Alternate route to Florida ?

GrayBeard · Jan 25, 2005

In late Mar. I'm planning a trip to Fl. from Pa.
For whatever reason , I'd sooner take a beating than run I-95.
I was thinking about I-81 and some other routes. (I-72 ?)
Any suggestions ?
By the way, I'm heading for Gainsville / Ocala area.
Thanks,
GrayBeard

Gatorboy · Jan 25, 2005

Not sure where in PA you are, but I always take I-95. From my house (20 miles north of Baltimore) to Gainesville, takes me about 13-14 hours.

When I drive, I leave about 2a or 3a to avoid Baltimore, DC and Richmond morning rush-hours. Then it's clear sailing. When I head down to the Fort Myers area, I usually stop just over the GA/FL line, so I am off the highway by about 3p. Next morning, head out about 5a and arrive at my parents (1100 miles total) by 10a.

Soundguy · Jan 25, 2005

When / if you go by Ocala.. yell real loud, and wave south.

I'm in the summerfield area.

Soundguy

ByronBob · Jan 25, 2005

Take I-71 to I-75 through Ohio, Kentucky, Tenessee, Gaw ga, into Fla

This way the only mountain driving is through Tenn in 2 places. It's a nice road

Chuck52 · Jan 25, 2005

Of course, I75 takes you through both Knoxville and Atlanta. Some might see that as a disadvantage.

Chuck

GrayBeard · Jan 25, 2005

Thanks for the responses.
I 've got to look at a map again. I just wanted to avoid 95 but maybe that's the best way. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Soundguy,
I'm going to be at a small town south of Ocala for a while.
I'll have to check the name again.
GrayBeard

timb · Jan 25, 2005

As far as the top of the route goes...

I hate 95, especially around DC. Anytime I'm heading south from (western) PA I take I-70 out of Breezwood but drop off and take 519? down to Winchester, then basically 17 over to Frederick and re-connect with I-95 there. Generally as fast or faster than staying on the interstate, and avoids the whole DC thing. Gorgious country too - Shenandoa Valley and all.

But you do end up back on 95 eventually. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

OkeeDon · Jan 25, 2005

Like others have said, it's the Northern end of I-95 that's roughest, so a lot really depends on where you are in PA. I used to live in the Pgh. area, so I like (going the other direction) I-95 to I-26 in South Carolina, I-26 to I-77, and I-77 North through West Virginia.

Since you mention I-81, I'm going to guess that you might be from the middle of PA -- Harrisburg/York area -- and, if so, I might suggest you take I-81 to I-77 in SW Virginia, then take the reverse of my route -- from I-77 to I-26 in Columbia to I-95. Then, you just have a little over 200 miles on I-95 to get to Jacksonville, and it's decent road with no major cities until Jacksonville.

When I got to Florida, I'd take I-10 West a few miles to 301, then take 301 straight down to Ocala. You'll run into a few small towns where you have to slow down, but 301 is pretty good road. A lot of trucks use that as an alternate route.

Not sure where I-72 is; but even numbered interstates generally run East-West -- I'd have to find it on a map to see how that gets you towards Florida.

aardvark · Jan 25, 2005

I've driven it a bunch of different ways, and I believe the fastest is I95. When I lived in Atlanta, I'd take I85 to I77 to I95, to Garden State Pky, to NJ Tpk, to NY Thruway, to I84, to Taconic Pky, and whatever roads were required between them to get to Poughkeepsie, NY. From Atlanta to Poughkeepsie, would be around 18 hours. To Poughkeepsie from West Palm Beach FL, I just go I95 the whole way, to the Deleware Bridge, through the NJ routes, etc. Takes about 24 hours. Driving from Atlanta to West Palm via I75, to the FL Tpk is about a 10 hour drive. If you come in through Atlanta and then down, I suspect you will in the car alot longer. Maybe when you get to the congested areas like DC and just stop and sit in a resuraunt for a while until rush hour ends? That might not work real well though, in the real bad areas.

edit - Actually, I've driven 301 to 24 between Jacksonville and Gainesville a few times also. It's an easy drive from what I remember.

GrayBeard · Jan 26, 2005

okee,
You're right ; I think it was I-77 not 72.
I live pretty much dead center of the state ( State College, Pa.)
I may try the I-81 route.
I have used 95 but most times when I have; it's bumper to bumper and alot of folks driving like they're on some kind of "mind altering substance".
Using 95 isn't a "game breaker", just wanted to get some of your opinions.
Thanks again all,
GrayBeard