Driving route suggestion - FL: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Dec. 11, 2011 7:30 p.m. ea_sport Reader

Hi all,

Since GRM office is in Florida and I know lots of people here drive to Florida alot I thought I'd ask for a route suggestion here. I am driving from DC to Marco Island, FL next week (with a stop somewhere in GA). My question is, from Jacksonville should I stay on I-95S through Daytona Beach and take 4 then 17S down to 75S OR from Jacksonville take 301 to get to 75S? Which one would be faster? I'd think staying on I-95S through Daytona Beach and Orlando would be slower due to tourists traffic but I may be wrong.

Appreciate your suggestions folks...
Dec. 11, 2011 8:03 p.m. dyintorace SuperDork

As a native Floridan who drives a lot for work, I'd vote for Jacksonville to I-75 via 301. Just don't speed on 301. Lots of speed traps. But that is much better than I-4. Ugh.
Dec. 11, 2011 8:12 p.m. JoeyM SuperDork

I don't know squat about driving directions, but I HATE driving on I-4, there are few places that are more soul sucking and horrible. (It is even worse than 60 between lake wales and yeehaw junction)
Dec. 11, 2011 8:46 p.m. cwh SuperDork

Native speaking here. I 95 to Ft.Lauderdale, take I 75 west (Alligator Alley) west to the Far Side. That is the fastest way. Pick up I 595 in Ft Lauderdale, it turns into I 75. Boring as hell, but quick. Stop at the Indians rest stop around MM 80 for a pit stop. Usually not a lot of cops, but don't take my word on that. If you do this during the day, you will see gators. Might see panthers at night, maybe even bears and wild hogs.
Dec. 12, 2011 7:31 a.m. Taiden Dork

Alligator Alley doesn't have a lot of speed traps, but it's a crap shoot as to whether there is an eye in the sky.
Dec. 12, 2011 7:57 a.m. cwh SuperDork

The Alley has reduced speed limits at night, to protect the panthers. Strictly enforced by the Fish and Game cops. Not too cool to get a ticket from the Grouper Troopers.
Dec. 12, 2011 8:58 a.m. ea_sport Reader

Thanks for all the input guys, especially from native Floridans...I'll bring a radar detector so hopefully it'll help...
Dec. 12, 2011 9:14 a.m. cwh SuperDork

Just stay in the right lane and make sure somebody is going faster than you. There will be lot's of applicants for that position. As far as I know, cops around here don't intentionally target out of state tags. Back roads, small town, very different. 301 is not a friendly road. Interstates generally will be OK, as long as you don't look like a smuggler. They do get special attention.
Dec. 12, 2011 9:24 a.m. dyintorace SuperDork

cwh wrote:

Just stay in the right lane and make sure somebody is going faster than you. There will be lot's of applicants for that position. As far as I know, cops around here don't intentionally target out of state tags. Back roads, small town, very different. 301 is not a friendly road. Interstates generally will be OK, as long as you don't look like a smuggler. They do get special attention.

As a regular on 301, I have to say it isn't bad at all. The caveat is that you pay attention to speed limits. I've driven that road literally hundreds of times in my life and have never received a ticket. It's the idiots that fly through the little towns that get picked off. Pretty simple to avoid a ticket.
Dec. 12, 2011 9:31 a.m. cwh SuperDork

The worst speed traps? They’re in Florida

Billboard on US Highway 301 S. warning drivers about Lawtey's speed trap

Danger, danger. If you’re among the flock of snowbirds driving from the Great White North to Florida this winter and you wisely opt for the scenic, less-trafficked route along US Highway 301 South from Baldwin to Gainesville or Ocala, beware that you will pass two notorious speed traps.

Before you reach the towns of Waldo and Lawtey (20 miles apart), which use speeding-violation fines to fill their coffers, you’ll see billboards giving fair warning. While unsigned, the billboards are paid for by the American Automobile Association.
Dec. 12, 2011 10:21 a.m. Gasoline Reader

cwh wrote:

The worst speed traps? They’re in Florida

They said they used an airplane to clock me in Cottondale Fla. I did not see any airplane.......
Dec. 12, 2011 10:53 a.m. Taiden Dork

Gasoline wrote:

cwh wrote:

The worst speed traps? They’re in Florida

They said they used an airplane to clock me in Cottondale Fla. I did not see any airplane.......

"eye in the sky"
Dec. 12, 2011 11:38 a.m. dyintorace SuperDork

cwh wrote:

The worst speed traps? They’re in Florida

Billboard on US Highway 301 S. warning drivers about Lawtey's speed trap

Danger, danger. If you’re among the flock of snowbirds driving from the Great White North to Florida this winter and you wisely opt for the scenic, less-trafficked route along US Highway 301 South from Baldwin to Gainesville or Ocala, beware that you will pass two notorious speed traps.

Before you reach the towns of Waldo and Lawtey (20 miles apart), which use speeding-violation fines to fill their coffers, you’ll see billboards giving fair warning. While unsigned, the billboards are paid for by the American Automobile Association.

Agreed 100%. My point is that is is 100% possible to avoid a speeding ticket in those notorious speed traps. Don't speed! And FWIW, I haven't seen a cop in Lawtey in a long time. I think the combination of the state forcing the speed limit to be upped from 35 to 45 mph through there and the aforementioned billboards lowered their revenue gain dramatically! I couldn't be happier!
Dec. 12, 2011 4:07 p.m. MitchellC SuperDork

You should also know that in Florida, if a police car has its flashing lights on in the shoulder, you must by law either a.) travel of a rate of 20 mph below the posted speed limit in the next lane or b.) have one empty lane between the officer's car and your vehicle, where you can travel at the normal speed.
Dec. 12, 2011 5:15 p.m. SupraWes Dork

+1 Do not speed on 301, in any remotely habitated area at least particularly Lawtey and Waldo not even +1mph, between towns you are ok. Yeah I haven't seen a cop in lawtey in a while either but I wouldn't risk it ,as stated its a 45 zone now and its really small.

When I go up that way I usually just avoid Jacksonville and I-10 and 295 completely by getting off at the 200/A1A exit just north of jacksonville. 200 turns into 301 in Callahan.
Dec. 12, 2011 5:50 p.m. Curmudgeon SuperDork

Taiden wrote:

Gasoline wrote:

cwh wrote:

The worst speed traps? They’re in Florida

They said they used an airplane to clock me in Cottondale Fla. I did not see any airplane.......

"eye in the sky"

You might not. Up here there's a few of those, you will go over 3 white lines at the edge of the road (they don't go all the way across) then a short distance later 3 more lines. They clock you between them, less than however many seconds = speeding and they radio a patrol car to pull you over. You will never see the plane or helicopter.
Dec. 12, 2011 6:50 p.m. cwh SuperDork

In Florida the lines are 1/4 mile apart. They have been known to be used in sporting events.