The in-laws live just outside of Tampa, and we're planning a trip in early April. Since I'm travelling with two kids (4 years and 5 months), I'm starting the planning early so I can map out all of the food, gas, bathroom, and potential baby feeding stops.
The path from Virginia into Florida is easy - go down 95. We usually hit Jacksonville around lunch time. The big decision is how to get from Jacksonville to their house.
Option #1: SB 95 to WB 4 to SB 75
--I learned the hard way last time that this is a no go. We end up getting stuck in the Orlando/theme park traffic in rush hour. This route is fine at 4 in the morning, but not 4 in the afternoon. Plus, on our last trip, my son who was 3 at the time threw up in his car seat about 20 minutes after our last planned gas stop, and an hour and a half away from grandma's house.
Option #2: WB 10 to Rt 301 to SB 75
--That stretch of Rt 301 gets really weird. A lot of speed traps, and some of the towns are a little scary.
Option #3: WB 10 to SB 75
--I haven't actually attempted this one. It's a little longer on mileage, but it's all interstate. Anyone have any insight on how those interstates look in the afternoon?
Comments
Downtown Orlando had a LOT of contstruction in August when I drove through, so if it's still there (and I assume it is as it looked like a long-term project) it would make rush hour even worse. My rule is always take the interstate.
Definitely a long-term project, won't be done until 2021.
You're right-- DO NOT GO THROUGH ORLANDO
1) 95 to 4 to 408 to 50 west to 75 south. You can beat feet on 95 obviously. Avoids the congested areas of Orlando. Pretty open with some small towns for "breaks" necessary with the wee ones.
2) 301 to 75-- you are right about the speed traps and the like, but it is direct.
Not sure what part of Tampa you're going to, but the 275 corridor blows from 3:15 on (don't know how so many people get off work here at 3pm)
Yeah i've only driven that a couple of times but i'd definitely say it's either option 2 or 3, don't go through Orlando unless you plan on stopping there to tourist it up.
Pretty sure I took I-10 to 301 to I-75 and had no issues. 301 is boring but I think it's the fastest way for you. Just stay about 5 over the speed limit just in case.
The main issue with 301 is the speed limit changing almost every mile. 55 to 45 to 35 to 45 to 55 around every bit of population. Really messes with cruise control.
And just to be clear, I got stopped in one of those speed traps in January.
So be warned.
Take your kids to Weeki Wachee to see the mermaids.
It's very kitchy, but if you can spare the time, it's old school Florida and very unique.
If you drive the back route, be very careful of your speed, as there are speedtraps. I'm not exaggerating.
I live 70 miles South of Tampa. Definitely take 301.
My advice, just avoid FL altogether.
Yes, because warm weather, water, and beaches just suck. /s
I'll take mountain-fed streams and rivers, cool air and mountains.
I like those, too, but Florida is full of warm beaches.
At a minimum, it's a nice place to visit.
Humidity says otherwise.
I hate to press the point, but 77-degrees-and-sunny-this-weekend says "What's a little humidity?"
Pro tip: Don't ask a ginger of the Norse-Gaelic persuasion "what's a little humidity?" We don't get along. That's all there is to it.
I sort of agree with you. Also, the fact is that Florida isn't really just a "little" humidity.
But the point is that there are also some good things about Florida, particularly in the Winter when there's a blizzard in the north but you can go outside in shorts and a t-shirt.
Forecast for Sunday in the greater Lynchburg region? 75 degrees and mostly sunny. And it was 19 when I left the house this morning. I love Virginia.
Hey, not bad.
Enjoy!
but there's also /r/floridaman
Yup!
So no: Disney, Universal, Legoland, Miles and miles and miles of beachs, many great bowl games and on and on?
Small price to pay
We did option 2 in November and it was easy but it was around lunchtime not afternoon.
I'm surprised you still try to plan stops when dealing with not just one, but two kids under five. We have three now and we threw out the plan when just one was potty trained.
I learned quite a while ago that if I end up sitting in a car for more than 3 or 4 hours straight, my legs start hating me, so there's going to be a few stops regardless of what happens along the way. And if I know I'm filling the car up well under capacity, I don't have to play the "where's the next gas station?" game when the car starts dinging at me.
Then, it's a matter of scoping out the gas stations along the way, and then keeping tabs on where the rest areas are, in case of an emergency stop.
My biggest problem in Florida is finding good places to stop. Doesn't seem like they have as many rest areas, and it's often hard to tell what type of gas station you're finding. At least with Sheetz or Wawa, you know you're getting a large, well lit, 24/7 place. But, an Exxon or Shell could be the same, or it could be some hole in the wall place with two pumps and dirty bathrooms.
Ah, I see. We stop a lot more often than you do. Exclusively at Sheetz/Wawa/Loves.
Angry Chair Brewing would be a good destination in Tampa after that car ride - in fact, I may recommend that you drive straight there before going to the in-laws.
the fastest way is 10-301- 326-75. if I'm in the office in Jax and going to Tampa, that's how I go. just watch your speed on 301. with little kids scenery isn't important...it's "are we there yet?" or in your case, they're just crying...which means you will also be crying.
when they are older and like to see cool stuff, you can hit St Aug for the fort and the beaches, DeLeon and Blue Springs for pancakes and seeing manatees, etc.