Is there a beach near I-75 and the RR Turnpike to Orlando?

[DSLRuser]

The kids want to go to the beach. Since our condo check in isn't supposed to be untill 4:00pm, I thought about looking for a beach to stop at on our way down. Some place east of I-75 and Floridas Turnpike.

Trying to avoid going all the way to tampa and st. pete beach.

Thanks if anyone knows.

 

[cruisingkat]

I don't think there is one that close to I75. If you look at the map, I75 runs through the middle of FL from GA to the tollway and then veers toward the Gulf after the tollway exit not getting close until near Tampa.
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[anniemck]

I-75 heading south from GA forks off West to Tampa/St. Pete to the right and Turnpike to the left... not a beach around there, however there are several parks in the area that have swimming. Otherwise it is 50 miles east to the Atlantic Ocean beaches.

 

[DSLRuser]

I realize i-75 is a good 50 miles from the coast there. an extra 100 mile round trip detour to a beach is better than a 250 mile detour if we have to go into tampa.

 

[grimley1968]

The closest you come to a beach would actually be in Orlando. Just get on the B-Line (528) and ride about 1-1.5 hour to Cocoa Beach. Yes, it's at the end of the trip to WDW, but it's closer and faster than any alternative taking you west before getting on the turnpike.

 

[LadyBeBop]

I wouldn't go all the way into Orlando and hit Cocoa Beach. Once I hit Lake City (where you meet I-10,), I'd take I-10 towards Jacksonville, then go around Jacksonville on I-295 south (the outer belt), then take I-95 south to either St. Augustine Beach or Daytona Beach. From the beach, take I-4 out of Daytona until you hit Orlando and WDW.

By going that route, it's only about 70 miles (an hour and 20 minutes) longer, than if you went directly from Lake City to WDW.

 

[grimley1968]

I wouldn't go all the way into Orlando and hit Cocoa Beach. Once I hit Lake City (where you meet I-10,), I'd take I-10 towards Jacksonville, then go around Jacksonville on I-295 south (the outer belt), then take I-95 south to either St. Augustine Beach or Daytona Beach. From the beach, take I-4 out of Daytona until you hit Orlando and WDW.

By going that route, it's only about 70 miles (an hour and 20 minutes) longer, than if you went directly from Lake City to WDW.

This would be a 230 mile detour, going from Lake City, around Jacksonville, down to Daytona, and then back west to WDW.

Going from Ocoee (about where you get into the outskirts of NW Orlando) to Cocoa Beach, and then back over to WDW is about a 144 mile round trip.

I stand by my recommendation. Yes, the trip to WDW is about over by the time you get on the B-Line, but it's still a much shorter trip and doesn't involve getting on I-95 at any point. Going to Jacksonville via I-10 is much further out of the way by comparison.

 

[DSLRuser]

Everyone's a genius. lol

Seriously. I know all these things. I don't want to go to the east coast because it will be early march, the gulf water will be a little warmer.

Looking to stay on the west coast also because we stop in Ocala for breakfast around 8:00am, we would like to hit the closet beach to that area.

I guess from this thread and google, the beach I want does not exist. thanks everyone.

 

[grimley1968]

Everyone's a genius. lol

Seriously. I know all these things. I don't want to go to the east coast because it will be early march, the gulf water will be a little warmer.

Looking to stay on the west coast also because we stop in Ocala for breakfast around 8:00am, we would like to hit the closet beach to that area.

I guess from this thread and google, the beach I want does not exist. thanks everyone.

The problem is that you're heading southeast on I-75, and even more southeast on RR. Ocala isn't all that far from some state parks, etc. on the gulf. But those state parks, etc. are for swampy inlets, wildlife refuges, etc. not for sandy beaches. Cedar Key looks to be about the closest to Ocala as a crow flies (but not as the roads go). I don't think there's an actual beach there, though. The lay of the land just doesn't allow it there. And the roads to that area would not be good. You don't get to any good beaches until you get to some areas just north of Tampa. There are some excellent state park types of beaches in that area, but you mentioned you don't want to drive down that far on I-75. Other than that, to stay on the gulf side, it's I-10 over to the panhandle.