I-95 and I-4 questions

[KristiT]

We are supposed to be driving down to WDW in a few weeks, but my mom has been hearing reports on bad road conditions from the hurricanes. I have not heard of any problems on this part of I-95 or I-4, but I figured someone here would know. Has anyone recently returned and driven this route??

Also, I have been hearing alot ablout construcion around the I-95/I-295 area. Is the exit on I-295 where you get back on I-95 south still a mess. We used it to go around Jacksonville in December and there were not adequate signs telling which way to go to get back on I-95. We ended up going the wrong way and having to turn around. My poor mom was a nervous wreck. I am thinking it may be easier to go I-95 all the way this time, but I think I read somewhere that you have to make a turn to stay on 95. Is that correct? Could someone describe I-95 thru Jacksonville.

Thanks
Kristi

 

[MikeB63]

I drive from CT to Disney almost every year. I never get off of I-95 in Jacksonville. There is a fairly sharp left hand turn as you head into the city, just before the bridge over the waterway. You just need to be in the left lane and be aware of the signs.

As for road conditions, my parents just returned from a trip to the gulf coast south of Tampa and took this same route. They're trip was in between Frances and Ivan. They said there were no problems with the road conditions due to the storms.

I hope this helps.

 

[Towncrier]

I can't speak to the hurricane damage, but we drive down I-95 to I-4 each summer. And we have never taken the I-295 bypass.

And watch out for that left turn. If you miss it, you'll end up on a little side street in downtown Jacksonville. I almost did that this past summer.

 

[Figment22]

The "left turn" is at the intersection of I-95 and I-10 so there's always a good amount of traffic to add to the confusion. You need to be in the left lane. Just watch for the signs that say I-95 left lanes and you'll be OK.

BTW, we took the 295 loop once and I thought it added so many miles to the trip that it just wasn't worth it to avoid a bit of traffic. We usually have our CB on and unless the truckers mention an accident, we just stay on I-95.

I know that I-95 in south Florida had some major sinkholes after Frances. I think it was in the Palm Beach area, so the area from the GA border to Daytona/I-4 should be OK.

 

[KristiT]

Has anyone been on I-295 lately?

 

[Disfan1]

There is still contruction mess on I-295 south of Jacksonville but other than that there shouldn't be any problems.