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.