[cms36]

Hey all:
I know this is an often repeated subject but I want to be more specific. What is the fastest route from the FL/GA line on 95. I'm not looking for scenic, less speed traps, etc., just the fastest.
Thanks in advance!

[Rapscallion St Croix]

I've tried them all and 301 is still the fastest. We get off 95 at exit 373 Yulee and take 200 to Callahan where we pick up 301. We get off 301 at SR 326 and head to 75 where we get on at Exit 358. Then we take 75 down to Exit 341 (we live in the North part of TV).

[village dreamer]

95 to rt 10 to rt 75

[JerryLBell]

I've made the round-trip from the Raleigh area in NC to The Villages three or four times in the last 6 months. Taking 10 across all the way from Jacksonville to 75 and then heading down to The Villages definitely allows you to drive faster on average but you still have to drive quite a lot further. And if there's a traffic jam on 75, it's likely to be worse and last longer than 301. With that in mind, I find that 301 is faster, time-wise. It's still a nasty drive, what with the speed limit changing what seems like about every two miles and knowing that there are fine police officers scattered throughout all those little towns you drive through who would be more than happy to give you a little souvenir if they catch you going over the speed limit. My only consolation (for me, it doesn't do you any good) is that there won't be any more round trips for us as the next time we drive down, we'll be staying for good and not just visiting.

By the way, we (will) live at the south end so we'd expect the GPS to guide us to exit off 75 onto 44 but it has on one occasion taken us off 75 several miles north, then guided us on a scenic tour of the countryside before getting us where we wanted to be. After nearly 600 miles of driving that day, we were in no mood for scenery. Oh well. One more trip.

[bagboy]

95 S to 275 (west I think it says) to 10 W to 301 S. Stay on 301 S all the way towards Wildwood if going to the mid to southern part of The Villages. Or, continue S on 27/441 to the Spanish Springs area. From 27/441 you can go W on 42 to the far northern areas. Just my opinion, have a safe trip whichever route you take.

[Daddymac]

95 to 10 to 75

[collie1228]

Originally Posted by Daddymac

95 to 10 to 75

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.

[biker1]

95 to 295 to 10 to 301. If you are going to the southern part of The Villages, you will want to get on 75 from 301 and then off at 44. Use your cruise control on 301 and you won't have any issues.

Originally Posted by cms36

Hey all:
I know this is an often repeated subject but I want to be more specific. What is the fastest route from the FL/GA line on 95. I'm not looking for scenic, less speed traps, etc., just the fastest.
Thanks in advance!

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by biker1

95 to 295 to 10 to 301. If you are going to the southern part of The Villages, you will want to get on 75 from 301 and then off at 44. Use your cruise control on 301 and you won't have any issues.

Ah, I said 275 around Jacksonville... you are right...it's 295.

[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.

[JerryLBell]

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.

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

[cms36]

Thanks! Would you mind including the actual written directions as well? Its hard to see on the map some of the roads.

[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.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by cms36

Thanks! Would you mind including the actual written directions as well? Its hard to see on the map some of the roads.

It's a little too complicated for me to do it on here, but if you go to Google Maps you can get turn by turn instructions using the points below.

Start at the Race Trac across from Water Oaks (324 N US HIGHWAY 27 441) and take County Rd 25 (aka-Teague Trail) north.

Go from the Race Trac to Oklawaha. Then go from Oklawaha to Palatka.

Then get directions from Palatka to St. Augustine (NOT Palatka to Jax), which will take you to I-95 North and take I-95 North.

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.

Bottom line is, you should be heading almost due north on 9B then I-295.

Here is the Google Map site and to get directions, put your cursor on the triangle sign with the right-hand turn arrow at the top left...then put in your starting point and destination.


Google Maps



There are a few areas in the beginning of the Ocala Forest that has curvy roads, but it soon broadens out to a very wide two-lane with lots of shoulder and passing areas.

Good luck and safe driving.

[joldnol]

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.

Ditto this route......95 to 10 to 75 takes you 50 miles out of the way