Driving Directions to Lakeland FL

[kmjmom]

I'm looking for guidance from those who have driven from CT to FL for the least stressful route to FL. I wish it was to Orlando, but this trip is to take my DS to college. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I don't think any route that long could not have stress.

Basically you need to get yourself through NYC and then there are two routes I've done before. The obvious one is the New Jersey Turnpike over the Delaware Memorial Bridge and then I-95 south all the way to Daytona, then I-4 west to Lakeland. There are bypasses to consider for Baltimore, Richmond, Jacksonville and Orlando depending on rush hour. I-95 is hectic but probably the quickest.

The other route is to take I-78 west from Newark over into Pennsylvania and then pick up I-81 south from Harrisburg. This is a beautiful drive that runs down the west edge of the Appalachians to Knoxville, where you pick up I-75 the rest of the way to Tampa. (and I-4 east to Lakeland) Much less hectic and much more scenic.

I've also combined the routings by doing I-78/I-81 to Wytheville, VA and then taking I-77 to Charlotte and Columbia, SC and then I-26 to I-95 near Charleston.

But if you draw a straight line from NYC to Jacksonville you'll see that I-95 runs closest to that line.

BobK/Orlando

 

[ducklite]

Leave on a Saturday morning around 4:00 am. Take the TZ to 87 south to 287 south to the NJ Turnpike.

Cross the DE Memorial Bridge and stay on 95 until you get to Baltimore, then take the Baltimore-Washintwon Expressway. (I believe it's 295)

Take that through DC and pick up 95/495 headed towards Alexandria. Take that to 95 south (Wilson bridge) and stay on that until just north of Richmond. Take the Richmond By-pass (295) and the rejoin 95 near Petersburg, VA. Take 95 south until you get to Daytona. Then get on I-4 and follow that to Lakeland.

With two drivers trading on and off, you can probably do it in one shot.

Anne

 

[kmjmom]

Thank you for your suggesitons. They were very helpful!

 

[cranbiz]

The only thing that I don't like about Anne's routing is the Baltimore-Washington Expressway. It goes from 65 to 55 to 35 before back to 55 (and is usually strictly enforced by DC police using photo technology).

I prefer to take I495 around DC and that takes you back to I95 a little south of Alexandria. My route avoids the construction mess at the Wilson Bridge.

Both routes work, It's just a matter of preference.

I have also been known to take I895 thru the Baltimore Harbor tunnel, but I95 thru the McHenry tunnel is OK too.

Do use I295 around Richmond. It avoids the Highway Safety Corridor (lower speeds, higher enforcement) thru Richmond and takes about the same time.