Jacksonville Bypass

[DisneyFan0304]

I was looking at a map and noticed a road -- I think it was I-295 -- that veers off from I-95 to go around Jacksonville. Is this road open? Does it save you any time/hassle? The last couple of times we drove, it seemed that getting through Jacksonville was the worst part of the trip.

Thanks!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Getting through Jacksonville should really not be a problem unless you're doing it during rush hour or on a Sunday before or after a Jaguars game. Using I-95 is thus the fastest route most of the time.

But otherwise I-295 is OPEN around the west side of Jacksonville and just about always flows quite nicely. What will be I-295 around the east side of Jacksonville is currently signed as SR 9A and is mostly open except for one short stretch that has traffic lights. This section will actually be quicker in the future because it doesn't deviate as far away from I-95 as the western loop does.

BobK/Orlando

 

[DisneyFan0304]

Thanks for the information. I guess I'll just stay on I-95 then.

 

[boBQuincy]

I run these routes a lot and second what King Bob says, straight through JAX is probably quickest most of the time. The Eastern bypass is a whole lot more scenic and has higher speed limits, but don't do it if you have a fear of high bridges!

 

[Uncleromulus]

We always take the bypass. I-95 thru JAcksonvlle is a horrible road, reminding me a lot of the Jones Falls XPWY in Baltimore. In Jacksonville (on the trip down to WDW) you already know about the "left turn"-- where you have to come almost to a complete stop and turn left to stay on the Interstate!! Truly an amazing piece of construction..
After using I-95 twice (early on Saturday mornings) and very nearly getting rear-ended both times (at the left turn) by locals in no mood to slow down, we've done the bypass ever since.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

In Jacksonville (on the trip down to WDW) you already know about the "left turn"-- where you have to come almost to a complete stop and turn left to stay on the Interstate!! After using I-95 twice (early on Saturday mornings) and very nearly getting rear-ended both times (at the left turn) by locals in no mood to slow down, we've done the bypass ever since.

Maybe you almost got rear-ended because you're stopping on an expressway. Near downtown Jacksonville on I-95 southbound there is a junction where you turn right to go onto I-10 westbound or left to stay on I-95 southbound. But this is clearly signed far ahead of time and these are not 90-degree turns; the ramps flow to whichever way you choose. Unless you're in rush hour crawling traffic, there is no reason to "come almost to a complete stop".

BobK/Orlando

 

[Uncleromulus]

Disneyfan:
For what it's worth, the last 3 AAA Trip-Ticks we got routed us around Jacksonville via the bypass. Also routed us around Richmond on that bypass.

 

[dis-happy]

I loathe driving through downtown JAX on the 95. It's a rotten freeway. We prefer taking the 9A unless it's a really bad time of day and then we take the 295. Even if it's a bit longer it's a much more pleasant (and safer) drive.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Disneyfan:
For what it's worth, the last 3 AAA Trip-Ticks we got routed us around Jacksonville via the bypass. Also routed us around Richmond on that bypass.

I-295 definitely works and it would be unusual to get caught in traffic on that road unless there is an accident. SR 9A (Future I-295) also works and has the very scenic Dames Point Bridge to go over.

BobK/Orlando

 

[jimmytammy]

The last couple of trips down, we took the bypass. For me, it doesnt seem any longer. That other road sounds intriguing. I may give that a try on our ride down this Sun.

 

[boBQuincy]

Looking at some maps, both the Eastern and Western bypasses are longer than going through town on I-95. The Western bypass is considerably longer. If you don't like traffic I suggest taking the bypasses but even going through JAX seems good compared to I-4 in Orlando!

Both bypasses have higher speed limits and usually less traffic also.
As King Bob noted, check the Jaguars schedule before going through town. Also check the Daytona schedule, race weeks and bike weeks can tie up traffic on I-95 for hours.

 

[Unifan]

They are going full bore on construction from 2 to 3 lanes on I-95 around mile marker 49 to just south of exit 29 going both ways. Traffic can be bad if wrong time of day. Also gas is around 2.56 a gallon at exit 29 Gas is higher in florida so fill up before you get into florida.

 

[I Love Pluto]

295 was great around Jacksonville. I also "noticed" the high bridge!

 

[boBQuincy]

295 was great around Jacksonville. I also "noticed" the high bridge!

That's the "Napoleon Bonaparte Broward bridge at Dames Point:

Definitely not one for those with a fear of heights!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Disneyfan:
For what it's worth, the last 3 AAA Trip-Ticks we got routed us around Jacksonville via the bypass. Also routed us around Richmond on that bypass.

I just got a new triptik in the mail yesterday and checked out what they had routed for us:
Straight down 95, but it does say Construction Delays Possible

Hope this helps someone

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

For anyone WANTING to include the pictured bridge in their journey, please note that bridge is not on I-95 or the I-295 westside beltway. That bridge is on SR 9A which in the future will be the I-295 eastside beltway. The road is of interstate highway standards except for a small section which is still under construction. That section is also 4-lanes but it has traffic lights.

As you come south from Georgia the SR 9A junction is at the same interchange where I-95 connects with I-295. I-295 goes west around Jacksonville while 9A goes east, including the beautiful bridge. The road connects back to I-95 well to the south of downtown Jacksonville, again at the junction where I-295 reconnects as well.

BobK/Orlando