Driving 301 or 75 from the North

[suediff]

We have been coming down from 95 N and get off on 10 to 301.
Is it faster to take 10 all the way to 75 and come in that way. I know it is longer but is it quicker?

[HDriders]

we have found coming down 95 all the way to Ormond Beach and taking 40 W is a better way, we really disliked the 301 way because of the constantly changing speed limits, traffic lights, etc. The trip is a few miles longer but just as fast, if not a bit quicker.

[Edjkoz]

I usually get on 75 before you reach Ocala

[princesspat]

We always take 295 (Jackonsville) to 10 to 75. It is a little longer in mileage, but all 70mph. By the time we're at that stage of our trip from central NY, stop lights and stop and go traffic make us crazy! Went through Ocala just once…way too much traffic. Going 301 through Starke is a speeding ticket waiting to happen.

[downeaster]

I have been traveling between Jax and Ocala for more than 30 years. I have tried many routes and US301 is my choice. Both I75 and I95 via Ormond Beach will take you more than 50 miles extra. Sometimes I bypass Ocala using I75.
Speed limits are strictly enforced in well marked areas of 301 (45MPH is reasonable in these areas) but the limits are 60 and 65 most of the way.
Starke is the biggest pain on 301 but herself is usually ready for a McDonalds stop by the time we get there.
We also travel to St. Augustine Beach frequently and find speed limits are enforced on SR40.

[billethkid]

We always take 295 (Jackonsville) to 10 to 75. It is a little longer in mileage, but all 70mph. By the time we're at that stage of our trip from central NY, stop lights and stop and go traffic make us crazy! Went through Ocala just once…way too much traffic. Going 301 through Starke is a speeding ticket waiting to happen.

Stated in a nutshell! Go interstate all the way....longer and quicker!

[upstate]

Tried 301 and 75, for us it's 75.

[bluedog103]

I've done 301 and I've done I-10 to I-75. 301 is shorter by about 50 miles and it's quicker. You just have to pay attention to the speed limit changes which are all well marked. Before we hit Ocala we cut over Rt. 326 to I-75 which we take to the Rt. 44 exit near Wildwood. If you easily become distracted and miss the speed limit changes you're probably better off staying on the interstates but your trip will be a little longer.

[Barefoot]

we have found coming down 95 all the way to Ormond Beach and taking 40 W is a better way, we really disliked the 301 way because of the constantly changing speed limits, traffic lights, etc. The trip is a few miles longer but just as fast, if not a bit quicker.

We also prefer coming down I-95 to Ormond Beach, (and then driving through the Ocala Forest).
We find it way more relaxing.
But we're not in a hurry.
For the "go fasters", probably I-75 is best.

[MikeV]

By the time we get to the 10/301 interchange from upstate NY we are in no mood to worry about speed traps and deal with stop lights etc. We are happy to just stay on 10 and then 75 all the way to 44.

[l2ridehd]

We have tried them all several times. 301 to 75 at exit 358 (turn off 301 just past Irish Acres) is the shortest and quickest. Saves over 50 miles and about 50 minutes of time. Yes you need to follow the speed exactly through the towns, but 90% of it is 65 with a short piece 60 mph. By the time we get to Florida we are ready to get off highway so it's a good route for us. I just set the cruise control for each speed and stick to it and so far have never had an issue. Have seen several cars pass me and be stopped within a couple miles so they are out there. And when we go North, same route but it's usually really early AM so again zero traffic and just follow the speed limits.

[folkh]

By the time we get to the 10/301 interchange from upstate NY we are in no mood to worry about speed traps and deal with stop lights etc. We are happy to just stay on 10 and then 75 all the way to 44.

Is there an exit on 75 for route 42?

[folkh]

We have tried them all several times. 301 to 75 at exit 358 (turn off 301 just past Irish Acres) is the shortest and quickest. Saves over 50 miles and about 50 minutes of time. Yes you need to follow the speed exactly through the towns, but 90% of it is 65 with a short piece 60 mph. By the time we get to Florida we are ready to get off highway so it's a good route for us. I just set the cruise control for each speed and stick to it and so far have never had an issue. Have seen several cars pass me and be stopped within a couple miles so they are out there. And when we go North, same route but it's usually really early AM so again zero traffic and just follow the speed limits.

Would you please explain this route in a little more detail?

[nitehawk]

I am in no rush--- I am retired and in no hurry - play slow golf and eat slowly, drink slowly, drive slowly, -yes i do everything slowly, etc.---- I just love TV

[ajbrown]

We have tried them all several times. 301 to 75 at exit 358 (turn off 301 just past Irish Acres) is the shortest and quickest. Saves over 50 miles and about 50 minutes of time. Yes you need to follow the speed exactly through the towns, but 90% of it is 65 with a short piece 60 mph. By the time we get to Florida we are ready to get off highway so it's a good route for us. I just set the cruise control for each speed and stick to it and so far have never had an issue. Have seen several cars pass me and be stopped within a couple miles so they are out there. And when we go North, same route but it's usually really early AM so again zero traffic and just follow the speed limits.

Would you please explain this route in a little more detail?

301 to 75 around Ocala (https://goo.gl/maps/OZ9Dq)

Click link above, Zoom in/ zoom out... love google maps.

We always take 10->301. For the couple times a year I do it, I actually enjoy seeing what is going on the little towns....

[onslowe]

We also prefer coming down I-95 to Ormond Beach, (and then driving through the Ocala Forest).
We find it way more relaxing.
But we're not in a hurry.
For the "go fasters", probably I-75 is best.

Same for us and for the same reasons. Ormond Beach to 40 to 19 to 42 right into the north end of Villages.

[l2ridehd]

Ajbrowns link is very close to my route. Couple minor differences. I turn off 301 going to 75 about a mile before his route. Cuts off about a mile and one traffic light. And I stay on 75 until exit 329 vs he gets off at exit 341. But that depends on where your going in The Villages. I go to Sunset Pointe so exit 329 makes it about 5 minutes quicker taking exit 341.

[Deerfly]

One of my grandsons who is an Army Ranger near Savannah, GA recently came down to visit us. He thinks The Villages are a LOT nicer than Afghanistan! He drove on lots of roads to get here and it took him about 4 hours. He and his relatively new wife took a different bunch of roads back and didn't really which way they ended up going.

[Ohiogirl]

We have tried them all several times. 301 to 75 at exit 358 (turn off 301 just past Irish Acres) is the shortest and quickest. Saves over 50 miles and about 50 minutes of time. Yes you need to follow the speed exactly through the towns, but 90% of it is 65 with a short piece 60 mph. By the time we get to Florida we are ready to get off highway so it's a good route for us. I just set the cruise control for each speed and stick to it and so far have never had an issue. Have seen several cars pass me and be stopped within a couple miles so they are out there. And when we go North, same route but it's usually really early AM so again zero traffic and just follow the speed limits.

Agree - we've tried all the routes. Trouble with going thru the Ocala Forest coming down is that depending on the time of year, it is sometimes getting dark and you have to watch for deer. Plus it takes longer. Prettier drive, though.

Once I missed the 301 exit from I-10 during a big rainstorm (I think a semi was in the right lane blocking the sign) and tried going via I-75 all the way. Some big slow down or accident on I-75 cost us another hour plus the extra time anyway.

So, now we come down I-10 to 301 to I-75 like the poster above. Really is the fastest way. Avoids Ocala.

[l2ridehd]

Another soon to be available option (construction) is taking the A1A exit just after crossing into Florida a few miles and that is more direct to Baldwin and 301. It is the triangle short cut. It soon will be double lane all the way and 60 mph except for a couple towns. I have done it a few times late at night even with the construction and time wise it is the same and you avoid all the congestion on the 95/295/10 interchanges. But wait until it is completed if going through there during the day time.

[kwtoman]

My wife and I vastly prefer 75 over 301.

[slipcovers]

Another soon to be available option (construction) is taking the A1A exit just after crossing into Florida a few miles and that is more direct to Baldwin and 301. It is the triangle short cut. It soon will be double lane all the way and 60 mph except for a couple towns. I have done it a few times late at night even with the construction and time wise it is the same and you avoid all the congestion on the 95/295/10 interchanges. But wait until it is completed if going through there during the day time.

When is the construction going to be finished? Thank you

[peggyb]

We always take 10 to 75 when driving from NJ. The mileage is longer, but it is a nice ride on highway...no stops for lights etc. Time is about the same so I prefer that route much more.

[JMEZARIC3]

301 to 75 around Ocala (https://goo.gl/maps/OZ9Dq)

Click link above, Zoom in/ zoom out... love google maps.

We always take 10->301. For the couple times a year I do it, I actually enjoy seeing what is going on the little towns....

Looks good.We will give it a try on our next trip back to TV.The traffic in Ocala and south seems to be getting worse every year.

[Bobcuse]

Every time I have tried the I-75 route traffic came to s standstill because of an accident or rubberneckers looking at a car off the road someplace or just heavy traffic causing waves of congestion from even minor construction. Nothing worse than not moving and not knowing when you will start moving again. 10-301 is always dependable and just as fast.

[Polar Bear]

Give me the interstate any day. I've rarely (almost never) had significant delays due to accidents or things like that. And even during times of fairly heavy traffic, it still easily beats traffic signals, etc of non-interstate roads.

[l2ridehd]

Every time I have tried the I-75 route traffic came to s standstill because of an accident or rubberneckers looking at a car off the road someplace or just heavy traffic causing waves of congestion from even minor construction. Nothing worse than not moving and not knowing when you will start moving again. 10-301 is always dependable and just as fast.

Actually 301 is ALWAYS faster. I would bet anyone that if we leave Baldwin at the same time, I will be in The Villages before you. And you know I would have to drive the speed limit and they could go over it most of the way.

[Polar Bear]

Actually 301 is ALWAYS faster. I would bet anyone that if we leave Baldwin at the same time, I will be in The Villages before you. And you know I would have to drive the speed limit and they could go over it most of the way.

From Baldwin...can't argue with that. Interstate route would simply add too many miles.

[ajbrown]

Woke up early in the Villages this morning, will sleep tonight in Stephens City VA.

I remembered this thread so figured I would note the travel time. Obviously almost no traffic, Mallory to intersection of 301 and Route 10 using only 301 was 2 hours and 10 minutes.

There was zero speeding involved...

[JMEZARIC3]

301 to 75 around Ocala (https://goo.gl/maps/OZ9Dq)

Click link above, Zoom in/ zoom out... love google maps.

We always take 10->301. For the couple times a year I do it, I actually enjoy seeing what is going on the little towns....
I took this route this week.But I turned south on CR475 about 2 miles east of the exit off I75.A few more miles longer than 301 but a few minutes quicker and no traffic.CR475 turns into CR466.I live in Lynnhaven so this route works for me.If you live around Brownwood I would stay on I75 until Wildwood.

[Ohiogirl]

I usually get on 75 before you reach Ocala

we now do this too. Avoids all the stop and go in the last hour of the trip when you are just not in the mood.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

It appears that there is no one clear choice here? We usually take I-75 all the way but have to go through ATL which is a crap shoot. Mile wise & time wise is almost the same to go I-26 to I-95 and then back over to 75. Any way we look at it we will be driving for about 11 hrs.

[Rango]

We have been coming down from 95 N and get off on 10 to 301.
Is it faster to take 10 all the way to 75 and come in that way. I know it is longer but is it quicker?

It takes me 45 minutes longer to take 10 to 75.

[JMEZARIC3]

I took this route this week.But I turned south on CR475 about 2 miles east of the exit off I75.A few more miles longer than 301 but a few minutes quicker and no traffic.CR475 turns into CR466.I live in Lynnhaven so this route works for me.If you live around Brownwood I would stay on I75 until Wildwood.
I took this route last week and according to my GPS,this route was 3 minutes faster.A few miles longer but no traffic or red lights.