When planning your first trip to Destin, the first thing people want to know is “How far am I from Destin?”. After that, “How long will it take me?”. “Where should I stay?”. We know that it takes time to plan and it can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in.
Here at Emerald Destin, we have done the research and compiled a list of starting cities, mileage, travel time, and maps. We’ve even thrown in some of our favorite restaurants and hotels that we always depend on and look forward to when traveling.
We know that sometimes, families like to leave after work on Fridays so they don’t have to spend their Saturday driving the whole way. For drives longer than 8 hours, we’ve included halfway stopping points and suggestions on where to stay and eat. For trips over 1,200 miles, *we suggest you fly. We will only recommend properties and restaurants where we would stay/eat. Some of these are actually favorites of ours that we look forward to on our trips. Suggestions will be mostly for a budget and moderate budget. We may throw in a luxury spot here and there. Again, these are just suggestions to help you along the way.
Please be aware, that the midway stopping points might be 30 minutes to an hour longer or shorter, depending on where the midway point is. We do not want to put anyone in a dangerous spot or a town without good options. Also, drive times vary with traffic.
Links contain maps and other information so make sure to click!
Please keep checking back as we will be adding more cities and information. If your city/town isn’t listed, Let Us Know and we can add that to our recommendations as well!
*For information on Destin area airports and airlines, see our blog post “Everything You Need to Know About Destin Area Airports”.
Atlanta, GA to Destin, FL
Atlanta is 333 miles from Destin. Drive time is about 5 hrs and 16 minutes via US-431 South. Montgomery – Exit 170 is the halfway point and there are many options for rest stops and food here.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/FccdnLxhYYhGfiqM6
Augusta, GA to Destin, FL
Augusta is 395 miles and about a 7-hour and 19-minute drive via GA-91 S. If you are in need of a rest stop or something to eat, Albany, Ga. will be your midway point.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/7JpLoavyGcwAsbr36
Austin, TX to Destin, FL
Austin, Tx is 737 miles from Destin. The drive will take you around 11 hours and 45 minutes. Lafayette, La., or Baton Rouge, La. are two very good options for stopping. Click on the links to see a map of the hotel or restaurant. Note: LSU Football can drastically affect hotel pricing and availability, in Baton Rouge, during football season.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/57p64fZ6P8aCNGt46
Where to Stay & Eat in Lafayette, La.
Hotel: Drury Inn and Suites Map It! (Free Breakfast, 5:30 Kickback, Pool, Pets with fee)
Restaurant: Old Tyme GroceryMenu
Where to Eat & Stay in Baton Rouge, La.
Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott Baton Rouge Acadian Centre/LSU Area Map It! (Outside Pool & Pet Friendly)
Restaurant: Zippy’s Burritos, Tacos & More Menu (Casual, Great Food, Great atmosphere, Pet-Friendly Patio)
Baton Rouge, LA to Destin, FL
Baton Rouge is 307 miles from Destin. Travel time is about 5 hours. The halfway point is Ocean Springs, Ms. Exit 50 (MS609 South – Ocean Springs) has many options for gas, snacks, and fast food.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/fnYgxUTEaRZ9abM4A (Pet Friendly and offer water bowls)
Beaumont, TX to Destin, FL
Beaumont is 491 miles from Destin with a travel time of about 8 hours and 17 minutes. Beaumont to Destin’s halfway mark is Covington, La.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/MfggjaAY14GZE6ERA
Where to Eat & Stay in Covington, La.
Family Friendly Hotel: Holiday Inn – Covington Map It (Indoor & Outdoor Pool, Restaurant on Site – Kids Stay and Eat Free!)
Luxury Hotel: Southern Hotel Map It Outdoor Pool, Onsite Restaurant (The Gloriette)
Other Restaurant Suggestions:
The Chimes Map It Menu
Birmingham, AL to Destin, FL
Birmingham, AL. is a quick 261 miles. Travel time to Destin is about 4 hours and 20 minutes. If you are looking to stop halfway, Greenville, Al. exit 130 – AL-185 has multiple gas stations and food options.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ht8ygNtW9pcxRy7h8
Carthage, MO to Destin, FL
Carthage, Mo. is about 841miles from Destin and a 13-hour and 10-minute drive. Tupelo, Ms is midway between the two cities.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/c7FahVHnRRnqyeVK6
Where to Eat & Stay in Tupelo, Ms.
Hotel: Best Western Plus – Tupelo Inn & Suites Map It! (Free breakfast and a pool)
Restaurant: Neon Pig Menu Map It
Charlotte, NC. to Destin, FL
Charlotte, NC to Destin is 578 miles. Drive time is about 9 hours and 8 minutes. The midway point is Atlanta, Ga.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/H814Q5kTBnM8MpFq8
Where to Eat & Stay in Atlanta
Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites, Atlanta Airport Map It! (Free Breakfast. 5:30 Kickback. Pool. Pets w/fee)
Restaurant: Mellow Mushroom Menu (Pet-Friendly Patio)
Chicago, IL to Destin, FL
The Windy City is located 925 miles south of beautiful, warm Destin. The drive time is about 14 hours. The best midway stopping point is Franklin, Tn. Franklin is an excellent place to stop. We will give you two great restaurant choices and an excellent hotel.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/1jzPXjdHQwjhnJ46A
Where to Eat & Stay in Franklin, Tn.
Hotel: Drury Plaza Hotel, Franklin Map It! (Free Breakfast. 5:30 Kickback. Pool. Pets w/fee)
Restaurants:
Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant Menu Map It (Live music almost every night)
Loveless Cafe Menu (A little further drive and there is usually a pretty good wait. Worth it!)
Click here to learn more about the Loveless Cafe. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or supper.
Cincinnati, OH to Destin, FL
Cincinnati to Destin is 725 miles with a drive time of about 10 hours and 45 min. The halfway point is Athens, Al. However, due to restaurants (except fast food) closing by 8 pm we will push you 45 minutes south to Cullman, AL.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ZNcT2n2Ea7LVE2zA9
Where to Stay & Eat in Cullman, AL.
Hotel: LaQuinta Map It (Free Breakfast. Pool. Pet Friendly)
Restaurants: LawLers Barbeque Menu
Cleveland, OH to Destin, FL
Cleveland to Destin is 974 miles. The drive will take approximately 14 hours and 48 minutes. The midpoint is White House, Tn. However, we are pushing you 45 minutes south through Nashville, to Franklin, Tn. Franklin is an excellent place to stop and we will give you two great restaurant choices. Also, your second-day drive will be shorter than the first!
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/nbQbH798J3ENPdJRA
Where to Stay & Eat in Franklin, Tn.
Hotel: Drury Plaza Hotel, Franklin Map It! (Free Breakfast. 5:30 Kickback. Pool. Pets w/fee)
Restaurants:
Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant Menu (Live music almost every night)
Loveless Cafe Menu (A little further but worth it!)
Click here to learn more about the Loveless Cafe. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or supper.
College Station, TX to Destin, FL
College Station to Destin is 668 miles with a drive time of about 10 and 1/2 hours. Two good mid-way stopping points are Lafayette, LA., and Baton Rouge, LA. Both are great options. Note: LSU Football can drastically affect hotel pricing and availability during football season.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/rFWAQPt1NiSNuXEt6
Where to Stay & Eat in Lafayette, LA.
Hotel: Holiday Inn & Suites, Lafayette North Map It Onsite Dining, Indoor Pool, Kids Eat and Stay Free!
Cajun Palms RV Resort Map It (Several Onsite Food Options, Swimming Pools, Go-Cart Race Track, and much more! Make Reservations EARLY!)
Restaurants
Old Tyme Grocery Menu Map It
Where to Stay & Eat in Baton Rouge, La.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Executive Center Map It
Restaurants:
Zippy’s Burritos, Tacos & More Menu Map It! (Great atmosphere & Great food!)
Gino’s Restaurant Menu Map It! (Delicious Fine Italian Dining)
Columbus, OH to Destin, FL
Columbus to Destin is 833 miles. The drive is about 12 ½ hours. Columbus to Destin is 974 miles. The midway point is Columbia, Tn, however, we are stopping you 20 minutes before at a popular stopping point – Franklin, Tn.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/nbQbH798J3ENPdJRA
Where to Stay & Eat in Franklin, TN
Hotel:
Holiday Inn Franklin-Cool Springs Map It! (Kids stay and eat free, Pool. Pets w/fee, On-site dining)
Restaurants:
Burger Up Menu Map It! (Farm to Table from local farms, Burgers, Daily Specials)
Mellow Mushroom Menu Map It! (An Emerald Destin fav in the heart of Franklin!)
Dallas, TX/Fort Worth to Destin, FL
Dallas to Destin is 700 miles. Fort Worth is 753 miles from Destin. The drive will take about 11 hours. The midway stopping is just around Baton Rouge, where you’ll find plenty of fantastic food options (even if you don’t use our suggestions!)
Route Map:
Dallas https://goo.gl/maps/nEMzPkYqSWmLDQhq5
Fort Worth https://goo.gl/maps/M6Zjk6oJ8L5sSQfR9
Where to Stay & Eat in Baton Rouge, La.
Hotel: Homewood Suites by Hilton Map It! (Free Breakfast, Pet Friendly Rooms, Outdoor Pool)
Zippy’s Burritos, Tacos, and More Menu Map It! (Family friendly, Dog Friendly, LSU Tradition!)
Mike Anderson’s Seafood Menu Map It! (Seafood at it’s best! A true Louisiana Tradition!)
Denver, CO to Destin, FL
Denver is 1550 miles from Destin. That is over 23 hours of driving. Emerald Destin suggests that you fly. See our post Everything You Need to Know About Destin Airports for more information.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/wxkEghq8wz11oefXA
Des Moines, IA to Destin, FL
At 1,107 miles, Des Moines is quite a ways from Destin. Depending on the traffic, that’s a 16 ½-hour drive. The halfway point between these two cities is Cadiz, KY. However, there isn’t really a great stopping point. With that being said, we are going to push you through an hour and 15 minutes more to Franklin, Tn. Two reasons: It gets you through Nashville and puts you in a better position to start the next day. And it makes day two of driving a little shorter. You’ll only be 6 hours to Destin! Time it right and you can be there for a late lunch!
Franklin is a very nice and safe area. Be sure to check closing times for restaurants as they tend to close earlier in this area.
This is a long drive and if you decide to fly, check out our post “Everything You Need to Know About Destin Area Airports” for more information.
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/CSL3RkZBqmjfzuBcA
Franklin, TN.
Hotel:
Homewood Suites by HiltonMap It! (Free Breakfast, Pool. Accessible, Free Pet-friendly)
Restaurants:
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Menu Facebook Mapt it! (A little bit of everything. Comfort food)
Ground Menu Map it! (Hamburgers, Sandwiches, Poboys, Tenders, and more)
Detroit, MI to Destin, FL
Detroit is 986 miles from Destin. The drive will take you about 15 hours. The mid-point is White House, Tn. However, we are pushing you 45 minutes south through Nashville, to Franklin, Tn. Franklin is an excellent place to stop and we will give you two great restaurant choices. Also, your second-day drive will be shorter than the first!
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/G3bgqovDZj3LKk417
Detroit is 986 miles from Destin. The drive will take you about 15 hours. The mid-point is White House, Tn. However, we are pushing you 45 minutes south through Nashville, to Franklin, Tn. Franklin is an excellent place to stop and we will give you two great restaurant choices. Also, your second-day drive will be shorter than the first!
Route Map: https://goo.gl/maps/G3bgqovDZj3LKk417
Franklin, TN
Hotel:
Embassy Suites Map It! (Free Breakfast, Pool, Pets friendly, $5 Parking, On-site dining, 4 EV Charging Stations)
Restaurants:
Cajun Steamer Bar & Grill Menu Map It! (Authentic Cajun and Creole)
Brixx Wood Fired Menu Map It! (Pizza, wings, pasta, salads, kids meals)
Please Keep Checking Back as we will be adding more and more drives to our list!
Ta-Ra!
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