[njbchbum]

thanx for another option - this route would make the DH take me to St. Augustine!!!

what kind of roads are 207, 17/100,20, 19, 314, 35 - are they one or two lanes generally?

Originally Posted by 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!

[ijusluvit]

207 is a 4-lane divided highway, fast, only one traffic signal. 17/100 is 4-lane, busier but only a couple of miles. 20 is 2-lane, in town, but designed to get you through quickly. 19 is 2-lane but straight through the Ocala Forest. Fast and peaceful. 314 is the same, just not as straight. 35 is 2-lane. It can be slow if you get behind a truck, but I think it seems even slower because I'm always so excited to get back to TV!

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by ijusluvit

207 is a 4-lane divided highway, fast, only one traffic signal. 17/100 is 4-lane, busier but only a couple of miles. 20 is 2-lane, in town, but designed to get you through quickly. 19 is 2-lane but straight through the Ocala Forest. Fast and peaceful. 314 is the same, just not as straight. 35 is 2-lane. It can be slow if you get behind a truck, but I think it seems even slower because I'm always so excited to get back to TV!

I've gone a variation of this was a couple of times and the roads are very nice and generally empty (I just found my variation a longer albeit more relaxing ride). I used 19 down to 40 rather than take the cut off at 314. One of these trips I'll give 314 a try. I'm always looking for different ways.

[faithfulfrank]

I too am interested in the best way from I-95, as we are thinking that we will start driving down soon instead of flying. (we are flying down for our May trip, but probably driving down for the month of November).

Our needs are a bit different because we are about 13 miles south of you good people, just about 2-3 miles south of Leesburg.

One of our previous trips I drove back to western NY, and drove through the Ocala forest about 2am. It was foggy, and about every few feet thee were deer running across the road, or lined up by the side of the road. I swear if there were any more of them I would have bet they were lining up waiting to see a parade! Even 35 mph was too fast, and I was praying I would not hit a deer.

I am a seasoned driver, used to driving Fire trucks and Ambulances, but that drive was a white knuckle experience.....i'll never do it again at night.

Frank D.

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank

......
Our needs are a bit different because we are about 13 miles south of you good people, just about 2-3 miles south of Leesburg.
......


Frank D.

If you take the route down 75 to exit 329 it puts you on 44 which runs right into Leesburg. It might work for you. The turnpike also hooks into 75 a mile below 329. That could help.

[faithfulfrank]

thanks Steve,
I need to study a bit more about the best way from I-95 to our place.
I'm embarrassed to say I got mixed up in Palatka one time, and the Ocala forest thing at night spooked me.
I wish there was a clear best way.....

From our place up in NY, the western route through western PA, W.V., etc is faster and shorter but we have relatives in S.C. that we like to see and we can stay with, so for us 95 is the preferred way.....although I also don't really like 15 through Pa, although I'm told it is getting better.

Thanks!!

Frank D.

[SteveFromNY]

Frank, unless I'm mistaken The Plantation is pretty close to one of the Turnpike entrances south of TV. I'd bet the fastest way from 95 is using the 301 to 24 to 75 route talked about earlier, but just stay on 75 and then the turnpike south to the exit 296 or 289. Looks like it's close to your place.

[faithfulfrank]

I believe you're right Steve...thanks..!

Frank D.

[ijusluvit]

Hey Frank,

I live on the north end of TV and the route I've mentioned above is the fastest from my home in Kenmore, not far from you.

But I've got a TV neighbor who lives in Hamilton ONT, drives through Buffalo, Cleveland and Cincinnati then straight down I-75. We looked at the maps and he's convinced me the drive time is about the same as mine. We seem to drive similarly; speed, # of stops, etc. This is the one route I haven't tried yet. It seems so far out west. But for your location nearer to 75 it could really be the fastest of any route. Added bonus - better roads in the winter.

[Hawkwind]

Ijusluvit

Going to Buffalo / Cleveland / Cincinnati has got to be a lot longer than going down I-79 from Erie to I-77 in Charleston to I-26 in Columbia to I-95.

I live only a few miles off I-77 just south of Akron Oh and would never think of even trying the I-75 route. Columbus, Cincinnati and Atlanta traffic has got to be unreal.

I know it is a little nuts but I have done the drive to TV or New Smyrna Beach 30 or 40 times as the lone driver and always streight through. Easy 17 to 18 hour drive.

[ijusluvit]

Hawkwind,

I thought the same thing until the discussion with my neighbor. He says the trick is to leave early in the am (6:00 at Buffalo). He says Cleveland and Cincinnati are never a problem and you hit Atlanta at a good hour. By staying on 75 through Atlanta, the worst he has ever experienced is slow traffic either on the way in or out. I think he may be right because those of us who use 79/77 forget the slower stretch on 19 in WV, the I-95 construction and heavier traffic zones, and the much longer stretch from 95 to TV no matter which way you take, as opposed to the short hop from either Bellevue or Wildwood to TV on 75. I'm gonna try it.

[faithfulfrank]

Well, at the risk of beating a dead horse, this subject is one I'm thinking a lot about lately, as we are planning on driving down this October. (We are flying down in May also)

I appreciate the help here. I like the way of coming down I-75 to CR-48 for us at The Plantation, but the thought of taking 301 scares the you know what out of me. I've read countless horror stories about Waldo, Lawley and Starke.

Another forum I read has a ton of true stories about how they hunt for out of state plates.

So, my question is, am I being unrealistic? I suppose I could take that way, but I'd be quite defensive and keyed up worrying.

We thought about taking I-95 down to Daytona, then take I-4 a bit to 44, then 19, then CR-48, which takes us right to The Plantation almost.

I went to AAA yesterday for more maps and a triptik, and the girl there took us some strange ways...the triptik is not even any good. She took us from I295 to 10 to 75.

She did other things wacky from NY to Fl......but that is another story.

Frank D.

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank

the thought of taking 301 scares the you know what out of me. I've read countless horror stories about Waldo, Lawley and Starke.

There is really nothing to worry about on that stretch of 301. Ride at the speed limit and you'll be OK. Part of the ride the limit is 60 along the empty parts of 301, and when it drops it goes down to 55, 45 then 35. Just watch for the signs. All the times I've gone that way I've only seen an active speed trap once. And for the time being I have NY plates as well.

[njbchbum]

Just drove north on 301 to come back to Jersey and was surprised to see that the speed limit through Lawtey has been raised to 45mph! No drop down to 35/25! Limit just went from 55 to 45 and then back to 55 at the edge of "town".

Also found a couple of Dunkin Donut counters in the new Sunoco service areas!