Epic Road Trip from Raleigh to New Orleans: With 8+ Amazing Stops!
Looking for the best way to get from Raleigh to New Orleans? Look no further. I’ve taken the fastest route between these two cities and planned a full itinerary for my own road trip down to New Orleans, and I want to share it with you!
This road trip from Raleigh to New Orleans will take you through 8 different places of interest where you can spend an hour, a day, or multiple days in each, so you can customize the trip for your own timeline. Along the way you’ll find stunning natural beauty, historic cities, lots of important Civil Rights Movement sites, and more. Let’s hit the road!
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Where to Stop on a Road Trip from Raleigh to New Orleans
While there are a lot of different routes you can take to get from Raleigh to New Orleans, this is one of the most direct routes with a lot of engaging stops. You’ll find nature, history, culture, and more. Let’s get into it!
Starting Point: Raleigh, NC
Raleigh is the capital city of North Carolina and offers a lot of options for living, working, or simply playing! Whether you’re flying into Raleigh and driving to New Orleans, or you live in Raleigh and are making your way to New Orleans, this road trip itinerary will help you plan an amazing route to hit some of the highlights of the southeastern part of the United States.
If you have some time before hitting the road, make sure to check out some of the best things to do in downtown Raleigh. From the State Capitol building to free world-class museums, you’ll certainly stay busy before you head south!
Find the best places to stay overnight in Raleigh.
Raleigh to Congaree National Park, SC (Leg 1)
Driving distance: 230 miles / 3 hours 25 minutes
Stop at Congaree National Park in South Carolina to get a feel for the biodiversity in this area. You can take a quick hike or bring a canoe or kayak to explore this diverse national park.
I recommend taking the Boardwalk Loop Trail, which is an easy 2.6 mile roundtrip walk on an elevated boardwalk. It will take you from the bluffs at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center down to the old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. You’ll see a number of the trees that they are famous for: bald cypress, tupelo trees, maples, oaks, pines, and more.
Congaree National Park is open 24 hours/day and unlike many National Parks, it is free to visit. Find out more on the official Congaree National Park website.
Optional Stop: South of the Border
Between Raleigh and Congaree National Park, you’ll pass South of the Border on the border of North Carolina and South Carolina on i95. This bizarre roadside attraction is themed in faux-Mexican style with its mascot Pedro. The rest area contains restaurants, gas stations, a video arcade, a motel, and truck stop as well as a small amusement park, a mini golf course, shopping, and fireworks stores. It’s a great option for a quick stop to take in its quirkiness.
Congaree National Park to Columbia, SC (Leg 2)
Driving distance: 18 miles / 25 minutes
Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina. As such, it is a great destination whether you have an hour or a day or two to spend. Here you’ll find the South Carolina State House, a Greek revival building set in a garden with monuments as well as botanical gardens and many museums. Stop and take a walk around this city to stretch your legs and get a feel for South Carolina.
I personally wouldn’t miss the South Carolina State House. It is open Monday to Saturday for guided tours and self-guided tours, typically between 10 – 4pm and is free of charge. I’d plan about 1 hour for this. You can find more about visiting the State House on their official website.
Columbia to Augusta, GA (Leg 3)
Driving distance: 75 miles / 1 hour 15 minutes
Augusta, Georgia sits just across the Savannah River from South Carolina and is the second largest city in the state of Georgia. Most famous for being the home of the Masters Golf Tournament and the “winter golf capital of America”, Augusta offers a plethora of things to do. From the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park to the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson, you’ll find something for everyone in Augusta.
If you’re short on time, check out the famous Augusta Riverwalk and take a stroll down Broad Street. The Riverwalk features a multi-level brick trail right along the banks of the Savannah River. Broad Street, on the other hand, runs straight through downtown Augusta. It was once considered one of the widest streets in the United States, which is how it got its name. Here you’ll get a feel for the city. It features a number of eclectic retailers, historic markers, murals, and other prominent attractions.
Augusta to Atlanta, GA (Leg 4)
Driving distance: 145 miles / 2 hours 10 minutes
Atlanta is the capital of the state of Georgia. It has also played a major role in the Civil War and the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. You’ll find all kinds of monuments throughout the city that chronicles the city’s past, including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. You’ll also find a number of other incredible tourist attractions in this lively city including the Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, the Atlanta Zoo, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and of course the Georgia Capitol building.
Atlanta is a city that you could easily spend a few days in, but if you are limited on time, prioritize what is most important to you. There are also a lot of options for seeing as much as possible in a condensed timeline, such as the 5 hour city tour or taking a 2.5 hour segway tour of Downtown, Midtown or the Eastside.
Stay Overnight in Atlanta, GA
Atlanta is the midway point of your road trip from Raleigh to New Orleans, and it may be your best overnight option. Not only does it offer tons of accommodation options, but you’ll also find plenty to do around the city!
Here are some great hotels to check out in the Atlanta area:
- Hotel Indigo Atlanta Midtown (Budget Friendly)
- Glenn Hotel, Autograph Collection (Mid-Range)
- The Candler Hotel Atlanta, Curio Collection by Hilton (Mid-Range)
- Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta (Luxury)
Atlanta to Montgomery, AL (Leg 5)
Driving distance: 160 miles / 2 hours 15 minutes
Arriving in Montgomery will bring you to your 4th capital city during your road trip from Raleigh to New Orleans. The capital of Alabama, Montgomery, is also of historical significance for the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King. In this city you’ll find historical and cultural landmarks like the Alabama State Capitol Building, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church, a Hank Williams Memorial, the First White House of the Confederacy, the Rosa Parks Museum, and more.
Whether you just have an hour or two to explore downtown, or you have a few days to explore and really learn about the historic significance of this city, Montgomery is a perfect stop to add to your road trip. The amount of history in Montgomery will blow you away!
Montgomery to Mobile, AL (Leg 6)
Driving distance: 170 miles / 2 hours 20 minutes
Located on the Mobile River, Mobile is a port city in Alabama. Here you’ll find a number of sights related to the port, like the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park and the GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico as well as a few other key sights of interest like the Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Colonial Fort Conde, and the Mobile Carnival Museum.
It’s not as “happening” of a city as many of the other destinations, but it does offer a quaint downtown that you can walk end to end in under an hour which offers some cute cafes and bars.
Mobile to Biloxi, MS (Leg 7)
Driving distance: 60 miles / 1 hour
Biloxi is a well known city in Mississippi for its beaches and casinos. Whether you’re looking to gamble at the casinos or to enjoy the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Biloxi has something for you.
If you’re more interested in the casinos and gambling, you’ll want to explore the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Harrah’s Gulf Coast Hotel & Casino, and the IP Casino Resort Spa. In this case, I also recommend spending the night as the casinos come alive more at night.
However, if you’d rather enjoy the beach and some of the local sights, head out to the Biloxi Lighthouse, Biloxi Beach, Hurricane Katrina Memorial, or the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library. There are also many other stunning beaches nearby on the Gulf Coast. It may be hard to select the one to spend most of your time at!
Biloxi to New Orleans, LA (Leg 8)
Driving distance: 90 miles / 1 hour 20 minutes
Most famous for its Mardi Gras celebrations, New Orleans is a magical city. It not only features round-the-clock nightlife, but it also features deep history, spicy Creole food, amazing jazz music, and a melting pot of French, African, and American cultures. Whether you’re interested in visiting the French Quarter, a hopping Jazz cafe, or checking out the stunning Garden District, there’s a reason this is the end destination in this road trip. You’ll want to spend more time here. Trust me!
Total Distance of the Road Trip from Raleigh to New Orleans
This 8 leg road trip from Raleigh to New Orleans hits a ton of highlights between these two cities without adding a lot of time or distance on to your drive. If you were to drive directly, you are looking at 875 miles / 12 hours 30 minutes, but with these 8 stops you add a lifetime of memories and learning and just 85 miles / 2 hours 30 minutes.
Itinerary Options for Your Road Trip from Raleigh to New Orleans
There are many ways you can divide up the legs of your journey. If you’re short on time, you can make this an easy 2 day road trip taking in the key sites in each destination. Or, if you have more time, you can stay overnight, or even a couple of days in each place. It’s truly up to you and your schedule.
How far is it from Raleigh to New Orleans?
The driving distance for a road trip from Raleigh to New Orleans is right around 875 miles if you go directly. This route is closer to 960 miles.
How many days do you need to drive from Raleigh to New Orleans?
The drive itself can be done in just 1 long day of driving. It would take right around 12 hours 30 minutes with no stops. However, I recommend making a road trip out of it and making some stops along the way to get the most enjoyment out of it.
Where should you stay overnight between Raleigh and New Orleans?
If you choose to make it one long day’s drive, you won’t need to stay overnight in between Raleigh and New Orleans, but you’ll also miss out on a number of amazing stops. From there, how many nights and where to stay overnight will depend on your timeline. If you just have 2 days to do the drive, Atlanta is the best option for overnighting. It is a fantastic city to spend more time in along with being fairly central between Raleigh and New Orleans.
Looking for other great road trip options in the United States?
Check out the Denver to Glacier National Park road trip itinerary.
Plan More of Your New Orleans Road Trip
Driving from Raleigh to New Orleans is the adventure of a lifetime. It will take you through some of the best of the southeastern states in the United States as well as leading you on an awesome Civil Rights route through some of the most impactful cities in US history. Make the most of your adventure by planning ahead for your road trip.
Here are some additional posts to help you plan your road trip:
- How to Plan a Road Trip: A Step-by-Step Guide
- 80+ Good Road Trip Snacks: The Key to Any Successful Road Trip!
- Road Trip Packing List for Expert Travelers: 60 Road Trip Essentials + More Tips!
- Top 5 Websites for Finding an Affordable Hotel
If you have time in Raleigh at the beginning of your trip, make sure to explore this magical city!
- 20 Amazing Things to Do in Downtown Raleigh, NC
- Where to Stay in Raleigh: Top Areas and Hotels
- The 10 Best Bars in Downtown Raleigh, NC
- How to Spend a Weekend in Raleigh
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Although I’ve dreamt of a USA road trip for a long time, it would be super fun to do one of the areas I’ve seen less of – great tips
I hope you get to make your road trip dreams come true! This Raleigh to New Orleans route certainly offers a lot to learn and explore!
Oh this looks like a fun trip! I’ve never been to Raleigh or New Orleans. Thanks for all the detailed info!
They are two great destinations to visit, particularly New Orleans. I’d go so far as to say it’s one of the best destinations in the USA!
I was just thinking the other day about wanting to drive to New Orleans! We would be making some of these same stops! Thanks for sharing!
This road trip sounds great! I still need to explore many USA destinations. Hopefully, I’ll be able to visit them next year.
It’s a great time to do road trips, and the USA offers so many great destinations for them! The hardest part will definitely be narrowing down which part of the USA you want to explore, and then what stops to make along the way!
I used to live in North Carolina, so this was a fun blast from the past!
Excellent road trip! Have you been to Chimney Rock in NC? Highly recommend. 🙂
Thanks – and I have! It is a super cool spot. Honestly, I love the mountains and Asheville area – so many amazing areas to explore!