Pensacola to Destin FL drive: Time, distance & best stops

The best road trip stops on the Pensacola to Destin drive are the Gulf Breeze Zoo, Navarre Beach and Fort Walton Beach. The distance from Pensacola to Destin by car is 48 miles, with a 1h2m driving time.

Finding the best things to do between Pensacola and Destin

The Pensacola to Fort Walton Beach drive connects two of the most attractive spots on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The westernmost city on the Florida Panhandle, Pensacola is home to a major US Naval Station. But for most visitors, interest will lie in the white sand beaches and barrier islands.

Top Pensacola activities include nighttime kayaking with colourful LEDs lighting up the kayaks, and dolphin-watching cruises around the bay.

Other ways of exploring include downtown food tours, ghost and graveyard tours, guided pub crawls, Segway tours and sunset cruises.

For beachside Pensacola accommodation with great guest reviews, take a look at the Pensacola Beach Resort and the SpringHill Suites Pensacola Beach.

Destin is a beach town on the Florida Panhandle, with white sand beaches and several golf courses. The Destin Harbor Boardwalk tends to be the centre of activity, and there is plenty of activity to be in the centre of.

Top Destin experiences include a sunset tiki cruise, a Crab Island sandbar adventure, a dolphin-watching speedboat cruise and parasailing.

You can also try jetski rentals, the Maximum Magic show, Hydrojet sunset tours and banana boat rides.

If looking for Destin accommodation, the Comfort Inn and Suites offers good value and the plush Henderson Beach Resort has private beach access.

Pensacola to Destin distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Pensacola to Destin is 48 miles. That makes for a driving time of about an hour and two minutes. The quickest route is along the US-98.

The best stops to add to a Pensacola to Destin road trip itinerary are the Gulf Breeze Zoo, Navarre Beach and Fort Walton Beach.

Pensacola to Destin road trip attractions: Gulf Breeze Zoo

The Gulf Breeze Zoo is spread over 50 acres and is home to more than 800 animals. These include rhinos, gorillas and orangutans. The zoo also offers a series of special encounters. These include the giraffe encounter, which starts with a behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo.

Best stops between Pensacola and Destin: Navarre Beach

Much quieter than nearby Pensacola, Destin and Fort Walton Beach, Navarre Beach on Santa Rosa Island is where you come if you want to relax with little distraction. There’s still the striking white sand and clear Gulf waters, but a lot less of the hubbub.