Florida Keys

We live in Fort Myers Beach and do get down into Key West very often. When we hear of someone trying to drive to the Keys we always advise to stay away from the Miami area unless it is totally unavoidable. Traffic can be a nightmare through there in a car let alone an RV. We love the trip down 41 and driveing through the everglades is always a blast. Alligator alley is quicker but there is nothing to see along the way. Once you get to the turnoff to head south to the Keys try a side trip to Alabama Jacks. It is a great out of the way spot for a great meal and was recently featured on one of Emril Lagassey trips on the TV. Another of our favorite places to stop for eats is Lazy Days restaurant in Islamorada and their sister place in Marathon. Their food just may be the best in all the Keys and the prices are very reasonable. If you are looking for a great place to stop along the way check out Jolly Roger RV park. They accept Passport America and Good Sam. right on the water a beautiful place. Have a great trip. We are "Keys Travler".

Stay on 95 , let yer wife drive , straight shot . Switch to the turnpike as soon as ya can .
P.S. If drive kinda slow , maybe fifty MPH , everyone will wave at ya !

agesilaus wrote:
Ditto on that, especially south of Orlando. Tho it can be bad north of Orlando too. US 19 is also very bad south of Crystal Springs.

Maybe take I-75 and get off and explore towns along the way. Once you get to Ft Myers, take US 41 across the Everglades. You can do the Shark Valley entrance to the parks and take the tram ride. There's airboat rides all along there too if that appeals to you. I would not recommend the loop road if you are pulling a RV or are in a Class A.

At the as you get near to Miami, you'll see an Indian Casino, turn onto Krome Ave (177th) and follow that south. Lots of fruit stands and such, it runs into US 1 in Homestead, take that down to the Keys.

This!

You could stay on 301 and then take 471 south. It's a straight road south, almost no traffic (except on Mondays when Webster has it's big flea market), and very minimal stops. 471 ends at US 98 which you can follow back to 27 and you'll miss a ton of traffic and stop lights. We spent a couple of months in Webster and used 471 a lot this last winter.

That'll work. As you leave I-10 heading south on US 301, watch your speed in Lawtey, Fl. The school zone is a problem for out-of-towners. Further south past Starke, Fl. lies the little town of Waldo. It's been known as a speed trap since back in the 70s. Well marked today, but the speed drops fairly quickly and "Waldo Willie" still roams the area. You can pick up Hwy 27 in Ocala. Of course, the Turnpike is the "dead-header's" road.

As you are heading south of Miami on South Dixie Hwy., give strong consideration to stopping off at the Coral Castle Museum. Featured on "In Search Of" hosted by Leonard Nimoy back in the early 80s, it's well worth the time.

95 to JAX US17 south from there to Kissimmee. Us 441 from there. Orlando is the only bad part with lots of traffic until you get south of Kissimmee then peacefull again until Okeechobee. That is how I did and enjoyed it

dieharder wrote:
The turnpike is the easiest drive I have ever had in the area in all the times I've been. You'll save a ton in gas and time from the stop-and-go.

True but it isn't cheap. We just took it down to the keys pulling our 5ver and I'd guess tolls were $70 each way.

The turnpike is the easiest drive I have ever had in the area in all the times I've been. You'll save a ton in gas and time from the stop-and-go.

Ditto on that, especially south of Orlando. Tho it can be bad north of Orlando too. US 19 is also very bad south of Crystal Springs.

Maybe take I-75 and get off and explore towns along the way. Once you get to Ft Myers, take US 41 across the Everglades. You can do the Shark Valley entrance to the parks and take the tram ride. There's airboat rides all along there too if that appeals to you. I would not recommend the loop road if you are pulling a RV or are in a Class A.

At the as you get near to Miami, you'll see an Indian Casino, turn onto Krome Ave (177th) and follow that south. Lots of fruit stands and such, it runs into US 1 in Homestead, take that down to the Keys.

US 27 is one of the most congested roads in middle and south Florida. If you want to avoid congestion, you need to hop onto I-75 and then the turnpike. If you want to make it leisurely, as you say, with a stop light every 1/4 mile, take US 27.