Driving Directions Help for Florida

[dejr_8]

I am driving from NC to Tampa. Yahoo maps, has me taking Route 301 from Jacksonville to Ocala and then taking Interstate 75.

Is this a good idea?

Thanks in advance

 

[Golf4food]

Are you coming down I-95 from NC? If so, using 301 to cut across the state isn't a bad idea, but you'd want to take I-95 to I-295 north of Jacksonville (just past the airport), then onto I-10 west to Baldwin where you could get onto US-301 and take it all the way to Ocala to catch I-75 for the rest of the trip into Tampa. It cuts of some miles and avoids the heaviest traffic on I-4 around Orlando, but probably isn't necessarily a faster trip per se.

PM me if you have any questions.

 

[dejr_8]

Are you coming down I-95 from NC? If so, using 301 to cut across the state isn't a bad idea, but you'd want to take I-95 to I-295 north of Jacksonville (just past the airport), then onto I-10 west to Baldwin where you could get onto US-301 and take it all the way to Ocala to catch I-75 for the rest of the trip into Tampa. It cuts of some miles and avoids the heaviest traffic on I-4 around Orlando, but probably isn't necessarily a faster trip per se.

PM me if you have any questions.

that's exactly what Yahoo Maps has me doing. Sounds like a plan then.
Thank you

 

[scnana]

 

[GeorgeG]

You should know, though, that 301 isn't wide open the whole way. It periodically slows down to go through towns and villages. It's still the most "direct" route, but if you prefer to stay at highway speeds, you might rather take Rt. 10 all the way to 75.

 

[Poohnatic]

I've done it both ways. Prior to moving here, we drove down from Maryland and typically would go to my mom's in St. Pete Beach before going to WDW. We took the route you're looking at at least four times.

301 is not a bad way to go, but it does have some slow patches (like through Starke). I'd jump over and get on I 75 just south of Gainesville.

About a year ago, we decided to take I 75 from Tampa to visit a good friend in Jacksonville, since the traffic in Orlando was really bad. It took 4 hours to get to her house going I 75/I 10/I 295 as opposed to 3 hours 15 minutes if we'd gone I 4/I 95.

The difference was that we hit no major metro areas. It was great.

I'd go via 301 (or I 75,for that matter) if you would be in Jax or Orlando around your typical rush hour times. If not, I95 to I4 will suit you fine.

Safe travels.

Suzanne

 

[froglady]

Just be forewarned that 301 has at least 3 "speed traps", ie, areas where the speed limit drops down to 30MPH or less (from 65) and I have ALWAYS seen police cars; either waiting, or writing tickets.

There are a couple of billboards just south of I-10 warning you; take them seriously!