Imagine a world where the biggest traffic jam involves a horse-drawn carriage and a wayward golf cart. Bliss! These car-free destinations across America prove that sometimes the best way to explore is on foot, by bike, or by hitching a ride on something with a bit more personality than your average sedan.
From remote islands where boats are the only way in, to quirky towns that banned cars decades ago, these places offer a refreshing break from honking horns and parking meters. Whether you’re looking to disconnect completely or just tired of circling the block for a parking spot, these destinations deliver peace, quiet, and zero exhaust fumes.
Dry Tortugas, Florida
Welcome to one of America’s most remote national parkz, where the only way to arrive is by boat or seaplane. This cluster of seven islands sits 70 miles west of Key West, making it about as far from rush hour traffic as you can get without leaving the country. The historic Fort Jefferson dominates Garden Key, offering incredible snorkeling and a glimpse into Civil War history.
The lack of roads isn’t just a design choice; there just literally isn’t enough land for them! You’ll explore coral reefs, sandy beaches, and 19th-century fortifications entirely on foot. Pack light and bring plenty of water, because the only vehicles here are the occasional park service boats and your own two feet.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Mackinac Island is a Victorian-era time capsule that banned motor vehicles way back in 1898, and they’ve stuck to their horse-drawn guns ever since. Located in Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, the island operates on horse power, pedal power, and good old-fashioned walking. The clip-clop of hooves on pavement creates a soundtrack that’s infinitely more charming than car horns.
Getting around means choosing between bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, or your feet. The island stretches just over 8 miles around its perimeter, making it perfectly walkable for most visitors. Don’t worry about missing your car because between the fudge shops, historic sites, and stunning lake views, you’ll be too busy enjoying the slow pace to think about traffic jams.
Tangier Island, Virginia
This tiny speck in the Chesapeake Bay operates on island time, where golf carts and bicycles rule the narrow roads. The watermen’s community has been catching crabs and oysters for generations, creating a unique culture that feels worlds away from mainland Virginia. The island’s isolation means cars simply aren’t practical or even necessary.
Most residents get around on golf carts or bikes, navigating roads barely wide enough for two carts to pass. The island spans less than a mile at its widest point, so walking everywhere is totally doable. Plus, the accents near Elizabethan accents add to the “timecapsual” vibe they are going for.
Santa Catalina Island, California
Just 22 miles off the California coast, Catalina feels like a Mediterranean getaway where golf carts have replaced sports cars as the vehicle of choice. The island strictly limits car ownership to residents, and even then, there’s a decades-long waiting list. Visitors explore this rugged paradise via golf cart rentals, bikes, or the island’s efficient trolley system.
Two Harbors and Avalon offer completely different vibes. Avalon brings small-town charm with its casino and waterfront, while Two Harbors delivers pure wilderness. The interior roads are steep and winding, making golf carts an adventure in themselves. Between bison roaming the hills and crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling, you won’t miss your car one bit.
Rock Island State Park, Wisconsin
Rock Island State Park is a Lake Michigan gem that requires a ferry ride from Washington Island, immediately setting the tone for a car-free adventure. The state park encompasses the entire island, offering hiking trails, historic lighthouses, and some of the clearest water in the Great Lakes. Once you step off the ferry, everything is accessible on foot through well-maintained trails.
The island’s compact size makes walking the preferred method of transportation. Visitors can explore the Pottawatomie Lighthouse, sandy beaches, and rocky shores without any motorized interference. The park also offers camping sites scattered across the island, all connected by hiking paths that wind through forests and along dramatic coastlines.
Governors Island, New York
A former military base turned public park sits just 800 yards from Manhattan, yet it feels worlds away from city traffic. Cars are banned except for essential services, leaving visitors to explore 172 acres of green space, art installations, and historic buildings entirely on foot or by bike. The island operates seasonally, offering a peaceful escape from urban chaos.
Free bike rentals make it easy to cover the island’s main attractions, from Castle Williams to the sprawling Liggett Terrace. The converted military housing now hosts art exhibitions and cultural events, while the island’s hills offer stunning views of Manhattan’s skyline. Food trucks and seasonal vendors eliminate any need to venture back to the mainland for refreshments.
Halibut Cove, Alaska
Halibut Cove is a floating community of artists and fishermen that has no roads because it sits entirely on stilts and floating docks. It is located across Kachemak Bay from Homer and boardwalks connect the various galleries, restaurants, and residences that make up this unique settlement.
The only way to reach Halibut Cove is by boat or floatplane, immediately establishing its car-free credentials. Once there, you’ll navigate wooden walkways that connect art studios, seafood restaurants, and cozy cabins perched over the water. The community operates on a seasonal basis, with most businesses closing during Alaska’s harsh winters.
Supai, Arizona
Supao is the most remote village in the lower 48 states, where mail still arrives by mule train. The Havasupai Tribe’s village sits at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, accessible only by an 8-mile hike, helicopter, or mule ride. Cars simply can’t reach this desert oasis, making it one of the few places in America where horses and mules handle all the heavy lifting.
The village serves as base camp for visiting the famous Havasu Falls. Everything from supplies to tourists arrives via pack animals or helicopter, creating a logistics network that hasn’t changed much in decades. The isolation preserves both the natural beauty and the traditional way of life that makes this place so special.
Daufuskie Island, South Carolina
This Lowcountry island between Savannah and Hilton Head operates on island time, where golf carts navigate sandy roads through maritime forests. There are no bridges connecting Daufuskie to the mainland, so cars arrive only via expensive ferry service and most visitors skip them entirely. The island’s laid-back vibe makes slower transportation feel like a feature, not a bug.
Historic sites include the remains of the old oyster industry and schools that inspired Pat Conroy’s novel “The Water is Wide.” Golf carts and bikes handle most transportation needs, though the island is small enough to walk across in about an hour. The beaches remain relatively uncrowded, and the seaside forest provides plenty of shade for exploring on foot.
Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg is a living history museum that recreates 18th-century life so authentically that cars would look seriously out of place. The historic area covers several hundred acres where costumed interpreters demonstrate colonial trades, and horse-drawn carriages provide the only motorized-free rides. Modern vehicles are banned from the core historic district, preserving the colonial atmosphere.
Visitors explore on foot along brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets, just like colonists did 300 years ago. The area includes dozens of restored buildings, working trades shops, and taverns serving period-appropriate food and drinks. Free shuttle buses connect the historic area to parking lots, but once you’re inside the colonial zone, it’s all about walking and soaking up the atmosphere.
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
This wilderness island in Lake Superior bans all motor vehicles, making it a hiker’s and backpacker’s paradise. The park operates as one of America’s least-visited national monuments, partly because getting there requires a ferry ride or seaplane flight. Once you arrive, everything from your gear to your groceries travels on your back or in a canoe.
The island’s network of hiking trails connects backcountry campsites, inland lakes, and remote harbors where moose wade through morning mist. No roads exist anywhere on the island, and you will find only trails that wind through dense forests and along rocky shorelines. The isolation creates incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, especially for the famous wolves and moose that call the island home.
Bald Head Island, North Carolina
This resort island off Cape Fear operates entirely on golf carts and bicycles, creating a family-friendly paradise where kids can safely ride bikes without worrying about traffic. The island stretches about 3 miles long and 2 miles wide, small enough that golf carts handle all transportation needs. Ferry service from Southport provides the only public access.
Fourteen miles of beaches surround the island, along with maritime forests, salt marshes, and the historic Old Baldy Lighthouse. Golf carts are available for rent or come included with many vacation rental properties. The island’s commitment to preserving its natural environment means even emergency vehicles are specially designed electric carts rather than traditional trucks.
Monhegan Island, Maine
Monhegan is an artist colony 12 miles off the Maine coast that has inspired painters for over a century, partly because cars can’t disturb the creative process. The island measures barely a mile long and half a mile wide, making every destination walkable via a network of hiking trails and village paths. Lobster boats and mail boats offer the only connection to the mainland.
The village centers around the harbor, where fishing boats unload their catch and day-trip ferries drop off visitors. Hiking trails lead to dramatic cliffs, historic lighthouses, and secluded coves perfect for exploring tide pools. Art studios and galleries occupy converted fishing shacks and century-old homes, creating an authentic maritime atmosphere that’s remained unchanged for generations.
Fire Island, New York
This barrier island stretches 32 miles along Long Island’s south shore, with cars banned from most communities. Ferry service connects various towns like Ocean Beach and Cherry Grove, each with its own personality and car-free culture. Red wagons and bicycles handle cargo duties, while elevated boardwalks connect homes built on stilts above the sand.
The island’s narrow width is sometimes less than a few hundred yards and makes cars impractical anyway. Elevated boardwalks serve as main streets, connecting beach houses, restaurants, and shops while protecting the fragile dune ecosystem below. Each community has developed its own transportation quirks, from decorated wagons to vintage beach cruiser bikes.
Culdesac Tempe, Arizona
This brand-new car-free neighborhood in suburban Phoenix proves that car-free living can work even in America’s most car-dependent cities. The development centers around light rail access, with everything from grocery stores to restaurants within walking distance. Residents rely on bikes, scooters, ridesharing, and public transit instead of personal vehicles.
The community design prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists, with wide sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and plenty of shade structures essential for Arizona’s desert climate. Shared mobility options include electric bikes and scooters available throughout the neighborhood. The development challenges the assumption that suburban life requires you to own a car, especially in sun-soaked climates perfect for year-round outdoor activities.
Little St. Simons Island, Georgia
Both exclusive and exotic, this private island operates as an eco-resort where guests explore 11,000 acres of pristine wilderness entirely on foot or by bicycle. The island limits visitors to just 32 guests at a time, ensuring that both wildlife and visitors have plenty of space.
Seven miles of pristine beaches surround the island, while inland areas include coastal woodlands, salt marshes, and freshwater ponds. Guided nature walks reveal an incredible diversity of wildlife, from nesting sea turtles to migrating birds. The island’s commitment to conservation means keeping human impact minimal, and that includes keeping cars on the mainland where they belong.