Old Dixie Highway - Daytona
Old Dixie Highway was one of the first paved routes through Florida's interior, connecting northern cities to the growing resort towns of the early 1900s. Today, the Volusia County section between Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach is a quiet, tree-canopied road offering a glimpse of Florida before the interstate era. Massive oaks, historic homes, and forgotten roadside attractions line the route.
Route Overview
Starting in South Daytona, Old Dixie Highway winds south through Port Orange, past Spruce Creek, and into New Smyrna Beach. The road is flanked by live oaks, abandoned citrus groves, and small historic communities. This is a drive for history buffs and anyone who appreciates the slower side of Florida travel.
Stops Along the Way
1. Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens
Free botanical gardens built around the ruins of a 19th-century sugar mill. The gardens feature dinosaur sculptures (a beloved local quirk), native plants, and shaded walking paths.
2. Spruce Creek Preserve
A Volusia County park with hiking trails through pine flatwoods and hardwood hammock. The preserve protects a portion of Spruce Creek, one of the best paddling creeks in Central Florida.
3. Old Sugar Mill Pancake House
A beloved local breakfast spot inside a restored sugar mill in De Leon Springs State Park. Cook your own pancakes on griddles built into the tables - a Central Florida tradition since the 1960s.
4. Turnbull Ruins
Remnants of the New Smyrna Colony founded in 1768 by Dr. Andrew Turnbull. These are some of the oldest European ruins in Florida, dating back over 250 years.
5. Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach
End on Flagler Avenue, New Smyrna Beach's main street with surf shops, art galleries, restaurants, and beach access. The town is known as the East Coast Surfing Capital.
Driving Tips
- Old Dixie Highway is a narrow two-lane road with no shoulder in many sections - drive carefully
- Speed limits are 35-45 mph and enforced through the small communities along the route
- Stop at the Old Sugar Mill Pancake House early - it fills up fast on weekend mornings
- Watch for cyclists on the road, especially near Spruce Creek and New Smyrna Beach
Official Resources
Group Road Trip? BusBrother provides charter bus service along this route. Let a professional driver handle the road while your group enjoys the scenery. Get a free quote.