You may have heard the funny old saying “you can’t get there from here”. That used to be true about Grayton Beach. You had to cross the bay by boat and then take a 4-wheel drive vehicle over sandy, rutted trails to get to the old Grayton Hotel on the beach. There you might have met Al Capone, who would often hide out there on a little “vacation” from Chicago. It’s a bit easier getting to Grayton Beach these days, but it’s still off the beaten path for most of America. Although southern folk seems to have caught on. Check out the Grayton Beach interactive map.
By Air:
Commercial flights arrive at either Panama City Beach (30 minute drive) or Fort Walton Beach (45 minute drive). The Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS) in Fort Walton Beach is serviced by Delta and US Airways. The Panama City Beach International Airport (ECP) is serviced by Delta and Southwest.
By Car:
SoWal Beaches are located in South Walton County in the Florida Panhandle, halfway between Destin and Panama City Beach. From Interstate 10, exit at County Road 331 and follow the signs south through Freeport to Highway 98.
Approximate traveling time:
From Atlanta – 6 hours
From Birmingham – 5 hours
From New Orleans – 5 hours
From Jacksonville – 5 hours
| Atlanta, GA | 290 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 260 |
| Birmingham, AL | 260 |
| Chatanooga, TN | 420 |
| Chicago, IL | 920 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 710 |
| Columbia, SC | 430 |
| Dallas, TX | 750 |
| Detroit, MI | 975 |
| Houston, TX | 580 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 750 |
| Jackson, MS | 340 |
| Kansas City, KS | 960 |
| Knoxville, TN | 530 |
| Little Rock, AR | 570 |
| Louisville, KY | 640 |
| Memphis, TN | 475 |
| Miami, FL | 560 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 1000 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1280 |
| Montgomery, AL | 170 |
| Montreal, CA | 1450 |
| Nashville, TN | 470 |
| New Orleans, LA | 230 |
| New York, NY | 1110 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 900 |
| Orlando, FL | 340 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 970 |
| St. Louis, MO | 740 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 150 |
| Tampa, FL | 340 |
| Toronto, CA | 1200 |
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