[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Bama

How long is the drive to TV once you get on 301 off of I-10?

It took us around 1 1/2 hours on Route 301 to 466. It was a fun drive because we enjoyed the little towns and weren't in a hurry. We thought about taking I-75, but we felt that the anticipation of coming "home" to TV needs to be savoured.

[travelstiles]

Regarding pet friendly hotels:
We are leaving NY on 12/26 and stopping twice overnight on our drive to TV (the two of us and 2 cats in a Mini Cooper :dontknow:.
I did some research on pet friendly hotels, and have booked the following with AAA rates. Each of these also offers a generous continental breakfast (for the people ;D). Based on this I would think you could find several along the way. Check out their website: choicehotels.com

Comfort Inn
Rocky Mount, NC $80.99 + $25 pet fee
Comfort Suites
Richmond Hill, GA $76.49 + $20 per pet fee

[Bubbalarry]

Freinds of mine left today at 8:30 AM from Hadley Village. Going thru Wildwood and 466A to RT 301 S to the Florida Trnpk, and onto I-75N, to exit 382 and Rt 121/331 to Rt 24 and then onto Rt 301 to I-10E.

I got a call back from them at 10:25 AM to tell me they were just getting on I-295 North at Jax, Fl.

As far as I am concerned thats the way I will leave on Sunday AM, and the way to go North.

[Sidney Lanier]

Hi y'all, just wanted to say 'thanks!' to everyone who took the time to offer suggestions for the trip. In the end one of our sons said, 'I'll go with you, help with the driving, and I know routes that are off the beaten path that will save miles, time, and traffic grief!' He spent years working as a long-haul tractor-trailer and car-carrier driver, and in the past when he's traveled with us, it's always worked out well. He ran through a route verbally, not that I understood it, but it will put us on I-75 somewhere a lot sooner than we would have anticipated. Assuming the trip goes well (...), I'll post the route that he takes us on; maybe it'll be different altogether. Thanks again, and have a great Thanksgiving, everyone!

[SteveZ]

The towns of Lawtey and Waldo have had the well-earned reputations of being miserable speed traps along US-301 for the past three decades. I'm sure TV has found that routing folk away from these locations is to TV's best interest, as a Waldo PD speeding ticket would put folk in a bad mood - not conducive to property sales!

That being said, I-95 south to I-295 (bypass around Jacksonville), to US-301 south (yep, through Lawtey, Starke & into Waldo). At Waldo, go west on SR-24 to Gainesville. SR-24 becomes SR-331 which takes you into I-75. Go south on I-75 to CR-484 East(Exit 341, about 40 miles on I-75), Right (South) onto CR-475 to CR-466. Stay on CR-466, crossing US-301 and things should look familiar.

Be sure to WATCH YOUR SPEED through Lawtey and Waldo. Both towns have a history of bagging folk at 2-miles over the posted limit.

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by Pete

My suggestion is take I 95 down to Ormand Beach and take State Rt. 40 across Ocala National Forest to Silver Springs, west of Ocala, turn left at the Silver Springs traffic light and go to Bellview, turn left (south) on 441 to TV. I think this is a better route than the
I 10 -301 route.

Just an opinion.

I'm at my house now, and followed these directions partially.
I went to Ormond Beach and took 40 west to 19 south to 42 west. Probably 30 to 40 miles longer than the trip down 301, but there were no towns, lights or traffic all the way across. It was a really pleasant ride and I will do it that way every time! Of course the miles south on 95 were all at a speed limit of 70, and the speed limit on the other roads was 55 to 60 most of the way with one stretch of 45. There were 3 lights on 40, the 3rd at the intersection of 19 where I made a left. The Ocala forest is a pretty ride.
Take 42 until 25, make a left. Take that a mile or 2 to Griffin Rd (huge sign) make a right and that feeds into Morse Blvd traffic circle above Spanish Springs.

[Russ_Boston]

Steve - I like those directions. Google makes the difference between yours and the 301 way to be 25 miles longer. But with the speed difference and the lack of speed traps I think I like your route 40 path.

[SteveFromNY]

The other thing I tried was using 9A around the east side of Jacksonville which seemed less stressful than running 95 straight thru, and shorter than using 295 around the west side.

All in all, it was a really good way to go.

[jtdraig]

Originally Posted by Smp45

Driving from North of New York City Pittsfield, Ma to be exact---- Would anyone know of nice motels that would be Pet Friedly along 95. Thanks, smp

We usually stay at the Holiday Inn in Fayetteville. They have several pet friendly rooms that are convenient.

[campy]

Has anyone tried 17 to 19 from 295 at Jacksonville? How are these roads? What is the speed limit? Are there traffic lights?

[Bubbalarry]

I found that the best way and quickest was to go by way of I-75 to just south of Gainesville and followed my directions from above. We saved over 30 minutes and avoided most of 301 which is the shortest way in miles but forever by car if you go the full 100 miles to I-10.

Going Rt 42 or anyway towards the coast added many more miles, no matter how the road is it's not direct line of site and takes longer.

When I got back on 301, I only had 35 miles to I-10 and then a very short drive to I-295N.

So in my opinion so far thats the way to go.

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by campy

Has anyone tried 17 to 19 from 295 at Jacksonville? How are these roads? What is the speed limit? Are there traffic lights?

I've done this a few times. From 295 to Palatka on 117 is pretty busy. Stores, lights and traffic. But 19 is a joy - smooth, open and empty!

[opbob77]

I've gone almost every way mentioned here and found the FASTEST way, not necessarily the shortest, to be: I-95 to Ormond Beach and Rt 40. Take 40 to 19 south to 42 and 42 into TVA. Why is this the fastest you might ask? Because Rt 40 is mostly 65 mph and 19 thru Ocala Nat'l Forest is very lightly traveled. Not many towns and villages, either. The 301, 17/92 to 19, and other routes are the way we travelled before interstates, going through every little town and stop light along the way.

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by opbob77

I've gone almost every way mentioned here and found the FASTEST way, not necessarily the shortest, to be: I-95 to Ormond Beach and Rt 40. Take 40 to 19 south to 42 and 42 into TVA. Why is this the fastest you might ask? Because Rt 40 is mostly 65 mph and 19 thru Ocala Nat'l Forest is very lightly traveled. Not many towns and villages, either. The 301, 17/92 to 19, and other routes are the way we travelled before interstates, going through every little town and stop light along the way.

Bob,

Maybe we shouldn't let everyone know! These roads won't be empty for long.

Have you ever stopped at that store with 1,000,000 items? Or so it claimed?

[Bubbalarry]

Originally Posted by SteveZ

The towns of Lawtey and Waldo have had the well-earned reputations of being miserable speed traps along US-301 for the past three decades. I'm sure TV has found that routing folk away from these locations is to TV's best interest, as a Waldo PD speeding ticket would put folk in a bad mood - not conducive to property sales!

That being said, I-95 south to I-295 (bypass around Jacksonville), to US-301 south (yep, through Lawtey, Starke & into Waldo). At Waldo, go west on SR-24 to Gainesville. SR-24 becomes SR-331 which takes you into I-75. Go south on I-75 to CR-484 East(Exit 341, about 40 miles on I-75), Right (South) onto CR-475 to CR-466. Stay on CR-466, crossing US-301 and things should look familiar.

Be sure to WATCH YOUR SPEED through Lawtey and Waldo. Both towns have a history of bagging folk at 2-miles over the posted limit.

That route my friend is the best. I not only posted it earlier but drove it, so your absolutely correct.