[douga]

We will be heading for the villages from the north for the first time and plan on heading around Jacksonville via 9A and then onto Ormand Beach to highway 40.

I see from previous threads that it is recommended to take the 40 to silver springs and then south on #35 to Belleview and then either 441/27 or 301 to TV. We will be staying near Nancy Lopez course so looks like we should take the 42 and then onto one the streets heading south.

Another way mentionned was to take the 40 at Ormand Beach and then the #19 at Astor park or wildcat lake(not sure which one) and then the #42 at Altoona to TV.

I am looking for which route is best and if anyone has any info to pass on in regards to these two routes.
thanks

doug

[ijusluvit]

I've responded to these threads before. I don't know how many folks have taken my suggestion, but believe me, it is at least 30 minutes faster than any other route from I-95 North. We live on Nancy Lopez so this will work for you too...

I-95 thru Jacksonville to St. Augustine. Rt. 207 west till it ends in Palatka; right on Rt 17 North for about 1/4 mile then left on Rt 100 West through town to Rt 19 South. 19 to Salt Springs; right on Rt 314 West to Rt 35; left on Rt 35 to 441/27 to Rt. 42 and TV.

Going through Palatka is never a problem. The Rt. 35 stretch can be slow during the day so you might consider staying on Rt 19 past Salt Springs to Altoona, then right on Rt 42 all the way to TV. Happy Motoring!

[downeaster]

We travel frequently between The Villages and points north above Jacksonville.
South of the airport, we take I 295 West around Jax to I 10 West. We then take US 301 South all the way the the Villages. It is about 50 miles shorter than the Ormond route. One caveat on this route, watch your speed in the 45MPH zones. They are clearly marked and they are serious.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by douga

We will be heading for the villages from the north for the first time and plan on heading around Jacksonville via 9A and then onto Ormand Beach to highway 40.

Another way mentionned was to take the 40 at Ormand Beach and then the #19 at Astor park or wildcat lake(not sure which one) and then the #42 at Altoona to TV.

I am looking for which route is best and if anyone has any info to pass on in regards to these two routes.
thanks doug

Doug, we take 40 at Ormand Beach, 19 and then 42. Fireboy and I both love coming that way! Much better for us than 301.

It may not be as fast, but it is more relaxing, scenic and enjoyable (for us, not for everyone).

[NJblue]

This seems to be a never-ending point of discussion, with each person having their favorites. Having never taken the trip myself, but hoping to in the near future, here is an objective view from Google Maps (using a point on 95 just north of the 295/9A loop as a starting point):

95 to 10 to 301 to LSL

• Total Distance: 133 miles
• Non-Interstate Distance: 106 Miles
• "Google" Time: 2 Hr 43Min

95 to 10 to 301 to Waldo to 24 to 331 to 75 to LSL

• Total Distance: 142 miles
• Non-Interstate Distance: 56 Miles
• "Google" Time: 3 Hr 0Min

95 to St. Augustine to 207 to 100 to 19 ... etc to LSL

• Total Distance: 147 miles
• Non-Interstate Distance: 96 Miles
• "Google" Time: 3 Hr 41Min

95 to Ormond Beach to 40 to 19 to 42... etc to LSL

• Total Distance: 164 miles
• Non-Interstate Distance: 70 Miles
• "Google" Time: 3 Hr 45Min

Obviously "Google Time" can not be relied upon since it is very hard for them to factor in actual average speeds on non-Interstate routes. However, from the perspective of minimizing total miles and non-Interstate miles, the second route that takes you to 75 looks intriguing. However, this also takes you right around Gainesville on 24 and 331 ... not sure how slow this would be.

[coach]

I drive this trip often from and to NC and I use option 2 with one exception. I take 301 S and just before Ocala I take 326 over to I75. Then I75 down to exit 341. Turn right on 475A then right on 475 which becomes 466. You come into the Villages on 466. Going the speed limit and stopping one time I can get from Exit 14 in Ga. to the Walgreens on 466 across from Southern Trace in three hours.

[coach]

After reviewing my comment, let me correct myself to say I use option 1 with my addition, not 2.

Sorry for the senior moment.

[downeaster]

Coach,

I sometimes vary my routine and avoid Ocala like you do.

From my home in Belleair to I 10 is about 100 miles and takes 2 hours. Using I 75 around Ocala adds a few miles but takes about the same amount of time. Probably use less gas by avoiding all those traffic signals.

BTW, now that 9A is completed, the drive around Jax should be faster than via I 295.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by NJblue

This seems to be a never-ending point of discussion, with each person having their favorites. Having never taken the trip myself, but hoping to in the near future, here is an objective view from Google Maps (using a point on 95 just north of the 295/9A loop as a starting point):

95 to 10 to 301 to LSL

• Total Distance: 133 miles
• Non-Interstate Distance: 106 Miles
• "Google" Time: 2 Hr 43Min

95 to 10 to 301 to Waldo to 24 to 331 to 75 to LSL

• Total Distance: 142 miles
• Non-Interstate Distance: 56 Miles
• "Google" Time: 3 Hr 0Min

95 to St. Augustine to 207 to 100 to 19 ... etc to LSL

• Total Distance: 147 miles
• Non-Interstate Distance: 96 Miles
• "Google" Time: 3 Hr 41Min

95 to Ormond Beach to 40 to 19 to 42... etc to LSL

• Total Distance: 164 miles
• Non-Interstate Distance: 70 Miles
• "Google" Time: 3 Hr 45Min

Obviously "Google Time" can not be relied upon since it is very hard for them to factor in actual average speeds on non-Interstate routes. However, from the perspective of minimizing total miles and non-Interstate miles, the second route that takes you to 75 looks intriguing. However, this also takes you right around Gainesville on 24 and 331 ... not sure how slow this would be.

NJBlue, great information, thanks.

[douga]

Thanks to all for the great information. It does give one many choices and the times included are great. Since I have never taken any of these routes it should be interesting. I do prefer to travel on the interstates so one of the longer routes might be my choice with cutting off at St Augustine my initial thoughts but time wise it doesn't look much different than going right to Ormand Beach. Glad I have to make the decision and not my wife or else I would be driving right to Miami before a decision was made..(just kidding)
Whatever route I will try and time it and post it when I get to the Villages but not for a couple of months yet
doug

[Barefoot]

Doug, hurry down to TV. That snowy picture you have posted is making me

[ijusluvit]

Here's a guarantee...

go to Ormand Beach instead of taking 207 from St Augustine and you add 30 minutes to your trip.

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by NJblue

This seems to be a never-ending point of discussion, with each person having their favorites. Having never taken the trip myself, but hoping to in the near future, here is an objective view from Google Maps (using a point on 95 just north of the 295/9A loop as a starting point):

95 to 10 to 301 to LSL

• Total Distance: 133 miles
• Non-Interstate Distance: 106 Miles
• "Google" Time: 2 Hr 43Min

95 to 10 to 301 to Waldo to 24 to 331 to 75 to LSL

• Total Distance: 142 miles
• Non-Interstate Distance: 56 Miles
• "Google" Time: 3 Hr 0Min

95 to St. Augustine to 207 to 100 to 19 ... etc to LSL

• Total Distance: 147 miles
• Non-Interstate Distance: 96 Miles
• "Google" Time: 3 Hr 41Min

95 to Ormond Beach to 40 to 19 to 42... etc to LSL

• Total Distance: 164 miles
• Non-Interstate Distance: 70 Miles
• "Google" Time: 3 Hr 45Min

Obviously "Google Time" can not be relied upon since it is very hard for them to factor in actual average speeds on non-Interstate routes. However, from the perspective of minimizing total miles and non-Interstate miles, the second route that takes you to 75 looks intriguing. However, this also takes you right around Gainesville on 24 and 331 ... not sure how slow this would be.

I've tried all of these routes, having made the trip from NY to Fl too many times over the years.
I really like the scenery on the Ormond Beach route, but it is a lot longer time wise.
Last few times I've done it I went via I-10 to 301 to Waldo to I-75 via 24 and 331. That way is the fastest despite Google. The ride really bypasses Gainseville and is relatively open with just a few lights.
One addition though, I head south further on I-75 and get off at 329 instead of 341. This puts you on 44 into Wildwood. I come north a bit on 301 and make the right on 466A. I live in Liberty Park, so being closer to 466A this saves me some time.

I think StevefromNY is right. The shortest distance is I10 -> 301 -> LSL, but the quickest time (by only a few minutes) is I10 -> 301 -> Waldo -> SR24 -> I75. Although Google Maps may say the Waldo SR24 route is not as quick, Yahoo Maps does say it is quicker than the first route. I plan to take the SR24 route on my trip down this week-end. I have taken the first one several times, so I look forward to comparing the two. Maybe on another trip, I will try the Ormand Beach route just for the scenery, but it will have to be when I don't really care about the time.