Orlando to Melbourne FL drive: Best stops, distance & time
The distance from Orlando to Melbourne by car is 69 miles, with a 1h12m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Orlando to Melbourne drive are the Brevard Museum, Merritt Island and the Brevard County Zoo.
Planning an Orlando to Melbourne FL road trip itinerary
The Orlando to Melbourne drive takes you from Florida’s theme park hub to the east coast.
Orlando is known worldwide as the home of Disney World, but there’s far more to it than Mickey and Co. You can get crazy selfies at the Museum of Illusions or WonderWorks, learn how chocolate is made at Chocolate Kingdom and ride the Wheel at ICON Park or Orlando StarFlyer. Alternatively, visit Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, play adventure golf at Pirates’ Cove and say hi to the stingrays at Sea Life.
In the evenings, there’s the Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show, Cirque du Soleil’s Drawn To Life and the Outta Control magic comedy show.
Other Orlando experiences include glow-in-the-dark kayaking, foodie walking tours and kayaking through Cypress forest.
The secret to getting Orlando accommodation deals is flexibility. There are hundreds of hotels, and you’ll likely be driving everywhere anyway. So hunt down the cheapest rates, and don’t get too hung up on exact location.
Melbourne is a relatively low key city on Florida’s Space Coast. It’s on the Indian River Lagoon, which is a great spot for seeing dolphins. You can take a two hour dolphin-watching boat cruise to make the most of it.
Otherwise, there’s a string of beaches to enjoy on the barrier island on the other side of the lagoon.
Top accommodation options in Melbourne FL include the beachside Bleu Beach Resort and the Hotel Melby downtown.
Orlando to Melbourne FL distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Orlando to Melbourne FL is 69 miles. Expect a driving time of around one hour and 12 minutes.
The best stops to add to an Orlando to Melbourne FL road trip itinerary are the Brevard Museum, Merritt Island and the Brevard County Zoo.
Orlando to Melbourne FL drive: Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science
The Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science in Cocoa FL covers the regional history of Brevard County. There’s a lot packed in, from the Ice Age to the Space Age. It displays plenty of artefacts from the nearby Windover Archaeological Site.
Other topics covered include giant sloths, the railroads and citrus farming.
Orlando to Melbourne FL road trip attractions: Merritt Island
Merritt Island is flanked by the Indian River and Banana, and has become something of a wildlife haven. You can see the dolphins and manatees on a boat cruise or kayaking tour.
For something spectacular, try night kayaking through the bioluminescence – the water lights up as your paddle glides through it.
Best stops between Orlando and Melbourne FL: Brevard County Zoo
Brevard County Zoo showcases animals from around the world in open air enclosures, including rhinos and tapirs. Special experiences on offer include hand-feeding giraffes and kangaroos.
The zoo also offers adventure courses through the trees, and kayaking tours that pass through the restored wetlands.
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