Atlantic Coast

Atlantic Coast Bar Harbor, ME to Key West, FL 7 Map Set GPX Data | Overview | Buy | Mobile App
1. Bar Harbor, ME to Windsor Locks, CT Detail
2. Windsor Locks, CT to Conshohocken, PA Detail
3. Conshohocken, PA to Richmond, VA Detail
4. Richmond, VA to Wilmington, NC Detail
5. Wilmington, NC to Okatie, SC Detail
6. Okatie, SC to St. Augustine, FL Detail
7. St. Augustine, FL to Key West, FL Detail

History heaven

The northern sections of the Atlantic Coast Bicycle Route are excellent for history buffs, as you’ll discover sites dating back to the early days of the United States and beyond.

In the Northeast, you’ll enjoy the flavor of quiet Maine coastal towns, New England villages, the rural countryside, and bucolic Amish farmlands. Once you cross the Mason-Dixon Line, which is the boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland, you’ll ride into the South and get some exposure to Civil War history by visiting the battlefields at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the city of Richmond, Virginia. Spurs lead into the various larger cities along this route. A lack of road signs can make parts of this route challenging.

Starting in the tourist town of Bar Harbor, Maine, on Mt. Desert Island, you’ll bike out of town through Acadia National Park and then along occasional back roads situated near the coast. Allow some time to savor the quintessential ambiance of the coastal towns. After crossing the Penobscot River, the route passes by Ft. Knox, an exceptionally well-preserved unused Revolutionary War fort. Most of the route in Maine straddles views of the Atlantic Ocean, from the rocky jagged shore downeast (which is directionally “northeast”) to the expansive sand beaches south of Portland.

More New England beauty will be enjoyed as you head south through New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. In Massachusetts you can take a 30.6-mile spur into Boston. You’ll see charming, picturesque towns that you might find on your wall calendar. As you bike through New York, you’ll pass through scenic farmland. Several sites of historic significance are off route north of Poughkeepsie, New York. The route uses portions of several rail trails.

Entering New Jersey, you’ll ride through one of the best areas in the state for bicycling as you travel along the Delaware River. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is particularly beautiful and gives an other-world meaning to typical images that people have of New Jersey. At Lambertville, the New York City Spur extends eastward for 52 miles to Summit, New Jersey, where you can take a train into New York City. The main route heads west into Pennsylvania through productive farms and many hills. Downtown Philadelphia is a short distance from the route via the Schuylkill River Bike Path. You’ll ride through Valley Forge National Historic Park. The route traverses Lancaster County, which is home to many Amish families. Beginning in York, it follows the York County Heritage Trail which becomes Torrey C. Brown Trail in northern Maryland. The route swings west around the outskirts of Baltimore, though you can take the alternate through the city if you prefer. There are more farms in northern Maryland, which will turn into suburban sprawl as you reach the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Traffic and road congestion increases tremendously north of Washington, D.C. The route uses the Rock Creek Trail and the Capital Crescent Trail to take you to the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac River. After crossing the Potomac, you’ll ride another beautiful bike path to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s residence from 1754 until his death. Then there are more urban areas in expanding northern Virginia, some quiet country roads, and increasing urbanization as you approach Richmond.

The route uses the Virginia Capital Trail from Richmond to Jamestown. After crossing the James River on a ferry, you’ll head south through the farmlands of Virginia and encounter swamps when crossing into North Carolina. If you choose to ride the Outer Banks Alternate, you’ll have a treat biking along the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and have the chance to see tools utilized by the famous Wright Brothers in their bicycle shop. Expect high temperatures and humid conditions in the summer, though beach riding will be tempered by ocean breezes. The winds can be strong (that’s why the Wright Brothers flew their first plane there), and sand may blow onto the road. In the Outer Banks, there are two ferry rides, one of which is 2-1/4 hours long.

Riding southward, you’ll encounter the busy city of Wilmington, North Carolina, and take another ferry ride into Southport. The route skirts the coast through Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and surrounding communities. Many tourists visit this area. You’ll also ride through historic Charleston, once described as “an 18th-century painting come to life.”

Heading into Georgia, Alligator Alley/SR 170, a scenic road through the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, offers plenty of opportunities to pull over and gawk at the view. Savannah is a charming city, which has one of the largest national historic landmark districts in the United States. Because the route is close to the coast expect more tourist traffic.

As you cross into Florida, you’ll be alongside the coast again. A spur to reach the Jacksonville Airport for transportation is shown, while the main route continues through occasional coastal towns along the beaches. St. Augustine is the oldest European settlement in the United States, which displays distinctive Spanish architecture. Starting in St. Augustine, the route alternates between urban and suburban conditions most of the way down the coast through Miami. Florida has an extensive though sometimes confusing network of bicycling facilities ranging from 2-foot bike lanes or shoulders to separated bike paths and sidewalks. For some stretches it will be better to use the sidewalk rather than the road while in highly trafficked beach areas, the sidewalks will be pedestrian use only. The approach to often nearly invisible short bridges are usually marked with “frogs”, “buttons”, “turtles”, “slugs” or rumble strips.

Take advantage of the opportunities to enjoy the numerous beach accesses. County parks often include such amenities as picnic tables, cold water, showers and toilets and are inexpensive or free to cyclists. State Highway A1A will change names many times on its journey along the coast. This is especially true as it nears Miami. Often it is located adjacent to an aquatic preserve or wildlife refuge offering bird watching as well. South of Jupiter, campgrounds for tenting are almost nonexistent until south of Miami.

Leaving Florida City on U.S. 1, you begin a 20-mile ride with no services, potentially heavy traffic and abundant crocodile sightings. If you see what appears to be a green couch along the road, it’s probably not! Always give crocs a wide berth, and be ready to sprint if necessary. Crocodiles can reach speeds of 30 miles per hour for very short distances. On the road to Key West the roadways have generous shoulders, though we recommend using the bike paths. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy this section and have your camera at the ready. As you cross the many old bridges there are multiple occasions to stop and take in the scenery. Each of the Keys offers their own information center with local knowledge of available activities. If you wish to stay at one of the Bahia Honda State Park campsites, make reservations early. For those who don’t wish to reverse their route back across the Keys, a loop route can be created by taking a ferry from Key West to Fort Myers Beach where it is possible to join the Florida Connector and return to Fort Lauderdale. Space is limited on the ferries, so when you make your reservations, be sure to let them know in advance that you have a bike.

Photo by Tom Robertson

The Atlantic Coast Bicycle Route is one of the more challenging routes that Adventure Cycling has to offer, as it has many hilly areas where granny gears are needed to negotiate the steep climbs. Northwestern Connecticut, the Susquehanna River area in Pennsylvania, and the country roads north of Richmond are extremely hilly. But you do have some easy riding to compensate, such as when biking the paths along the Potomac River in Virginia. While there is some hill climbing upon leaving Richmond, Virginia, generally the terrain is either rolling or flat through the southern states of North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

Atlantic Coast - Main Route
Section Distance Elevation Total Climb Avg. Climb/mile
Total 2649.0 miles Minimum: 0 ft.
Maximum:1440 ft.		 72,890 ft. south bound
72,355 ft. north bound		 28 ft. per mi. south bound
27 ft. per mi. north bound
1 473.2 miles Minimum: 0 ft.
Maximum:1130 ft.		 25,825 ft. south bound
25,375 ft. north bound		 55 ft. per mi. south bound
54 ft. per mi. north bound
2 302.4 miles Minimum: 0 ft.
Maximum:1440 ft.		 15,950 ft. south bound
16,055 ft. north bound		 53 ft. per mi. north bound
53 ft. per mi. south bound
3 368.9 miles Minimum: 0 ft.
Maximum:860 ft.		 17,295 ft. south bound
17,165 ft. north bound		 47 ft. per mi. south bound
47 ft. per mi. north bound
4 379.1 miles Minimum: 0 ft.
Maximum:160 ft.		 5,380 ft. south bound
5,430 ft. north bound		 14 ft. per mi. south bound
14 ft. per mi. north bound
5 357.0 miles Minimum: 0 ft.
Maximum:60 ft.		 3,400 ft. south bound
3,335 ft. north bound		 10 ft. per mi. south bound
9 ft. per mi. north bound
6 262.1 miles Minimum: 0 ft.
Maximum:45 ft.		 2,105 ft. south bound
2,065 ft. north bound		 8 ft. per mi. north bound
8 ft. per mi. north bound
7 506.3 miles Minimum: 0 ft.
Maximum:40 ft.		 2,935 ft. south bound
2,930 ft. north bound		 6 ft. per mi. south bound
6 ft. per mi. north bound
Atlantic Coast Alternates
Name Section Distance Total Climb Avg. Climb/mi
Boston Spur 1 30.6 miles 1,110 ft. east bound
1,520 ft. west bound		 36 ft. per mi. east bound
50 ft. per mi. west bound
New York Spur 2 46.9 miles 2,790 ft. east bound
2,505 ft. west bound		 59 ft. per mi. east bound
53 ft. per mi. west bound
Philadelphia Spur 2 10.6 miles 150 ft. south bound
170 ft. north bound		 14 ft. per mi. south bound
16 ft. per mi. north bound
Deep Hollow Alternate 2 6 miles 700 ft. south bound
200 ft. north bound		 117 ft. per mi. south bound
33 ft. per mi. north bound
Wallkill Alternate 2 19.1 miles 865 ft. south bound
200 ft. north bound		 45 ft. per mi. south bound
10 ft. per mi. north bound
Chesapeake Bay Alternate 3 47.4 miles 2,910 ft. south bound
2,700 ft. north bound		 61 ft. per mi. south bound
57 ft. per mi. north bound
Outer Banks Alternate 4 254.5 miles 1,630 ft. south bound
1,640 ft. north bound		 6 ft. per mi. south bound
6 ft. per mi. north bound
Jacksonville Airport Access 6 21.2 miles 140 ft. east bound
160 ft. west bound		 7 ft. per mi. east bound
8 ft. per mi. west bound

This route can be ridden from late spring to mid-fall in the north (typically May to October), and all year around in the south. Expect high temperatures and humid conditions during the summer. Due to changing local conditions, it is difficult to predict any major wind patterns. Be aware that hurricanes can occur from June through November along the Atlantic Seaboard and can close roads and services along the Outer Banks Alternate on Section 4.

Services are generally plentiful along the route. Some spur routes, such as the ones into Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, can take you into large cities for whatever you may desire. People who like to camp won’t find any campgrounds in Maryland unless they do the Chesapeake Bay Alternate through Baltimore. Some cyclists may want to do the northern portions of this route during the colors of autumn. If you do, call ahead to verify campground availability because many close after Labor Day. If staying indoors, make advance reservations.

If camping on the Outer Banks, it can sometimes be blustery at night. Check locally for any upcoming storms. Because the route stays closer to the coast in South Carolina and Georgia, services for tourists are plentiful. In Florida, services can be scarce in the suburban/residential areas of cities. Almost everything else you encounter, including food, will be more expensive due to the tourist nature of the beach communities. Reservations for camping and hotel accommodations are highly recommended year-round.

Some campgrounds will charge a cyclist traveling alone less if they have hiker/biker sites, but often they will charge the price of a regular tent site, and that can easily be $10-$40/night. The maps list churches that have opened their doors to cyclists, but they aren’t all that closely spaced. If you’re friendly and ask around, you can often get yourself invited to camp in a yard. Our routes sometimes go through national forests (moreso in the west) and you are allowed to camp anywhere on national forest land as long as you “pack it in, pack it out.” Many city parks are free to camp in.

You may also wish to sign up with Warmshowers, a reciprocal hospitality site for bicycle travelers, for other overnight options.

Route Highlights

 

Atlantic Coast Highlights

 

  • Acadia National Park, Section 1
  • Fort Knox State Park, Section 1
  • L.L. Bean, Section 1
  • Portland Headlight, Section 1
  • Boston Spur, Section 1
  • Eleanor and F.D. Roosevelt National Historic Sites, Section 2
  • Delaware Water National Recreation Area, Section 2
  • New York City Spur, Section 2
  • Philadelphia Spur, Section 2
  • Valley Forge National Historic Park, Section 3
  • Baltimore, Maryland, Chesapeake Bay Alternate, Section 3
  • Washington, D.C., Section 3
  • Mt. Vernon, home of President George Washington, Section 3
  • Fredericksburg Spotsylvania National Military Park, Section 3
  • Richmond National Battlefield Park, Section 4
  • Williamsburg, Virginia, Section 4
  • Colonial National Historical Park, Section 4
  • Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Outer Banks Alternate, Section 4
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area, Outer Banks Alternate, Section 4
  • USS N.C. Battleship Memorial, Section 5
  • Charleston, South Carolina, Section 5
  • Savannah Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina/Georgia, Section 6
  • Savannah, Georgia, Section 6
  • Fort King George Historic Site, Georgia, Section 6
  • Amelia Island State Park, Florida, Section 6
  • Big and Little Talbot Islands State Parks, Florida, Section 6
  • Guana Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve, Florida, Section 6
  • St. Augustine, Florida, Section 6
  • Kennedy Space Center, Section 7
  • Miami, Florida, Section 7
  • Key West, Florida, Section 7

RIDING CONDITIONS

Bar Harbor is located on Mount Desert Island near Acadia National Park. The Park is not on our route, but it does offer opportunities for exploration of the coastline using a one-way loop road. If you ride this, be sure and climb the road up to Cadillac Mountain. At 1,530 feet, this is the highest point on the island and offers a 360 degree view of the island and surrounding area. Also, easy-to-ride gravel carriage paths traverse the Park’s interior, so you can explore the interior of the island and be isolated from motor vehicles. On Mount Desert Island, there are rugged hills and a considerable amount of recreational traffic in the summer months and during the fall color season. The roads are narrow and extra caution is required.

Much of the route in Maine and New Hampshire is concurrent with U.S. Bicycle Route (USBR) 1A and 1. USBR 1 is signed in Maine and as of this printing, USBR 1A is scheduled to be signed in 2020. Be aware that signs can be damaged, stolen, or otherwise missing so you can never rely totally on following signs. For more information and maps see advcy.link/meusbr and advcy.link/nhusbr1.

Between Ellsworth and Surry, SR 172 has fast traffic. Ride defensively. U.S. 1 carries heavy summer traffic; crossing it can be difficult during July and August, and also in the fall. Cyclists should not use U.S. 1 to bypass the recommended routing. Wherever possible, the route follows quiet back roads rather than U.S. 1. Most of these rural roads are signed, but occasional unsigned junctions will require careful study of your map. The sections of U.S. 1 that the route does follow all have paved shoulders.

Southwest of Freeport, the route heads along the coast to Portland, Maine, and follows the ocean views all the way to south of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Tourist traffic can be heavy on certain stretches during the height of summer, but the terrain is mild.

Walk your bike on the SR 1A bridge between Portsmouth and Foyes Corner; the surface is metal grating, and can be dangerous. Roads between Portsmouth and Nashua are secondary roads without shoulders, and carry low to moderate levels of traffic, though traffic increases in and near towns, especially near Nashua. These roads are often roughly surfaced and are not always signed. There is a brief, 3.4-mile respite from road travel on the Nashua River Rail Trail from Groton to Ayer.

The 30.6-mile Boston Spur begins west of Littleton, and provides access to the city on a combination of quiet streets, busy thoroughfares, and the paved Minuteman Bikeway. A map is available at advcy.link/minmanbw. At the Alewife MBTA Station in Cambridge you can connect to subway and bus service. For bike maps of Boston and the surrounding area contact Rubel BikeMaps at advcy.link/rubel or the city of Boston at advcy.link/bostbikes.

The terrain of southern Massachusetts and northern Connecticut is hillier. East of Union, SR 171 through Bigelow Hollow State Park is steep and has limited sightlines. Overall, the majority of the route in Connecticut and Rhode Island is on quiet rural county roads with light to moderate traffic, except for the section into Windsor Locks, which has typical urban congestion.

NOTE: If cycling this route to enjoy the fall colors, we recommend you call ahead to campgrounds to verify that they are open. Many campgrounds close after Labor Day.

All known Amtrak stations are listed on this map but not all stations provide bicycle service. Check if bicycle service is provided at both the starting and ending stations on your trip using the spreadsheet and other trip planning resources at advcy.link/amtrak.

CLIMATE

The Northeast’s chief characteristics include: (1)changeableness of the weather, (2)large ranges of temperature, and (3)considerable diversity from place to place. Regional influences are modified by varying distances from the ocean, by elevations, and by terrain.

Updated: Mar 23, 2021

 

RIDING CONDITIONS

In Windsor Locks you’ll encounter moderate to heavy traffic. The remainder of western Connecticut is rural and quite hilly. Use caution on SR 219 between SR 20 and the Barkhamsted Reservoir. The road is steep, narrow, with no shoulders and guardrails that prevent you from escaping the traffic which travels at 60-70 mph. At Millerton, New York, you’ll join a 10.7-mile section of the paved Harlem Valley Rail Trail, advcy.link/hvrtrl. Once you leave the valley, there’s a large climb on SR 343. To shorten the route by 7.8 miles, you can ride the 6-mile Deep Hollow Alternate. The road is hard packed dirt and has very few vehicles. Most of the traffic stays on U.S. 44.

Congestion increases northeast of Poughkeepsie, and you’ll cross the river on the Walkway Over The Hudson Bridge, advcy.link/woth, the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge. A paved rail trail takes you close to New Paltz, named both the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and the Empire State Trail, advcy.link/empsttrl. At New Paltz, there is 0.4-mi. of roadway with no shoulders through downtown. You can choose to take the 19.1-mile Wallkill Alternate, using county roads and the unpaved Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, advcy.link/wvrtrl. The surface is paved in towns and otherwise a rough combination of dirt, gravel, and roots and can be muddy when wet. It is 4.4 miles longer than the main route.

The route follows river valleys and crosses the Shawangunk Mountains to Port Jervis at the New York/New Jersey border. Here, you’ll begin to parallel the course of the Delaware River. Between Port Jervis and I-80, a National Recreation Area is designated along both sides of the river. Roads are narrow and quiet, not well-signed, and services are scarce. Due to major flooding along the Delaware River years ago road surfaces have severely deteriorated on River Rd./CR 521, Old Mine Rd., Peters Valley Rd. and NPS 615.

Roads south of Delaware Water Gap through the remote Delaware valley are narrow and poorly paved, crossing over and under the railroad tracks which follow the river. Phillipsburg and Easton, across the river, are larger towns, so expect an increase in traffic in the area.

The Delaware & Raritan (D&R) Canal State Park, advcy.link/dandrcsp, has a rail trail you can use as an 18-mile alternate route from south of Milford to Lambertville. The trail’s surface is compacted fine-textured crushed stone and is suitable for touring and mountain bikes. Call the park for information: 908-873-3050. Also, the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, advcy.link/dandlnhcorr, with its Delaware Canal Towpath, runs alongside the river in Pennsylvania.

You’ll cross the Delaware River for the final time at Lambertville, New Jersey, which is near Trenton. The main route continues west from Lambertville to Conshohocken, where the section ends. To continue on the Philadelphia Spur into downtown, ride southward on the Schuylkill River Trail, advcy.link/schrtrl, along the north bank of the Schuylkill River and follow it to the Museum of Art in Fairmont Park. The Trail is very busy on weekends and holidays.

At Lambertville, you can use a spur route through New Jersey to reach New York City via the NJ Transit train service in Summit. The train is the easiest way to get into and out of the city. From Lambertville to Pluckemin the route uses mainly rural roads. Then the route gets busier. The traffic circle in Watchung has confusing signage so study the map detail before you ride through it. Traffic increases considerably the closer you get to Summit.

The NJ Transit rail service goes to Penn Station in Manhattan. For rules regarding bicycles and information on schedules and fares, use the Trip Planner tool and Rider Tools menu at advcy.link/njtransit.

A second option for getting to New York City by train is available via the Hudson Line from Poughkeepsie south on the Metro-North Railroad. Rules, schedule and fare information are available through the MNR Services menu at advcy.link/metronorthrr.

It only allows two bikes per train. Collapsible bikes are permitted at all times. Standard frame bicycles are not allowed on eastbound (inbound) trains weekdays between 6-10 AM and on westbound (outbound) trains between 4-7 PM. There are also restrictions around holidays. Bicycle storage is available at many stations. For more complete information and instructions go to advcy.link/njtransitbikes.

All known Amtrak stations are listed on this map but not all stations provide bicycle service. Check if bicycle service is provided at both the starting and ending stations on your trip using the spreadsheet and other trip planning resources at advcy.link/amtrak.

NOTE: If cycling this route to enjoy the fall colors, we recommend you call ahead to campgrounds to verify that they are open. Many close after Labor Day.

CLIMATE

The climate in this area can vary due to differences in latitude and topography. Precipitation is equal throughout the year but in the summer months is made up of mostly thunderstorms. Temperatures during summer range from lows around 60 and highs in the 80’s.

Updated: Apr 25, 2023

RIDING CONDITIONS

You’ll begin this map section by riding on the Schuylkill River Trail, advcy.link/schrtrl, and continuing on a bike path through Valley Forge National Historic Park. Then the route becomes rural.

After the park, the route joins the well-signed BicyclePA Route S until York. For more information see advcy.link/bicycPArte.

Lancaster County is home to many Amish families. Just as the Amish don’t carry personal photographs or display them in homes, they don’t want others to take photographs of them. Many visitors find it difficult not to do so. Please don’t take photographs in which faces are recognizable. Refraining from taking photos is more than just a courtesy; it is respect for the Amish and their way of life.

In downtown York you’ll access the York County Heritage Trail, advcy.link/yorkcohertrl. This popular rail trail’s surface is unpaved and made of compacted stone. It also is BicyclePA Route J to the state line. For more information see advcy.link/bicycPArte. You’ll ride it for 21.1 miles, then it continues into Maryland and is called the Torrey C. Brown Trail, advcy.link/tcbtrl, for another 13.5 miles. It was formerly called the Northern Central Railroad Trail. It is also unpaved. The southern end of the trail receives heavy use on weekends. Restrooms are located along both trails.

North of Baltimore, two route options are available. The main route skirts the city to the west, using moderately-trafficked rolling county and state roads. Traffic can be heavy between Wards Chapel and Marriotsville. The 47.4-mi. Chesapeake Bay Alternate through Baltimore takes you past many attractions and uses city streets and a stretch of the Gwynns Falls Trail, advcy.link/gftrl. The alternate is 8 miles longer than the Main Route. For a Bike Baltimore Map see advcy.link/BikeBaltmap.

From southern Maryland through Washington D.C. and northern Virginia you’ll encounter heavy traffic on roads. Try to avoid morning and afternoon commuting hours if possible. The route uses the Rock Creek Trail, advcy.link/rcparktrl, to connect to the Capital Crescent Trail, www.cctrail.org, into the city. Both trails are only sporadically signed and heavily used. For a Washington D.C. bike map see advcy.link/WashDCbikemap. You’ll ride briefly on a sidewalk bicycle path along the Potomac River, cross the river, and then parallel the Potomac using the Mt. Vernon Trail, advcy.link/mtvtrl. The trail is somewhat tricky to follow as it passes through Alexandria because there are actually two route choices, both of which are on streets. Either route is bicycle friendly.

West of Mt. Vernon there is a sidewalk bike path alongside U.S. 1; the highway has heavy traffic levels and intermittent shoulders.

Between Independent Hill and Richmond, the majority of your ride will be on well-signed and well-surfaced network of county roads. The terrain is rolling, with a few steep hills. These county roads often have little to no shoulder and carry a lot of traffic. Entering Richmond, you’ll again encounter increasing traffic levels as you reach the downtown area.

All known Amtrak stations are listed on this map but not all stations provide bicycle service. Check if bicycle service is provided at both the starting and ending stations on your trip using the spreadsheet and other trip planning resources at advcy.link/amtrak.

NOTE: If cycling this route to enjoy the fall colors, we recommend you call ahead to campgrounds to verify that they are open. Many close after Labor Day.

CLIMATE

Summers along this portion of the route are usually warm and humid, and several hot and humid periods occur each year. However, nights are usually quite comfortable. Tropical storms passing through the area in late summer and fall produce high water and occasionally damaging floods due to the heavy rains or strong easterly winds.

Updated: Oct 25, 2022

 

RIDING CONDITIONS

The route begins by following the Virginia Capital Trail for about 50 miles between Richmond and the outskirts of Williamsburg. The bike path is paved and parallels SR 5 for much of its length. Williamsburg is 9 miles off route via the Colonial Parkway. The route crosses the James River on a ferry. The remainder of the route in Virginia uses predominantly rural, low traffic roads through tobacco and peanut fields over slightly rolling country. There is high traffic in the Suffolk area on and ap­proach­ing the short stretch on U.S. 58 Bus. The terrain is more level in North Carolina, and the route remains on two-lane rural roads.

U.S. Bicycle Route (USBR) 76 is signed throughout Virginia. Our routing is not always concurrent with USBRs. For more information and maps see advcy.link/vausbr. Be aware that signs can be damaged, stolen, or otherwise missing so you can never rely totally on following signs.

North of Winton, U.S. 13/158 is a busy highway with lots of truck traffic. South of Bridgeton, the SR 55/U.S. 17 bridge over the Neuse River is busy at its approaches but the bridge itself has shoulders.

The rural roads from Maysville to urban Jacksonville were rec­om­mended by a local bicycle shop to skirt the boundaries of Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base which is currently closed to all civilian access. SR 210/U.S. 17 near Hampstead carries urban traffic into Wilmington. The beach access roads northeast of Wilmington will be busier on weekends and during tourist season.

The 254.5-mile Outer Banks Alternate adds 73.5 miles to your trip. Weather, especially wind, factors heavily in your decision regarding which way to go. The inland route is more sheltered, and should be used during stormy weather. If hurricanes are ap­proach­ing, the entire Outer Banks area can be closed. Call the National Park Service, which administers the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreation Area, at 252-473-2111 for weather information.

The Outer Banks is a tourist area, with flat terrain and windy conditions seasonally. In general, traffic is particularly heavy in the summer and on weekends. Sand can blow onto roads bordered by beaches. Cyclists can get an Outer Banks Cycling Brochure at the Visitor Center on U.S. 158 in Kitty Hawk (off route one mile east on U.S. 158) or at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. There are 2 primary north-south routes through Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head. SR 12 (“Virginia Dare Trail”) is two-lane with 3’ shoulders, and bike paths are being built along its length. U.S. 158 is five-lane with 4’ shoulders and has high speed traffic. Traffic levels are lower south of Nags Head on SR 12, and there are shoulders. The bridge over Oregon Inlet has minimal shoulders so try to cross early in the day. SR 24, near Cape Carteret, is very busy but there are shoulders.

Check the Ocracoke-Cedar Island ferry schedule in the Service Di­rec­tory, at the website advcy.link/NCferry or by calling 1-800-BY FERRY, to plan your riding schedule accordingly on the two fer­ries that cross Pamlico Sound. The ferry is occasionally closed due to inclement weather.

All known Amtrak stations are listed on this map but not all stations provide bicycle service. Check if bicycle service is provided at both the starting and ending stations on your trip using the spreadsheet and other trip planning resources at advcy.link/amtrak.

CLIMATE

The coastal plains of North Carolina offer mod­er­ate temperatures and somewhat con­sis­tent precipitation throughout the year. Summer rainfall is normally heavier with rain coming mostly from thun­der­storms. Relative humidity may vary greatly from day to day and even from hour to hour. Tropical hurricanes come close enough to influence North Carolina weather about twice in an average year.

Updated: Nov 9, 2020

 

RIDING CONDITIONS

Wilmington has heavy urban traffic and numerous angled railroad crossings in the industrial area south of town. Slow down and be very cautious crossing these tire-eating tracks. US 421 carries heavy recreational traffic along the beach south to Fort Fisher.

From Calabash to Atlantic Beach, the route follows, parallels, and crosses busy US 17 several times. Riding on the sidewalk is legal in South Carolina and can be used to avoid riding on the busy highway. Use the crosswalks when crossing.

Through Myrtle Beach, the route follows the Grissom Parkway Bikepath: advcy.link/grissom. After the bikepath, there is a short section before Surfside Beach on US 17 Bus. which has no shoulders and fast traffic. Bike lanes appear on US 17 Bus. through Murrells Inlet.

Expect high weekend traffic along the coast from North Myrtle Beach to Surfside Beach due to the many tourists that visit the area.

The route follows the Waccamaw Neck Bikeway for 8 miles. Find more info at: advcy.link/waccamaw.

The 8 miles on US 17 between Pawleys Island and Georgetown has 6” – 24” shoulders with rumble strips and high speed traffic. The same applies to the 4 mile stretch of US 17 across the Santee River. Ride defensively, and use extra caution on the bridges.

Between Georgetown and North Mount Pleasant, the route becomes more rural in nature, meandering through forest and swampland and past several old plantations. Services are limited.

Traffic picks up again on US 17 coming into North Mount Pleasant. Where the shoulder disappears, ride on the sidewalk. The SR 517 bridge into Isle of Palms has very wide shoulders.

The route wraps around the southern tip of historic Charleston, providing great views of the harbor. An interactive Charleston city bike map is available here: advcy.link/charlestonbikemap. Use extreme caution on the US 17 bridge over the Ashley River leaving Charleston. There is a 150-foot stretch in the middle where the roadway turns to steel grating. Try to ride outside of peak hours. For the next 7.4 miles, you ride along the West Ashley Greenway: advcy.link/washleygreenway.

Services become sparse again between West Ashley and Beaufort. There are a few sections on US 17 where there are no shoulders and heavy traffic. You’ll also ride along the Spanish Moss Trail, a 10-mile long converted rail-trail with great views of the surrounding marshland: advcy.link/spanishmoss.

Downtown Beaufort is just off route, but it’s worth a visit. From the Train Depot Trailhead, downtown is 1.4 mi. E. on Depot Rd. and Bay St.

Okatie Hwy./SR 170 can have heavy traffic during peak times, and after crossing the Broad River, the shoulders decrease to 1 foot in width. Ride with caution.

Much of the route on this section follows the East Coast Greenway, advcy.link/ecg, but signs should not be relied on for on-the ground navigation since the route deviates in many locations.

CLIMATE

The climate along the Atlantic coastal plain of South Carolina is moderated by the proximity of the ocean. This effect is more noticeable in the winter by raising average daily temperatures, than in the summer when it is moderately hot.

In the summer, occasional mild invasions of air from the north serve to clear out humidity, and are usually followed by sunshine that quickly raises the temperature. If the dry air stays around long enough to keep cloudiness at a minimum for several days, then temperatures may reach 100 degrees. The average daily maximum temperature, however, is below 90 degrees. Bring your raingear, since summer rainfall is common.

Updated: May 19, 2021

 

RIDING CONDITIONS

U.S. Bicycle Route (USBR) 1 has been designated in Georgia and Florida, and significant portions of the Atlantic Coast Route run concurrent with it. You can find more information and maps at: advcy.link/gausbr and advcy.link/flusbr.

Much of the route follows US 17, an often divided-lane major trunk road that can carry significant traffic, but is generally well-paved, with marked shoulders and signage for cyclists. The route meanders off US 17 on several occasions entering larger towns. When such a departure occurs, many Georgia roads are two-lane without shoulders, and are sometimes without clear signage. Riders will need to follow the maps carefully to keep track of their location.

South of Pritchardville, SC, SR 170 has fast, heavy traffic with limited to no shoulder for almost 6 miles toward the Georgia state line. Alligator Alley/SR 170, a scenic two-lane road through the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, carries occasional truck traffic and has no shoulders, but offers plenty of opportunities to pull over and gawk at the view. The bridge over the Savannah River has a 250-ft. long steel grated deck, so ride carefully.

Entering Savannah, the route joins USBR 1 and follows briefly to near the downtown historic district, at which point the two routes diverge. Pay close attention as the route winds through three small park squares that do not allow bikes, and are bounded by one-way streets on either side.

The route on US 17 north and south of Brunswick should be avoided at peak traffic times. For an alternative route through the city, USBR 1 provides for a more meandering in-town route and alleviates some traffic pressure in the northern outskirts: advcy.link/gausbr1. To the south, across the Brunswick River, heavy tourist traffic from nearby Jekyll Island funnels into US 17 for approximately 5 miles west to the I-95 corridor. Shoulders exist but have been obliterated by rumblestrips. Ride defensively.

In Woodbine, the route follows a few miles of the paved Georgia Coast Rail Trail, which is planned to one day extend north to Riceboro: advcy.link/gacoastrailtrl.

A 21.2 mi. access spur to the Jacksonville Airport is shown beginning at the Mayport ferry. This airport access route involves urban cycling through suburbs, and gives access to many services.

The ferry across the St. Johns River leaves about every 30 minutes. For times see advcy.link/mayportferry. Mayport Rd., just south of the St. Johns River ferry, is a heavily congested main thoroughfare. Roads in northern Florida are two-lane, generally well surfaced, with higher traffic levels than found in Georgia. Expect urban cycling conditions in the coastal beach communities. The best bicycle access into the city of Jacksonville is from the east starting in Atlantic Beach.

SR A1A along the coast is a two-lane beach access road that carries a considerable amount of weekend traffic but little commercial truck traffic. There are two short but busy bridges in St. Augustine, which otherwise is an easy city to ride through.

Much of the route on this section follows the East Coast Greenway, advcy.link/ecg, but signs should not be relied on for on-the ground navigation since the route deviates in many locations.

All known Amtrak stations are listed on this map but not all stations provide bicycle service. Check if bicycle service is provided at both the starting and ending stations on your trip using the spreadsheet and other trip planning resources at: advcy.link/amtrak.

CLIMATE

Georgia and northern Florida are characterized by warm, humid summers and mild, sunny autumns, a result of their proximity to the warm waters of both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Afternoon or early evening thunderstorms frequently visit both states, bringing welcome relief from the afternoon heat. Daytime highs in Georgia usually exceed 90 degrees. Daytime highs in Florida, generally around 90 degrees F., are tempered by sea breezes along the coast.

Updated: May 19, 2021

NOTE: We do not recommend using this section in the Bicycle Route Navigator app if you are riding the Florida Keys in the northbound direction (Key West to Key Largo). The app only shows the route in the southbound direction, which normally isn’t much of an issue, because it is usually the same no matter what direction you are riding. But in the Florida Keys, the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT) crosses and follows both sides of the highway, so the routing is dependent on which direction you are travelling.

RIDING CONDITIONS

U.S. Bicycle Route (USBR) 1 is designated, but not signed in Florida. Our routing is not always concurrent with USBRs. For more information and maps see advcy.link/flusbr.

Starting in St. Augustine, the route is urban/suburban most of the way down the coast through Miami. There can be sections of heavy traffic, though generally there is at least a 2-foot shoulder, a separate bike path, or a concrete sidewalk. Sidewalks frequently do double duty as bike paths in Florida, but pay attention to signage as sidewalk riding is not always legal. Sidewalks in communities with high beach traffic usually are off limits, so cyclists must “take the lane” in these instances.

Note that it can be hard to find the downtown of anyplace, and it can be hard to tell where one community ends and another begins. Also, there are often times where a single road has multiple names, especially along SR A1A. This occurs more frequently as you get closer to Miami. Due the urban nature of the region, street signs can be easy to miss.

The undeveloped areas along the coast have a moderate amount of high-speed traffic, though there is often a shoulder. Use caution when approaching bridges, as they tend to be narrower than the roadway. These are well marked with a combination of “frogs” and rumble strips.

The route uses several trails. It follows 15.3 miles of the paved Flagler Beach to Marineland Trail, advcy.link/fbmtrl, alongside SR A1A, and stretches of two longer-distance rail trails. The Central Florida Rail Trail, which is also called the East Central Regional Rail Trail, advcy.link/cflrt, is paved and passes through rural countryside of woods, fields, and swamps for 15.7 miles. This trail connects to 17.1 miles of the paved Florida Coast to Coast Trail, advcy.link/flc2ct.

For 10 days in late February into early March, Daytona Beach and Volusia County are hosts to Daytona Bike Week, an annual gathering billed as “the world’s largest motorcycle event.” See advcy.link/motorbike for exact dates. Traffic increases and lodging of any type is difficult to find during this period. Advanced reservations are highly recommended.

After Jupiter, campgrounds are almost nonexistent until south of Miami. It is highly recommended that reservations be made for either camping or motels on the route, especially in the Keys.

From Juno Beach to South Palm Beach services are limited along the route or are expensive. Between Miami and Homestead the route follows the paved M-Path Trail, underneath the elevated rail line, and then the paved South Dade Trail, advcy.link/Mpathandsdtrl, alongside the South Miami-Dade Busway to Homestead. These 2 trails are largely used by urban commuters seeking refuge from Miami’s heavy traffic congestion. On the South Dade Trail, use caution when crossing its many major intersections.

On U.S. 1 to Key West there are generous shoulders, though our route follows the 106-mi. Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (FKOHT). For the latest trail information see advcy.link/FLkohtr. The trail is not completed yet, and you will ride on U.S. 1’s shoulder for portions, usually over bridges. It crosses U.S. 1 occasionally, so use caution. Sometimes the trail is separated from the highway behind rows of trees, and it’s a pleasant change from the constant traffic. Due to fast growing foliage along the trail, there will be places where roots and cracks mar it. Do not follow the separate trail over Seven Mile Bridge; there is a gap in the middle which will cause you to backtrack. This also occurs over Niles Channel east of Summerland Key.

Along the Keys, there are information centers with excellent resources, and people who can help plan overnights as well as off-bike activities. The route ends at the southernmost point in the continental U.S.

For the ferry between Key West and Ft. Myers Beach contact Key West Express for information about cost and schedules at 888-539-2628, and check their website: advcy.link/expressferry. Reservations are necessary. Do this well in advance of your departure. Boarding begins every afternoon at 4:30 p.m., arriving in Ft. Myers Beach around 9:00 p.m. in the evening. Due to the late arrival, it is advisable to have reservations. Space is limited on the ferry, so be sure to let them know in advance that you have a bike. The official policy of the ferry is no trailers are allowed, and panniers must be removed. It is advised that you have bungies to secure your bike. All luggage is screened so you need to ask what items (like pocket knives or tent stakes) are prohibited when you make your reservation.

All known Amtrak stations are listed on this map but not all stations provide bicycle service. Check if bicycle service is provided at both the starting and ending stations on your trip using the spreadsheet and other trip planning resources at advcy.link/amtrak.

CLIMATE

Climate is probably Florida’s greatest natural resource, making both its thriving tourist and agricultural trades possible. Summers throughout the state are long, warm, and humid; winters are mild because of the southern latitude and the relatively warm adjacent ocean waters.

Maximum temperatures during the summer average near 90 degrees F. along the coast and slightly above 90 degrees F. in the interior. Minimum temperatures average in the low 70’s, but are slightly higher along the coast than inland. Frequent rainfall and gentle breezes make the heat much easier to take.

Updated: Feb 25, 2022

Updates to Recently Released Maps

If you are planning a bike tour, be sure to get the most recent map updates and corrections for your route by selecting the route, and the appropriate section(s), from the drop-down menu below.

Over time maps become less useful because things change. Every year Adventure Cycling’s Routes and Mapping Department create map updates and corrections for every map in the Adventure Cycling Route Network, which now totals 52,047 miles. With the help of touring cyclists like you, we receive updates on routing, services, camping, and contact information. Until we can reprint the map with the new information, we verify the suggested changes and publish corrections and updates here on our website.

PLEASE NOTE: Covid has been particularly hard on the small businesses along our routes. While we do our best to keep the maps and these online updates current, you may encounter more closed businesses and longer stretches with limited or no services.

Refer to these updates for the most current information we have and submit reports of changes to the Route Feedback Form for the cyclists coming after you.

NOTE: Map updates and corrections only pertain to long term changes and updates. For short term road closures, please see the Adventure Cycling’s Routes Temporary Road Closures discussion in our Forums.