Route from Jacksonville to the fort

[biw314]

Can anyone give advice on the best route to take from Jacksonville to Fort Wilderness? Our two best options are taking 17B to 19 through the Ocala National Forest or taking route 95 to route 4 into Orlando. We'd like to avoid 95 because it gets busy, but want to make sure route 19 is an okay route to tow our trailer through.

 

[North of Mouse]

Can anyone give advice on the best route to take from Jacksonville to Fort Wilderness? Our two best options are taking 17B to 19 through the Ocala National Forest or taking route 95 to route 4 into Orlando. We'd like to avoid 95 because it gets busy, but want to make sure route 19 is an okay route to tow our trailer through.

Personally, we prefer I-95 to I-4 through Orlando, then signs to WDW. We have a MH and tow and this is by far the easiest and "maybe" closest way to get there. We like to take the MK exit through the toll booth (don't have to pay), veer right and a couple miles to the Fort on left. If you are towing, it's hard to come from the opposite direction and turn right, because the road angles. Have fun Since the construction in Jacksonville is finished, it's much easier to navigate, just try to hit Jacksonville and Orlando at less busy times if possible. We never have much trouble with traffic if we watch the rush hour times. Also, you are better off going around Jacksonville on the east side. It's not called interstate, but is just like one. Actually, was just looking at a map, and the same map calls it hwy 9 and I-295 - go figure!!! It's to the east, anyway, and much better around Jacksonville!!

 

[CDNCruiser]

Also, you are better off going around Jacksonville on the east side. It's not called interstate, but is just like one. Actually, was just looking at a map, and the same map calls it hwy 9 and I-295

Agreed . . . It's called 9A and it's a better route than I-95 or I-295.

 

[flbmcman]

Can anyone give advice on the best route to take from Jacksonville to Fort Wilderness? Our two best options are taking 17B to 19 through the Ocala National Forest or taking route 95 to route 4 into Orlando. We'd like to avoid 95 because it gets busy, but want to make sure route 19 is an okay route to tow our trailer through.

19 is OK, but is 2 lane with little towns

First thing, the state has changed the name of SR 9A. It is now I-295(change made in the last 10 days)

The other, other route to take is the one that I take MOST of the time, and I live in N Jacksonville.

If you are coming from N. of Jacksonville on I-95, take I-295 towards I-10. Then take I-10W, towards Lake City, until you reach US 301. Take US 301 S to just N. of Ocala. Turn right (W) on 326. This will take you to I-75. Entrance to 75 is a RIGHT HAND ramp, so stay in the right lane. Take 75 to Wildwood, get into MIDDLE LANE and enter the FL TURNPIKE. This is a TOLL ROAD, but is not bad for the distance/driveability. From the turnpike, you will have 2 options--Take 429S to the W. Disney entrance, or go to I-4 and go S. to the EPCOT exit. I mostly use the 429 way. Again, this is a TOLL road, but lightly traveled.

 

[biw314]

Tried 19. Not bad. The road itself was great but it ends well before Disney and you have to muck around for the last 40 or so miles.

 

[tinah159]

9A has been changed to I295!

 

[storyteller]

yup, that works best....

 

[gunnert]

Being close to Yankee country we use the old 9A now I295 going east of Jacksonville, nice road and LESS crowded!!! You will hit I95 then take exit to I4 (260). I use Exit 67 staying to the right and follow signs saying Downtown Disney, keep in the center lane and go straight on Bonnet Creek Parkway, until you come to a Tee in the road, make a left there are signs saying Fort Wilderness. Give yourself a little room to make a right to check-in in right lane. We drive a 38ft A with a toad behind. This saves having to go thur parking plaza and the traffic there.

 

[North of Mouse]

Being close to Yankee country we use the old 9A now I295 going east of Jacksonville, nice road and LESS crowded!!! You will hit I95 then take exit to I4 (260). I use Exit 67 staying to the right and follow signs saying Downtown Disney, keep in the center lane and go straight on Bonnet Creek Parkway, until you come to a Tee in the road, make a left there are signs saying Fort Wilderness. Give yourself a little room to make a right to check-in in right lane. We drive a 38ft A with a toad behind. This saves having to go thur parking plaza and the traffic there.

The problem we had with this route from Orlando is the right turn is VERY difficult if you are a very long rig w/tow. Going through the parking plaza is a breeze and you also get to see the large "Magic Kingdom" sign. But, otherwise the I-95 route (going E. around Jacksonville) is the best. All those turns and tolls from hwy. 301 are not fun, plus it seems a lot farther. We've never had that much traffic on I-95 from JAX to I-4, after all we have to go on it a long way already to even get that far (the interstate everyone has to travel, but we all love to hate it - justifiably) Good travels