I-95 vs. I-295

[donaldsgal]

We're driving from north central Ohio to Disney in about 5 weeks. This will be our third time driving, and we always take I-95 per our Trip Tik. Now we have a Garmin GPS device, but I suspect it will still take us on I-95. I have a friend who lives in Jacksonville, and she suggested we taken I-295. I don't see a reason to, but I figured I'd ask the powers that be here on the Transportation board.

If it makes a difference, here's some additional information: we're leaving Ohio around 7 PM on Sunday night of May 3. We're driving straight through. Per Google maps, it will take about 13.5 hours. That means we'll be hitting Jax around 8:30-9:30 AM (depending on traffic and if we end up leaving Ohio a bit later than we planned). We are planning to meet the Jax friend for breakfast. When is rush hour on a Monday morning around Jacksonville? I assumed it would be over by 8, but my sister thinks it will last till 9.

Any input would be highly appreciated!

 

[dacky041208]

I must be missing something, isn't 295 just a work around so you don't take I95 through DC and Richmond? I don't think you can take 295 all the way to Florida or anything. But personally, anytime I don't need to be on 95, I'm happy to take the 495 and 295 circles.

 

[donaldsgal]

I must be missing something, isn't 295 just a work around so you don't take I95 through DC and Richmond? I don't think you can take 295 all the way to Florida or anything. But personally, anytime I don't need to be on 95, I'm happy to take the 495 and 295 circles.

I'm sorry for not being clear - she advised me to take I-295 around Jacksonville, not the whole trip. Obviously I need to take 95 otherwise since I-295 just detours around Jacksonville. Thanks!

 

[dacky041208]

I'm sorry for not being clear - she advised me to take I-295 around Jacksonville, not the whole trip. Obviously I need to take 95 otherwise since I-295 just detours around Jacksonville. Thanks!

gotcha. My personal experience is for Baltimore, DC and Richmond, and if it isn't late night/very early morning I take the circles around so I don't get stuck in traffic (which happens anyway). If your friend lives in Jacksonville, and they suggest it, I'd follow that. But as I said, I haven't driven that stretch myself, maybe someone else will have experience there.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

There are 8 different I-295's along the eastern seaboard scattered across 9 states plus the District of Columbia. And of course one of those is the western beltway around Jacksonville. If you hit town around 9am or later just stay on I-95 through downtown JAX. From 7am to 9am you'd probably be best to use I-295. This decision would of course be impacted on where you meet your friend for breakfast.

BobK/Orlando

ps-You might also consider the shorter eastern beltway which is the same road as I-295 but looping east. It is currently signed as SR 9A because there is one section still with traffic lights. Once finished it will be re-signed as I-295 at which time Jacksonville will have a complete beltway around it. I mention this route because it takes you over the Dames Point Bridge, a huge suspension bridge. Adds a little excitement to the trip.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dames_Point_Bridge

 

[Robert P]

ITA. The bridge going East is pretty impressive.

 

[donaldsgal]

Thanks everyone. Going through Jacksonville, I'm given 15 hours 59 minutes by Google maps (the Garmin seems to line up with this). Taking I-295/9A makes it 16 hours 2 minutes, and I-295 W is 16 hours 8 minutes. Since I'm not sure about when we'll hit Jax (we'll obviously know better as we drive 77 and see what traffic there is as well as what time we actually leave on Sunday night), I-295/9A is a viable option. My sister will probably HATE the suspension bridge - she hates driving over them - but I doubt I'd mind it. Looks pretty cool! Thanks for all the advice. I was getting confused about another thread talking about take 429 instead of I-4, which seemed VERY out of the way. Then someone graciously pointed out that 429 is only a good option for those travelers who take 75 to Disney, not for those of us traveling 77 to 95.

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

We usually stay on I95 thru Jacksonville. They've done a lot of improvements through there. If you look at the map, I295 takes you west and then back east. Just adds more mileage to the trip.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I was getting confused about another thread talking about take 429 instead of I-4, which seemed VERY out of the way. Then someone graciously pointed out that 429 is only a good option for those travelers who take 75 to Disney, not for those of us traveling 77 to 95.

That's correct. TOLL 429 is part of Orlando's western beltway and since it doesn't yet hook up to I-4 north of Orlando, it is of no value for those coming south on I-95 and I-4. However, should your journey bring you to the Orlando metro during rush hour, you can consider our eastern beltway (TOLL 417) which does connect to I-4 at Sanford and ends back on I-4 near Disney.

BobK/Orlando

 

[donaldsgal]

That's correct. TOLL 429 is part of Orlando's western beltway and since it doesn't yet hook up to I-4 north of Orlando, it is of no value for those coming south on I-95 and I-4. However, should your journey bring you to the Orlando metro during rush hour, you can consider our eastern beltway (TOLL 417) which does connect to I-4 at Sanford and ends back on I-4 near Disney.

BobK/Orlando

Thanks. I checked that out on Google maps, and taking 417 adds about 15 minutes to the drive. Not a big deal, and if it's a big mess on the highway, we can consider it. Thanks again for the help!

 

[shafke]

We went through Jacksonville in Feb around late morning. There is some construction going on on I95 where the speed limit is reduced but we did not hit any traffic. I think it would come down to personal preference on staying on 95 or 295.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Thanks again for the help!

You're welcome. Have a great trip! Thanks for visiting; spend lots of money!

BobK/Orlando

 

[kathi29]

ps-You might also consider the shorter eastern beltway which is the same road as I-295 but looping east. It is currently signed as SR 9A because there is one section still with traffic lights. Once finished it will be re-signed as I-295 at which time Jacksonville will have a complete beltway around it. I mention this route because it takes you over the Dames Point Bridge, a huge suspension bridge. Adds a little excitement to the trip.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dames_Point_Bridge

I think that light is gone now!

To the OP, rush hour lasts until middle schools are in session. They start at 9, so any time after that the roads are a lot clearer.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I think that light is gone now!

I have heard that but have not verified it. I'm in JAX one night next week and will check it out. Will also check to see if the SR 9A signs are still up or whether the road has been resigned as I-295.

BobK/Orlando

 

[dis-happy]

I used to avoid the I-95 through Jacksonville at all costs, but the construction is winding down now and the past two times it hasn't been too bad taking it. Just don't try during rush hour times. Otherwise, I put my vote in for the 9A, much shorter than the 295, plus it's pretty.

 

[MouseketeerOvaHere]

I used to avoid the I-95 through Jacksonville at all costs, but the construction is winding down now and the past two times it hasn't been too bad taking it. Just don't try during rush hour times. Otherwise, I put my vote in for the 9A, much shorter than the 295, plus it's pretty.

Exactly, downtown I-95 can be a nightmare. They've been doing construction on that stretch of 95 since the 90's and depending on the traffic, it can be a HUGE headache. Last time I went through there (last September) it was a little better, no sitting in traffic but there was a lot of congestion downtown and at the I-10/I-95 junction. If you want to save the trouble of possibly running into a mess, take the I-295 route as your friend suggested. They definately know what they are talking about. Have a safe trip.