WOW I75 Traffic to / from Ocala is awful.

[dadspet]

Just made to trip to Ocala and the traffic to and from Ocala was Awful - bumper to bumper and average speed most of time under 30mph. If you planning a trip there I'd suggest leaving early or going up 301 (not sure if its any better since I was on I75). I wonder if it's the 4th of July visitors. I've never experienced it this bad. The weren't any obvious reason for the slow movement (no accident etc.). In Ocala Sam's some of the people we talked to said its becoming more of the norm.

As a side note the pavement on Rt 44 is becoming rough in spots. Especially Turning from Buena Vista to 44, but there are a few other areas.

[thelegges]

We drive to Gainesville once or twice a month. Always avoid first week and last week of the month for appointments. If we don’t that drive time tripled.

But July 10th has me stumped, unless there was an accident somewhere north. Coming back from Gainesville one Wednesday all lanes were stopped, moving inches every 20 minutes. Onstar verified an accident on 75, we took next exit. We were home, 75 had still not cleared, it was a multiple fatal accident.

[kathyspear]

We drive to Gainesville once or twice a month. Always avoid first week and last week of the month for appointments. If we don’t that drive time tripled.



Why is the traffic heavier during those two weeks? Just curious ...

kathy

[Mortal1]

Why is the traffic heavier during those two weeks? Just curious ...

kathy

it mentions an accident.

[smurphy]

Google maps shows there is a crash on i75N with everything backed up behind it. no other details given.

[Topspinmo]

Get use to it, I find traffic horrible all way to Atlanta, then it branches off in all directions.

[Topspinmo]

We drive to Gainesville once or twice a month. Always avoid first week and last week of the month for appointments. If we don’t that drive time tripled.

But July 10th has me stumped, unless there was an accident somewhere north. Coming back from Gainesville one Wednesday all lanes were stopped, moving inches every 20 minutes. Onstar verified an accident on 75, we took next exit. We were home, 75 had still not cleared, it was a multiple fatal accident.

Had to go to Gainesville few times to dog hospital, one time I came back 441. It was few miles shorter, but 15 to 20 mins longer drive time. Was more pleasant drive and different scenery.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

I-75 Traffic is horrible all the time

[Malsua]

Always use a traffic aware navigation device(I prefer Waze), even if you know exactly how to get somewhere. When it directs you OFF your chosen route, believe it. The supercomputer knows best, even if it won't open the pod bay door.

[GrumpyOldMan]

I go to the VA Hospital in Gainsville several times a month, and from here to Ocala, it can be slow, especially with an accident, which seems to happen often. From Ocala to Gainesville is not too bad, traffic is normally heavy but moves well. From Gainesville to Lake City (I10 interchange) traffic is lighter and still moves along. It is the way it is, get used to it, or use US 27 or 441 and deal with the traffic lights.

[Buckeyephan]

We went to Ocala around 1:00 today. Nightmare traffic in both directions with no visible accidents either way. Went home 441/27/301 since Waze said that would be 18 minutes faster. When I head up there to Hobby Lobby, I always avoid I-75 but husband did the driving today.

[Tim C.]

we have used Waze for years. It has helped us avoid traffic snarls numerous times.

[Laker14]

as a seasonal resident of TV, I thought the congestion along those roads was due to the winter migration. If it's that bad in July, I can't imagine what it will be like in January.

[bowlingal]

Was just in Ocala on Friday.....took 301 all the way. No problems

[Hiltongrizz11]

That's exactly why this post exists? You're asking the same question the purpose of this post! Ugh 😩

[thelegges]

Why is the traffic heavier during those two weeks? Just curious ...

kathy

From October to May, you get the seasonal visitor traffic traveling from the south to north, end of month, and north to south first of month. One year we decided last minute to fly into Tampa on April 1, at 9pm. Traffic was bumper to bumper all the way to TV. We arrived at the house 1:15am.

Ocala always slows down no matter what time of day. Big joke is everyone must be going to Hobby Lobby

[jimkerr]

It sounds like you’re not using Waze.

[Jacob85]

The reason there are so many accidents is because the people drive about 90 miles an hour. I call it the Indianapolis 500! It needs to be expanded also!

[Driver8]

Living on the historic side, driving route 27 all the way up to Ocala is a breeze. Usually 35-40 minutes.

[thelegges]

The reason there are so many accidents is because the people drive about 90 miles an hour. I call it the Indianapolis 500! It needs to be expanded also!

70 is a suggestion on either turnpike or 75. Just to keep up with traffic, 80 is the norm.

[nn0wheremann]

Just made to trip to Ocala and the traffic to and from Ocala was Awful - bumper to bumper and average speed most of time under 30mph. If you planning a trip there I'd suggest leaving early or going up 301 (not sure if its any better since I was on I75). I wonder if it's the 4th of July visitors. I've never experienced it this bad. The weren't any obvious reason for the slow movement (no accident etc.). In Ocala Sam's some of the people we talked to said its becoming more of the norm.

As a side note the pavement on Rt 44 is becoming rough in spots. Especially Turning from Buena Vista to 44, but there are a few other areas.
Pick up 475 where a466 ends. Pleasant drive to Ocala, easy access to either downtown or the highway 200 corridor.

[lindaelane]

Speaking of trips to Ocala - I have stopped using either I-75 or 441/27 (which becomes 301). The traffic and speeds on both are not what I want. Instead I go up county road 475. It is a two lane road, but goes through some beautiful horse farm country, and has very few lights or stop signs. Traffic is never bad (occasionally a slow truck is on the route, but most trucks using the route are fairly fast) I've never been tailgated on the route that I recall, but if I was I can pull over. The route can be googled.

I am in the north so I take road 42 to 475, turning right at the 3-building town of Pedro. But those further south can take 301 to 42, then go left, or can take 466 out to 475, or those even further south can take 462 out to 475.

Google is telling me this route takes 5 minutes longer than 441/27/301 to reach the main street (in the southeast part of Ocala where 301 enters the city). I did not compare it with I-75 since that route leads to the western part of Ocala, so it really depends on if you want that part or not.

Bonus: This route takes you through "natural local farm" country where you can buy local vegetables at a country produce business and local meats at Meats of Marion.

[2newyorkers]

Pick up 475 where a466 ends. Pleasant drive to Ocala, easy access to either downtown or the highway 200 corridor.

We travel to Ocala this way often. If there is a backup on I75 everyone is now using this way as a shortcut. It use to be such a sweet way to get to Ocala. Now that more people know about this way there is sometimes a 30 car backup at the stop sign in Pedro.

[Two Bills]

We have always used 301. Nice drive, and no hassle.

[MKDiva]

Just made to trip to Ocala and the traffic to and from Ocala was Awful - bumper to bumper and average speed most of time under 30mph. If you planning a trip there I'd suggest leaving early or going up 301 (not sure if its any better since I was on I75). I wonder if it's the 4th of July visitors. I've never experienced it this bad. The weren't any obvious reason for the slow movement (no accident etc.). In Ocala Sam's some of the people we talked to said its becoming more of the norm.

As a side note the pavement on Rt 44 is becoming rough in spots. Especially Turning from Buena Vista to 44, but there are a few other areas.
I know three people who make the commute daily and they say every day their commute gets worse and worse. It’s all the building in the villages and Ocala. With no new road improvements.
It’s greed that it all comes down to with basically no oversight.

[Topspinmo]

as a seasonal resident of TV, I thought the congestion along those roads was due to the winter migration. If it's that bad in July, I can't imagine what it will be like in January.


Yes. But in January it’s only worse coming south.

[Topspinmo]

We travel to Ocala this way often. If there is a backup on I75 everyone is now using this way as a shortcut. It use to be such a sweet way to get to Ocala. Now that more people know about this way there is sometimes a 30 car backup at the stop sign in Pedro.

Good unless and accident has diverted traffic on 475.

[richdell]

Speaking of trips to Ocala - I have stopped using either I-75 or 441/27 (which becomes 301). The traffic and speeds on both are not what I want. Instead I go up county road 475. It is a two lane road, but goes through some beautiful horse farm country, and has very few lights or stop signs. Traffic is never bad (occasionally a slow truck is on the route, but most trucks using the route are fairly fast) I've never been tailgated on the route that I recall, but if I was I can pull over. The route can be googled.

I am in the north so I take road 42 to 475, turning right at the 3-building town of Pedro. But those further south can take 301 to 42, then go left, or can take 466 out to 475, or those even further south can take 462 out to 475.

Google is telling me this route takes 5 minutes longer than 441/27/301 to reach the main street (in the southeast part of Ocala where 301 enters the city). I did not compare it with I-75 since that route leads to the western part of Ocala, so it really depends on if you want that part or not.

Bonus: This route takes you through "natural local farm" country where you can buy local vegetables at a country produce business and local meats at Meats of Marion.

I didn't know about 475. I'll have to try it.

[sheralcaswell]

I always just take 301. Even with lights, it’s faster than I75 and a lot safer

[Bogie Shooter]

I know three people who make the commute daily and they say every day their commute gets worse and worse. It’s all the building in the villages and Ocala. With no new road improvements.
It’s greed that it all comes down to with basically no oversight.

There is that over use of the word greed again……….

[jimhurtt@twc.com]

Hey. Can't blame it on us Snowbirds.

[kkingston57]

Do not know why but last few times on 75 traffic backed up and/or very heavy going north to Ocala.

Not certain but do believe that workers who work in this area come from that area or Leesburg(traffic heavy on 441during "rush hour). We live in the Spanish Springs area and take 441/27 when we go up there. For people in the south, probably not a good alternative.

Looks like 75 would be an ideal area for widening.

[jimjamuser]

I-75 Traffic is horrible all the time
Sounds like the US needs some spending on infrastructure.

[dpmers]

Take 441 to Gainesville, pretty drive and little traffic

[IndianaJones]

I went to Gainesville (worked up there) nearly every day for 6 years. The last 2 years I truly believe (can't prove it, but I believe it) the traffic has gotten worse, especially southbound (on Fridays, in particular). Here's a quote from "nebraskaadvocates.com" - "According to the DOT, the accident rate on I-75 crossing through Alachua County is 90% higher than the statewide average for similar roads. Even worse, the number of vehicle wrecks jumped from 935 in 2011 to 1,538 in 2015 and is still increasing today." There are a few other articles that speak to the I-75 stretch between Gainesville and Wildwood. Wildwood is where the "split" occurs; north of there you're getting both Tampa and Orlando/Miami traffic until you get past Wildwood. I usually go up Sunday night/Monday morning so northbound isn't too bad, but southbound in the afternoon is always bad. I often take 441 or 301 - the accidents seem to start around SR200 northbound, and around Micanopy southbound. And, as people have stated, a lot of 90+mph cars flying by. Stay safe!

[New Englander]

The reason there are so many accidents is because the people drive about 90 miles an hour. I call it the Indianapolis 500! It needs to be expanded also!

They want to do 90 in the slow lane.

[Babubhat]

Sounds like the US needs some spending on infrastructure.

Good luck with that. You will sit in construction zones endlessly and expire of old age before it gets completed

[dp000]

Just made to trip to Ocala and the traffic to and from Ocala was Awful - bumper to bumper and average speed most of time under 30mph. If you planning a trip there I'd suggest leaving early or going up 301 (not sure if its any better since I was on I75). I wonder if it's the 4th of July visitors. I've never experienced it this bad. The weren't any obvious reason for the slow movement (no accident etc.). In Ocala Sam's some of the people we talked to said its becoming more of the norm.

As a side note the pavement on Rt 44 is becoming rough in spots. Especially Turning from Buena Vista to 44, but there are a few other areas.

Just came home last night (July 11) from Illinois and the traffic from north of Atlanta was the worse I have been in. From Gainesville to Wildwood it was stop and go. No accidents. Just heavy traffic.

[Bogie Shooter]

Good luck with that. You will sit in construction zones endlessly and expire of old age before it gets completed

Would rather sit in construction zone.....than have a bridge collapse on my car.

[davem4616]

Just made to trip to Ocala and the traffic to and from Ocala was Awful - bumper to bumper and average speed most of time under 30mph. If you planning a trip there I'd suggest leaving early or going up 301 (not sure if its any better since I was on I75). I wonder if it's the 4th of July visitors. I've never experienced it this bad. The weren't any obvious reason for the slow movement (no accident etc.). In Ocala Sam's some of the people we talked to said its becoming more of the norm.

As a side note the pavement on Rt 44 is becoming rough in spots. Especially Turning from Buena Vista to 44, but there are a few other areas.


I-75 is a pretty busy race track, with a lot of folks that tend to weave across lanes trying to get ahead of the other fellow. 441/21/301 is a slower route up to Ocala from TV, but IMHO more enjoyable than the 'white knuckle drive' on I-75

I once read a traffic assessment that seemed to answer why the traffic piles up on the interstates and slows down when no accident is involved...not sure if it's completely accurate, but it sure made sense to me...it went something like this:

very few drivers actually travel at the speed limit...most are 10 + mph above the posted speeds, and some really 'bury the needle'...however, there are those that stay within the posted limit (and sometimes play 'speed cop' out in the left hand lane)

when those traveling at higher rates of speed approach multiple vehicles that are traveling at the posted speed limits, traffic begins to slow down and back up while the drivers that want to travel at a faster speed maneuver around the slower moving vehicles...once that begins to happen, there is a domino affect...as cars continue to come up to 'the pack' and more back up...further back drivers see the red tail lights and begin to slow down...and it just continues to mushroom....eventually the accordion factor sets in and we enter the stop, start, stop, go mode

now on the other hand, construction, trash in the roadway, a cop car to the side with lights flashing and an accident will also back the traffic up

add to it all that by the time infrastructure plans are actually funded and construction completed the new roads are often already insufficient to handle the volume of traffic that will be using the road

[golfing eagles]

I-75 is a pretty busy race track, with a lot of folks that tend to weave across lanes trying to get ahead of the other fellow. 441/21/301 is a slower route up to Ocala from TV, but IMHO more enjoyable than the 'white knuckle drive' on I-75

I once read a traffic assessment that seemed to answer why the traffic piles up on the interstates and slows down when no accident is involved...not sure if it's completely accurate, but it sure made sense to me...it went something like this:

very few drivers actually travel at the speed limit...most are 10 + mph above the posted speeds, and some really 'bury the needle'...however, there are those that stay within the posted limit (and sometimes play 'speed cop' out in the left hand lane)

when those traveling at higher rates of speed approach multiple vehicles that are traveling at the posted speed limits, traffic begins to slow down and back up while the drivers that want to travel at a faster speed maneuver around the slower moving vehicles...once that begins to happen, there is a domino affect...as cars continue to come up to 'the pack' and more back up...further back drivers see the red tail lights and begin to slow down...and it just continues to mushroom....eventually the accordion factor sets in and we enter the stop, start, stop, go mode

now on the other hand, construction, trash in the roadway, a cop car to the side with lights flashing and an accident will also back the traffic up

add to it all that by the time infrastructure plans are actually funded and construction completed the new roads are often already insufficient to handle the volume of traffic that will be using the road

Very good post and probably very true. One of the reasons I fantasize that a giant hook would come out of the sky and grab those "speed cops" out of the left lane and dump them on a backwoods two lane road.

[NotGolfer]

Had the car radio on as I did errands this morning. Station out of Orlando gave rode updates. This was around 9:00 so probably not usual work-rush. They were warning about the I-system as well as the Turnpike and other major highways. Warning was including to take 301 or 441 if you want to get where you're going. One of the "wait times" was 75 minutes. Could it be construction or just a lot of folks vacationing and/or the residents that live in Florida. We complain about traffic but it's not so bad within "the bubble"---it's when we leave we notice the difference.

[pauld315]

It is because of the tens of thousands of people escaping from the north and their dictatorial Governors and moving to Florida. Many of these people are settling in Central Florida because it is still affordable.

[l2ridehd]

I go to the Ocala airport weekly and have given up on using 75. I now go 466 west to 475 to SW 27th street. Takes at most 5 minutes longer if 75 is perfect. And usually less time if 75 has issues.

[JMintzer]

There is that over use of the word greed again……….

I already took a shot!

What a way to start the day...

[JMintzer]

Sounds like the US needs some spending on infrastructure.

As long as it's actually spent on infrastructure and not the BS they're calling infrastructure...

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Just drove back north and driving quality in today's humans is deplorable. . . many think that passing one car will get you some where faster, i estimate less than 1 second faster. Yes, with less traffic on the highways the average speeds have increased, but spacing out between cars has not, hence the reduced reaction time and bigger accidents. Yes, I drive 70-85 but if I can drive >70 in the middle lane, i will, but i also allow 5 car lengths at over 70 for increased reaction time. And i pull into the middle lane if not passing, which is a mistake most drivers make which starts the accordion effect.

Saw an RV bus into the woods on 95 in SC, facing south. . happened about 30 minutes before we got there. Also saw left lane car crash on NJ turnpike, same reason, rear end collision, air bags off

Note that several years ago, car insurance divisions were losing money due to distracted driving accidents, mostly due to cell phones. The number of young idiots driving while reading their cell phones is beyond insane. Especially going slow in the left hand lane. saw many of them as well

Note, there was a young idiot truck driver who killed himself on 75 Monday morning. . .

humans, good situation is that there are lots and lots of them ensuring survival of the species

[vintageogauge]

as a seasonal resident of TV, I thought the congestion along those roads was due to the winter migration. If it's that bad in July, I can't imagine what it will be like in January.

There are many more travelers coming to Florida in the summer months for short family vacations, when the Snowbirds come down they are here for extended stays and for the most part don't travel the interstates. The least amount of traffic is after school begins but before the Snowbirds, also less traffic in April and May except for the holiday weekends.