1 / 5

Ozarks to the Gulf Coast Expedition

A scenic journey from the rugged Missouri Ozarks through the heart of the Deep South, featuring the music of Memphis, the charm of Birmingham, and the white sands of the Florida Panhandle before arriving in Apollo Beach.

7days
15stops
1982km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Poplar Bluff · Memphis · Birmingham · Pensacola Beach · Panama City Beach · Crystal River — start in Lesterville, end in Apollo Beach.

DAY01

Lesterville → Poplar Bluff

149 km · 1h 42m driving · Overnight in Poplar Bluff
  1. 09:00
    Lesterville· start
  2. 15 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Johnson's Shut-Ins
  4. 134 km · 1h 32m
  5. 15:00
    Poplar Bluff· overnight
DAY02

Poplar Bluff → Downtown Memphis

229 km · 2h 33m driving · Overnight in Downtown Memphis
  1. 09:00
    Poplar Bluff· start
  2. 229 km · 2h 31m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Beale Street Entertainment District
  4. 0.5 km · 2m
  5. 15:00
    Downtown Memphis· overnight
DAY03

Downtown Memphis → Vulcan Park and Museum

400 km · 3h 49m driving · Overnight in Vulcan Park and Museum
  1. 09:00
    Downtown Memphis· start
  2. 393 km · 3h 37m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
  4. 7.3 km · 12m
  5. 15:00
    Vulcan Park and Museum· overnight
DAY04

Vulcan Park and Museum → Pensacola Beach

478 km · 5h 16m driving · long drive · Overnight in Pensacola Beach
  1. 09:00
    Vulcan Park and Museum· start
  2. 121 km · 1h 30m
  3. 12:00
    Wind Creek
  4. 358 km · 3h 46m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Pensacola Beach· overnight
DAY05

Pensacola Beach → Panama City Beach

135 km · 2h 3m driving · Overnight in Panama City Beach
  1. 09:00
    Pensacola Beach· start
  2. 74 km · 1h 10m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Henderson Beach
  4. 61 km · 53m
  5. 15:00
    Panama City Beach· overnight
DAY06

Panama City Beach → Crystal River

433 km · 4h 43m driving · Overnight in Crystal River
  1. 09:00
    Panama City Beach· start
  2. 175 km · 1h 59m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Wakulla Springs
  4. 258 km · 2h 44m
  5. 15:00
    Crystal River· overnight
DAY07

Crystal River → Apollo Beach

158 km · 1h 45m driving
  1. 09:00
    Crystal River· start
  2. 155 km · 1h 41m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Manatee Viewing Center
  4. 2.7 km · 4m
  5. 15:00
    Apollo Beach
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Day 1Stay in Poplar Bluff · Night 1
  2. Day 2Stay in Memphis · Night 2
  3. Day 3Stay in Birmingham · Night 3
  4. Day 4Stay in Alexander City · Night 4
  5. Day 5Stay in Panama City Beach · Night 5
  6. Day 6Stay in Crystal River · Night 6
Heads Up
  • Day 4: 5h 16m driving — plan rest stops
  • Check for seasonal water levels at Johnson's Shut-Ins if planning to swim.
  • Advance reservations are recommended for popular attractions in Memphis and Birmingham.
  • Be mindful of afternoon thunderstorms when driving through Florida during summer months.