Michigan winters mean lake-effect snow, icy roads, and months of gray skies. Break free with these warm-weather road trips from Detroit that head south through Tennessee, down the Gulf Coast, or straight to the Florida sunshine.
Detroit → Louisville → Nashville → Birmingham → Mobile → Gulf Shores
Drive through the musical heart of America. Enjoy hot chicken in Nashville, then continue through Alabama to the warm, white-sand beaches of Gulf Shores on the Gulf of Mexico.
Detroit → Cincinnati → Knoxville → Atlanta → Orlando
A well-paced two-day drive lands you in the theme park capital of the world. From there, explore Florida’s Gulf or Atlantic coast beaches for warm weather and endless sunshine.
Detroit → Lexington → Great Smoky Mountains → Asheville → Savannah
Combine mountain beauty with coastal warmth. Drive through the misty Smokies, spend a night in the artsy mountain town of Asheville, then descend into the warm, historic streets of Savannah.
Detroit → Cincinnati → Atlanta → Tampa → Fort Myers → Key West
Go all the way south for a tropical escape. The Keys offer snorkeling, fresh seafood, and average winter temperatures in the mid-70s — a world away from Detroit’s single digits.
Detroit → Indianapolis → Nashville → Jackson → New Orleans
Head straight for the warmth and excitement of the Crescent City. New Orleans delivers mild winters, incredible Cajun and Creole cuisine, and a music scene that never stops.