VB to MIA, do I take I95?

[Pootle]

I hope this doesn't sound like a stupid question. My map (and Rand McNally online) show I95 as the best route to take to MIA but after a recent trip down as far as Everglades Parkway (Alligator Alley) I saw a lot of roadworks and hold ups and wondered if I might be better travelling on the Turnpike.

Rand McNally shows the journey to be about 3 hours but I'm planning to allow at least 6 (me, anxious, what gave you that idea?) setting off from VB mid morning on a Friday in March. Any comments or reassurance would be much appreciated.

 

[JimMIA]

To some degree, it depends on where you are going in Miami, but I would take the Florida Turnpike rather than I-95. On 95, you are going to have a lot of traffic in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Ft. Lauderdale, and then you are going to go right through the worst traffic in Miami.

If you let me know specifically where you are headed, I can give you better input -- but do it quick, because I'm out of town for a week starting tomorrow.

 

[Pootle]

Oh thanks so much for your response. It's the airport itself we'll be heading for. I normally use MCO but this time we're taking a direct flight back to London from Miami. I plan to be at the airport by 5 pm for an 8 pm departure.

 

[JimMIA]

Okay...here's what I would do. Forget I-95.

Take the Florida Turnpike south past Boca Raton. Just south of Hillsboro Blvd in Deerfield Beach, you will come to the Sawgrass Expressway (State Road 869).

Take 869 for 12.6 miles (it goes west for a few miles around Coral Springs, and then turns south). 869 feeds into I-75 southbound at the interchange of I-75, I-595, and 869, west of Ft. Lauderdale. You don't have to do anything, just stay in the middle lane and you will find yourself on I-75 southbound.

Proceed south on I-75 11.2 miles. When you PASS the exits for Miramar Parkway, get in the right lane and look for the next exit. That will take you back to the Florida Turnpike southbound (actually, it's the Homestead extension of the Turnpike)

Take the Turnpike south to State Road 836 (Dolphin Expressway) (+/- 13 miles).

Go east (the only choice) on 836 to the airport (+/- 10 miles). When you get alongside the airport, move to the left lane and stay there - that lane will exit toward the airport.

The actual airport entrance is a hard right just after the overpass with the airport sign on it. However, the rental car returns are all off-site, so you'll continue a little further and watch for the signs on your right (east side of the road - it will be obvious).

This route will take you around most of the West Palm Beach traffic, and all of the traffic from Ft. Lauderdale south, and also away from the less-desireable areas on the north side of Miami.

It's a few miles longer than I-95, but will probably take you at least an hour less to drive. You should be able to make it in 3 hours easily, unless you are traveling during morning rush hour. If you are traveling in rush hour, this is still a far better route, but I'd add an hour.

 

[JimMIA]

Please note the edit above; I had the distance from the Turnpike to MIA airport wrong.

 

[Pootle]

That is absolutely brilliant - thank you so very much for your effort and your time, it is truly appreciated.