Driving Directions to TV via I-95 Down East Coast?

[Sidney Lanier]

For you guys who 'commute' by car from the Northeast to TV coming on Interstate-95 down the East Coast, can you suggest any good routes (as well as which ones to avoid) after crossing into Florida? Many thanks!

[villages07]

Sid...the most direct is I95 to west on I-10 at Jacksonville (may have to get on a 295 bypass route off of 95 to get to 10). I10 to US301 South....301 to either 441 or 466 depending on your ultimate Villages destination.

The 301 stretch is not fun...lots of speed limit changes and small towns; also, it is notorious for speed traps.

I did the drive from DC to TV in Summer 06....took us about 15 hrs driving time in two days; we have a friend who does it in 13.5 hrs in one day but I wouldn't do that ride with him. To quote handie, too skeery.

[Barefoot]

Susan & David

:welcome: from a Newbie. I didn't realize you were coming down this soon. I sent you a PM with my telephone number.

One of the site hosts gave me the following directions:
When taking I-95 to Jacksonville:
Get on I-295 NORTH of Jacksonville for about 15 minutes.
Go to I-10 West and take it to CR 301. We followed 301 all the way down to 466 and then it is 5 minutes to Belvedere.

Like V07 said, 301 has a lot of speed limit changes and small towns, but we were so excited we totally enjoyed it. ;D
Good luck with your drive.

[Pete]

My suggestion is take I 95 down to Ormand Beach and take State Rt. 40 across Ocala National Forest to Silver Springs, west of Ocala, turn left at the Silver Springs traffic light and go to Bellview, turn left (south) on 441 to TV. I think this is a better route than the
I 10 -301 route.

Just an opinion.

[Frangyomory]

Pete's directions sound good. We took I95 from Virginia to 301 and then came through 466.

Mapquest is a great means for directions for free also.

[zcaveman]

My suggestion is take I 95 down to Ormand Beach and take State Rt. 40 across Ocala National Forest to Silver Springs, west of Ocala, turn left at the Silver Springs traffic light and go to Bellview, turn left (south) on 441 to TV. I think this is a better route than the
I 10 -301 route.

Just an opinion.


Ths is the route I always use when I take I95 south. The left at the Silver Springs traffic light is CR 35. If you are headed to the Marion county or the "south" part of TV, take the right in Belleview onto CR25 and take the left onto 441 and the right onto US301 in Belleview and that will take you to 466 where you can take a left and end up in the middle of TV. If you are going to the Marion county part of TV, take the left at the Shell station on US301 on to US42.

[SteveFromNY]

Ths is the route I always use when I take I95 south. The left at the Silver Springs traffic light is CR 35. If you are headed to the Marion county or the "south" part of TV, take the right in Belleview onto CR25 and take the left onto 441 and the right onto US301 in Belleview and that will take you to 466 where you can take a left and end up in the middle of TV. If you are going to the Marion county part of TV, take the left at the Shell station on US301 on to US42.


I'm heading down I-95 Saturday, arriving in TV on Sunday 11/18.
I've done 301 a few times and not liked it much. I've had a preference for the 295 bypass around to 17 to Palataka then 19 south thru the Ocala forest.
But I'm going to try this route as the stretch of 17 is worse than 301, but shorter. 19 is a beautiful, empty road that reminds me of a ride thru a western pine forest. But this ride across 40 looks like a good choice.
Thanks! I'll post with my opinion once done.

:bigthumbsup:

[jtdraig]

We do the 295-10-301-466 route. It can be painful but it seems to be the best of all the alternatives for us. We have tried them all....we drive up & back at least twice a year.

[The Great Fumar]

Bring 95 down to 301 and take it all the way to THE VILLAGES...You'll love it and you won't get lost......

[Smp45]

Driving from North of New York City Pittsfield, Ma to be exact---- Would anyone know of nice motels that would be Pet Friedly along 95. Thanks, smp

[zcaveman]

Driving from North of New York City Pittsfield, Ma to be exact---- Would anyone know of nice motels that would be Pet Friedly along 95. Thanks, smp


I had no problem at South of the Border (NC/SC border)

[Bubbalarry]

Why not I-95 south to I-295 S to I-10 W to Rt 301 to Rt 24 W to wards Gainesville, FL., to Rt 331/121 S & W to I-75 S to Wildwood exit or an exit before it.

At Wildwood take 301 N to Rt 466A go right or farther N to Rt 466 and go right.

This puts you on RT 301 for only 38 miles. It's close to the same miles but at least with I-75 you can drive upto 70/75 MPH.

Going thru Ormand Beach, and onto 42W adds 40+ miles and almost an extra 40+ minutes.
You will have to go thru Deland, which is just as bad as Rt 301 with traffic cops.

I am leaving for New Jersey this Sunday and plan to use these directions in reverse. My home in TV is 1 mile from RT466A so its easier to go through Wildwood for me.

[Russ_Boston]

Here is what I'm going to do:

Plan A -
I will drive my car from now until it draws it's last breath (about 140,000 miles already), have the car towed to the junk yard, take a taxi to the airport, fly to Orlando, rent a car for two days, drive to TV, rent a villa for a month, buy a new car, return the rental, take the car to buy a golf car, drive the golf car around to scout for a new house, buy my permanent residence and then live happly ever after!

Plan B -
Drive 1262 miles in a car? Are you kidding?
See Plan A!

[bamafan]

How long is the drive to TV once you get on 301 off of I-10?

[DickY]

Looking at my AAA trip tick its about 100 Miles.
Take exit number 343 towards US-301 / BALDWIN / STARKE. Drive for 0.2 miles.
Go STRAIGHT to get on US-301 S towards LAWTEY / STARKE. Drive for 17.4 miles.
Go STRAIGHT on US-301 N. Drive for 0.4 miles.
Keep SLIGHT RIGHT at the fork towards US-301 S. Drive for 81.4 miles.
Turn LEFT onto E COUNTY ROAD 466. Drive for 4.2 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto MORSE BOULEVARD. Drive for 0.1 miles.
Take the roundabout and exit at the FIRST exit onto MORSE BOULEVARD. Drive for 0.6 miles.
Take the roundabout and exit at the FIRST exit onto LAKE SUMTER LANDING. Drive for 0.3 miles.
You have reached 1000 Lake Sumter Landing, Lady Lake 32162, Florida

It wasn't a bad drive. After looking at the posts here I was very careful on obeying the speed limits. :cop:

[Barefoot]

How long is the drive to TV once you get on 301 off of I-10?


It took us around 1 1/2 hours on Route 301 to 466. It was a fun drive because we enjoyed the little towns and weren't in a hurry. We thought about taking I-75, but we felt that the anticipation of coming "home" to TV needs to be savoured.

[travelstiles]

Regarding pet friendly hotels:
We are leaving NY on 12/26 and stopping twice overnight on our drive to TV (the two of us and 2 cats in a Mini Cooper :dontknow:.
I did some research on pet friendly hotels, and have booked the following with AAA rates. Each of these also offers a generous continental breakfast (for the people ;D). Based on this I would think you could find several along the way. Check out their website: choicehotels.com

Comfort Inn
Rocky Mount, NC $80.99 + $25 pet fee
Comfort Suites
Richmond Hill, GA $76.49 + $20 per pet fee

[Bubbalarry]

Freinds of mine left today at 8:30 AM from Hadley Village. Going thru Wildwood and 466A to RT 301 S to the Florida Trnpk, and onto I-75N, to exit 382 and Rt 121/331 to Rt 24 and then onto Rt 301 to I-10E.

I got a call back from them at 10:25 AM to tell me they were just getting on I-295 North at Jax, Fl.

As far as I am concerned thats the way I will leave on Sunday AM, and the way to go North.

[Sidney Lanier]

Hi y'all, just wanted to say 'thanks!' to everyone who took the time to offer suggestions for the trip. In the end one of our sons said, 'I'll go with you, help with the driving, and I know routes that are off the beaten path that will save miles, time, and traffic grief!' He spent years working as a long-haul tractor-trailer and car-carrier driver, and in the past when he's traveled with us, it's always worked out well. He ran through a route verbally, not that I understood it, but it will put us on I-75 somewhere a lot sooner than we would have anticipated. Assuming the trip goes well (...), I'll post the route that he takes us on; maybe it'll be different altogether. Thanks again, and have a great Thanksgiving, everyone!

[SteveZ]

The towns of Lawtey and Waldo have had the well-earned reputations of being miserable speed traps along US-301 for the past three decades. I'm sure TV has found that routing folk away from these locations is to TV's best interest, as a Waldo PD speeding ticket would put folk in a bad mood - not conducive to property sales!

That being said, I-95 south to I-295 (bypass around Jacksonville), to US-301 south (yep, through Lawtey, Starke & into Waldo). At Waldo, go west on SR-24 to Gainesville. SR-24 becomes SR-331 which takes you into I-75. Go south on I-75 to CR-484 East(Exit 341, about 40 miles on I-75), Right (South) onto CR-475 to CR-466. Stay on CR-466, crossing US-301 and things should look familiar.

Be sure to WATCH YOUR SPEED through Lawtey and Waldo. Both towns have a history of bagging folk at 2-miles over the posted limit.

[SteveFromNY]

My suggestion is take I 95 down to Ormand Beach and take State Rt. 40 across Ocala National Forest to Silver Springs, west of Ocala, turn left at the Silver Springs traffic light and go to Bellview, turn left (south) on 441 to TV. I think this is a better route than the
I 10 -301 route.

Just an opinion.


I'm at my house now, and followed these directions partially.
I went to Ormond Beach and took 40 west to 19 south to 42 west. Probably 30 to 40 miles longer than the trip down 301, but there were no towns, lights or traffic all the way across. It was a really pleasant ride and I will do it that way every time! Of course the miles south on 95 were all at a speed limit of 70, and the speed limit on the other roads was 55 to 60 most of the way with one stretch of 45. There were 3 lights on 40, the 3rd at the intersection of 19 where I made a left. The Ocala forest is a pretty ride.
Take 42 until 25, make a left. Take that a mile or 2 to Griffin Rd (huge sign) make a right and that feeds into Morse Blvd traffic circle above Spanish Springs.

[Russ_Boston]

Steve - I like those directions. Google makes the difference between yours and the 301 way to be 25 miles longer. But with the speed difference and the lack of speed traps I think I like your route 40 path.

[SteveFromNY]

The other thing I tried was using 9A around the east side of Jacksonville which seemed less stressful than running 95 straight thru, and shorter than using 295 around the west side.

All in all, it was a really good way to go.

[jtdraig]

Driving from North of New York City Pittsfield, Ma to be exact---- Would anyone know of nice motels that would be Pet Friedly along 95. Thanks, smp


We usually stay at the Holiday Inn in Fayetteville. They have several pet friendly rooms that are convenient.

[campy]

Has anyone tried 17 to 19 from 295 at Jacksonville? How are these roads? What is the speed limit? Are there traffic lights?

[Bubbalarry]

I found that the best way and quickest was to go by way of I-75 to just south of Gainesville and followed my directions from above. We saved over 30 minutes and avoided most of 301 which is the shortest way in miles but forever by car if you go the full 100 miles to I-10.

Going Rt 42 or anyway towards the coast added many more miles, no matter how the road is it's not direct line of site and takes longer.

When I got back on 301, I only had 35 miles to I-10 and then a very short drive to I-295N.

So in my opinion so far thats the way to go.

[SteveFromNY]

Has anyone tried 17 to 19 from 295 at Jacksonville? How are these roads? What is the speed limit? Are there traffic lights?



I've done this a few times. From 295 to Palatka on 117 is pretty busy. Stores, lights and traffic. But 19 is a joy - smooth, open and empty!

[opbob77]

I've gone almost every way mentioned here and found the FASTEST way, not necessarily the shortest, to be: I-95 to Ormond Beach and Rt 40. Take 40 to 19 south to 42 and 42 into TVA. Why is this the fastest you might ask? Because Rt 40 is mostly 65 mph and 19 thru Ocala Nat'l Forest is very lightly traveled. Not many towns and villages, either. The 301, 17/92 to 19, and other routes are the way we travelled before interstates, going through every little town and stop light along the way.

[SteveFromNY]

I've gone almost every way mentioned here and found the FASTEST way, not necessarily the shortest, to be: I-95 to Ormond Beach and Rt 40. Take 40 to 19 south to 42 and 42 into TVA. Why is this the fastest you might ask? Because Rt 40 is mostly 65 mph and 19 thru Ocala Nat'l Forest is very lightly traveled. Not many towns and villages, either. The 301, 17/92 to 19, and other routes are the way we travelled before interstates, going through every little town and stop light along the way.


Bob,

Maybe we shouldn't let everyone know! These roads won't be empty for long.

Have you ever stopped at that store with 1,000,000 items? Or so it claimed?

[Bubbalarry]

The towns of Lawtey and Waldo have had the well-earned reputations of being miserable speed traps along US-301 for the past three decades. I'm sure TV has found that routing folk away from these locations is to TV's best interest, as a Waldo PD speeding ticket would put folk in a bad mood - not conducive to property sales!

That being said, I-95 south to I-295 (bypass around Jacksonville), to US-301 south (yep, through Lawtey, Starke & into Waldo). At Waldo, go west on SR-24 to Gainesville. SR-24 becomes SR-331 which takes you into I-75. Go south on I-75 to CR-484 East(Exit 341, about 40 miles on I-75), Right (South) onto CR-475 to CR-466. Stay on CR-466, crossing US-301 and things should look familiar.

Be sure to WATCH YOUR SPEED through Lawtey and Waldo. Both towns have a history of bagging folk at 2-miles over the posted limit.






That route my friend is the best. I not only posted it earlier but drove it, so your absolutely correct.

[SteveFromNY]

That route my friend is the best. I not only posted it earlier but drove it, so your absolutely correct.


Bubbalarry & SteveZ

I returned to NY this way a week or so ago. You're both right - this seems to be the fastest way to go. I made it past Jacksonville in just a little over 2 hours, state line in 2 1/2 or better.

I'm a convert. I liked this way a lot.

Since my house is in Liberty Park I'm pretty near 466A. I took that to 301 then down to 44A to 44 to get on I-75 there. I think it was 12 minutes to I-75 from my house! From there (Exit 329) it was 53 miles to the gainsville exit (382). The roads around there (120, 331 & 24) were very good. And then slowly through Waldo, and on up 301 to 10. Really a quick way. I'm coning down again this week and will use it then too.

Thanks.

[jerseygirl008]

Two weeks ago, I returned north using the route described by Pete: through the Ocala National Forest. From 95 below Ormond Beach, take 40 W, then 19 So. through the forest, then 42 W to 25 W into Lady Lake. It was a beautiful and quick ride. Much better than 301. That was a nightmare of speed limits changes, lights, lane changes, etc.

This is my new and best route. Hope this helps.

[SteveFromNY]

Two weeks ago, I returned north using the route described by Pete: through the Ocala National Forest. From 95 below Ormond Beach, take 40 W, then 19 So. through the forest, then 42 W to 25 W into Lady Lake. It was a beautiful and quick ride. Much better than 301. That was a nightmare of speed limits changes, lights, lane changes, etc.

This is my new and best route. Hope this helps.


Chris - I used to go via 40 to 19 to 42. Last time I tried the way Bubbalarry suggested, and it's really faster, by probably 1/2 hour to 1 hour. And the 30 or so mile on 301 are at the top where the lights and towns are lightest. You make a turn in Waldo (the 1st speed trap town), and head over toward Gainseville and get on I-75 and can move very quickly. Like I said, I'm converted.

[diskman]

Hey guys this is 2008 try google maps which gives you choices of highways or roads and a great map. :bigthumbsup:

[SteveFromNY]

Diskman, thanks for the tip, but all the map programs send you down 301 all the way from 10 to 466 and in a word that route stinks. Or at least quite a few folks out here are of that opinion.

[jerseygirl008]

SteveNY and Bubbalarry: I will try your suggested route in a few weeks. Sounds like a possible keeper. I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the info.

[ijusluvit]

Hey Folks,

No one has mentioned the route I took last week. I've tried them all and this is the best. I-95 thru Jacksonville to exit 311, Rt 207. It's a new divided highway much better than Rt 40. Take 207 through Palatka to Rt. 19 south thru the Ocala Forest to Salt Springs. Take a right on CR314 to Silver Springs. Left on CR35 to 441 to TV. The only place that's slow is thru Palatka, about 10 minutes out of the whole trip. This route was 20 to 30 minutes faster than any route I've ever tried. It's at least as open as the Ormand Beach-Rt. 40 route but 20-30 miles shorter, hence the time savings

[Barefoot]

Hey Folks,
No one has mentioned the route I took last week. I've tried them all and this is the best. I-95 thru Jacksonville to exit 311, Rt 207. It's a new divided highway much better than Rt 40. Take 207 through Palatka to Rt. 19 south thru the Ocala Forest to Salt Springs. Take a right on CR314 to Silver Springs. Left on CR35 to 441 to TV. The only place that's slow is thru Palatka, about 10 minutes out of the whole trip. This route was 20 to 30 minutes faster than any route I've ever tried. It's at least as open as the Ormand Beach-Rt. 40 route but 20-30 miles shorter, hence the time savings

Sidney and Hyacinth, I'm counting on you to check out this route and let me know what you think.

[chelsea24]

Bare. Barefoot. Barefoot my dear friend. You need RUBY! hahahaha ;D

[SteveFromNY]

Hey Folks,

No one has mentioned the route I took last week. I've tried them all and this is the best. I-95 thru Jacksonville to exit 311, Rt 207. It's a new divided highway much better than Rt 40. Take 207 through Palatka to Rt. 19 south thru the Ocala Forest to Salt Springs. Take a right on CR314 to Silver Springs. Left on CR35 to 441 to TV. The only place that's slow is thru Palatka, about 10 minutes out of the whole trip. This route was 20 to 30 minutes faster than any route I've ever tried. It's at least as open as the Ormand Beach-Rt. 40 route but 20-30 miles shorter, hence the time savings


I have taken 207 a couple of times and agree it is a very pleasant ride. I went 19 all the way to 40 and did not take the turn at 314. I find all of the different ways that I have tried to take a shade over 3 hours from the state line down to TV. Taking the "BubbaLarry Route" got me from the state line to TV in 2 and a 1/2. I think what makes it quicker is the use of the 2 interstates for a large part of the trip. And if you live in the southern part of TV you can go down 75 to exit 329 and take 44 across to 301 north to 466A.

[MikeH]

Having lived in Ormond Beach prior to moving to The Villages and having made the trip a "few" times, I recommend:

I-95 to Rt-40 in Ormond Beach (don't remember exit number)

Stay on 40 West until you pass over the St. John’s River at Aster

About a 1 – 2 miles past Aster go left onto 445A toward Alexander Springs

Take 445A about ½ mile & turn left onto 445

Stay on 445 (through National Forest) until it dead-ends at 19

Turn left onto 19 and go about 5 miles to light at SR-42

Turn right onto 42 until you get to 441/27 (take about ½ hour)

Depending where you're going in The Villages:

You can turn left onto 441/27 and after couple of miles you'll see The Villages---can't miss it.

OR:

Cross 441/27 and stay on 42 until Buena Vista Blvd (about the third stop light)

Turn left onto Buena Vista Blvd. and start having the fun of your life in The Villages.

[The Great Fumar]

95 to 301 up by state line.......follow all the way to villages...

[Barefoot]

Bare. Barefoot. Barefoot my dear friend. You need RUBY! hahahaha ;D

Chels has a talking GPS named Ruby. You ask Ruby for directions and she instructs you what roads to take. Ruby gets angry if you ignore her directions! Seriously. Ruby told us to take one route to get to Cassadaga and a different route to get back home. How weird is that? Useful little gadget, that Ruby, but tempermental and inclined to be bossy.

[MikeH]

Ruby sounds like my wife! ;D

[Barefoot]

Ruby sounds like my wife! ;D

1rnfl Mike, hope your wife doesn't read TOTV!

[MikeH]

She does. But it's OK as she doesn't believe a word I say.

[handieman]

Having lived in Ormond Beach prior to moving to The Villages and having made the trip a "few" times, I recommend:

I-95 to Rt-40 in Ormond Beach (don't remember exit number)

Stay on 40 West until you pass over the St. John’s River at Aster

About a 1 – 2 miles past Aster go left onto 445A toward Alexander Springs

Take 445A about ½ mile & turn left onto 445

Stay on 445 (through National Forest) until it dead-ends at 19

Turn left onto 19 and go about 5 miles to light at SR-42

Turn right onto 42 until you get to 441/27 (take about ½ hour)

Depending where you're going in The Villages:

You can turn left onto 441/27 and after couple of miles you'll see The Villages---can't miss it.

OR:

Cross 441/27 and stay on 42 until Buena Vista Blvd (about the third stop light)

Turn left onto Buena Vista Blvd. and start having the fun of your life in The Villages.


Mike?? About how long a drive is it from the I95 turnoff to Rt 40?? Miles or minutes if you can recall
Thanx Handie :joke:
PS. My Tom Tom Gps has a "Mandy" who I adore also an "Uncle Rum" who keeps me in stitches with his drunken babble

[MikeH]

You turn off I-95 directly onto Rt-40. Go off I-95 to the right and you'll be going West on Rt-40.

Have a safe trip!

[TV MAN]

Looks like a lot of good choices here :)