Johnathan Dickinson to the keys Best route

If your concerned about tolls, you could take 95 down to 826 (Palmetto xpway). The last time I took 836 towards keys, about 6 months ago, I had to stop at airport (not towing). 836 was backed up all the way out to 826 due to construction and not at rush hours either. Palm Bch and Broward counties are much better than they used to be on 95, due to the added lanes. Miami, not so much.

The easiest & fastest is the Turnpike IF you can afford it. If U'r Towing they charge 'Per Axle'not per car, which would be cheaper. They also have done away with most of the Toll booths thru the city area. You get charged by a camera picture plus a 'Service' charge when they mail you the bill.

Here is why it's worth it. There are folks in South Florida that can not afford to pay tolls much less drive a newer safer vehicle.

You will see few if any old utility trailers or pick ups loaded with scrap metal and old furniture on the Turn Pike.

I have seen bed frames, furniture, mufflers etc in the road on 95.

Four axles cost you geting on at Jupiter it's $26, $19.50 at Pompano, and $15.35 in Ft. Laud. Do not know what the two cash tolls (not much) in Miami before you get on the Tpike, but $6.25 for it plus a $5/month service charge (Toll by Plate) so if you used it twice $17.50.

Bowti wrote:
Ivy,
Thanks for the info, we will be sure to stop at Schooners.

We will be leaving JD SP on and heading to JP SP on a Monday and will do as you say. Thanks for the Sun Pass info, Miami traffic does worry me, but it is hitting the right exit that usually gets me in trouble in busy areas.

Most times missing an exit isn't a big deal, as you can just hit the next one and go back, but this doesn't always work in some high traffic busy routes with multiple exits running many different directions.

How much money for the toll road are we talking about for a 5R.

There is an online Florida Turnpike Toll Calculator that shows tolls from the Jupiter Exit to the end of the Turnpike where you get on Route 1 as $21.00 with SunPass and $26.15 if you just let them send you a bill (That is for 4 axles, which I assume is what your 5er has)

Ivy,
Thanks for the info, we will be sure to stop at Schooners.

We will be leaving JD SP and heading to JP SP on a Monday and will do as you say. Thanks for the Sun Pass info, Miami traffic does worry me, but it is hitting the right exit that usually gets me in trouble in busy areas.

Most times missing an exit isn't a big deal, as you can just hit the next one and go back, but this doesn't always work in some high traffic busy routes with multiple exits running many different directions.

How much money for the toll road are we talking about for a 5R.

While at JD SP eat the fisherman stew (no need to order anything else) at Schooner's on A1A just south of the Jupiter inlet (Left onto A1A and two blocks on the L).
Assuming mid day from JD I'd take US1 to 811 (just before the inlet) all the way south to PGA blvd and then get on I-95S. 811 is a excellent divided road and saves going around two sides of a triangle. Now that the extra lanes are completed on I-95 it's smooth going even during rush hour. I stay on 95 all the way into Miami and take 836 (I-395W) to 826S to 874 which feeds you into the Turnpike (821) which dumps you onto US1 at Florida City. After I-95 all of the above are toll roads. A accident on the turnpike often closes it (only 2-3 lanes each direction) while one on I-95 (5-6 lanes) slows you down. Take a look at this using Google Maps.
If going through Miami concerns you then you can get on the turnpike (expensive tolls for a RV) at Pompano Beach using 814 or at Ft. Laud using 84/I-595. Do not worry about not having a Sun Pass on the turnpike around Miami as you will get a bill in the mail based on your tag number.

Like all the rest said - U.S> 1 is the only way down. If you get on turn pike it is a straight shot. Just got back in Sept from a week at Long Key State Park. Actually gas was pretty cheap down to Marathon in the Keys. Don't miss going to Key West to the State Park there. No campground but beautiful beach etc.

Big Katuna wrote:
I would go west to the Fl Turnpike.

That's what we do after leaving Jonathan Dickinson SP. On the way down, we check Gas Buddy for best price, and fill up in Florida City before getting on the Keys.

US 1 would take you through some of the worst neighborhoods in Miami.