What are Florida's 'most scenic drives'? Hint: 2 of them are in Flagler, Volusia area

There's a reason hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists flock to Volusia County for Daytona Beach Bike Week and Biketoberfest each year — well, besides the shenanigans and camaraderie, anyway: Central Florida offers a gorgeous backdrop for riders to make their playground.

A rider and his little dog cruise down A1A along the Atlantic Ocean, Wednesday March 5, 2025 north of Ormond Beach during the 84th annual Bike Week.

So it's not surprising that two routes in Flagler and Volusia counties earned a shoutout in WorldAtlas.com's recent listing of the "11 Most Scenic Drives in Florida."

Both State Road A1A (between Ormond Beach and St. Augustine) and the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail made the ranking by the website which follows current travel trends. And just for kicks, we added a couple of our staff's favorite Sunday drive destinations we thought were deserving of recognition.

State Road A1A is one of 'most scenic drives in Florida'

State Road A1A, formally known as "A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway," but renamed "Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway" in 2024, will take you from Fernandina Beach at the most northern end of the state all the way south to the tip of Key West and, to be sure, it's a beauty. But it's no surprise that World Atlas singled out the stretch between St. Augustine and Ormond Beach as particularly stunning, describing it as "pure magic."

In its write-up, World Atlas suggests the itinerary for a daytrip: "Start with a filling breakfast at Genovese's Italian Café in Ormond, the best Italian restaurant for miles, then aim for Tom Renick Park, a nice roadside park with picnic tables and a boat launch."

Continuing north toward St. Augustine, S.R. A1A hugs the Atlantic coastline with some picturesque ocean views on one side and small eateries, shops and other interesting points of interest (near Flagler Beach, check out the larger-than-life resin statutes of pirates atop a house) on the other.

Other highlights include the Gamble Rogers State Park in Flagler Beach and the "swoon-worthy" Helen Mellon Schmidt Park, just before St. Augustine.

Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail is one of 'most scenic drives in Florida'

If you've never been, the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail is a treasure to behold with sweeping ocean and river views aplenty, as well as parks and historic sites like the sugar mill ruins found on Old Dixie Highway.

In its description of the loop trail, World Atlas describes the pathway's "Old Florida" vibe, saying it "could be the closest thing to a live-oak tunnel you will come across in the Sunshine State."

The drive encompasses 34 winding miles, connecting several roads and highways, including a portion of S.R. A1A where you can see an old WWII submarine watch tower. Also not to be missed is Walker Boardman Land and High Bridge Road "where the live oaks and Spanish moss form a beautiful cathedral ceiling" and the sprawling, luxurious waterfront homes on John Anderson Drive.

World Atlas notes other highlights, such as The Casements, the former home of John D. Rockefeller; North Peninsula State Park; Bulow Creek State Park, a lush oasis with woodsy trails; and Tomoka State Park, especially if you want to see some wildlife.

Other beautiful byways in Flagler, Volusia area

Lakeshore Drive in Volusia County

Lakeshore Drive runs along the shore of Lake Monroe, straddling the unincorporated area of Enterprise and Volusia County's most populous city, Deltona. The Enterprise area offers a lot of history, as it was once the county seat, and the views of the lake are pretty. Green Springs County Park is a great stop, but the highlight is the canopy of live oaks that line the road and give it a timeless feeling.

Florida State Road 11

While it is not officially designated as a Florida Scenic Highway, State Road 11 offers beautiful pastoral views as it runs along the west side of Flagler and Volusia counties. A north-south state highway connecting Bunnell in Flagler County to St. Johns County, S.R. 11 is a peaceful rural road passing through agricultural areas and pine forests, with access to De Leon Springs State Park.

News-Journal reporters Mark Harper and Frank Fernandez contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: What are Florida's 'most scenic drives'? Hint: 2 of them are in Flagler, Volusia area