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Hi there!
So you want to do a road trip to Florida driving from Atlanta to Sanibel Island!
How long is the drive from Atlanta to Sanibel Island?
Driving directly, it might take around 9 hours of driving time from Atlanta to Sanibel Island.
Explore the map.
So, as a 9 hour drive, some people will say that it’s doable to drive from Atlanta to Sanibel Island in one day if you’re looking to just go straight there.
But if you want to break it up into a 2 day drive you can choose one or more of the stops below!
Below will show some ideas of stops you can make if you want to break up the drive!
Road trip to Florida state parks
The driving route to Sanibel Island below includes Florida state parks.
In general, Florida state parks have an entry fee. This varies based on the state park, but it is generally around $5 per car.
If you plan on making this the year of visiting many Florida state parks, then there is also an annual Florida state park pass that you can buy when you arrive at any Florida state park that is staffed.
Florida state parks also have picnic tables so they can also make for a perfect stop for a picnic.
So stop by a Publix grocery store for prepared food or picnic food and eat your meal outdoors with views!
Road trip to Florida springs
There are said to be over 1,000 springs in Florida!
And you have a few springs to choose from along the way on your drive to Sanibel Island!
And, many (but not all) Florida springs are for swimming!
It’s said that the water temperature of many springs in Florida are a constant high 60s to low 70s year-round.
This means that in theory, you can go swimming in Florida springs any time of year.
Bring goggles so you can see the underwater life!
👆 If you plan on making a stop to go swimming in some Florida springs, bring snorkeling gear for swimming in Florida springs!
You may also consider wearing a swimming shirt with UV protection for swimming in the Florida springs too.
👆 If you plan on making a stop to go swimming in some Florida springs, add a float to your Florida springs packing list!
More road trips from Atlanta
- Things to do in the Florida Panhandle (5.5 hours away from Atlanta)
- Things to do in Mammoth Cave National Park (5.5 hours away from Atlanta)
See below for potential stops on your driving route from Atlanta to Sanibel Island!
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Side note!
Here’s some info on Florida trip prep!
- Things to do in Southwest Florida
- Best shelling in Florida
- Tampa to Miami drive
- Things to do in Everglades National Park
Southwest Florida is where Hurricane Ian made landfall in September 2022 which resulted in historic destruction.
Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island were among the hardest hit by the hurricane.
The Sanibel Island bridge that links mainland Florida to Sanibel Island and Captiva Island was destroyed during the hurricane.
This has since been repaired, but Sanibel Island beaches were still closed to the public for months… until recently!
Read current info from the City of Sanibel: Sanibel Island beaches that are open
What the open Sanibel Island beaches on that list were like pre-hurricane:
- Bowmans Beach
- Blind Pass Beach
- Tarpon Bay Road Beach (Trost parking lot)
- In general: Sanibel Island shelling beaches
What is there to do between Atlanta and Sanibel Island?
Explore the map.
1. Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
The Gilchrist Blue Springs are Florida springs you can visit on a drive to Sanibel Island!
I saw turtles swimming at Gilchrist Blue Springs!
You can also go swimming at these Florida springs.
For camping, there is the Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park campground and the O’Leno State Park campground (30 minutes away).
Atlanta to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is around a 4.5 hour drive.
Gilchrist Blue Springs to Sanibel Island is around a 5 hour drive.
Explore the map: Atlanta to Gilchrist Blue Springs to Sanibel Island
See more about planning your drive from Atlanta to Sanibel Island:
Camping between Atlanta and Sanibel Island:
- Ocean Pond Campground in Apalachicola National Forest (first come first served)
- Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park campground
- How to make reservations for Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
2. Silver Springs State Park
There is no swimming in the springs at Silver Springs State Park.
Instead, the big thing to do here is to take a glass bottom boat ride!
Otherwise, you can go for a simple walk along the springs.
You can also go kayaking at the springs.
For camping, there is the Silver Springs State Park campground.
Atlanta to Silver Springs State Park is around a 5.5 hour drive.
Silver Springs to Sanibel Island is around a 4 hour drive.
Explore the map: Atlanta to Silver Springs to Sanibel Island
Camping between Atlanta and Sanibel Island:
- Silver Springs State Park campground
- How to make reservations for Silver Springs Springs State Park
3. Ocala National Forest
More options for Florida springs to stop off at on your drive to Sanibel Island is the Ocala National Forest springs.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the water temperature of Salt Springs is a constant 74 degrees year-round, and you can expect other springs to be similar.
There are several “recreation areas” in Ocala National Forest with springs, so you can take your pick:
- Salt Springs Recreation Area
- Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area
- Juniper Springs Recreation Area
- Alexander Springs Recreation Area
You can go swimming at these springs.
Explore the map of Ocala National Forest springs.
One of the prettiest springs in Ocala National Forest is Silver Glen Springs.
You can go camping at Salt Springs, Juniper Springs, and Alexander Springs.
There are more campgrounds throughout Ocala National Forest if you don’t care about being near springs.
If you are RV camping and looking for full-service hook-up, then you will want to go camping at the Salt Springs campground.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, this is the only campground in Ocala National Forest with full hook-ups for RVs.
Atlanta to Ocala National Forest is around a 6 hour drive.
Ocala National Forest to Sanibel Island is around a 4.5 hour drive.
Explore the map: Atlanta to Ocala National Forest to Sanibel Island
See more about planning your drive from Atlanta to Sanibel Island:
Camping between Atlanta and Sanibel Island:
- Salt Springs Recreation Area campground
- Juniper Springs Recreation Area campground
- Alexander Springs Recreation Area campground
- How to make reservations for Ocala National Forest
4. Tampa Bay
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is an icon of Tampa Bay.
It can be reasonable to set your route so that you drive across the Skyway Bridge as you drive to Sanibel Island!
And, there are a few rest areas around that you can stop at too in order to take in the views of Tampa Bay.
5. Lido Key
If you want more islands and beaches than just Sanibel Island, then you have lots of Southwest Florida beaches to choose from!
So if you want to go to another amazing Florida gulf coast beach before you get to Sanibel Island, you can go to Lido Beach on Lido Key!
You will pass through St Armands Circle on your way to Lido Key where you will find lots of restaurants and shops.
Atlanta to Lido Key is around a 7.5 hour drive.
Lido Key to Sanibel Island is around a 2 hour drive.
Explore the map: Atlanta to Lido Key to Sanibel Island
See more about planning your drive from Atlanta to Sanibel Island:
6. Siesta Key
Siesta Key has been named one of the best beaches in America.
At one end of Siesta Key is the famous #1 beach that is Siesta Beach.
This is where you’ll find an amazing white sand beach with a wide stretch of sand.
On the other end of Siesta Key is the quieter end, and it’s where you’ll find Turtle Beach… along with the Turtle Beach campground!
If you want to go camping on Siesta Key, the Turtle Beach campground is it!
There is a direct path from the campground to the beach, so your campsite will just be a few minutes walk from being able to see the amazing Gulf coast.
I also saw dolphins swimming along the shoreline from Turtle Beach!
You need to get lucky in order to find camping availability, as campsites get booked up pretty much as soon as they are available months in advance. But people do cancel.
Atlanta to Siesta Key is around a 7.5 hour drive.
Siesta Key to Sanibel Island is around a 2 hour drive.
Explore the map: Atlanta to Siesta Key to Sanibel Island
Camping between Atlanta and Sanibel Island:
- Turtle Beach campground (Siesta Key)
- How to make reservations for Turtle Beach campground
- Oscar Scherer State Park campground
- How to make reservations for Florida state parks
7. Myakka River State Park
You will be driving a little inland.
You can make it a stop at Myakka River State Park if you’re looking for a pleasant nature stop with lots of green.
It can be a scenic drive through Myakka River State Park.
Myakka River State Park is also known for the canopy walk.
You’ll walk across a bridge that’s suspended in air, and then continue climbing the stairs up the tower for views above the trees.
There is also a spot in Myakka River State Park that’s known for alligator sightings.
When you come across the bridge, make a stop to see if you can spot some alligators!
Plus you might make some bird sightings when you are in Myakka River State Park!
Atlanta to Myakka River State Park is around a 7.5 hour drive.
Myakka River State Park to Sanibel Island is around a 2 hour drive.
Explore the map: Atlanta to Myakka River State Park to Sanibel Island
Camping between Atlanta and Sanibel Island
- Myakka River State Park campground
- How to make reservations for Myakka River State Park
6. Sanibel Island
And you’ve made it to Sanibel Island!!!
Since your destination is Sanibel Island, you probably already know that Sanibel Island is known for having some of the best shelling in Florida.
And even more than that, Sanibel Island beaches are known for being the best beaches for shelling in all of the United States!
You can go to any of the beaches on Sanibel Island and you will find shells.
Along the shoreline, you can find tons of small shells, and the more you look, the greater your chances are for finding different types of shells!
To get you started, you likely will not be disappointed with shelling at Bowmans Beach!
And then you can also go to Captiva Island for shelling.
There is a toll for driving the bridge to Sanibel Island. See current fees under Sanibel toll plaza. If you have a Florida SunPass you can drive straight through and you will automatically be charged.
The Sanibel Island beach parking fee is hourly. See current fees.
See more about planning your drive from Atlanta to Sanibel Island:
Camping between Atlanta and Sanibel Island:
- Koreshan State Park campground
- How to make reservations for Koreshan State Park
And that’s a bit about some stops you can make driving from Atlanta to Sanibel Island!
Where to next?!
- Best Captiva Island beaches
- Cayo Costa shelling
- Honeymoon Island shelling
- Best beaches in Southwest Florida (including shelling!)
- Things to do in Southwest Florida
- Camping in Southwest Florida
- Sanibel Island to Miami
- Sanibel Island to Key West
- Miami to Key West
- Things to do in the Florida Keys
- Things to do in the Florida Panhandle
- Camping in the Florida Keys
- Camping in the Florida Panhandle
HAPPY DRIVING TO SANIBEL ISLAND FROM ATLANTA!
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