Panama City Beach
to Port St. Joe.
One road, U.S. 98, ties this stretch of Florida’s Gulf Coast together. Head east from the beachfront buzz of Panama City Beach and the towns get smaller, the beaches quieter and the sunsets longer.
Salt air, slow mornings and seafood at sunset
Life here runs on the Gulf. Mornings start with a walk on soft, sugar-white sand. Afternoons belong to boats, paddleboards and fishing lines. Evenings end with fresh seafood and a sunset over the water.
Each town has its own rhythm. Panama City Beach is the lively one, with miles of beachfront, Pier Park and family attractions. Panama City is the bay town, with historic St. Andrews and a walkable downtown. Mexico Beach is small and easygoing. Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas are the quiet end of the line, known for scalloping, shelling and wide-open beaches.
- Fly in
- Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), near Panama City Beach
- The drive
- U.S. 98 runs the whole way, from the PCB beachfront to Port St. Joe
- Best for
- Beach days, families, fishing, boating and small-town getaways
Pick your pace
1 · West end
Panama City BeachThe big beach town: Pier Park, St. Andrews State Park, Shell Island, piers, marine parks and Gulf-front condos.Read the guide →
2 · On the bay
Panama City & St. AndrewsHistoric bayfront neighborhoods with local shops, oyster bars, murals, breweries and the Martin Theatre.Read the guide →
3 · Small town
Mexico BeachA tight-knit, low-key beach town that rebuilt after Hurricane Michael. It’s known for artificial reefs and uncrowded sand.Read the guide →
4 · East end
Port St. Joe & Cape San BlasScalloping in St. Joseph Bay, the Cape San Blas Lighthouse, Reid Avenue and one of the Panhandle’s best state parks.Read the guide →
Everything in one place
Drive the whole coast in a day
Our U.S. 98 road trip guide strings the four towns together, with the best places to stop for a swim, a lighthouse climb and a seafood lunch.
Read the road tripDreaming of the Caribbean?
Our featured island stay, Exit Strategy, is a three-level villa in Roatán, Honduras, between West Bay Beach and West End.
See International stays