Two Volusia County beach towns, about 63 and 74 miles from Lake Nona, where you can still drive on the sand. Here is how they differ and which suits which kind of day.
New Smyrna Beach is about 63 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center, and Daytona Beach is about 74 miles. Both are in Volusia County, which allows vehicles on designated stretches of beach for a fee. New Smyrna Beach is the quieter of the two, known for surfing and its Flagler Avenue shopping and dining street. Daytona Beach is larger and busier, with a boardwalk, a fishing pier and Daytona International Speedway. The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse stands between the two towns at Ponce Inlet.
Cocoa Beach is Lake Nona's closest beach, but it is not the only Atlantic day trip. Farther north, New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach offer a different experience, including the chance to drive and park right on the sand.
This guide is written for people weighing a move to Lake Nona. It covers how far the two beaches are, how they differ, the beach-driving rules and when to go.
How far are New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach from Lake Nona?
New Smyrna Beach is about 63 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center, and Daytona Beach is about 74 miles, making both longer drives than Cocoa Beach.
For New Smyrna Beach, one common route takes SR 417 north and then state roads east to the coast. Another takes the Beachline (SR 528) east to I-95 and then north. For Daytona Beach, I-95 or I-4 north are the usual choices. Both expressways from Lake Nona are toll roads.
| New Smyrna Beach (Flagler Avenue) | About 63 miles |
|---|---|
| Daytona International Speedway | About 70 miles |
| Daytona Beach (Main Street Pier) | About 74 miles |
| For comparison: Cocoa Beach | About 48 miles |
Can you drive on the beach at New Smyrna and Daytona?
Yes, on designated stretches: Volusia County allows cars on parts of its beaches for a vehicle access fee, with daily and annual passes available.
Driving areas are marked with signs and posts, and you park on the ocean side of the posts. Hours differ by season, and driving can close when high tides leave too little sand. Stretches of beach are closed to cars to protect nesting sea turtles and for pedestrian safety. Fees and rules change, so check Volusia County's beach information before you go. If you would rather not drive on the sand, both towns also have off-beach parking lots.
What is New Smyrna Beach like?
New Smyrna Beach is the more relaxed of the two, known for its surf break at the inlet and for Flagler Avenue, a walkable street of shops, restaurants and bars that ends at the beach.
The beach is wide and flat, and families often spread out on the driving stretches. Canaveral National Seashore begins just south of town, with long undeveloped beaches at its Apollo Beach section. Ponce Inlet, at the north end, has the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, which is open for climbing and has a small museum.
What is Daytona Beach like?
Daytona Beach is bigger and busier, with a boardwalk, the Main Street Pier, beachfront hotels and Daytona International Speedway just inland.
The Speedway hosts the Daytona 500 each February, along with other major races through the year, and offers tours on non-race days. Daytona's big event weeks, including Speedweeks, Bike Week in March and Biketoberfest in October, bring huge crowds and heavy traffic. If you want a quiet beach day, check the event calendar and pick another weekend.
Which beach should Lake Nona residents choose?
For the shortest drive, Cocoa Beach; for a quieter surf town, New Smyrna Beach; and for a lively, busy beach with events, Daytona Beach.
New Smyrna Beach suits a relaxed family day or a surf outing, with Flagler Avenue for lunch. Daytona Beach suits a group that wants the boardwalk, the pier and more nightlife, or a race or event at the Speedway. Both are longer drives than Cocoa Beach, so they make the most sense when you want something different from your usual beach.
How do these beaches fit alongside Lake Nona's other nearby day trips?
New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach are the northern end of Lake Nona's beach day trips, beyond Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center.
Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach are closer to Lake Nona. See the Explore Orlando hub for the full list.
Pros, Cons and Our Take
Pros
- Beach driving and parking on the sand on designated stretches.
- New Smyrna Beach offers a quieter, surf-town alternative to Cocoa Beach.
- Daytona Beach adds a boardwalk, pier and the Speedway.
- Canaveral National Seashore's undeveloped beaches are close to New Smyrna.
Cons
- Both are longer drives from Lake Nona than Cocoa Beach.
- Beach driving has a fee, seasonal hours and tide closures.
- Daytona's event weeks bring very heavy crowds and traffic.
- Toll roads apply on the most direct routes.
Our Take
For most Lake Nona beach days, Cocoa Beach is the easy choice because it is the closest. New Smyrna Beach is worth the extra miles when you want a calmer surf town and a walkable street by the sand, and Daytona Beach when you want a busier scene or a race. Beach driving is the unique draw of both, and it is worth trying at least once.
What the Neighbors Know
Lake Nona residents tend to treat New Smyrna and Daytona as occasional trips: a surf morning, a family day on the sand or a race weekend. Cocoa Beach remains the everyday beach. If coastal access matters to you, compare Lake Nona neighborhoods by how quickly they reach SR 417 and the Beachline.
Official Sources
- Volusia County beach information
- Visit New Smyrna Beach: beach driving
- Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Daytona International Speedway
- Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse
Buying or selling in Lake Nona? Call/Text David Myers at 407.801.3286 or use the contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is New Smyrna Beach from Lake Nona?
About 63 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center, compared with about 48 miles to Cocoa Beach.
How far is Daytona Beach from Lake Nona?
About 74 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center to the Main Street Pier, and about 70 miles to Daytona International Speedway.
Can you drive on the beach in New Smyrna Beach?
Yes, on designated stretches. Volusia County allows vehicles on parts of its beaches for a fee, with hours that vary by season and closures for high tides and sea turtle protection.
When is the Daytona 500?
The Daytona 500 is held each February at Daytona International Speedway, and it brings heavy crowds and traffic to the area.
