

Happy Planning! Can’t wait to hear what you land (or park and get out) on!! Here is a pin for all of your Spring Break Road Trips planning needs: