Non-Interstate Route to Arcadia ( Jacksonville on) Thoughts

[Ed Brenner]

I know what the Gps will do for me, and I don't want to travel the I95 and I4 routes. For those of you who live in Florida or travel it a lot what about this route.
From Jacksonville take A1A to Callahan and pick up  301.

Continue on 301 through Ocala , Wildwood to Sumterville and pick up 471.

Continue on 471 to lumberton and take 98S through Lakeland to Bartow.

Pick up 17S in Bartow continue to Arcadia.

good roads ? Bad route ?

Thanks ED

[FloridaCliff]

Ed,

Thats the route I take.

Other than a little congetion near I-4 in lakeleand and the the group of lights right after that, its a nice drive.

Cliff

[Ace]

I agree with Cliff! When you drop off 471 to 98s i'm about 9 miles south. If your coming thru before the 25th, give a holler. If not, see ya there! Were leaving home day after Christmas and if your there then, join our caravan!

[Gary '79 5C]

Ed,

That route is much better than the Interstate scenery, with the rolling hills and horse country of FL, as you near Ocala.

BUT !!  Slow down & observe the speed limits in Starke, Baldwin, and about 1/2 dozen towns, and you will be fine.

Gary

[paul102a3]

Just be aware, the section of A1A/200 about 6 miles from I-95 to Callahan is under construction. They are widening the roads in that area.  For the most part, it is not a problem but once and a while, they have it down to one lane.

I second Gary's comments but will add one more town to the list, Lawtey. I do trip from Ocala to I-95 once or twice a month and it is a very nice trip. I never exceed the posted speed limit and as a matter of fact, I stay a few miles under just to sure.  I don't think I am exaggerating to say this but in the last 10 trips, I have seen at least one vehicle pulled over in one of the listed towns.

Paul

[longjohn]

Ed,

That route is much better than the Interstate scenery, with the rolling hills and horse country of FL, as you near Ocala.

BUT !!  Slow down & observe the speed limits in Starke, Baldwin, and about 1/2 dozen towns, and you will be fine.

Gary

Don't forget Waldo!
http://www.speedtrap.org/city/2176/Waldo
Used to stop at hardees at 301&24.   Enjoy your trip  We miss our weekly run down most times empty out Miami area, go out to the Seminole truck plaza, then across the alley , up 29 to Immokalee to load Tomato's  back to the Shore.                                       

[Joe Camper]

If you are coming out of the panhandle Rt 19/27 just east of Tallahassee into Rt. alt27 in Chiefland is a very good way to get to Ocalla from there. Been thru there many times and prefer it over 10-E to 75-S.

[Bill B /bus]

Watch for the left turn in Lakeland. Its busy with traffic and stop lights.
And yes a much better route than 94/4. Once you clear Bartow its a great ride south to Arcadia.

Bill