[NJblue]

We have used the Gainesville route and find it to be pretty good - just make sure you don't go all the way to 24 before getting off from I75. As mentioned above, this takes you on a winding route through some pretty heavy traffic. We get off at 331 which takes you around the southern part of Gainesville and ultimately takes you to 24.

Another option that was recommended but I haven't tried is getting off I75 just north of Ocala and jutting over to 301. Based on Google Maps it doesn't look like there is an exit onto 318. However, there is an exit onto 326 which, at that point is also quite close to 301. I'm not familiar with how well the traffic flows on 301 north of Ocala to where it meets 24, but if it moves pretty well without a lot of traffic lights this may be a better solution than going around Gainesville.