Best way to get to I-95 North of Jacksonville

[tophcfa]

As many other Villagers are aware, there is no real good and easy way to drive to I-95 North of Jacksonville. Most GPS tell you to take 301 to 10 to 295 to 95. We have gone that way a couple of times and I will never go that way again, between the traffic lights, slow speed limits, and speed traps, 301 is an absolute nightmare. We once tried to go 301 to 75 to 10 to 295 but that adds a lot of miles and 75 and 10 are notorious for traffic. Our go to route has been to go 42 to Altoona, then take 19 north through the Ocala National Forest to Palatka, then cut across 207 and catch 95 near St. Augustine, take 95 to the 295 east loop around Jacksonville and get back on 95 north of Jacksonville. This is a nice scenic route, but it is slow and there is constant construction on the 295 loop making for a stressful section of driving. I am thinking of trying a new route, again taking 42 to Altoona and taking 19 north to Palatka, but then continuing on 19 north of Palatka to 17 north to 10 to 295 to 95.

Has anyone taken the route I am thinking of trying and if so, how was it? Also, can anyone recommend a different and better route than the options I have already listed? I am always open to trying something different, but am interested in getting from the Villages to north of Jacksonville as fast as possible, since it is the first leg of a nearly 1,400 mile drive.

Thanks : )

[coralway]

Many years ago while heading south, I hit 301 in GA around midnight and got stopped for speeding. Paid the GA cop $50 and was on my way, my speeding ticket having magically disappeared. 301 was a way to go before 95. Not any more

[Hape2Bhr]

Our last two trips we've stayed on 301 until you get north of Jacksonville There are two bypasses now that avoid some of the small town business centers. Yes you will hit some traffic lights here and there, but it is not bad with the bypasses.

[JMintzer]

Depending on what part of TV you live, we take 44W to 75N, pick up 301N (North of most of Ocala) to 10 to 295 to Jacksonville.

Minimal traffic, the lights aren't really a problem and yes, you have to slow down once in while, but my GPS has never shown a speed trap...

Of course, we leave @ Zero Dark '30 in the morning, so that helps...

We've tried several different routes over the last 6 months (5 trips) and this seems to be the best way to go...

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I did the i75 to 10 to 95 many many times tried the other once to slow and boring

[dewilson58]

Me??...............75 to 326 to 301 to 10 to 295. Seems like the easiest drive.

[Mrprez]

Stay on 301 north of I10. There is a new section of road up there that bypasses several small towns. Follow the signs for I95. Sorry, can’t remember the road numbers. It will dump you out on to I95 well north of Jville.

[Nucky]

Whatever way you pick just have a safe trip. Take Care.

[sam&rog]

301 to Callahan then 200 east to 95. Caution in Lawtey and Starke about the speed limit.

[Garywt]

We do the 301 route all the way taking the new bypass. Speeds up to 70 in some areas. We cross 10 and stay on the road. We have done 75 up to 10 which is long. Last time we took 75 and jumped on 301 up the road. Coming down we have 17 hours on the highway but the last 3 hours are terrible. Maybe someday...

[KAM+6]

Our last trip back we took 301, crossed 10 , continuing on 301 which turns to 200 , follow signs to 95. This I think is the best route. They have done a lot of construction to 301, including bypassing towns and widening the road.

We have taken every way, over 10 years , and I think this is the route we will stick with.

[KAM+6]

301 to Callahan then 200 east to 95. Caution in Lawtey and Starke about the speed limit.

Starke is now bypassed. I don't remember if Lawrey is.

[CTgolfer]

We take this route. Much more relaxing drive and it bypasses 10 and Jacksonville.

I 75 to 301
Stay on 301 and go under I 10
Follow signs to 95

[l2ridehd]

I spent some time commuting to Jacksonville for medical reasons. I drove up Monday AM and returned Friday PM for many weeks. The easiest and most consistent time wise with very little traffic was: 301 to Bellview, 25 to Silver Springs, 40 to 315 through Ft McCoy, Interluchen, to 315C to 21to Middleburg, to 23 a toll road to 10 to Jacksonville. From my home to Shands Jacksonville was consistently under 2 hours. More small towns, mostly 2 lanes, some lights, but almost no traffic until I hit 10. No speed traps, lots of passing places more scenic and a much more pleasant drive then any other way. And I tried them all.

[mike234]

yup....pick up 301, north of Ocala. go under I 10......through Callahan out to i95 north.... very boring but no traffic. once on 95 you are about 8 minutes from Georgia...

[TerriCharles]

We have traveled the 42 to 19 to 17 Route on our way North several times. Much less traffic and nice scenery. We will try that way again this year.

[BlackhawksFan]

I think as someone else mentioned time of day is a factor. As an ex-Conn resident I knew if I was ever traveling thru NYC it was always best to avoid drive time. I'm all in favor of starting out at oh dark thirty to avoid some of that hassle.

[banjobob]

As bad as 301 to I 10 is , it is still the best route.

[manhattan]

On map looks like I 75 to Gainesville then 24 to 301 thoughts?
Agree stay on 301 under I 10 to 95

[smsgtdaves]

Is rt 44 to rt 4 to rt 95 an option?

[B-flat]

Me??...............75 to 326 to 301 to 10 to 295. Seems like the easiest drive..

Similar to how we travel the exception is 228 so it becomes:
75 to 326 to 301 to 228 ( south of i10 and Baldwin) to 295.

[irishwonone]

Yes. That’s the fastest route to 95 North. Your in Palatka for a very short time then US 17 goes directly to Green Cove Springs and Orange Park, FL where you pick up 295 North bypass. It will take you to 95 North without going through heavy downtown traffic in Jax FL. Only negative is head on traffic from Villages to Palaka FL.

[wirenail444]

310 to l10 is now improved. No speed trap inLowtery and a new bi-pass around Starke. By far the best route north.

[bonrich]

301 to A1A to I-95.

[DIver0258]

Stay on 301 north of I10. There is a new section of road up there that bypasses several small towns. Follow the signs for I95. Sorry, can’t remember the road numbers. It will dump you out on to I95 well north of Jville.

It's still 301 above Baldwin. Not sure if the bypass around Baldwin at I10 is complete. The only town above Baldwin with a lengthy slowdown is Callahan. I think the interchange on I95 is 301/FL200. Bypass around Stark is complete. They have raised the speed limit in Lawtey to 45. The only area the limit is below 45 is Waldo. We take the TP to 75 and get off above Ocala as someone else mentioned. Its all a pretty easy drive. Also 301 above Baldwin is usually not busy.

[rockyhyder]

I found 441/27 to 35 to 58th Ave to 326 to NE Jacksonville Hwy to 301 to 200 to I-95 to be the easiest, with the new bypasses on 301 it’s a breeze and you’re almost at the Georgia line on 95. I may try your route just to see the difference. Safe travels!

[collie1228]

If I can leave before 4:00AM, I will sometimes take 301, but don't like anything about it. I generally take the route through the Forrest and Palatka, which seems slow sometimes, but the scenery is very nice and you avoid many of the 301 problems (traffic, speed traps, Ocala).

[Heytubes]

I lived in Jax. Go thru the forest, Palatka, jump on I-95 and go through Jax as it doesn’t have all that much traffic.

[wlupien]

301 is not as bad as it used to be with the bypass around Starke.

[KAM+6]

Yes, the bypass in Baldwin is complete and with road widening. No traffic on 301 early morning, straight run to 95.

Very scary going thru Ocala forest in the wee hours darkness. Also, was not getting cell phone service for potential breakdown.

Several ways to get to 301, depending on where in TV you live. For me its Morse to 441 to 301.

[Cranford61]

I did the i75 to 10 to 95 many many times tried the other once to slow and boring
Ya’ like 18-wheelers eh?

[Cranford61]

If I can leave before 4:00AM, I will sometimes take 301, but don't like anything about it. I generally take the route through the Forrest and Palatka, which seems slow sometimes, but the scenery is very nice and you avoid many of the 301 problems (traffic, speed traps, Ocala).
What “ nice scenery” do you see when you leave at 4am? Kinda dark then,,isn’t it?

[FredJacobs]

The differences between taking I-75 or US 301 are -
1. I-75 is 40 miles longer - about $6.00 extra gas
2. I-75 is 10 minutes faster.

I take 301 because I leave at 6 AM (no traffic) and stop in Starke for breakfast. I stop overnight in Stoney Creek, VA and usually check in by 6PM, in time for dinner.

[tophcfa]

Thanks for all the informative responses. Glad I started the thread, I learned something new. It has been 5 years since I vowed to never take 301 again, so I was unaware that there have been several improvements including new bi-passes around towns. I think I will try the suggestions of taking 75 and crossing over to 301 just north of Ocala. I will time and record the trip and on my next journey I will try the 42 to 19 to 17 route and compare and contrast. I do have one quick question, is 75 from the Villages to just north of Ocala a toll road? I don’t mind paying the toll, but I left my sun pass up north since the only time I seem to need it is when we fly to Orlando and rent a car. Thanks : ).

[Tripsite]

Let us know when you find the best route. I don’t like the Palatka way.

[Mrprez]

No, 75 north is not a toll road. You can actually get on the turnpike at 301 going north and not pay any tolls.

[jmaccallum]

Our last two trips we've stayed on 301 until you get north of Jacksonville There are two bypasses now that avoid some of the small town business centers. Yes you will hit some traffic lights here and there, but it is not bad with the bypasses.

I agree with this route and take it 4 or 5 times a year to NC. I find it the fastest because of little to no congestion and it’s a nice drive. Coming up 301 when you get to I-10 just go straight. I think it actually becomes route 200. Stay on it to make a big loop north around Jacksonville and it comes right out on I-95, just a couple of miles south of the FL/GA border. Drove it for 5 years in a 45 foot motorhome.

[Marine30]

Stay on 301 past 10 headed to Calahan. Follow the sighs to 95. Nice road, little traffice.

[Happyone2]

301 to A1A to 95 north...they have built a couple bypasses in the last few years, Stark and another town