First trip south for winter.

[jbreech]

This will be me and my husbands first snowbird trip this winter . And would like some tips. We live in Ohio and are looking at going to Florida . Would like having some suggestion on were to stop for the night going down and just how far down we should go to get really warm weather everyday Thank you for any help we can get .

[jplante4]

We're in the middle of our first trip south. PM me. I tried to PM you, but you have PMs turned off.

[Padlin]

Our first trip was this year, spent it touring FL experiencing all the different corners. We had off and on cool weather everywhere, obviously the farther south you go the less the cool gets. To us, just being able to get out and go walking every day was enough as compared to Ma. in January. The less congested northern parts of the state were fine.

[rocmoc]

Warm below and East/West line at Tampa. Make your Reservations NOW! Florida State Parks are great but anything in the Keys is already full and a few remaining between the East/West line and the Keys. We have already made all our Reservations.

rocmoc n AZ/Fld/Baja

[2gypsies1]

Since this is your first winter snowbirding I'd suggest trying out different areas to find out what YOU like. Everyone is different. You might consider Gulf Shores, Alabama, also. Many Midwesterners stay at the state park all winter. It has a beautiful beach, lots of shopping and siteseeing opportunities and a very friendly group of campers at the state park. It has full hookups.

Then the next winter come out to Arizona! 🙂

[Stormy_Eyes]

Here is a link which includes easy to read, yet fairly detailed weather info, with links to several Florida Cities. It may give you an idea how far south you may wish to go.
http://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Florida/Places/naples-temperatures-by-month-average.php

[jbreech]

Thanks every body . This first trip going to be a adventure for sure.

[Guy_Roan]

If you want warm for most of the time, you need to go to the Keys.
Even there you will need a coat a few days.

Guy

[John_Joey]

For me Florida is all about the size of the lots. So many parks down there will cram you into a spot. You feel like you're in some refugee camp. Most people don't plan on a retirement lifestyle like that.

[Ivylog]

Since you are retiring this year and many snowbirds are already headed north, they should have I-75 fixed by next winter. For "really warm weather everyday" the Keys for $100+/night will come close. For MOST days, south of I-4 is a good rule and the further south and closer to the water... the more $$$. Since I-75 goes to the west coast of Fla, that's where I'd start plus there are more CGs on the west than east coasts.

Hopefully by next winter the cold fronts will go back to coming out of the north every 10-14 day, not every week from the west where they pick up moisture from the gulf and spawn bad weather.

[Dick_B]

We leave from the Chicago area and our first stop is about 380 miles south to Paducah, KY. It can be 50 or 30 depending on the year but generally we can sanitize at that point.

[lucy6194]

We just got home from our 1st winter of snow birding. Panhandle was cold and windy didn't get warm till we got to tampa. Found campgrounds in Venice and fort Myers not to our liking. Tight and unfriendly. Loved Georgia and south Carolina.

[s_N_s]

You didn't mention where in Ohio you are or the route you intend to take. Be aware the I75 was shut down completely around the KY/TN border or in that area for rock slide. There may be an update to this on the internet but last report was it would be totally open around 04/15/16.
As far as over night stopping, we stay at the Flying J truck stops. They have an area usually in the front of the facility for RV parking. A lot of people don't care for that but then again a lot do. If you need a campground you would have to do a search along the route you intend to take and start making calls to be sure they are open. I would assume quite a few would be opening soon as the weather warms and you should experience warmer weather if not already in your area at least warming in KY. It's plenty warm here in Central FL. Temps of late have been low to mid 80's.
Hope this helps a bit and have a GREAT SAFE trip.

[NanciL]

If you want warm weather every day you need to go to the Keys.
Plain and simple, no matter what anyone else tells you.

Even then there will be some days that you'll need a coat

Jack L

[WandaLust2]

If you want warm all winter, say from Nov to late March, go south of Sarasota/Brandenton. We spend the winter in the Ocala area and some days are quite chilly, nights in the 30s and 40s.