I-95 Traveling Tips

[lawnspecialties]

I've always been a fairly observant driver, especially when traveling on big trips. That being said, I did want to pass a few mental notes I made since there are quite a few of you heading down to the Fort soon. This of course mostly pertains to I-95 from NC to Orlando.

NC: We still are rediculous when it comes to fuel taxes. If you can fill up in Va., then wait until SC to fill up again, you'll save some bucks. I noticed most gas prices were not too far apart but diesel prices varied quite a bit. I-95 is only about 180 miles long through NC so for most folks, it shouldn't cause a problem.

SC: Mile markers 181 and 170 are the cheapest fuel prices you'll pay from NC to the Fort. Again, you'll see a considerable difference in diesel at the Flying J, Wilco Hess, and the Pilot compared to anywhere else on your trip. Gas prices will also be cheapest but not by a whole lot compared to southern SC, Georgia, and Florida. Once you get to southern SC, finding RV accessible fuel stops are scarce. And even though The Next Exit shows Wal-Marts as "RV accessible", getting a truck and camper into most Murphy USAs is a challenge. South Carolina I-95 still has the most potholes of any interstate I've ever driven.

Ga: Will road construction on I-95 in Georgia ever be completed? Lane changes and huge dips in the road become the norm in Georgia. In 2006, we lost a spare tire cover and a rear clearance light in Georgia. This year, we lost a weight distribution bar. Just be careful. The 6 lane that's completed is very nice but whether or not they'll be finished in my lifetime is debateable.
On our way home, I would guess we saw at least a dozen troopers in the Savannah area either running radar or had someone already pulled.

Fla: Florida was quite nice on I-95. The section from Jacksonville to Daytona is smooth and mostly 6 lanes. There is quite a bit of road construction on I-95 in north Jacksonville. I don't know why, but that curve right before you go over the bridge in downtown Jacksonville almost gets me everytime. The added construction makes it extra tricky so stay alert. I've never done the by-pass but if you're a little leary about pulling your rig through some tight lanes with construction barricades on both sides, consider that option at mile marker 362. As always, I-4 seems fine since you know you're within an hour of exit 67.

That's about all I can think of for now. Good Luck and safe traveling, y'all.

 

[LarryJ]

I've always been a fairly observant driver, especially when traveling on big trips. That being said, I did want to pass a few mental notes I made since there are quite a few of you heading down to the Fort soon. This of course mostly pertains to I-95 from NC to Orlando.

NC: We still are rediculous when it comes to fuel taxes. If you can fill up in Va., then wait until SC to fill up again, you'll save some bucks. I noticed most gas prices were not too far apart but diesel prices varied quite a bit. I-95 is only about 180 miles long through NC so for most folks, it shouldn't cause a problem.

SC: Mile markers 181 and 170 are the cheapest fuel prices you'll pay from NC to the Fort. Again, you'll see a considerable difference in diesel at the Flying J, Wilco Hess, and the Pilot compared to anywhere else on your trip. Gas prices will also be cheapest but not by a whole lot compared to southern SC, Georgia, and Florida. Once you get to southern SC, finding RV accessible fuel stops are scarce. And even though The Next Exit shows Wal-Marts as "RV accessible", getting a truck and camper into most Murphy USAs is a challenge. South Carolina I-95 still has the most potholes of any interstate I've ever driven.

Ga: Will road construction on I-95 in Georgia ever be completed? Lane changes and huge dips in the road become the norm in Georgia. In 2006, we lost a spare tire cover and a rear clearance light in Georgia. This year, we lost a weight distribution bar. Just be careful. The 6 lane that's completed is very nice but whether or not they'll be finished in my lifetime is debateable.
On our way home, I would guess we saw at least a dozen troopers in the Savannah area either running radar or had someone already pulled.

Fla: Florida was quite nice on I-95. The section from Jacksonville to Daytona is smooth and mostly 6 lanes. There is quite a bit of road construction on I-95 in north Jacksonville. I don't know why, but that curve right before you go over the bridge in downtown Jacksonville almost gets me everytime. The added construction makes it extra tricky so stay alert. I've never done the by-pass but if you're a little leary about pulling your rig through some tight lanes with construction barricades on both sides, consider that option at mile marker 362. As always, I-4 seems fine since you know you're within an hour of exit 67.

That's about all I can think of for now. Good Luck and safe traveling, y'all.

Yep, we come from just outside of D.C. and use diesel and try to use Flying J so we fuel up at Carmel Church, Va., Latta S.C., and Brunswick Ga. and then at the Hess main care care center at WDW. We have taken both the direct and bypass thru Jax. and prefer the bypass.

Larry

 

[jimlin]

Just north of downtown jax they are finishing up the widening to 6 lanes. Will take about 4 more months, this also included the new bridge. In the middle of town on I-95 they are replacing the freeway spilt of 95 south and the beginning of I10 going west. This is going to last at least another 2 years. Work south of this spot is down until you reach Palm Coast approximately 60 miles. All of the finished spots will be 6 lanes. When they finish this, the section of I95 all the way through Georgia and down to almost Daytona will be six lanes. This does require them to finish the Brunswick section in south Georgia. It's almost better to take the 9A route around the east side of Jax as it is complete except for one spot at JtB expressway, requiring a one light stop here. Be careful about unmarked plain looking sedans and suv's the FHP uses. Slow down and not get a ticket.

Jim

 

[jimlin]

Jim

 

[wdwbound]

Have to agree with Larry, the by pass is the way to go. In 2005 we discovered this by accident when we stopped one night at the Flamingo RV Resort on one of the first exits off of the by pass. We continued on the by pass and we pleased not to hit any construction like in Jacksonville and use it every year we go to FW.

 

[DznyRulz]

Yep, we come from just outside of D.C. and use diesel and try to use Flying J so we fuel up at Carmel Church, Va., Latta S.C., and Brunswick Ga. and then at the Hess main care care center at WDW. We have taken both the direct and bypass thru Jax. and prefer the bypass.

Wow, I was just about to write the same thing except I would change diesel to gas and I've never taken the bypass. For some reason I kinda like driving through Jax. Maybe it's the view of the city, I don't know. Maybe it's because when I drive through it is usually on a Sunday morning so there's not much traffic to turn me off. I'm happy to read that the construction north of Jax will be finishing up soon. It can get a little tight. Out of curiosity, what is the bypass?

 

[jimlin]

Driving north to south if you take the 295 bypass you go the longer way around the west side of jacksonville also cross over I-10 ending up south of downtown jax. If you take the 9A going around the east side of jacksonville, you still have one light to stop at as they are working on the last interchange on this eastern bypass. You can get on either one at the same spot on 95, and there is talk that both will be later named I295 when everything is done.

Sunday mornings wouldn't be a problem going straight through Jax right now even with the large interchange in the heart of jax being replaced.

Jim

 

[stacktester]

Driving north to south if you take the 295 bypass you go the longer way around the west side of jacksonville also cross over I-10 ending up south of downtown jax. If you take the 9A going around the east side of jacksonville, you still have one light to stop at as they are working on the last interchange on this eastern bypass. You can get on either one at the same spot on 95, and there is talk that both will be later named I295 when everything is done.

Sunday mornings wouldn't be a problem going straight through Jax right now even with the large interchange in the heart of jax being replaced.

Jim

I've always tried to promote going around the bypass way. We have a beautiful skyline here no doubt. If you want to come thru Jax do it between 10:00 and 4:00 as traffic is really a cluster during peak times. I'll see about measuring the 9A and 295 routes. I live about 1 mile from the traffic light that was mentioned and that area is getting better. 6 months ago I'd have told you you were crazy to go thru that area.

 

[tandemteam]

that area is getting better. 6 months ago I'd have told you you were crazy to go thru that area.

Unless you try to go JTB east at that interchange.

I'm also not sure about the mileage, probably a tossup as to which way to go. Depending on time of day I would probably choose the 9A side as opposed to having to go over the Buckman. Seems like a wreck anywhere from Blanding to San Jose and that road is trashed for hours.

 

[LarryJ]

Wow, I was just about to write the same thing except I would change diesel to gas and I've never taken the bypass. For some reason I kinda like driving through Jax. Maybe it's the view of the city, I don't know. Maybe it's because when I drive through it is usually on a Sunday morning so there's not much traffic to turn me off. I'm happy to read that the construction north of Jax will be finishing up soon. It can get a little tight. Out of curiosity, what is the bypass?

The bypass is I-295 that you catch somewhere around the airport to the north and goes south. We lived in Jax back in the early 70's when I was stationed at Mayport (first duty station) so the view is second in priority, plus this last time we stayed at the FamCamp at NAS Jax and plan to stay there again during our Oct trip down south maybe for a week and hit some of the old haunts/places and do some general revisiting of places long past.

Larry

 

[stacktester]

Mayport is close to me and closer to Tandem. Hanna Park is right outside the gate if you decide to stay there for a couple days. My grandfather was stationed at Mayport as well for many years plus did 23 more with Jax Shipyards at Mayport.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Mayport is close to me and closer to Tandem. Hanna Park is right outside the gate if you decide to stay there for a couple days. My grandfather was stationed at Mayport as well for many years plus did 23 more with Jax Shipyards at Mayport.

Your Grandfather may have known my Grandfather. He was a surgeon in the Navy and retired in Jacksonville.

 

[DznyRulz]

... I was stationed at Mayport (first duty station)

Ahh, a former squid. I thought there was something I liked about you besides our close proximity. I like squids so much I married one. BTW, I think I found a photo of you taken during your younger years.

 

[jimlin]

Thought I would mention this about the bypass around jax. I saw the new large signs that will be going up on the northside of town showing 295/9A. The new name will be 295Beltway and it will be desinated as east or west depending on which way you go around coming toward town from the north. I haven't seen the new signs on the south end of town. They are waiting for the road expansion between trout river and the 295 interchange to finish, along with the new trout river bridge. I've driven both routes in my daily deliveries and I am pretty sure that the eastern side is shorter and I know it isn't as crammed with big rigs as many of the industrial parks are on the west side along with the I-10 connection.

Jim

 

[RvUsa]

SO, to sum it up for those of us from northern climes, I am coming thru on sunday night, which way should I go?