New England to the Indian River: three days, or four hours in the air
New England snowbirds tend to fly one way and drive the other, or ship the car. Either works here: Melbourne's airport is 35 minutes from the door, Orlando is 75 minutes, and the Auto Train from Lorton, Virginia drops you at Sanford, an hour and 15 minutes away.
I-95 south the entire way
Day 1 — Boston to Virginia
I-95 or I-84/I-81 to get around New York, then down to Richmond or Petersburg. About 550 miles. The I-81 inland route is longer in miles and usually shorter in stress.
Day 2 — Virginia to Georgia
I-95 through the Carolinas to Savannah or Brunswick, about 500 miles.
Day 3 — Georgia to the river
Jacksonville, Daytona, Titusville, then Exit 156. Four hours, and you arrive in time for lunch on the dock.
Where to break the trip
- Petersburg or Richmond, VAFirst night if you clear New York early.
- Savannah or Brunswick, GASecond night. Brunswick is quieter and cheaper.
- Lorton, VANot a hotel — the Amtrak Auto Train terminal. Overnight to Sanford, FL with your car.
Three airports, and the one you probably want
35 minutes away. Small terminal, curb to car in ten minutes.
75 minutes. Nonstops from BOS, PVD, BDL and MHT all winter.
About 90 minutes. The Auto Train and low-cost carriers land here.
Full drive times and pickup notes are on the airports and getting here page.
What New England guests tell us afterwards
- The Auto Train from Lorton, Virginia removes 900 miles of driving and lands you 75 minutes from the house.
- It's a single-story home — no stairs anywhere, which matters more each winter.
- Sunrise over the water from the dock every morning; the house faces east across the lagoon.
- Five mini-split units mean you heat only the room you're in on a cold January morning, and cool only the room you're in come April.
Winter rates, cleaning included
From New England, most often
Is the Amtrak Auto Train worth it from New England?
For a multi-month stay, usually yes. You drive to Lorton, Virginia, the car rides with you overnight, and you unload in Sanford — an hour and 15 minutes from the house. It removes the two hardest driving days.
Are there stairs in the house?
None. It's a single-story, ground-floor layout, 1,800 sq ft, three bedrooms and two baths, with a flat walk out to the dock.
Can we come for three months and leave the car home?
Plenty of guests do. Fly into Melbourne, rent for the month at the airport, or use the seasonal rental agencies in Palm Bay. The house has parking for two vehicles plus a trailer.
More in the full FAQ and the month-by-month snowbird guide.
Long-stay guests rate us 4.83★
4.83★ on Airbnb (40) · 9.2/10 on VRBO (15) · 55 verified stays · 100% response rate
“The dock was perfect, had a lot of space, and we even fished a couple of times and caught some fish.”
“We especially loved having access to the private dock, and the open floor plan made the space feel comfortable and inviting.”
“We loved the panoramic view of the river and being able to walk out on the dock”