My wife and i are going to Florida soon and need some advice on the best way,would like to take I-81s.Ive been doing some research and here is my trip so far,from outside Albany,NY. I-87s to I-287s to I-78w to I-81s to Harrisonburg,VA ,take I-64e to Richmond which will be for Route 288 to I-95s. If anyone has a better way let me know any help is appreciated. Thanks,Joe
Best Trip routes to florida
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PopPop51
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I used to live in a town on I-81 in PA, and drove to Central Florida many times until I finally was able to move here.
My favorite route is to take I-81 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95.
To get off of I-95 as soon as practicable to my area West of Orlando, I pick up US 17 off I-295 Southwest of Jacksonville, then SR 19 at Palatka through Ocala National Forest.
I use I-95 and I-75 as little as possible. Florida's other highways are surprisingly (if you're from the Northeast) free of vehicles.
My favorite route is to take I-81 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95.
To get off of I-95 as soon as practicable to my area West of Orlando, I pick up US 17 off I-295 Southwest of Jacksonville, then SR 19 at Palatka through Ocala National Forest.
I use I-95 and I-75 as little as possible. Florida's other highways are surprisingly (if you're from the Northeast) free of vehicles.
PopPop51 said:
x2. Especially away from Orlando and free of tolls. Can't drive at 80mph though and be sure to start with a full tank of gas/diesel on some of the routes.
For me, I usually take the route (see on Google Maps) starting with Highway 80 from Fort Myers to Okeechobee, FL to Fort Pierce, FL and wind up on I-95 into Vero Beach. Get to see Lake Okeechobee that way also if you take a short detour in the city of Okeechobee.
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
From our lakeside cottage near Broadalbin, NY, we drop down NY Rt 30 to I-90 to I-88 to I-81 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95 to I-295 to I-10 to US301 to I-75. We've never hit any serious traffic problems on I-75, but we do plan our travel time to avoid rush hours.
Rene T
Site Team
NY_Dutch said:
Dutch,
Sometime try this route instead of going as far as Jacksonville. In Yulee Fl, take exit 373 which will be Rte. 200 (newly redone 4 lane road (2 lanes each way separated by a large medium)) through Callahan then down to Baldwin where you'll pick up Rte. 301. Very nice ride and cuts out any traffic you may hit in Jacksonville. You go thru a couple of small towns but they're not a problem.
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
I'll check it out when we get down there in January, Rene, but we usually run I-295 around Jacksonville to I-10 aroound mid-morning, and rarely see any significant traffic.
Rene T
Site Team
NY_Dutch said:
Like Mikey said, "Try it you'll like it".
Olustee bus
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Rene T said:
When I traveled to the southwest coast when working that is the only route to take. The only difference is that I went from Citra Florida on state road 318 over to I75. Less traffic but it is a two lane. Nice drive but you may wish to go down to Ocala and take a left
Rene T
Site Team
Olustee bus said:
I will try that 318 on the way home this spring. Thanks.
What do you mean take a left in Ocala? Did you mean take a right?
Olustee bus
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Yes, sorry. if you took a left you would end up in Daytona!
Rene T
Site Team
Olustee bus said:
Or in the Atlantic. ;D
Hfx_Cdn
Well-known member
We always used I81 to I77, I26 to I 95. Then the exit and route Rene lists down to I75.
Ed
Ed
Rene T
Site Team
pml said:
The only toll I hit if I remember right is getting on I-90 just west of Worcester Ma and getting off when getting on I-84. I feel that I-84 is a more direst route to I-81 and the only problem area is Hartford CT and I just found a work-a-round provided by a member to miss it entirely pretty much.
HappyWanderer
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I think the question was for the OP, who had mapped out a crazy route from Albany to I-81.
Rene T
Site Team
NY_Dutch said:
Dutch,
Did you try that route I recommended to you starting in Yulee FL?
In Yulee Fl, take exit 373 which will be Rte. 200 (newly redone 4 lane road (2 lanes each way separated by a large medium)) through Callahan then down to Baldwin where you'll pick up Rte. 301
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
Yes I did take your suggestion, Rene, and it worked out very nicely. Thank you! I've added the Rte 200 routing to my GPS for future use. If I had remembered where this thread was, I would have thanked you sooner! ;DRene T said:
Rene T
Site Team
NY_Dutch said:
Glad it worked out for you.
I had quite a time finding it. Olustee bus had suggested a route for me to take off 301 in Citra but I had forgotten what route it was.
Hfx_Cdn
Well-known member
The last few years I've turned onto 24 at Waldo, through Gainesville and hit I 75 there. Most of 24 is 4 lane and it seems easier than staying on 301 past Ocala.
Ed
Ed
