[douga]

I have tried two routes heading North from TV to Highway 95..Gone across highway 42 to 40 to Ormond Beach and then 95 but hate going through the forest.
2. Went North on 301 to A1A to 95..loved missing Jacksonville but it sure can be slow on 301 with lights in the towns and changing speed limits.

Since I am close to 466A, I was wondering about the route from 466A to 44 to 75N and the getting off just south of Gainesville and taking 24 into Waldo and then 301 North to A1A and then 95.

Has anyone taken this route and do you think it would be quicker or am I best just to take 301 all the way to A1A etc?

[spk7951]

We have tried that route but the time of day can be an issue because it does go through Gainesville and right past the hospital. As an alternative we are now using 75N to exit 368, route 318, to 301N.

[NJblue]

We have used the Gainesville route and find it to be pretty good - just make sure you don't go all the way to 24 before getting off from I75. As mentioned above, this takes you on a winding route through some pretty heavy traffic. We get off at 331 which takes you around the southern part of Gainesville and ultimately takes you to 24.

Another option that was recommended but I haven't tried is getting off I75 just north of Ocala and jutting over to 301. Based on Google Maps it doesn't look like there is an exit onto 318. However, there is an exit onto 326 which, at that point is also quite close to 301. I'm not familiar with how well the traffic flows on 301 north of Ocala to where it meets 24, but if it moves pretty well without a lot of traffic lights this may be a better solution than going around Gainesville.

[Linwood]

I take 75 north from Wildwood to exit 358 (FL326) only two miles over to 301 -and just before the 301/441 split - of course you still have to deal with Citra, Waldo, Starke, Lawtley ect - it cut 30 minutes off going thru Ocala on 301 -
it is about 40 extra miles to go the Ormand Beach route via 40,

Now if they would just finish the construction in Georgia,
cheers,

[bquin3]

I just got home & I tried a different way home which I liked.

I took 466a to 301 to 75 north. I took 75 all the way to 10 to 295 to 95.

It was more milage but only 20 minutes longer in travel time but a much more relaxing trip.

We left on Friday at 5 AM & had no traffic at all.
I will use this route down in October.

I hated to drive on 301.

Miss the Villages already.

Glad to see these different routes...We'll be heading north in about 3 weeks and really hated 301 on the way down.Thanks for the alternatives!!!

[bargee]

Bosox fan:Give the auto train a look(www.amtrak.com)We are going up May 19th.Less than 400.00 for a Town and Country van and two people.This includes coach seats(quite comfortable)dinner,breakfast and coffee and cookies and a movie after dinner.We arrive out side DC in the morning and are back in NW Ct.by 4 pm.The train leaves at 4pm so that sure beats getting up at 5am and driving all day.

[Hawkwind]

I think the route you take is all about personal preference and how you like to drive. I have tried the 301 route, the 314 through Palatka and the 40 to Ormand Beach. Also I have driven the 42/44 route to New Smyrna Beach a number of times. Each has it pluses and minuses but for me I like the 40 through the forrest.

For me I drive non stop from Ohio and it is about is about an 16 to 18 hours depending on now long the pit stops are, traffic, and a 15 minute power nap here and there. I just like to set the cruise control, throw on some good tunes, have a couple of bottles of water handy and some trail mix or something to munch on and I am good to go. Being excited about getting to TV also helps.

So traveling in this manner I like the 40 route as it may have the least amount of stop and go driving once you leave I-95 going . I have gone through the forrest in the early am hours and it was never a problem. I think the small added distance can be made up by the travel time on I-95 and 40.

where do we get the train?Are dogs allowed to travel with you?The link you have doesn't work..thanks

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan

where do we get the train?Are dogs allowed to travel with you?The link you have doesn't work..thanks

I've enquired about pets on the Amtrak. And the reply is that dogs are NOT allowed on the train, and cannot be left in your parked vehicle. No pets of any kind. You can't even leave a cat in your car.

When we travel to Canada, we take the "scenic" route, driving over to the east coast and then I-95 north. We prefer a relaxing drive to a speedy one.

[spk7951]

Originally Posted by NJblue

We have used the Gainesville route and find it to be pretty good - just make sure you don't go all the way to 24 before getting off from I75. As mentioned above, this takes you on a winding route through some pretty heavy traffic. We get off at 331 which takes you around the southern part of Gainesville and ultimately takes you to 24.

Another option that was recommended but I haven't tried is getting off I75 just north of Ocala and jutting over to 301. Based on Google Maps it doesn't look like there is an exit onto 318. However, there is an exit onto 326 which, at that point is also quite close to 301. I'm not familiar with how well the traffic flows on 301 north of Ocala to where it meets 24, but if it moves pretty well without a lot of traffic lights this may be a better solution than going around Gainesville.

I had the exit number wrong in my original post. It is exit 368 off of I-75 that we use. From the exit it is about 8 miles to 301.