Road Trip Itinerary: Santa Clarita, CA ➜ Griffin, GA (Southern Route)

Day 1: Santa Clarita ➜ San Antonio (≈400 mi)

Morning: Depart Santa Clarita after breakfast and cruise through the scenic Tejon Pass, enjoying sweeping desert vistas before reaching the bustling city of Los Angeles for a quick coffee break.

Afternoon: Continue east on I‑10, stopping at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano for a brief tour, then drive onward to the heart of Texas, arriving in San Antonio by late afternoon.

Evening: Stroll along the illuminated San Antonio River Walk, dine on Tex‑Mex specialties, and unwind at a downtown hotel.

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Day 2: San Antonio ➜ Lafayette, LA (≈430 mi)

Morning: Explore the iconic The Alamo and its surrounding plaza, then head back onto I‑10 heading east toward Houston.

Afternoon: Arrive in Houston for a visit to the interactive Space Center Houston, where you can see real spacecraft and learn about NASA’s missions.

Evening: Cross into Louisiana and settle in Lafayette, enjoying a relaxed dinner while soaking up the lively atmosphere of the Acadian Village district.

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Day 3: Lafayette ➜ Birmingham, AL (≈440 mi)

Morning: Depart early and make a short detour to the vibrant French Quarter in New Orleans, savoring beignets and strolling along historic streets.

Afternoon: Continue east, crossing into Mississippi and then Alabama, stopping at Mobile Bay for a waterfront view and a quick seafood snack.

Evening: Arrive in Birmingham and visit the insightful Civil Rights Institute, reflecting on pivotal moments in American history before checking into your hotel.

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Day 4: Birmingham ➜ Griffin, GA (≈350 mi)

Morning: Head northeast toward Atlanta, taking a brief walk through the bustling Midtown Atlanta district to admire its skyline and street art.

Afternoon: Drive to Stone Mountain Park, where you can ride the cable car to the summit for panoramic views of the region.

Evening: Arrive in Griffin, GA, and explore the charming Historic Downtown Griffin with its boutique shops and local eateries before settling in for the night.

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • The Alamo – 1 hour – $15
  • San Antonio River Walk – 1.5 hours – $0
  • Space Center Houston – 3 hours – $30
  • Acadian Village (Lafayette) – 1 hour – $10
  • French Quarter – 2 hours – $0
  • Mobile Bay – 1 hour – $0
  • Civil Rights Institute – 2 hours – $15
  • Midtown Atlanta – 2 hours – $0
  • Stone Mountain Park – 3 hours – $25
  • Historic Downtown Griffin – 1.5 hours – $0
  • Fuel (estimated 1,600 mi @ $3.75/gal, 25 mpg) – 64 gallons – $240
  • Meals & Misc. – 4 days – $150
  • Total Estimated Cost: $485

Tips

If you’d like to stretch the journey, consider adding a full day in New Orleans to explore its museums and music scene, or an extra night in Atlanta to visit the Georgia Aquarium. To shorten the trip, you could skip the Stone Mountain detour and head straight from Birmingham to Griffin, reducing the drive to three days while still covering the main highlights.

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