[OpusX1]

All the ways mentioned are good. We have been on all of them. I75 to 10 is good if the traffic is light and you don't run into any accidents. We used to travel Rt 19 up to 295 and it is a good easy drive but there is a great Bbq joint in Green Cove Springs that always cost us at least 45 minutes. So now if we have to travel north we get on 75 to Rt 326 just north of Ocala, catch 301 north as the two speed trap towns were forced to disband there police forces two years ago, we still go the speed limit in Waldo I think because of habit. I prefer to average about 55mph with little traffic than than 78 down to 25 that you run into on 75. I don't think there is more than twenty minutes difference on any of the ways just personal preference.

[joldnol]

Originally Posted by JerryLBell

I've thought about this route but never knew what the roads going through the Ocala National Forest were like. Maybe next time... Thanks!

The roads and traffic are great. You even get to see wildlife sometimes

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

Make sure you take the I-295 Loop (I can't recall if it now says N, S, E or W Loop...as it was/is a bit confusing) but I believe it does say 'To Airport.' The exit for the new 9B that takes you to I-295 should be well marked by now.

As of this July, it looks like 9B off of I-95 North IS open, but the sign doesn't say anything about the airport on Google View...(in the attached photo it just says Jax Beaches).

Regardless, it is exit 333 and you will want to take this as it is a straight shot to I-295 and circumvents downtown Jacksonville to the east...and comes back into I-95 right near the Jacksonville airport.

Hope all this helps.

BTW, you didn't really make it clear, but you are talking about going from The Villages to the FL/GA line on 95...correct?

If you're coming FROM the border to TV, then ALL directions are to be reversed...and you're probably really confused by now.

[affald]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

I have made that same trip more times than I can count and the attached photo is the fastest way I have found...hands down.

301 will show up on most GPS' as 'the fastest,' but there are so many traffic lights, and often traffic (not to mention speed traps), that it ALWAYS turns out 30-40 minutes longer than the original estimate on the GPS...and you can literally stew in frustration watching your ETA change regularly.

The route I'm showing, takes you through Ocala National Forest where there is a wide two lane, with lots of straightaways to pass if you're unfortunate to get stuck behind a slower vehicle.

To keep from being fooled by your GPS and if you're not familiar with the route, go over to Home Depot on 441, first plug in Salt Springs (make sure it's showing Hwy 25), then Palatka, then St. Augustine to get you to I-95.

Once going north on I-95, punch in Kingsland, GA (making sure that it shows the I-295 loop around Jax and not I-95 through downtown Jax).

I guarantee that 99 times out of 100...this will be your fastest route.

Have a safe trip. [emoji106]

I like that route. Have you ever gone due north from Palatka on 17 to 295 instead of going getting on 95 at St. Augustine? 17 looks very direct but I never took it.

[joldnol]

Originally Posted by affald

I like that route. Have you ever gone due north from Palatka on 17 to 295 instead of going getting on 95 at St. Augustine? 17 looks very direct but I never took it.

17 will take you a while from green cove to 295. ( solid traffic lights for 15 miles) 295 west is also longer than 295 east from 95

[affald]

Originally Posted by joldnol

17 will take you a while from green cove to 295. ( solid traffic lights for 15 miles) 295 west is also longer than 295 east from 95

Thanks, I will only use that option as a last resort if 95n has horrible traffic.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by affald

I like that route. Have you ever gone due north from Palatka on 17 to 295 instead of going getting on 95 at St. Augustine? 17 looks very direct but I never took it.

DON'T DO IT!

Besides the plethora of traffic lights past Green Cove Springs, once you get near I-295 it can take 15 minutes...AFTER you're within eyeball distance of the I-295 overpass.

And you have to work your way over to the far right lane (only the far right lane can exit) at least a mile before you get to the exit...because people will not let you in (I think they get tired of line jumpers who try to cut in front to reduce their wait time).

Conversely, if you do get in the right lane early enough there will be those that try to cut right in front of you...if you leave more than three feet between your front bumper and the car in front of you.

It's been over a year since I've went that way, so maybe they've made two turn lanes since...but I doubt it.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by joldnol

17 will take you a while from green cove to 295. ( solid traffic lights for 15 miles) 295 west is also longer than 295 east from 95

Agreed.

[cms36]

I'm coming from VA so just thought starting from the GA border was a good place to start the discussion. As we all see here, lots of opinions and choices. Thanks everybody for the replies.

[Jaggy]

Originally Posted by John_W

One thing to keep in mind when traveling off the interstate at night, that is if you plan to arrive about 8pm or later. Ocala Nat'l Forest has the highest count of black bears in the state, not to mention deer.

and no cell phone service.. but I agree it is the fastest route.. ( watch out for patrol) we got a speeding ticket in the forest.. you think you are the only car and boom you are speeding with blue lights behind you !!!!

[Opmoochler]

Originally Posted by collie1228

This is how I do it too. More miles, maybe less time, certainly a lot less hassle. I'll never travel 301 from Jacksonville again.

Absolutely! 301 is too aggravating.

[Dutchman]

Originally Posted by joldnol

17 will take you a while from green cove to 295. ( solid traffic lights for 15 miles) 295 west is also longer than 295 east from 95

I use 17 and have never had any major problem, again depends on time-of-day. I usually figure about 2.5 hours from 362B onto 295 to Spanish Springs. 17/19 thru the forest, 314, 314A, 464C, 113th St, 145th Ave, and 25 to Griffin Ave. Reverse to 95.

[joldnol]

When you come into green cove, take a right onto sr 16. You drive by the old navy base which is now an industrial park. You can even see an old shuttle fuel tank along the river. After you cross the river, you go north on sr 13 for a mile and hang a right on cr 210 (the signs say to I 95). Take 95 north for a few miles until you come to 9B. 9B (brand new road) will take you to 295 east beltway. Straight shot to 95 north of jax. I lived in jax for 37 years before becoming a village idiot. This is the shortest least stressful way.