Going and returning on route 301 out of florida
 

Please tell me other than being a $$$ Money Grab $$$ what could possibly be the reason for the fluctuation of the speed limits on Route 301 from approximately Jacksonville all the way back to the ranch in Lady Lake? I've been everywhere man and one of the best trips driving-wise was ruined on the return trip when you are already wiped out from being on the road for over 8 hours and the speed limit changes 3 or 4 times in a quarter of a mile.

Tickets were flying. They seemed to be targeting people in older vehicles but who really knows? Why did they do such a fantastic job fixing the road to ruin it with speed limits like they are? Maybe there really is no answer and it's just something we have to live with.

I saw an officer who looked like :police: Buford T. Justice :police: writing a ticket. I did not get ticketed but am trying to tip off our TOTV'S friends to chill out when you are driving thru Mayberry on 301. Good Luck. :police:

Anyway. What's with the speed limit fluctuation?

read article below

Waldo is no longer the nation'''s worst speed trap, AAA says – Orlando Sentinel

It is a tough drive from 70mph is some areas and 30 in others. Add in all the lights and you are stop and go for 3 hours. Sometimes when leaving I take 75 up to route 10 to get to 95. Have never seen many cops out there but I have heard that they are out there.

I hear ya Nucky, we’ve had it with 301. Our go to route (coming from the north toward the Villages) is to take the 295 west loop around Jacksonville and pick up 17 south, follow 17 south to Palatka and pick up 19 south. Follow 19 south through the Ocala National Forest all the way to Altoona and take 42 west to 25 south which brings you right to the wonderful historic section of the Villages.

With the exception of the first few miles on 17 (lots of traffic lights), it’s a very nice ride, especially going through the forest. There is sometimes a speed trap in the forest, but if you set your cruise control at 60 mph than no worries.

Glad you made it safe and sound back to the Villages : )

I’ve never had an issue with 301 up and back when we must drive. Normally we fly back and forth 3x’s a year. We rarely use 75.

75 north to Alachua. route 121 north to I 10 in Mcilhenny. Avoids 301 and speed limit is 60 most of the way. Few signs of civilization between the interstates.

Popular with truckers but they are flying. Easy to pass since traffic is light. Similar to going through the Ocala forest on 40

We take at least one round trip per year between New England and Central Florida. We've been doing that every year since 2014. Yes 301 can be a real pain in the butt with the changes in speed. A couple of things once they abandoned the Waldo speed traps and then built the Starke bypass the trip improved. We once tried I-75 to I-10 and we won't do that again, it's at least 20 miles longer and adds 15 minutes to the trip.

When we drive 301 we too have been on the road for 8 hours so it's not fun.

That actually sounds great! Whats 15 minutes?

I'd be REALLY interested if there was a known efficient path that allowed me to take the 75 north or south (into Tennessee) that AVOIDED Atlanta entirely. I hate Atlanta. It takes nearly 15% of my trip time to get through that congested mess fraught with dangerous and unpredictable drivers. Other than me of course.

Just went up 301 to I 10 and so happy for the bypass. Did not see many cops on the road at all before the bypass.

After too many hours on the road the last thing I want/need is over and hour of stop and go traffic.

No thanx.

I will gladly take the extra 15 minutes and take the interstate(s).

I would bet the overall time is not a significant difference, hence pick your choice.

Yes, please share if you find a “secret” shortcut that avoids Atlanta without going a hundred miles out of the way or taking small country stop-go roads.

We always went 75 north to 24 to either 65 or 57 to go back and forth from Chicago. We’d try to time the drive so we were hitting Atlanta at 5 or 6 am. Not bad, but even then there was still a lot of traffic. Actually, the last few times we made the drive Nashville was the bigger pinch point.

school zones and small towns it's a nice break from 80 on 95 for 6 hrs.

There is a bypass around Atlanta, will add 15 or so miles but can be very worth it. Believe it is called I 285

Took this route for the 1st time 1 month ago and agree with you. Noted increase was stair stepped and not very gradual. Seemed like speed dropped every 1/4 mile 10 MPH till it went down to 35 MPH. Looked like a huge revenue producer for the locals. Huge speed traps

Instead of extending turnpike, legislators should look into creating a 4 lane thoroughfare from Ocala area and up to NE Florida section of 95.

Good idea if you live closer to 75. We live in the Spanish Springs area. Have to drive too far to the west(and back) to get to 75,

We already take the route to the west which adds about 125 miles to the trip instead of the 1250 miles using i95 all the way to New England. We stopped using i95 thru Balt/DC, NY/NJ and worst of all the Ct. turnpike. So 20 miles and an extra 15 minutes is not something I care to do when we are already adding 2 plus hours to the trip. I will add in all honesty 301 never really bothered us that much to change the route. We stay off i10 too by taking 228 thru the Normandy section of Jacksonville then go directly onto i295.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: I get it. I know and have taken other routes and each has its strong points and weaknesses. Coming thru the Ocala Forest or wherever the hell we were was worse than 301 for me. I am a patient and kind driver and ALWAYS give the other person every break I can. My thought was with all the planning and money that went into putting that stretch of road into such fine condition why oh why the speed limits posted the way they are? If you have never experienced it let me try and save you a few coins because it has to be a setup to deal out tickets. What other reason could there be? Poor planning or execution. 65 to 45 to 50 t0 60 to 64 all in the space of a mile, cut me a husk!

I know the other routes are there. If they made this entire stretch 50 MPH that would be a beautiful thing. I'll still use 301 next time. I'm just wondering what my Village brethren could come up with. Overall, NOTHING. Just toughen up and live through it I guess. :cryin2::grumpy:

We take the western roundabout as well, opting to take 84 west to Scranton and then taking 81 to 77 to 26 and not getting on 95 until well into South Carolina. Agree it adds about 125 miles, but disagree it adds 2 plus hours to the trip. However, it can easily save you from sitting in 2 plus hours worth of traffic, some highly congested white knuckle driving, and eliminates several tolls.

We have taken I 10 several times while head north to I 95 and have never had problems with traffic for the few miles we are on it.

Will agree taking I 95 thru Washington and up to Ct can be a nightmare not to mention a very expensive one considering the tolls.

definitely a money grab

Licence, registration... Have a nice day
 

roger that, best stress free route. Best to travel in the middle of the pack

Use the 81 alternate to-from CT. Still have to deal with SC/GA stretch. Have added the 301 connection directly to 95 skipping the crazy ride on 10-295-95. Love getting in the left lane at the 10 junction and pass by the trailers clogging the eastbound ramp. Quiet ride to near the FL border.

You’re going through many small towns and villages on 301. Of course the speed limit will change. It’s not an interstate highway. If you want a steady 70 mph then take 75.

i love the blue ridge parkway and take a slow 2 day ride staying in various towns each time. Just curious as you are close have you and others done the same. Btw in series outlander saw how scottish migrated to all areas near the brp pre revolutionary war. Guess the mountains reminded them of home

and cruise control

That stretch of 301 has been known for years for “speed traps” anyone that drives that route regularly knows it.

That’s been going on since at least 1984. I’ve been running that road for years. It’s actually gotten much better. In all of the small towns it use to be 35, 45, 55 within 200 yards then back up the same way. I love traveling that road because I know it!

I have often said that the traffic engineer for Florida needs to be replaced with someone that knows the job.

have driven thru delmarva to avoid the dc nightmare and it's beautiful country especially if you detour to coast like rehoboth beach

301 to A1A, 95N to 26W!! I did 75 one time for ****s and giggles end of story. Actually 68 miles shorter to Greeneville Tn. my way!

You're right about white-knuckle driving and traffic. We take that same route. We don't miss the drive on i95 thru Ct. or paying the tolls. i-10 is not really bad but we got to prefer 228 (off 301 before Baldwin) thru the Normandy section of Jacksonville.

We travel with a dog too, used to do it with 2 dogs. We've tried LaQuinta, Candlewood and Country Inn and suites. With the new route we take it's a Hampton Inn and a Marriott Residence Inn. Yes, a little pricer than the previously mentioned hotels but worth it. If it weren't for the dog we could take one of the direct flights offered out of Tampa or Orlando.

As a side note I understand all Hampton Inns are now pet friendly.

Atlanta
 

I leave TV at 4:30 AM Sunday morning drive through Atlanta at 9:30 AM. Usually light traffic and can maintain the posted speed limit all the way through.

The Blue Ridge is on our to do list, but so far every time we make the trip we have left it off the agenda. Traveling with a dog complicates things (and good lodging options are limited) and makes us want to get between our homes as quickly as possible. Plus, every extra day on the road is one less day we can spend in the Villages, so there is that consideration also.

spped
 

generally speaking - areas with lots of entrances and exits off a road have lower limits, and MOST towns don't want accidents due to speed.

Don't like it , stay home or fly.

Obviously you haven’t ever taken the route I’m speaking of because your reply of fly or stay home is our of line and has nothing to do with the question I asked.

Are you the officer who was handing out the tickets?

We also took these routes going north and with one exception always stayed on 75 through Atlanta. Very seldom was there a problem with backed up traffic. We usually went through there between nine am and noon. Tried the by-pass once and the amount of truck and other traffic slowed us more than going through downtown. With the superb highway markings going through Atlanta, it is easy to get into the proper lanes early and maneuver through the traffic.

Quick question, we are planning our early fall trip to the Villages and am wondering if there is a particular direction on the Blue Ridge (north or southbound) that has more spectacular views? Also, are there any particular places of interest along the Blue Ridge where we should schedule a short stop or two? Thanks.

So, you haven’t been in the Villages for awhile, taking potshots from afar…..

Do you have to physically be in the Villages to reply on the forum???