Which way to Tampa from Jax ?

[TheresaNY]

We are driving to Orlando but going to Tampa first to visit friends. Which is the best way to go : 95 South..to 295 (or skip that?)...to I 10....to Rt. 301...to I 75 ??????? Ot I95 to I 4 then straight over ?? How is 301 to Ocala ?? How long from Jacksonville to Tampa ?? Thank you !

 

[Robert P]

I would not suggest anyone go the 301 route. That area is one of the few 'speed enforcement zones' that is still noted by AAA. We went that way several years ago, and the radar detector literally went off 80% of the time.
It was scary.

The 95-S to I4-W route gives you 230 miles form the JAX bridge on 95S to the Tampa airport. Figure averaging 70 mph on a straight shot, without getting caught in traffic anyhere. That may be tough to pull off, though.
From Tampa airport back to WDW exit, going along I-4, is 72 miles, just FYI.

Hope some of that helps.
Robert P

 

[TheresaNY]

Thanks for the reply Robert ! What is the speed limit on 301? What type of road is it ? 4 lane ? 6 lane? Speeding isn't a problem for us....I'd just set the cruise control and go...I am more concerned about getting stuck in traffic on I4 in Orlando and losing a lot of time. Is the 301 route otherwise a direct route that is shorter? Is the road well maintained and marked well? How is picking up 75 in Ocala ??
Thanks again !

 

[Robert P]

As I recall. most of 301 was 4 lane. Maybe some 6 at the very utmost North end.
The problem, and what helps the various 'speed enforcers', is that there are many small towns with lots of stoplights along the way. And, the speed limit changes constantly between 35-45-55 mph. By no means is it a straight shot, and that is what adds to the speeding problems in that stretch.
Getting on 75 is pretty easy, once you get there.

If getting stuck on I-4 is a big concern, I would say jump on 10 across to 75 then come down that way. It's longer than the 301 route, but by the time you factor in all the start/stops and 35 mph zones on 301, the time will be similar. My in-laws take that route when heading to Sarasota, as they dislike the I-4 traffic. (Note: they don't do the 301 either, due to the constant starts/stops at all the lights.)

 

[TheresaNY]

Whoa !! I do NOT want a road with traffic lights and 35 mph zones !! I am so glad you told me !! Wow !!
Do you suggest I 10 to 75 over 95 to 4 ?? I know 95 to 4 very well and we were looking forward to a different route but by no means will we take a road with traffic lights. So, now it would just be whichever is quickest....which is which one ?

Thank you so, so much! I totally missed the fact that 301 is such local road!

 

[Robert P]

Yeah, those little towns along the way had quite alot of stoplights, and when you add in the many speed limit changes, it was a taxing stretch of road to drive, especially after having been moving well along on interstates all day until that point.

I would say that you are more likely to encounter traffic problems along I-4, so I would suggest the 10 across to 75 route. 75 seemed to have different scenery than 95 (more livestock farms and fruit trees), and was a nice change of view for us. (Plus, it's sort of a letdown to drive past the WDW exits going West on I-4, knowing you aren't stopping, and have to wait and come back later instead!)

Be safe, whichever route you take.
Have a great trip.