95 & 4 VS. 301 and Turnpike

[disdadathome]

I was wondering if any southbound 95 drivers take alternate routes from North of Jacksonville to WDW. In the past we have driven down 95 and then 4. It appears that you could take A1A over to 301 south and then the Fla turnpike to 429. Has anyone done this? How much distance does it add? I have read about 429 and looks like a good highway, but what is 301 like? Does it have stoplights, etc. Any other alternate routes I am missing?

 

[seashoreCM]

I would not bother with 301 because no doubt there are lots of lights.

If you are really concerned about the dreaded I-4 through Orlando, still go down I-95 to Daytona and get on I-4 but long before you get to Orlando you can get onto 417 which takes you around the horn (east and south of the airport) and right to Disney.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I-4 really isn't that bad unless you're trying to cross Orlando during morning or evening rush hours. So I-95 to I-4 remains the best route to WDW. Or as Seashore CM suggested, I-95 to I-4 to TOLL 417 around Orlando.

Can't recommend US301 as an alternative unless you just want different scenery. Lawtey and Waldo are AAA-recognized speed traps. Starke has a good number of stop lights and Ocala through Belleview and The Villages and Wildwood is a 20+ mile stretch of many, many crossroads and traffic signals. If you kind of want to try this way out then take US301 south to just north of Ocala, at SR 326. Go about 3 miles west on SR 326 and hop on I-75 and then you've got all expressway with I-75 and the Turnpike. Then you can try out TOLL 429 into Disney's backdoor. You miss most of the US301 traffic lights this way. US301 is a 4-lane divided highway.

BobK/Orlando