I75 vs. US41 in South Florida

Thank you for the responses! It looks like we will be taking 41.

Bill

Navy Smoker wrote:
My wife and I are planning a trip to the keys and want to visit friends in Ft. Meyers Beach on the way. We are considering driving US 41 across the state to either Florida RT 991 or the turnpike rather than I75? Is the a viable route for a motorhome pulling a Jeep or would I 75 be an easier haul?

All comments and suggestions will be appreciated.

Bill

We just drove US-41 across Florida in our little 31' motorhome, pulling a Toyota Highlander, from Naples to the Miami-Everglades RV Resort near Homestead. Very nice, easy drive. Flat, basically straight, and little traffic. (I drive at the speed limit, so it's usually other people who have to worry about passing me, not vice versa.) I can't compare it to I-75, but I saw no reason to avoid US-41 if you'd like to get off an interstate.

We also stopped at the Big Cypress Visitor Center, which gives you an opportunity to learn about that end of the Everglades ecosystem.

Skip

41 is my preferred route

41 For Sure! And yes there is a ton to see too. Alligators everywhere along the river on the side of the road.

I enjoy 41 over 75.

We have taken both and 41 is our 1st choice.

rocmoc n AZ/Fld/Baja

I'm going to take exception to the above comments on where I live. Assuming one, when traversing the EVERGLADES, wants to see nature as opposed to Putt Putt Golf, BBQ Joints, Golden Arches etc., there is tons to see. Gotta open ones eyes. Lots of gators you are sure to see if you look for them. Egrets galore, pelicans, roseatte spoonbills, commorants/anhingas, great blue and white herons. Stop on the bridge at Port of the Islands, get out and look down and in the morning you've got a great chance to see a dozen or more manatee warming up. Cypress trees and wooded strands in the forest of moving grasses. There are so many places to stop, even with a MH, that I can't count them. There are parks, visitor centers, picnic areas and ample stopping and parking space on the side of the road at nearly every culvert that moves the water under US41 and those culverts probably average 1 per half mile or so. Sometimes you might not be able to park because of the cars with fishermen or carrying kayaks utilizing the water trails and fishing holes. Course it's not as exciting as all those commercial spots in Tampa! :)

Down here in S. FL there are only 2 feasible ways of crossing the state and the other is I75 (A/K/A Alligator Alley where I guarantee that you will not come close to seeing even one gator and probably not even any birds etc but you will see a typical interstate rest area, one gas station stop, hundreds of 18 wheelers, a toll booth and add about 30 miles to your trip. Enjoy life. Enjoy your trip.

It's a long level 2 lane highway for 2 hours with no towns and not much to see and not many places to pull off. If you do go that route, you can stop at the Miccosukee Indian Village near the east end of US41. They have Airboat Rides and alligator show. From there you can dry camp for free in their casino parking lot a few miles east of there. Look it up on www.casinocamper.com under Miami FL and read where to park and how to register. Or if you're looking for another campground near Miami, try Larry & Penny Thompson park. http://www.miamidade.gov/parks/larry-penny.asp

It's (US41) a great route! It is the definitive route. Much shorter in distance and time than I75 for a cross FL trip to Miami and south.

From Ft Myers, take I75 south to Exit 101 (Rt 951) Take 951 south 8 miles to US 41, then left to Miami. The first 6 miles will be a 6 lane blvd then tapering to a 2 lane highway. Traffic flows well and once past Rt 29, there will be ample opportunities to pass if you come across a Sunday driver. Many places to pull over for a rest. For the 10 miles east of Rt 29, watch the canal on the north side of the road for sunning gators. You should easily see 50 or more. Once past 29, the next "major" intersection you will come to (@70miles) will be Rt 991 (Krome Ave). If you are heading to the Keys, turn right on 991 and take it to US1 and south. Honk or wave when you pass my home area of Port of the Islands (16 miles east of Rt 951). Reading your sig, you can even drop off some ribs :)