[njbchbum]

For those of you who dirve south on I-95 to TV, what is the most effective route to travel to reach TV?

DH and I usually get to J-ville and head to 295 and then 10 to 301. Is there a more direct/faster route? Mind you - we have packed the Mountaineer to the rafters [I don't think I can fit another sandal into that vehicle] and DH is not likely to be a happy camper by Sunday afternoon [despite his stopping in GA at Pelican Point for a midday meal].

Any suggestions will be appreciated!

PS
It looks like our closing is set for Wed; have scheduled a cleaning service for Mon and carpet cleaner for Tues. Also switched utilities over for Wed. Let's hope all goes according to plan! Just hafta go and buy a bed Mon or Tues for delivery Wed. All else will follow!

I can't thank you all enough for your info and advice. It has made this venture much easier to accomplish. And after inquiring about some furniture from their on-line display, Babett's furniture offered us a 10% discount on whatever we can buy there!

[rwcw]

You described the best route to TV, via 295,10 and 301.

One word of warning. Stay within the speed limit on 301! Not even 5 mph over.
No kidding.

[njbchbum]

Thanx for the confirmation and the advice. DH and I always do the speed limit on that stretch of the ride! We never cease to be amazed at the folks who do not heed the billboard warning!

I sort of enjoy the ride on the northern part of 301 - but once ya hit the traffic spots - eeeooowww! Maybe it won't be as bad driving it on a Sunday!

[SteveFromNY]

I heard from one of the folks out here about an alternate route - take 301 as you suggest, but at Waldo take a right on 24. You miss most of the traffic spots on 301, and the ride on 24 past Gainseville isn't bad really. You can follow 24 over to I-75 where you can drive highway speeds. I get off I-75 at exit 329 and take 44 to 301 and come up north to 466A, but I live in the south end near 466A. It's 12 minutes from my house to the interstate. If you live further north you can take the higher exit (341) and come in from the north.
The ride from the FL state line to my house in Liberty Park is right about 2 1/2 hours. I've tried most ways suggested and I've found this way to be my favorite. Have a nice trip!

[Cassie325]

StevefromNY is right on the $$$!! His route is the best!!

[l2ridehd]

Agree with Steve. I also cut over to 75 just North of Ocala. Hit it at exit 358 and take it down to exit 329 and miss most of the traffic by doing that. Come over to 301, couple blocks North to 466A and to TV. I also live South, Sunset Pointe so that is the best route. I have tried most of them and even following the speed limit exactly on 301 it is still the fastest. I drive down from VA and it is about 14 hours with a couple stops. Sometimes leave real early (4:00 AM) and do it in the same day and sometimes leave late afternoon, stop someplace in SC and leave early next AM. For us Walterboro SC, exit 53 seems about the right breaking point. Hampton Inn just off the highway that seems tolerable. And that's just over halfway for us. By leaving there at 6:00 AM we are there around noon. Be doing the trip again on March 30.

[Indy-Guy]

If I were going that direction I would go this way. Perhaps longer and perhaps quicker. Easier on the mind and less frustrating.

I-95 to Rt-40 in Ormond Beach -- or -- get off I-95 earlier at Road 100 to Bunnell and 11 South to Rt-40

Stay on 40 West until you pass over the St. John’s River at Astor

About a 1 – 2 miles past Astor go left onto 445A toward Alexander Springs

Take 445A about ½ mile & turn left onto 445

Stay on 445 (through National Forest you will think you are in the middle of nowhere) until it dead-ends at 19

Turn left onto 19 and go about 5 miles to light at SR-42

Turn right onto 42 and take 42 to 25 at Weirsdale

Turn left onto 25 and take to Griffin Ave to 441/27 This intersection is at
La Plaza Grande Shopping Center

[njbchbum]

thank you all! we certainly have options! indyguy's directions get us closest to where we want to wind up since we will be staying at the holiday inn express in the plaza where we are staying until our closing on wednesday - and we use the shay gate to get to our-house-to-be and that of our friends. but i can bet that DH will prefer to take a more hi-way route!

will discuss the options in the a.m. with DH - the driver!

villages are the best!

[SteveFromNY]

If you come down 75 and get off at 341, you are a few miles north of TV. You head east then south to 42 and you're at the north end of TV. Still quicker than the route down 95. I used to love 40 & 19, and understand why folks do. But as I recall it was closer to 4 hours from the FL state line going that way. The drive across 40 and down 19 is very pleasant - the roads are in good shape and pretty empty. But be ready to spend maybe another 1 1/2 hours in the car.

[OpusX1]

Another option that we use if the traffic is bad on 95/295. We get off at A1A S to Callahan and get 301. S on 301 to Citra, rt 318 w. Cut across to 75. S to Bellvue/Dunellon exit, rt 484. E to 301, S to 466 or 42 if you are on the N side of TV. That way you miss Gainesville too.

[katezbox]

Let us know how the closing goes? You are about 3 weeks ahead of us!

k

[JohnN]

StevefromNY is right on if you're on the south end, below 466

[njbchbum]

thanx, all! we used steve's route and it was a charm - once we got out of the traffic coming onto 24 from the gainesville raceway! DH had such a tantrum when he saw that - was ready to turn around and go back to 301! told him i would get out of he car and get a ride with someone in the traffic if he tried it!

i am sooooooo excited to be here! gonna snoop on the cleaning staff at the house tomorrow and on the carpet cleaner on tues! hope the realtor got us permission to dump our stuff in the utility room tomorrow. we really packed the car with everything from a television, to carry-bag chairs, to dishes, pots, pans, utensils, gadgets, tools, pillows, snack trays, a blender and a month's worth of clothes! i don't want to hafta shop for furniture with all of that in the back of the car!

thanx again for your help. have saved all alternate routes for another day!

[njbchbum]

kate -
i am hoping it will be a breeze since it is a cash sale - just hafta hope that closing agent will have everything ready for wed. as mentioned, the cleaners are in place - and i have contacted all utility reps to cut service over to us for wed. fingers are appropriately crossed!

[ijusluvit]

Directions from I-95 to the Villages has been a popular topic. I wasn't going to post this time, but when I heard you liked Indy-Guy's route I thought I should share our experiences. We went to Ormond Beach route in December and it was 30 minutes and miles longer than our route, which is the fastest and easiest of any mentioned so far.

I-95 to St. Augustine. Rt 207 to East Palatka, right on Rt. 17/100, for a couple of miles. Left on Rt. 20 through Palatka to Rt. 19.
Rt 19 South to Salt Springs. Right on Rt 314 to Rt 35. South on Rt 35 to the end. Left onto Rt 441/27 and about 8 miles to the Villages, Spanish Springs area. This route is not only the fastest and shortest, but it is also has the fewest miles of traffic congestion and no speed traps!

Happy Motoring!