As of March 2019, I have driven 43 of the 50 states. Every year I go for a big road trip and have traveled through the deep south, alone, at least 7-8 different times. The following are my tips for a deep south road trip and a couple of ideas for places that you can stop. You can also find my complete guide to road trip necessities right here.
Safety Tips
When it comes to road trip safety, a lot of it depends on where you go. I wouldn’t say that any of the locations on this list are going to be more dangerous than any other US city. With that being said, there are a few things that you can do to make sure that your deep south road trip is a bit safer.
You are going to want to make sure that your car is in tip top shape before you hit the road. This doesn’t apply if you are renting a car, but if you are using your own vehicle then you will want to make sure that you get your oil changed and have your tires checked out.
For personal safety, you first want to try to travel during the early mornings and not at night. I never travel at night where I may have to stop for gas or food in a strange place where it is dark out. I also make sure that I am driving with the doors locked in case someone runs up on me at a light or while I am on the phone.
You can find my guide to a solo female road trip right here. It includes several safety tips.
Destination Ideas
Savannah, Georgia
When I think about Savannah, I think about Forrest Gump and plantation houses. There is so much more than that though. While there is a lot of plantation tours available, Savannah is a foodie’s paradise. If you love butter, come here. I think that there are healthy places to eat but that’s not what I would recommend Savannah for. If you are on the east coast, Savannah is a great place to start your deep south road trip.
Jacksonville, Florida
I’m not going to write too much about Jacksonville because I gave it a shout out on my Florida road trip guide found here. The beaches are world renowned and there is a large Navy presence that has always served as a source of entertainment. You can find free movies in the park and also free concerts if you know where to look.
Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi isn’t what you would call a city but it is a cute little town that is worth 2-3 days of a visit. Most people are going to go to Biloxi during the summer months so that they can lounge on the beach. You will also find that there is a small artist community with cute art.
When I was there in August of 2018 there was a dope farmer’s market, food that was pretty good but slightly lacking in diversity, and several different casinos. More than likely you will be there for the beach.
New Orleans, Louisiana
I have only been to New Orleans once but I have driven through several times. When I think about New Orleans, all that I can think about is the seafood. The seafood in New Orleans is so incredibly fresh and deliciously seasoned that it is something that can’t be missed. If you are willing to gain a few pounds from non-stop eating, then New Orleans is definitely the place that you should go.
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is located in Northern Alabama. I will be honest and say that Alabama is not one of my favorite states. However, this would not be a deep south road trip post without some mention of where to go in Alabama. The state is not perfect but you will find a lot of tech and engineering companies that have moved in.
What I will recommend is to go to the many Space exhibitions that are available. This site is geared towards solo travel but this would be a pretty great option if you have young children that you want to travel with.
Houston, Texas
I may be a bit biased since I live here, but Houston is one of the best stops you can make on your deep south road trip. There are parts of Texas that I would classify as the deep south. There are other parts that are more the south west. I would say that Eastern Texas is going to be the end of the deep south. You will find completely different influences in the other parts of the state.
Houston is amazing and is one of the most diverse cities in the country. I am talking about top 10 diversity in the country. There is great food, sporting events, a yearly rodeo, and several other conventions and events to pick from.
Dallas Texas
Dallas is known for being one of the business cities of the state. While Austin is the capitol, you will find that Dallas is where a lot of companies reside and where a lot of conferences happen. Dallas has pretty great food and a lot of activities that happen.
There is a thriving art scene in Dallas as well as sports teams and several different communities. If nothing else, you can stop by to go to In and Out burger. You can find my guide to an epic Texas road trip right here.
Things To Look Out For:
Bugs
Bugs in the south are a serious thing. They are flying, crawling, swimming, and everything in between. If you are a person who gets a lot of bug bites then you are going to want to take precautions. I would suggest that you buy some sort of bug repellant. Also, some sort of bug spray which can also be bought natural. If you get any suspicious bites then you want to get them checked out. I had a friend get a poisonous spider bite in Alabama.
Heat
When it comes to weather in the deep south, you will find that heat and humidity are best friends. They are rarely found apart. The intense heat is not only a problem for the health of a traveler, but it can also be damaging to vehicles. You will find a lot of cars end up losing tires during the summer so you want to be prepared.
I suggest that if you go in the summer, you stay as hydrated as possible. People pass out all the time. I also suggest lots of sunscreen and loose fitting clothing.
Racism
The first time that I have drove through the deep south I was terrified of racism. As a woman who grew up in NY, I thought racist were around every corner. This isn’t the case. There are definitely parts of southern stated where people are not welcome but I have never worried about outright racism. My recommendation is to be aware of your surroundings and if someone is acting out of sorts with you, take your business elsewhere.
There you have it. If you are looking for tips on how to plan a road trip you can find that here. If you are looking tips for road trips with your dogs then I have a post that covers that right here.