PSA: If you are driving to Orlando from the North

[torinsmom]

There is SO MUCH construction! I nearly pulled my hair out! There was about a 10 mile stretch in SC where they were painting the lines and only the left land was open. Half the cones were down, which made it very treacherous, especially in the dark on the rain(yes they were still working) Then I-95South was closed in Jacksonville. They had these tiny little signs showing you where to detour. WTH? This is a major highway. Anyway,the detour ended up being I10 West, then exit at Lenox and follow signs to I10 East to 95 South. Lots of construction between Jacksonville and Orlando as well, with the concrete barricades. Let's just say that between the construction, the storms and the big rigs, a trip that should have taken 9 hours took 10 1/2!

Marsha

 

[Mickey527]

Thanks for the warning. I am leaving on Saturday for a two week trip. We are driving through the night and should arrive in Florida around 3 am but will still try and work out an alternative route. I usually drive I-95 to I-4. Would you recommend I totally avoid I-95 through SC and FL?

 

[dejr_8]

Was the 95 detour in Jacksonville a temporary one?
Could you take 295 to avoid it?

 

[SandrainNC]

Yep. We actually hit both this trip during non-rush hour traffic so it wasn't too bad. The same construction was going on last June too and DH actually went the wrong way in Jacksonville it was so messed up then and he didn't realize it for a few minutes and then was like, this doesn't look right. We don't think they are ever going to finish any of it.

Sandra

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I feel your pain

We drove from NJ to Myrtle Beach on memorial day weekend... so much construction. There was a stretch of 95 in either Virginia or NC that was down to one lane for a few miles and I swear they were watering the road No construction vehicles other than big water tankers and a few guys out with hoses watering down the road

 

[torinsmom]

I had construction around the same area when I drover 2 years ago as well, LOL! Seems like they will never be done! I just wanted drivers to be prepared, because usually by that time I am already so tired that I didn't appreciate all the drama.



I would not go back roads to avoid SC. It is more annoying than anything. It was worse for us because there were terrible thunderstorms. It was around 10 miles of construction, I would say. Supposedly, they were painting, so hopefully they will be done by this weekend.

As far as Jacksonville, just be aware that the cones will veer you off onto I-10(I believe you will be sent onto I-10 West) It is only for a few miles and then you will exit onto Lenox(detour sign was tiny and covered by a bush) I don't know the exit number, but maybe someone can find it. We missed it, and took the next exit, got back on I-10 East to get back to it, only to find out it took us back to I-10 East anyway. So.....if you miss the exit, take the next one and get onto I-10East and you will see the exit for I-95 South a few miles up the road.

***If I was wrong and the detour is I-10 East, just switch everything, LOL

Marsha

 

[torinsmom]

I feel your pain

We drove from NJ to Myrtle Beach on memorial day weekend... so much construction. There was a stretch of 95 in either Virginia or NC that was down to one lane for a few miles and I swear they were watering the road No construction vehicles other than big water tankers and a few guys out with hoses watering down the road

Maybe they were watering the road before they painted it? I bet it was that same area we hit in SC. I was also surprised that large sections of 95 through SC do NOT have reflectors. It was very hard staying in my lane during the downpours with big rigs flying by. I was much more impressed with GA and FL in that respect.

Marsha

 

[ndelaware]

There is always construction somewhere on 95.

I can't believe you didn't run into any problems in northern Virginia. They have been working on 95 there since the early 90's.

 

[BMNABrinx]

We drove down to Daytona Beach last week and almost the entire state of GA, from top to bottom, was under road construction! The speed limit went from 40 to 70 miles per hour. It was a perfect speed trap!

 

[wall*e2008]

On Monday they are altering the I95/I895 slit. If they are on schedule on Monday, 7/13 all I895 traffic will exit from the right (2 lanes) and I95 will stay left (3 lanes). Up to now I95 exited from the right (3 lanes) and I895 exited from the left (2 lanes). I expect this to cause mass confusion.

 

[wall*e2008]

I feel your pain

We drove from NJ to Myrtle Beach on memorial day weekend... so much construction. There was a stretch of 95 in either Virginia or NC that was down to one lane for a few miles and I swear they were watering the road No construction vehicles other than big water tankers and a few guys out with hoses watering down the road

They were putting water on the recently poured concrete. If concrete dries out too soon it will crack and be ruined. It needs to be kept cooled down so the heat from the inside will dissipate.

 

[torinsmom]

There is always construction somewhere on 95.

I can't believe you didn't run into any problems in northern Virginia. They have been working on 95 there since the early 90's.

I was coming from NC, so didn't go through VA. I did hit come construction when I went to DC a few weeks ago though.

Marsha

 

[disneyatl]

We drove down to Daytona Beach last week and almost the entire state of GA, from top to bottom, was under road construction! The speed limit went from 40 to 70 miles per hour. It was a perfect speed trap!

This is always the case in Georgia. You'd think they could work on one project at a time!