Best route to TV

[VT2TV]

We will be coming down I-95 to Florida. I was wondering the best/quickest way to get to TV from Jacksonville. When we have gone to WDW in the past, we of course continued down 95 to Daytona, and then I-4 to WDW. Is that the best way to go to the Villages, or is there a good shortcut to TV from JAX. We will have our 2 little girls with us (longhaired miniature dachshunds) so probably not a curvy, bumpy back road if possible. I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks...

[chuckinca]

I-95 to 40 West to Ocala, to 441/27 South to TV.


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[tpop1]

IMHO - RT 301 is the way I go,,, Tried them all!

Take EXIT 362B onto I-295 toward I-10. 14.4 mi on I-295
Take EXIT 21B onto I-10 W toward LAKE CITY. 13.1 mi on I-10
Take US-301 S into Ocala. ( Approx 80 miles to RT 301/ RT 200 intersection in Ocala)
STAY ON US 301 S thru Ocala about 10.5 miles (measured from RT 301/ RT 200 intersection in Ocala)
US 301 bears right at this point and RT 441 / 27 Bears Left

Depending on what part of TV you are going to, stay on 301 or go on 441/27; to RT42, or 466 or 466A

[ajbrown]

IMHO - RT 301 is the way I go,,, Tried them all!

Take EXIT 362B onto I-295 toward I-10. 14.4 mi on I-295
Take EXIT 21B onto I-10 W toward LAKE CITY. 13.1 mi on I-10
Take US-301 S into Ocala. ( Approx 80 miles to RT 301/ RT 200 intersection in Ocala)
STAY ON US 301 S thru Ocala about 10.5 miles (measured from RT 301/ RT 200 intersection in Ocala)
US 301 bears right at this point and RT 441 / 27 Bears Left

Depending on what part of TV you are going to, stay on 301 or go on 441/27; to RT42, or 466 or 466A

:agree: After trying various routes over 8 years, this is how we go all of the time now. Be aware it is not highway driving, so if that is important for you it may not suit your need.

AND..... do not speed! There are some towns along that route that take their speed limits very seriously.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I've tried a couple of different ways. The one I stick with is I-95 south to I-295 around the west side of J-ville to I-10. Then west on I-10 to Rt. 301 south. Take that to Ocala then follow US27 south from there and it'll take you to TV - right to Spanish Springs, etc. This is a pretty direct route but coming down 301 takes some time - towns to go through, traffic lights, goint through Ocala, etc. FAIR WARNING: If you do take 301 south from I-10, beware of several small towns along the way that run speed traps. They're are sticklers for keeping speed down going through their burgs. Speed limits will go up and down along your way - all clearly marked. Stick with 'em and you'll be fine.

Depending on which part of TV you're wanting to get to, you might consider staying on 301 and come around the west side of TV. You can also look at jumping over to I-75 southbound before you get to Ocala then coming back east to TV a couple of different ways.

Bill

[faithfulfrank]

I've taken most every way from Jax down to Lake county.

Do NOT disregard the good advice here if you come down Rt. 301.
Lawtey, Waldo and Starke are speed traps from hell. Do an internet search on these towns......unbelievable. One of the big networks a few years ago, I think it was 60 minutes did a special on it. There is even a huge billboard saying Speed Trap Ahead. Not kidding.

Speeds go up and down, designed to catch you. Go at least 5 mph below anything. Crawl. Seriously.

Frank

[VT2TV]

Thanks for all the replies!! It might be good to travel some non-interstate roads after JAX. We will be traveling with our girls, so it might be good to have more chances to let they out of the car. I don't mind going the speed limit. Are these roads easily traveled? Our girls love to ride , but don't want then getting car-sick. :) I appreciate the opinions!

[Barefoot]

I-95 to 40 West to Ocala, to 441/27 South to TV.
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We take I-95 south and stop at a restaurant overlooking the ocean in Flagler Beach for lunch. The people at our lunch place love dogs and insist we bring them on the deck. They bring out bowls of water for them and treats. Then we treat our dogs to a run by the ocean because they've been cooped up for 26 hours. (Dogs are allowed off leash on this beach).

This is our preferred route, but we don't go to Ocala. Instead we take 40 West to 19 South. And we take 19 South to 42 West to 441. It certainly isn't the fastest way but we love driving through the country.

[chuckinca]

Bare:

Taking 19 south to 42 from 40 is the shortest way BUT - - - last spring there was lots of construction on 42. Staying on 40 into Ocala might be faster ???

Maybe make the left at Silver Springs - that road hits 441 south of Belleview.


Chuck

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Are these roads easily traveled? The 301-to-27/441 route is nice highway all the way. Pretty much straight road - not a bunch of curves or turns.

Bill

[Barefoot]

Bare:
Taking 19 south to 42 from 40 is the shortest way BUT - - - last spring there was lots of construction on 42. Staying on 40 into Ocala might be faster? Maybe make the left at Silver Springs - that road hits 441 south of Belleview. Chuck

Chuck, thanks for the info. How do you know all this backroad stuff -- I thought you lived in California!!

Does anyone out there know if there is still construction on 42?? There is a horse boarding/riding facility on 42 and I like to check it out on the way from Canada to The Villages.

I bet there is a website I could check that gives information on road closures and construction.

[tghoul]

IMHO - RT 301 is the way I go,,, Tried them all!

Take EXIT 362B onto I-295 toward I-10. 14.4 mi on I-295
Take EXIT 21B onto I-10 W toward LAKE CITY. 13.1 mi on I-10
Take US-301 S into Ocala. ( Approx 80 miles to RT 301/ RT 200 intersection in Ocala)
STAY ON US 301 S thru Ocala about 10.5 miles (measured from RT 301/ RT 200 intersection in Ocala)
US 301 bears right at this point and RT 441 / 27 Bears Left

Depending on what part of TV you are going to, stay on 301 or go on 441/27; to RT42, or 466 or 466A

I live near 466A so before reaching Ocala I take Hwy 326 to 75 then go south to 44. Then I take 44 to Buena Vista Blvd. By taking 75 I avoid Ocala and the traffic lights on 441/27.

[Annabelle]

IMHO - RT 301 is the way I go,,, Tried them all!

Take EXIT 362B onto I-295 toward I-10. 14.4 mi on I-295
Take EXIT 21B onto I-10 W toward LAKE CITY. 13.1 mi on I-10
Take US-301 S into Ocala. ( Approx 80 miles to RT 301/ RT 200 intersection in Ocala)
STAY ON US 301 S thru Ocala about 10.5 miles (measured from RT 301/ RT 200 intersection in Ocala)
US 301 bears right at this point and RT 441 / 27 Bears Left

Depending on what part of TV you are going to, stay on 301 or go on 441/27; to RT42, or 466 or 466A

VT,
This is the route we take as well when we drive to TV. We have been down several times and it is a easy drive. When you exit I-10 there are several restaurants (mostly fast food) and I'm sure you won't have any problem with finding a private spot for your girls.

We drive I-95 almost the entire length of our trip to TV so when I have the opportunity to exit off any Interstate and take a pleasant less hurried drive on a 4 lane Hwy, I am all in favor of doing so, especially if I have my dog along because I think it is less stressful for her as well.

The times we have traveled RT 301 the traffic is usually light and since I rarely exceed the speed limit I never worry about speed traps. Also there are places along the way where you can stop for your dogs (or yourselves).

Barefoot's suggestion sounds interesting, but I think Rts 40 and 19 are two lane roads which I personally don't like driving.

Whenever we travel with our dog we make sure we know where all the pet friendly hotels are in case we should need to stop (anywhere other than where we have reservations) and since we generally use Residence Inn (when we have our dog along) there is one in Ocala right off of the I -75, but since you are so close to TV you probably won't need to stop....but it's there.... just in case you!

Have a safe trip!
Annabelle

[Annabelle]

Oh one other thing nice about going down RT 301 is that as you begin to approach Ocala you are treated to some stunning scenery.... if you like horses which I do. Some lovely horse farms right off of 301.

Annabelle

[downeaster]

IMHO - RT 301 is the way I go,,, Tried them all!

Take EXIT 362B onto I-295 toward I-10. 14.4 mi on I-295
Take EXIT 21B onto I-10 W toward LAKE CITY. 13.1 mi on I-10
Take US-301 S into Ocala. ( Approx 80 miles to RT 301/ RT 200 intersection in Ocala)
STAY ON US 301 S thru Ocala about 10.5 miles (measured from RT 301/ RT 200 intersection in Ocala)
US 301 bears right at this point and RT 441 / 27 Bears Left

Depending on what part of TV you are going to, stay on 301 or go on 441/27; to RT42, or 466 or 466A

I agree. I have been travelling to Southeast Florida (Ocala, Tampa, Sanibel and Port Charlotte) from Jacksonville for years prior to moving to The Villages. We still travel to Jax frequently and also to the Northeast via I 95. The above is the shortest and fastest route. I 95 to 40 or I 95 to I 10 to I 75 are both many miles out of the way.

Speed reduction zones on 301 are clearly marked and reasonable. Observe them and have no problems.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Speed reduction zones on 301 are clearly marked and reasonable. Observe them and have no problems.

Treat the above as gospel. And if anyone who hasn't been up/down 301 before thinks they can spot the po-leece wherever they might be hiding...........don't even think about it. We came through Waldo last weekend, doing the posted speed but still - instinctively - I was keeping my eyes peeled. Here's comes some knucklehead in a Camry blowing by us doing at least 15 over, havin' a good ol' time it seemed. Just as we got outside of town, here comes the Blue Light Special in the black-and-white Tahoe up behind us, hammer down. Passed us like we were in reverse. A mile or two up the road, he had "A.J. Foyt" in the Toyota pulled over. Probably ruined THAT guy's day!

"Y'all be careful out there, ya heah??" :)

Bill

[downeaster]

Treat the above as gospel. And if anyone who hasn't been up/down 301 before thinks they can spot the po-leece wherever they might be hiding...........don't even think about it.
"Y'all be careful out there, ya heah??" :)

Bill

Right you are, Bill. I don't know the definition of "speed trap" but if it includes undetectable police vehicles, Lawtey and Waldo deserve the title.

BTW, don't be tempted to pass a truck. Those guys know the score and will not exceed 45 MPH. If you pass them you are over the speed limit and that elusive police officer is just ahead of you ready to pounce.

[chuckinca]

Chuck, thanks for the info. How do you know all this backroad stuff -- I thought you lived in California!!

Does anyone out there know if there is still construction on 42?? There is a horse boarding/riding facility on 42 and I like to check it out on the way from Canada to The Villages.

I bet there is a website I could check that gives information on road closures and construction.

Bare:


Our oldest daughter and her family live near Deland and we travel 42 a few times every time we are in TV. And we went to Alexander Springs camping last April and, for a change from driving on 42 (because of the construction), went up to 40 in Ocala on SR 35 (Baseline Road) and then East to 19 and down 19 to the road to Alexander Springs (445). It has a nice beach, canoe rental and camping area - check it out.

There is a large show horse riding facility just north of Altoona on the East side of 19 - we went by there last spring and it was loaded with horse trailers and riders in formal dress.

Here is a link to the Fla Highway construction website. Looks like no work on 42. http://www.dot.state.fl.us/publicinformationoffice/construc/constmap/d5.shtm

Chuck

[downeaster]

Chuck, thanks for the info. How do you know all this backroad stuff -- I thought you lived in California!!

Does anyone out there know if there is still construction on 42?? There is a horse boarding/riding facility on 42 and I like to check it out on the way from Canada to The Villages.

I bet there is a website I could check that gives information on road closures and construction.

I will be travelling to St. Augustine Beach tomorrow via 42 to Altoona. I'll try to remember to post back here with an up to date answer for you. We usually drive up there on a weekend so the construction has not been an issue.

BTW, we have family in St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach. I find the best route for me is 42 to north on 19. Turn lright onto CR 445A (not 445). Then onto 40 to 11 and enjoy a nice easy drive to Bunnell. At Bunnell turn left onto good old US 1 right into St. Augustine.

[chuckinca]

That looks like a nice ride to St Augustine. How are 445A, 11 and 1 to drive on?
Maybe about the same as 42?


.

[VT2TV]

Wow!!! You all are better than a GPS!! I really appreciate all these responses. We are stopping overnight in Savannah at a Hampton Inn which is dog friendly. I think the driving time to Orlando from there is about 6-7 hours. We have never travelled so far (about 12 drive all totaled) with our dogs, but like I said, they love to go for a ride Have any of you all ever given your dogs anything like Benadryl to help them sleep? They already take Phenobarbital which makes them sleep, so that may be all they need. We plan to stop every 1-2 hours for quick potty breaks, and to let them stretch their legs. But, it sounds like a lot of good ways to go. We may try several of them when we travel back to Virginia for visits. Thank all of you!!

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Have any of you all ever given your dogs anything like Benadryl to help them sleep? They already take Phenobarbital which makes them sleep, so that may be all they need.

Probably best to check with your vet for their insight given he/she knows your pets' health history.

Bill

[downeaster]

That looks like a nice ride to St Augustine. How are 445A, 11 and 1 to drive on?
Maybe about the same as 42?


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445A is a short run. No residences except at the Rt 40 end.

CR 11 is an 18 mile pleasant drive. Long straight sections through farm lands. No lights or stop signs. Recently repaved.

US 1 is a four lane divided after leaving Bunnell. One traffic light after Bunnell until approaching St. Augustine. Speed zones from 55 MPH to 65 MPH.

It is about a two hour drive from St. Augustine to the intersection of CR 42 and 27/441.

The4 only caution is Astor. Although I have seen no police activity there the locals seem to take the 45 MPH speed limit seriously.


Stay tuned. I'll be back with a construction update on 42 this evening.

[downeaster]

445A is a short run. No residences except at the Rt 40 end.

CR 11 is an 18 mile pleasant drive. Long straight sections through farm lands. No lights or stop signs. Recently repaved.

US 1 is a four lane divided after leaving Bunnell. One traffic light after Bunnell until approaching St. Augustine. Speed zones from 55 MPH to 65 MPH.

It is about a two hour drive from St. Augustine to the intersection of CR 42 and 27/441.

The4 only caution is Astor. Although I have seen no police activity there the locals seem to take the 45 MPH speed limit seriously.


Stay tuned. I'll be back with a construction update on 42 this evening.

Here is the latest on route 42 based on my round trip to St. Augustine today (Sunday).

The "Road Work Ahead" signs are still in place. There are no more detours nor is there any sign of recent activity. It looks finished but the striping doesn't look permanent nor are there any cat's eyes in the center strip. Maybe there is another layer of asphalt due.

There is a mile or two of new surface on 19 in Pittman (just north of Altoona). It doesn't look like it will be a problem.

Barefoot, the only prominent equine facility on 42 appears to be on the market. "For Sale" signs are a dead giveaway. When we passed this AM there was not a horse in sight. When we returned this afternoon there were about a dozen in sight. If you are making a special detour to see them you may want to check further. In fact, maybe I could help being a lot closer than you. PM me if I can be of service.

[Rosalie]

Can't seem to find this topic on TOTV. We will be driving down in December and hoping to get ideas on the best routes to take. We find it easier to stay on major highways (so we don't get lost taking shortcuts!!)

I'm thinking we will stay on 95 most of the time until about Jacksonville. We'll be going to the Caroline-Amelia area in The Villages.

Any input will be appreciated. Also, how many hours a day do most of you drive? I'm thinking after about 8 hrs, one isn't quite as alert--

Thanks.

[jebartle]

Thanks for all the replies!! It might be good to travel some non-interstate roads after JAX. We will be traveling with our girls, so it might be good to have more chances to let they out of the car. I don't mind going the speed limit. Are these roads easily traveled? Our girls love to ride , but don't want then getting car-sick. :) I appreciate the opinions!


We take I-95 to 40W (b4 Daytona exits) to 19S to 42W, avoids 301 which is stop and go

[pauld315]

I live near 466A so before reaching Ocala I take Hwy 326 to 75 then go south to 44. Then I take 44 to Buena Vista Blvd. By taking 75 I avoid Ocala and the traffic lights on 441/27.

I went back this way the last time we visited. It worked out really well. I was able to get to Savannah in under 5 hours.

[Shimpy]

Just made this trip last month on motercycle. 295 west of jacksonville to I10 to 301 to 24 thru Gainsville to I75. Gainsville is easily negotiated as you don't really go thru the traffic areas.