Choose the day you want
| Beach option | Why compare it | Journey to plan |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa Beach · Atlantic | Pier and a Space Coast beach day | Roughly an hour or more from Orlando; check your start point |
| Daytona or New Smyrna · Atlantic | Alternative east-coast beach towns | Compare the exact beach access and traffic |
| Clearwater · Gulf Coast | The Gulf beach day our family chose | Our outbound drive took about two hours |
| Without a hire car | A tour or pre-arranged transport may simplify the day | Price both directions and confirm the return plan |
Driving estimates are approximate. Weather, traffic, beach access and your Orlando hotel all affect the plan. We have first-hand experience of Clearwater; the Atlantic options are researched alternatives.
For the shortest trip, look east to the Atlantic
Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Cocoa Beach are popular options east of Orlando. Visit Florida lists approximate drive times from Orlando of about 58 minutes to Daytona, 1 hour 3 minutes to New Smyrna and 1 hour 9 minutes to Cocoa Beach. Actual journeys depend on where you start, route and traffic.
Cocoa Beach has a pier and surf-town feel; Daytona has a broad, lively beach and attractions nearby; New Smyrna is another Atlantic option with a surf-town atmosphere. Check the specific beach access, facilities and conditions before setting off.
For a Gulf Coast day, we went to Clearwater
We travelled to Clearwater Beach for the beach, food and Pier 60, then returned to Orlando late. Our outbound Uber cost about $129 and the outbound drive took roughly two hours. That was our experience on those dates, not a current fare or guaranteed travel time.
Clearwater gave us the Gulf Coast beach day we wanted, but it made for a long, expensive round trip. If you choose it, price both directions and think about whether an overnight stay or organised excursion would make the day easier.
So which one should you choose?
Choose an Atlantic beach if a shorter drive from Orlando is the priority. Choose Clearwater or another Gulf Coast beach if you specifically want that side of Florida and are happy to spend longer travelling. The shoreline, surf, facilities and conditions differ, so check local beach information and weather on the day.
If you’re travelling without a car, arrange the transport before committing. We managed Clearwater by rideshare, but it was costly and depended on a long-distance pickup. Compare a tour, shuttle or overnight stay as well as a return rideshare; availability and prices can vary.
Make the beach day work with your Orlando plan
Treat a beach trip as a full day rather than trying to squeeze several coastal stops into a park-heavy schedule. Allow time for the journey, parking or drop-off, food, changing and the return trip. Bring sun protection and water, and check weather, surf and any beach access updates before leaving.
We visited Clearwater during our 11-day trip. See the Day 6 episode for our real beach day, Pier 60 visit and long rideshare journey.
For current beach information and approximate distances, see Visit Florida’s beach FAQ ↗. Travel times vary with your starting point and traffic.
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