Ok, so I've decided on how I want to present a trip to FL to my husband. I am going to give him a road trip basket that has items that represent different sites on the way from PA to FL. I have a couple ideas of what to put in the basket- but would love a few more! Anyone out there do a road trip from PA to Tampa, FL? What were some interesting spots/ landmarks that you passed along the way?

Traveling on I-95 you should stop to see Pedro at South of the Border. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2211

I would include Charleston, Savannah and St. Augustine.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

And no, you really don't need to stop at kitschy Pedro's.
From PA you could go to Winston Salem for a stopover and see Old Salem and have a nice dinner.
Head to Wilmington on i40 (thereby bypassing Pedro's) and then south on route 17.
There is Brookgreen Gardens, Georgetown, several plantations on the way to Charleston.
Head south to Savannah and Beaufort.

The other thing you could do is go to Asheville and then south to Charleston.

How many miles is it to Pedro's?

South of the Border is easily the strangest place I have ever stopped at on a road trip. You have to go once. A strange combination of bad Tex-Mex food, enough fireworks to blow up a small country, a trailer park, cheese gift shop. That anyone would ever think up such a place is truly America at it worst and best.

As far as gift basic - some sort of BBQ sauce and then research good BBQ in NC and stop there. Some sand to signify destination. Gator jerky. (Is this the type of idea you were having about the basket?)

<How many miles is it to Pedro's>

I have been as close as 15 miles on I95 and about 170 from where we live. LOL

OP, what is your plan at the moment.

Put one of those pecan rolls in the basket. You'll see more and more signs and gift shops peddling these the farther south you go.

To clarify - the candy, not the pastry. https://www.google.com/#q=pecan+roll...26981460405604

Well, if you are really going to do that, there is a Young's store at the intersection of I95 and 52 at Darlington that sells QUALITY pecan items. Also at that intersection there is a good farmers' market--PeeDee Farmers market.

What part of PA are you in? Have you thought about skipping much of 95 and driving down 81? There are a lot more small nice towns and better scenery on that side.

Just read your other post and with a two year old, you will be on the fastest route!

On your other thread, you could give him a beach bag with sunscreen and tickets to a baseball game, Tampa baseball team? Or Busch gardens tampa tickets for the family? or Seaworld? Isn't seaworld still there somewhere?

This would be SO much easier all on one thread with ALL the info in one place.
And yes, drive down I81 for a more enjoyable trip.
I suggested WinstonSalem in one place, and then head toward the coast and I95 if you want.