What's Condition of Jax, Fl I-95?

NJT5047 · December 16, 2006, 07:30:25 AM

I was advised that I-95 and the I-95 belt roads both have major construction projects and long backups are common. Is this so?? Checking the Inet advisories in inconclusive.
If they are both screwed, which (I-295 or I-95) is the least screwed?
Working on the interstates here in NC is a way of life. Lose an hour here, an hour there....fiasco.
Anyone with local knowledge of Jax's interstate issues? Or any other I-95 or I-4 major work that could be avoided with prior knowledge??
Thanks, JR

Nick Badame Refrig/ACC · December 16, 2006, 07:55:19 AM

Hi JR,

I just checked on my XM nav-traffic and it's showing numerous construction zones along I-95 in JAX

along with traffic flos at about 35mph.

Good Luck
Nick-

Hartley · December 16, 2006, 10:26:32 AM

Florida's Interstate system is always under construction. In the Jacksonville area use the Bypass ( Beltway ) and it won't or shouldn't be too bad as long as you get through between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. or after 8 p.m.

I-4 is usually OK during the same hours. The exception is from South Orlando past Disney where all the construction is in big time operation. Westbound I-4 after 10 a.m. is OK, some slowing to 45 to 50 expected from middle Orlando past Universal and Disney usually caused by LOST people looking for exits. Picks back up again to max speed past 535 area at Disney all the way
to Haines City exit for Hwy 27 where most will exit to get onto 27 South.

27 South has construction all the way through sections past Winter Haven, Especially confusing is the exit onto Hwy 17 South where most people would take the short and slower route to Arcadia, Others usually go the longer way on down U.S. 27 South to Hwy 70 West ( 33 miles farther East fro Arcadia but Nicer 4-lanes and 65 mph )

Warning: U.S. 27 South will require lots of brake exercising due to random stops and idiots along the way. The construction and barriers just make it a bit more nerve wracking so you have to be watching and ready to stop quickly. Narrow lanes due to concrete barriers and uneven surfaces due to paving.

Have Fun.....

JackConrad · December 16, 2006, 10:42:36 AM

Another option after you head south on US 27 is to exit off US 27 at Lake Wales onto SR 60 west towards Tampa. This is a 4 lane road. Tale SR 60 to Bartow, then south on US 17. US 17 is 4 lane until you get to Zolfo Springs (about 15 miles north of Arcadia. These 2 roads have very few traffic lights and much less traffic than US 27. As you approach Arcadia from the north on US 17, watch for a log cabin convenience store on the right (there will be a short left turn lane here). A couple hundred yards further down the road will be a green State of Florida sign that says Turner Center. There will be another left trun lane here. Use this left turn lane and follow the road (Turner Road) to the next stoplight. The Turner Center will be on the right at the stoplight. Jack

NJT5047 · December 16, 2006, 11:00:32 AM

Thanks. I'll do the belt road around Jax...and pray. I get a little retentive sitting in traffic for extended periods.
JR

uncle ned · December 18, 2006, 07:25:44 AM

After much thought and time spent on i95 stopped going and coming from daytona i have decided to go down 321 then 301 past i4 then hit 17 to arcadia. good easy back roads. a lot of it looks like 4 lane but goes through towns..\ I believe ti is the old woodpecker road that the trucker used befor interstate highways

uncle ned
"huggy bear"

FloridaCliff · December 18, 2006, 07:59:02 AM

JR,

I can direct you a couple of different ways!

But, depends on wether its the Journey or Destination that are the objective

Cliff

niles500 · December 18, 2006, 09:00:48 AM

Ned - Your scenic route is very doable - except I offer this one suggestion - when 301 merges with 441 just north of Ocala I would go west on SR326 just after the merge and before Ocala and get on I75 (your only 3 miles from I75 at this point) and head south to SR70 and then into Arcadia - your route on 301 and other roads from that point to 17 is not very scenic (not much of Fla is - unlike NC) and is quite built up now - lot of traffic and when those snowbirds pull out in front of you on the two-lane sections its not a very relaxing ride -

NJT5047 · December 18, 2006, 09:02:18 AM

Quote from: FloridaCracker on December 18, 2006, 07:59:02 AMJR,
I can direct you a couple of different ways!
But, depends on wether its the Journey or Destination that are the objective
Cliff

Hi Cliff,
I'm a "destination" sort of person...gitrdone and relax. Uncle Ned is a "journey" guy...he's gonna enjoy the trip.

Whattaya think? Best way for both of us? I don't mind busy road...I'm used to that here in Charlotte (We got Atlanta's cars but only half their roads)...I don't like stopping for construction work or slow traffic....that's a major bummer.

Interested in any and all ideas!
Cheers, JR

FloridaCliff · December 18, 2006, 11:32:06 AM

JR,

See Niles post above.

That is the exact route I would take to get there.

Cliff

uncle ned · December 18, 2006, 12:08:10 PM

Thanks Niles for the info. The interstates have got to crowded and stopped for me to travel.

My motorcycle crewand i go to daytona ever year. Have a stop for a dirt bike race in Columbia. Part of them go to I26 then I95. We always stop in Palm coast at the cracker barrel for a rest stop. I go down 321 to hardyville then I95 to get through Jackson about 10:pm and always beat the other one's by about an hour.

Coming back last year my friend that drives a big "P" NASCAR 45ft. rig followed me to hardyville but would not go up 321. I stopped and had supper the stopped at 321 I26 and fueled up. Then about 15 min up 77 he finally caught up. Of course it was a very windy day and he could not make good time"so he said"

Look forward to seeing every one at arcadia.

Uncle ned
Huggy bear"

niles500 · December 18, 2006, 12:30:25 PM

I totally agree Ned - One more caveat - timing is everything on Interstates when going through major metropolitan areas - I75 from SR326 to Wildwood and the Florida Turnpike is 6 lanes - there is usually a bottleneck at the Turnpike during the holidays, but usually doable before and after that till you hit rush hour in tampa from SR54 along the 75 bypass till your past I4 or SR60 then should be OK to SR70 - HTH

DrivingMissLazy · December 18, 2006, 12:39:23 PM

FYI. My granddaughter and her family departed WV at 7AM Sunday morinig and arrived Ft. Lauderdale at midnight. They travelled I-77 to I-26 to I-95. They experienced absolutely no trafffic delays the whole trip. They passed thru Jackonsonville about 6PM and there were no construction or traffic delays of any kind there.
Richard

Hartley · December 18, 2006, 07:25:57 PM

It is just plain silly to take I-75 SouthWest to Tampa and then head 70 miles East on Hwy 70...Only to Turn North on 17 $:-\$

If you gotta come in from the northwest area using I-75 catch 27 South, Go to 17 South to Arcadia.

Oh. Well, Anyway you can get there, Do It....Whatever Floats yer' boat....

NJT5047 · December 18, 2006, 08:08:41 PM

Yep. Timing is everything. I'm gonna leave at O:dark thirty and should be in Jax about 10 or so....should be as easy as it's going ot get. Got to have somewhere to set my cruise control...? Looks like the quickest way is I 95 bypass around Jax. Then the next headache is going to flail through Winter Haven area.
May try the 321 access down to Hardeeville. I'm coming down I 77 through Columbia and can drive right onto 321. Haven't been down that road for a llloooooonng time. Looking interesting.
We'll get there....sometimes I think I'm going down the pig paths and get all excited and just follow the big roads. Have to see if Art Gill wants to join up. He'll be doing I 95 for sure.
Thanks for the assistance. JR