I-95/I-295 Jacksonville Opinions

[Sanchez]

This Friday we will be driving from Charleston, South Carolina to Melbourne, Florida (stopping for the night) and then heading to Port Everglades for a cruise on Saturday. We have made this trip many times and usually are able to time it so that we avoid major problems around Jacksonville and therefore simply stay on I-95 south.

Given my work schedule I cannot leave Charleston until 1:00 p.m. This would put me in Jax around 4:30/4:45 which is not optimal on a Friday. My plan is to leave Charleston around 2:45-3:00 p.m. in order to clear the Charleston area before major traffic hits. This would put me in Jax around 6:30-6:45.

I am aware of construction on I-295 East and the FDOT website confirms active construction on the road. I am looking for opinions on two items:

1. Timing of hitting Jacksonville - is 6:30 p.m. on a Friday going to be problematic?
2. Given the timing do you have a preference (I-95/I-295 East/I-295 West)?

Thank you.

 

[Capt_BJ]

I'd plan to just stay on 95 but having a good navigator who can use a traffic app to look ahead would be VERY helpful . . . the loop on the west side is usually as bad as 95 IME ....

 

[gatour]

As a Jax resident. I would take the the eastern beltway. There may be a back up between I-95 and Beach Blvd/JTB.

Once you get south of the Eastern Beltway/JTB interchange, there are now 3 lines on the Eastern Beltway. This has made a huge difference.

While most in-car navigation systems have 9B going to to Philips highway (US-1) and ending. It now passes Philips and there are ramps from 9B to I-95. Once you pass JTB be in one of the two left lanes. The exit from 9B to I-95 will be on your left.

 

[Upatnoon]

I would use google to guide you as you never know around Jacksonville.

Whatever route you take, don't panic at the I-295 interchange. I see many out-of-towners totally confused as to which way to go. If you take either 295 exit or stay on 95 you will all end of at the same place.

Once past Jacksonville, we like to avoid I-4 in Orland by exiting in Sanford and taking the 429 toll toad. So much less stressful than I-4.

 

[Sanchez]

As a Jax resident. I would take the the eastern beltway. There may be a back up between I-95 and Beach Blvd/JTB.

Once you get south of the Eastern Beltway/JTB interchange, there are now 3 lines on the Eastern Beltway. This has made a huge difference.

While most in-car navigation systems have 9B going to to Philips highway (US-1) and ending. It now passes Philips and there are ramps from 9B to I-95. Once you pass JTB be in one of the two left lanes. The exit from 9B to I-95 will be on your left.

Great information. Thank you very much.