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And the Closest Beach to Memphis is….

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Closest beach to Memphis

One of our most popular posts: you’re looking for the closest beach to Memphis?

From Suzanne: We were so spoiled living in Charlotte, NC. Beaches in SC were only about 3.5 hours away. An easy trip with kids. Then we moved to Little Rock and were surprised to hear how common it was to drive 10 hours to the beach. 10 hours? In a car? With kids?! Yeah, we’re spoiled.

If you’re taking a baby or toddler to the beach you might want to read this post with tips from the moms. Here’s our big list of vacation resources. Here’s a list of 30A photographers.

A mom recently asked what’s the closest beach to Memphis. Here’s what the moms had to say:

Dauphin Island – EMM Review – 6 hours, 20 minutes

Gulf Shores-6 hours

Yep, Gulf Shores. Orange Beach is a little bit further but very nice.

Perdido Key is just a bit from OB and gorgeous. Wish I was there NOW ?

I love gulf shores and orange beach. If you use gulfshoresreservations.com they usually have deals where you get the 4th night free, etc. as well as free movie rentals, free dolphin cruise or deep sea fishing (one ticket per day, so if two ppl went one would have to pay) and a few other perks. I have always been pleased with this company.

Orange Beach!

Agreed it is Gulf Shores but, in my experience of traveling it, it’s more like 8 to 9 hours with stops and the traffic for the last stretch.

No way is it 6 hours. i have heard that claim before, but we minimize stops and have done it flying in 8.5 hours. and be careful, the “flying” once cost us a $150 speeding ticket on some small highway in Alabama.

Orange Beach ? but when we drive it takes about 8 1/2 hours with a toddler.

Watch out for the troopers in AL. lol

Coming from an habitual speeder, Gulf Shores is a good 8-8.5 hours if you are traveling with kids. Alone you can do it in 7.5. But no way it can be done in 6. Too many small AB towns that you can’t go faster that 55. I’ve made the trip by car 3 times. The last time was 4/2005. My daughter as 22 months. It’s an easy drive.

We go to orange beach 2-3 times a year…. It is 7 1/2 hours with 2 stops(gas and quick meal)

Looks like orange beach is the new Destin…. ? had my honeymoon there 26 years ago and still love that place.


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Comments

  1. CF says

    Check out Dauphin Island, it is a 6 hour drive with kids, about 20-30 min from Mobile, and way less traffic to plan around. It’s very quaint with pretty beaches. There are a couple small condos with pools, but mostly houses to rent. It is much more affordable than other areas. We go every year and love it. Only a couple restaurants on the island. Definitely a beach for families that like a slower pace. Check out the estuarium (awesome for little ones), bird sanctuary, the fort with a working blacksmith, and the Lighthouse Bakery. We’ve stayed all over the island through the years and you can’t go wrong. One year, we rode the car ferry across the bay to Gulf Shores and back. The kids loved that too.

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  2. Toof says

    Another place to consider, if this is your kind of thing, is the beach at Ship Island. You take a ferry from Gulfport, about 5.5 hours from Memphis and the ferry takes about an hour. You usually see dolphins on the boat, there is a snack bar and kids generally can have fun running around the boat most of that time. The payoff is a real beach, unlike the ones right at Gulfport, and very few people. Most of the 200 or so stick to the area with the rental chairs and umbrellas. a 5 minute walk and you will be out of sight of others. It’s a hassle to bring coolers, chairs, etc and the ferry only runs morning mid-day and evening, but it’s a full day of a peaceful unspoiled beach. It’s a different kind of adventure for kids and there is a historic fort with tours by National Park Rangers.

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  3. Lisa Olguin says

    I’m looking for a closest possibly clear water beach closest to Memphis Tennessee..will be driving

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  4. Kimberley says

    Gulf port is 6 hours with one stop for gas driving the speed limit. That is as close as it gets. It is worth the extra hour or two to further in towards Florida though.

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  5. jlazarus1738654 says

    We live in Olive Branch – so we are RIGHT off 78, but I can make it (without kids) to PCB in 7 1/2 hours – consistently (my husband – speeding, yes, can do it in 6:45 consistently). With kids, I’d say 8 to 8.5. People always think PCB is such a longer drive, but it’s really not. We take 78 to Birmingham, 65 to Georgiana, 55 through Andulsia to Florala, then 331 to 98 (go right on 98 to go to Destin, left to go to 30-A or PCB). Just throwing this out there because the panhandle Florida beaches are sooooo beautiful and really not that hard to get to!

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  6. Wendy says

    We live in Collierville so I hope it’s OK to post on East Memphis Moms? Anywho, we drive to Perdido Key at least 4 times a year. In-laws live there and I can honestly say it takes us 6 hours and 45 min from our door to hers with 2 stops and 3 kiddos (and she’s on the beach!). Easy, easy drive if you know the shortcuts!! Best bet is to take 78 to Tupelo, then take 45S almost to Columbus where you will take Alt45 (going around Columbus and through West Point). Continue on alt 45 to Meridian where you will connect back to 45S. Once you go through the Alabama State line you will go through a town called Citronelle (like the candles) and about 30 min. pass Citronelle you will hit Hwy 158. Go left on 158 and it will bring you to Interstate 65 to 165 which will take you to downtown Mobile and get off at the Water Street exit. Follow that street until you see a sign that says I-10E where you go through the underwater tunnel and cross the Mobil Bay bridge. Take I-10E all the way into Florida to Exit 7-SR 297 Pine Forrest Road exit. it also says NAS Pensacola. Take that exit to the right and then turn right on Blue Angel and follow the signs into Perdido Key. Hope this helps all you Memphis-Florida travelers. FYI, always take a map with you but this is by far the quickest and best route to Perdido Key hands down.

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    • Lee says

      Also, if you go through West Point, Mississippi you get a chance to stop at Nightingale’s Pantry which serves the best homemade sandwiches and desserts for miles around. The only reason our kids want to speed back from the beach is to ensure we get there before they close at 2 pm on Saturday. Last time it looked as though we were cutting it close, so the kids had us call in an order to let them know we would be there. Never would happen with any other business. They are closed Sundays and are open Monday – Friday until 7 p.m.

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