Avoiding Rt 301
 

Route 301 has to be the very worst rode to have to travel on. I'll be heading back down to TV after the Holiday, and after a long drive down from NJ, having to drive on Rt 301 near the end of the trip sucks (for lack of a better word). I'm considering just taking I10 over to I75 just to avoid that road. Obviously a lot longer mileagewise, but perhaps not a lot more time.
Wondering if anyone has tried that and can comment.

Pretty close in travel time and a lot less hassle.

We use 301 to get to the Florida Turnpike because it is close by

Try: I95 to Florida 40 at Ormond Beach- 40 to 19 south -19 to 42 to TV.
Good roads , less traffic etc - Have tried them all from 95 and this is clearly the best for me.

Google Maps from I-295 @ I-10:

Via US 301: 2 hr 32 min; 118 miles

Via I-75: 2 hr 38 min; 175 miles


both to Spanish Springs Town Square.

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ENJOY!

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...ht=route+north

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...ht=route+north

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...ht=route+north

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...ht=route+north

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...ht=route+north

Sorry but I will take 301 any day compared to the race car driver mentality on the interstate. No hassles with the small towns for me.

I have to agree with Jima64 re 301 vs 75. But since you are from Jersey and likely familiar with the idiot drivers on the NJ Tpk - you should do fine on 75. Have driven both - have read of all the accidents and fatalities on 75 - so we have stuck with 301. Some day we might try the 95/40/19/42 drive, but the one lane roads don't please the driver at this point.

We have done both. 75 was 40 miles longer and 10 minutes longer than the 301.

I'm with you, J......very relaxing ride. Just obey the posted speed.:police:

Having a lack of patience seems to be the complaint...I use 301 as I am retired and meandering through these backwater towns is pretty mellow with the occasional idiot thrown in to keep me on my toes.

I agree.

I 95 south to 295 around Jacksonville. Get off in Orange Park and head south on 17 to Palatka. In Palatka bear right to 19, to Altoona. Go east on 42 to 441. We use this route whenever we travel to New England. Once you leave the Orange Park area it is easy going down through the Ocala National Forest. You may even see a bear. (We have!)

We used 301 going north and coming back Many years ago.
Absolutely no advantage to do so.

Take the longer, safer and about the same clock wise I-75 or I-95 depending where headed.

A lot of interesting replies, and I thank you for them. I guess it's a"one man's trash is another man's treasure" kind of thing. Some of us are content to have a relaxing ride, and some of us are more interested in the time it takes. I guess I fall into the latter group. I just can't take that 301 highway knowing that the local towns use the speed limits, some of which make no sense, and double fines to support their treasury. I think during my next two trips, I will try the Ocala National Forest route and the I75/I10 route to see which is my "treasure", I already know which is my "trash". Again thanks for the responses, apparently it depends on the individual driver as to which is the preferable route.
Enjoy the Holidays! I can't wait to get back to TV although it's still golf weather here in NJ, lol.

I usually take I-75 . I would avoid I-75 on holiday weekends. On 11/29
I got as far as Ocala before coming to a complete stop. Everyone was doing 85 with one car length between cars. One little bump and it was a 9 car wreck. Naturally every accident then causes a 5 mile back up in both directions.

The weather was perfect- bone dry roads ,,but due density (and I mean density) of traffic and drivers it was one of the most brutal drives I have ever experienced.
The trip to South Carolina took 7 hours rather than the estimated 5 hours.
I took 301 for the first time coming back. Yes there were slow downs in communities but as least the traffic was moving.

I'm always concerned that I missed a speed limit sign on the smaller roads. I don't want a ticket or even be stopped. When I do stop at a stop sign I wait a full 3 seconds before proceeding. I wish there was an app I could count on that told me when the speed limit changes.

You make a very good point about bumper to bumper traffic going 85 mph. And add the fact that when there are 3 lanes, drivers going fast pass on the right as well. No, I don't think interstate driving is safer than 301.

Feedback, on my trip down I took the I75 route. Can't know for sure, but I suspect it was about the same time wise, but Was on it in the middle of the night, so I made good time. Without traffic, to me, it is much better than taking 301.
On my next trip, I will try the route through the National Forest.

After heading south on 301 we take a turn off on right just past Waldo (SR 24 - I think) and then over to I-75 about 13 miles and then south on I-75. You will pick up I-75 at about exit 382 and then south to the Villages. I exit at #329 (SR 44)

Takes some of the hassle out of the up/down constant speed changes.


(Some day we might try the 95/40/19/42 drive)

Took this same route yesterday and I 75 was a parking lot from Gainesville til South of Ocalla! A loooonnnngggg day!

Goggle Maps: 10 minutes faster, 8 miles longer. (Without traffic)

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My gps in both cars tells me speed limits and has been extremely accurate even when coming into speed zones.

Somebody should sell an interlock mechanism so that car only goes the speed limit when it is engaged.

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Us, too
 

So glad you asked this question. We will be driving this route on New Year's Day, and while we normally take 301, I am wary of the number of speed traps that will be lurking on1/1. We will try one of the other suggested routes. Thanks!:pepper2:

Why not just drive the speed limit?

BTW, some of those "speed trap" towns no longer have a presence on 301. Now patrolled by County.

Just took that exact route home to NY. Easy with little traffic or stops. at I95 in less than an one and a half hours.

so true!!!