[pauld315]

Yesterday, I was travelling from NC back home here in The Villages and I came down 301 from I-10, the way I normally go. When I got off 10 onto 301 S, I noticed that the northbound lane that was trying to make the left hand turn onto 10 E was backed up about a mile to a mile and a half. I don't know why more people don't just bypass that turning lane, drive past the entrance and do a U-Turn to get on 10E. Saves a lot of time when the line is that long.

We got down to Starke heading south and traffic was at a complete standstill. I kept seeing signs about construction but I never ever saw any construction being done or even a construction site. it took us over an hour to go the few miles through Starke. Once you got to the southern edge of town, traffic just started flowing freely again. I did notice there was a backup heading north also.

My suggestion would be to find an alternate path. I use the app Waze on my phone when travelling and it was trying to get me to go a different route but I thought it had malfunctioned or something. If you use Waze, follow its directions when it tells you to get off someplace you don't normally get off. It could save you a lot of time. Lesson learned the hard way!

[jnieman]

Not familiar with the roads in that area but the people who have been renting for Jan Feb March are heading home back up North the last few days of March. We have been caught in traffic jams from this in previous years.

[Chi-Town]

Excellent suggestion regarding 301 and I-10. Thanks.

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[Bogie Shooter]

Its spring break............................

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by Chi-Town

Excellent suggestion regarding 301 and I-10. Thanks.

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Or if you are going to I-95 North don't use I-10 at all. Stay on 301 to 200 (Callahan) to I-95 north of Jax. Great road. Cuts out 10 and 295. We have gone that way dozens of times and like it.

[petsetc]

Originally Posted by CWGUY

Or if you are going to I-95 North don't use I-10 at all. Stay on 301 to 200 (Callahan) to I-95 north of Jax. Great road. Cuts out 10 and 295. We have gone that way dozens of times and like it.

Thanx! Never noticed that, I'll give it a try in acouple of weeks.

[parrotgirl12]

Originally Posted by pauld315

Yesterday, I was travelling from NC back home here in The Villages and I came down 301 from I-10, the way I normally go. When I got off 10 onto 301 S, I noticed that the northbound lane that was trying to make the left hand turn onto 10 E was backed up about a mile to a mile and a half. I don't know why more people don't just bypass that turning lane, drive past the entrance and do a U-Turn to get on 10E. Saves a lot of time when the line is that long.

We got down to Starke heading south and traffic was at a complete standstill. I kept seeing signs about construction but I never ever saw any construction being done or even a construction site. it took us over an hour to go the few miles through Starke. Once you got to the southern edge of town, traffic just started flowing freely again. I did notice there was a backup heading north also.

My suggestion would be to find an alternate path. I use the app Waze on my phone when travelling and it was trying to get me to go a different route but I thought it had malfunctioned or something. If you use Waze, follow its directions when it tells you to get off someplace you don't normally get off. It could save you a lot of time. Lesson learned the hard way!

My husband and I know what you're talking about when trying to get through Starke. The new bypass is about to open, though, so theoretically their traffic situation will improve:

firstcoastnews.com | Starke Bypass set to free up traffic in the area

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by CWGUY

Or if you are going to I-95 North don't use I-10 at all. Stay on 301 to 200 (Callahan) to I-95 north of Jax. Great road. Cuts out 10 and 295. We have gone that way dozens of times and like it.

Thanks. Will try that when going to SC next month.

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[John_W]

The way CWGUY mentions above is how I use to go before I-295 was built around Jacksonville, back then you had to take I-95 all the way into the Jacksonville to reach I-10. The back way is after you cross the state line and before the Jax Airport exit, look for the route 200 Callahan/Yulee exit. Take that exit to Callahan and it's a 2 lane road but not much traffic and it connects to 301 at Callahan and you'll cross I-10 in the same place you would of exited I-10 the other way.

There is always the stay on I-10 west until around Lake City and then take I-75 south, interstate the whole way. I think it's about 75 miles longer but you can go 70 mph or about the whole way.

Another interesting note, the FAA Air Control Center (Jax Center) is in Hillard just outside of Callahan. So all the flights going north and south out over the Atlantic are being controlled in a big building out in the sticks.

[Abby10]

Originally Posted by CWGUY

Or if you are going to I-95 North don't use I-10 at all. Stay on 301 to 200 (Callahan) to I-95 north of Jax. Great road. Cuts out 10 and 295. We have gone that way dozens of times and like it.

Originally Posted by petsetc

Thanx! Never noticed that, I'll give it a try in acouple of weeks.

Same here. Next time we drive down we'll have to try that route.

Thanks, CWGUY!

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Originally Posted by parrotgirl12

My husband and I know what you're talking about when trying to get through Starke. The new bypass is about to open, though, so theoretically their traffic situation will improve:

firstcoastnews.com | Starke Bypass set to free up traffic in the area

The bypass will be a great help, but it is no where near completion. At least a year and a half out.

[patfla06]

My husband got caught yesterday on I-75 going north and it took him 1 1/2 hours for a half hour trip.

The mass exodus has begun!

[ColdNoMore]

I HATE 301 and all of its traffic lights and traffic.

You can almost watch your GPS changing the ETA by the minute...due to the constant delays.

Anytime I'm headed to Jax or points north of Jax, I can make much better time going to Palatka through the Ocala National Forest (a couple of ways to get there, but going through Salt Springs is my preference), over to I-95, then East Beltway-295 over the Dames Point Bridge (tall bridge with a nice, albeit temporary, view) toward Jax airport...and north from there.

Not only is it faster going through the forest (wide two lane, good shoulders and lots of passing locations for the few vehicles on the road) with almost no traffic lights...but the scenery is much nicer.

[Rango]

End of the month. A lot of snow birds heading north.

[Bogie Shooter]

I 75 northbound near CR44 was bumper to bumper at noon today.