Going for a relaxing, scenic drive is an underrated way to relax for a few hours, but for our money, there are a few better ways to get to know the place you call home. We’ve assembled a list of five short drives that help showcase the beauty and history of Northeast Florida, each no more than an hour or so from downtown Jacksonville.

A1A Ocean Islands Trail Scenic Highway

The A1A is a 40-mile stretch of road along the Atlantic coast, starting from the north around Fernandina Beach, traveling across barrier islands and through the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, before coming to an end between Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach. There’s perhaps no better introduction to the best of Northeastern Florida than the A1A, a quick drive from downtown Jacksonville that transports drivers to another, more laid-back world.

Florida SR-13

Travel from Jacksonville to the unincorporated community of Spuds along State Road 13, a 30ish-mile drive that runs along the St. Johns River. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time, seeing Florida as it once was, with vintage homes and quaint small towns popping up between lush stretches of Spanish Moss cloaked trees. Stop off at any of the several fishing piers and riverfront parks to enjoy the view of St. Johns and be sure to grab a bite at Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ, a roadside gem in St. Augustine.

Cedar Point Road

Nature lovers will find plenty to love along this 7-mile stretch of botanic beauty. Beginning around Sheffield Regional Park, take Cedar Point Road east towards the ocean where you’ll pass through Cedar Point Preserve and Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park before ending at the Horseshoe Creek Trailhead in the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve. It’s a short drive, but you’ll find plenty of reasons to stop, whether you’re a hiker, a birder, or a biker, or just looking to take a quick stroll through some unspoiled marshland.

Old Dixie Highway

If you take the 95 south from Jacksonville for a little over an hour, you’ll eventually connect to Old Dixie Highway, in Ormond Beach, which will take you further south along the Burlow Creek State Park and the Halifax River. Old Dixie is an unbelievably picturesque stretch of road, two lanes enveloped by ancient-looking oaks and densely packed palms. This unspoiled piece of authentic Floridian beauty is a quick but unforgettable trip through the wilderness.

US-17

This trek along the western side of St. Johns River takes you through various charming Old Florida villages and through various gorgeous, untouched nature preserves like the Bayard Conservation Area, Horseshoe Point, and Murphy Creek. While some stretches are less overtly scenic than other drives on the list, you’ll still find plenty of spots along the way to make it worth your while, with plenty of roadside seafood markets and even a winery or two along the way.

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