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Where is Florida’s Space Coast?

Couple Driving a Corvette on the Space Coast

Looking for an Out-of-This-World Vacation? Let Us Show You The Way

Florida’s Space Coast is located on the East Coast of Central Florida. We’re Orlando’s closest beach, a mere 45-minute drive East on the Beachline, and easy to access from pretty much anywhere. Finding your way to this ocean-side paradise is easy if you know the way – and luckily for you, we know the way!

What Highways Lead to Florida’s Space Coast

Who doesn’t love a good road trip? Whether you come from the north, south, or west, a trip to the Space Coast is just a highway away.

State Road 528 (The Beachline):

A little-known fact about this road is that it used to be called “The Beeline.” Why? You may ask. Well you could “bee line your way from Orlando to the beach in less than an hour.” But in 2005, the state road officially changed its name to “The Beachline” in order to make the road stand out as the shortest road to the Atlantic Ocean taking you from Orlando straight into Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach. When you see gorgeous views of Port Canaveral, you’ll know you’ve arrived to the Space Coast! For more information about this road, like tolls and other exits, check out the facts here.

SR-40 and 528 interchange at Port Canaveral

State Road 520:

When looking for a direct shot to Cocoa Beach, you’ll want to take the 520 exit either off of 528 (The Beachline) or Interstate 95. 520 takes you over the St. Johns River, where hopping on an airboat ride at Lone Cabbage Fish Camp is a welcomed and wild detour before hitting the beach. And as you near the world-famous Cocoa Beach, you’ll enjoy views of both the Indian and Banana Rivers after cruising through the historic Cocoa Village and Merritt Island. Click here for more 520-intersection info.

Interstate 4:

When you are traveling from the Tampa area, I-4 is your connection to get you to the Space Coast. A highly used commuting road, especially for those on business travel, taking your exit at 528 is how you’ll best get here in just over an hour, depending on traffic, and it’s worth the drive, especially if you need to kick back and relax after a day or even a week of long meetings. So make sure you add a couple of days to your business trip to escape the crowds spend the weekend at the beaches on the Space Coast.

Interstate 95:

I-95 is definitely not the road less traveled, especially when heading to Florida. I-95 extends from New Brunswick, Canada all the way south to Miami. If you’re keen on road trips, this interstate will give you plenty of stops to some of the best cities and towns, with your ultimate landing point being the Space Coast. All you have to do is take one of the following exits:

  •  Exit 220: Drops you into the Titusville Historic District, for dinner and craft brews at Playalinda Brewery and a show at the Titusville Playhouse.
  • Exit 212: Launches you to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Exit 205: 528, The Beachline, lands you directly into Port Canaveral and turns into the A1A at Cape Canaveral.
  • Exit 201: 520, your direct shot to the Cocoa Village and then on to surfing and beach sunbathing at Cocoa Beach.
  • Exit 191: Viera-Melbourne, your link to the USSSA Stadiums and the Brevard Zoo.
  • Exit 183: Melbourne and the Beaches, your hub for art, shopping, and entertainment in the Eau Gallie Arts District.
  • Exit 180: West Melbourne, will take you to Downtown Melbourne, where you’ll find frequent street festivals, delicious food and unique shops all the way across the 192 causeway to the beach!
  • Exit 176: a drive into Palm Bay is a drive into some of the best fishing the Space Coast has to offer. Freshwater in the lake and river systems to the west and inshore and offshore charter options to the east in the Lagoon make Palm Bay an angler’s paradise.

Space Coast Map

Highway A1A:

For a more scenic drive to the Space Coast, take a beachside cruise down the A1A. This toll-free stretch of highway runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean and has easy turn offs the best east coast beaches down the entire state. So, whether you are making your way down from Fernandina Beach or coming up from Miami, you’ll find your way to the Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast on the A1A.

U.S. 192:

For access to Melbourne and the Beaches and if you’re one to take back roads to avoid traffic and tolls, U.S. 192 is the road you want to travel. This road runs through Kissimmee and will send you to Downtown Melbourne, a creative and artsy hub full of beautiful outdoor wall murals and local shops and restaurants before you head across the 192 Causeway to Indialantic, Florida. Here you’ll find more great food and shopping as well as beautiful boardwalks, beaches, and the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge.

US 192

U.S. 1:

For a leisurely, lagoon-side drive up the Space Coast, merge onto US-1. This road spans the entire county but can also take you from St. Augustine to Key West if you have enough gas. And, although this road is riddled with streetlights, it’s perfect for a laid back road trip full of fun stops at local shops, like taking Broad Street in Titusville to catch an unobstructed view of a rocket launch at Space View Park. Or stopping at either River Rocks in Rockledge or Grills Riverside as you first make your way to Melbourne for waterfront dining. Plus there are plenty of nature trails and paths, like the Riverwalk Nature Center, that let you stretch our your legs after a long drive before you hit your final destination here on the Space Coast.

How far is the Space Coast from Major Airports?

Flight over Florida

Orlando International Airport (MCO):

Located just 45 minutes and roughly 35 miles from the Space Coast, MCO is one of the busiest airports and serves as the vacation hub for the state. Although the airport got its code from its former name, McCoy Air Force Base, it’s often called “Mickey’s Corporate Office,” since Disney World is located not too far away. You will have a direct drive from the airport to the Space Coast if you fly into here.

Tampa (TPA):

TPA is located just over a hundred miles from the Space Coast, but it takes a bit longer to get here from there due to how highly commuted I-4 is. One of the great reasons why guests will choose to fly into here before making their way to the Space Coast is to check out the Gulf side before heading to Disney and then rounding out their trip with a rocket launch or trip to the legendary Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Miami (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale (FLL):

Both of these airports are located within close proximity to each other as they serve as flight connection hubs for travelers coming from the Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America. MIA is located about 195-miles from the Space Coast, whereas, FLL is located roughly 175-miles away. Both give you direct access to the Space Coast when you drive up either I-95 or the Florida Turnpike. Opt for I-95 if you want to steer clear of tolls, but if you’re in a hurry to get here, take the Turnpike!

What Regional Airports Connect to the Space Coast?

Takoff from MLB

Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB):

Located right on the Space Coast, this airport may be small, but you get access to Delta and American Airlines, as well as a few charter jet companies. Fly in and land in your vacation or business destination and head right to the beach in less than 20 minutes! The Melbourne Orlando International Airport has enjoyed the honor winning the Most Scenic Airport Approach in North America for 3 years in a row! It’s the best chance to get a bird’s eye view of the Space Coast.

Sanford (SFB):

The Greater Orlando area offers more ways to get to the Space Coast if you don’t want to fly into one of the busiest airports in the world. Sanford International Airport is located just over 40-miles from the Space Coast and makes it easy for you to stop at the Kennedy Space Center on your way in. Just head to the Space Coast on FL-46 East to I-95 and you’ll be there faster than the speed of light.

No matter how you choose to get here, the Space Coast can’t wait to welcome you. Whether you’re coming for business or vacation there’s so many experiences to have and ways to escape on the Space Coast. Check out our Vacation Planner to get a better feel of what you can do after a long day’s travel and enjoy your time on Florida’s Space Coast.

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