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[JoeVibe]

Question for my Florida Friends.

I'm going to run down to Port St Lucie later this week to pick up an old bike and it looks like my options are I-75 to the Florida Turnpike or I-75 to I-10 to I-95. Which would you choose?

Thanks,

Joe

[FLSTFI Dave]

I have gone down to Fort Lauderdale and Key West several times.  I-75 to the FL Turnpike is the quickest and little shorter.  Stopping for all the tolls sucks, and gas and services on the Turnpike are much more expensive.  We have done the Turnpike twice.

We have done 1-75 to -I-10 to I-95 four or five times.  We have also skipped I-10 by getting off I-75 at Tifton on cutting across that way to Waycross then on to Jacksonville.  We have done this many times.

We have also gone the long way, I-75 all the way down.

Unless you don't mind the stops for tolls, the higher costs I would go I-75 to I-10 to I-95.

[JoeVibe]

I have gone down to Fort Lauderdale and Key West several times.  I-75 to the FL Turnpike is the quickest and little shorter.  Stopping for all the tolls sucks, and gas and services on the Turnpike are much more expensive.  We have done the Turnpike twice.

We have done 1-75 to -I-10 to I-95 four or five times.  We have also skipped I-10 by getting off I-75 at Tifton on cutting across that way to Waycross then on to Jacksonville.  We have done this many times.

We have also gone the long way, I-75 all the way down.

Unless you don't mind the stops for tolls, the higher costs I would go I-75 to I-10 to I-95.

Thanks Dave! I was leaning towards the 75-10-95 route but I figured I get other opinions. Google Maps says the turnpike is only 20 minutes faster. That time could easily get ate up stopping for a bunch of tolls and right now googles incident markers are everywhere. I'm looking for the fastest route, not necessarily the shortest one.

[FlaHeatWave]

Joe,
As you know 75 to the Turnpike is about 30mi shorter... and is usually an easier ride with less potential for congestion... Usually / potential being the key words here LOL... But then you have Tolls etc...

10 to 95 is fine if you can time your trip to get around Jax (I-295) in non peak traffic hours...

I'd go 10-95, just be mindful of getting around Jax... Not near as bad as Choo Choo Town or Atlanta at peak traffic,,, If your timing dictates one of the 3 Cities during peak traffic then Jax is much easier than either of the other 2...

Ed

[JoeVibe]

Joe,
As you know 75 to the Turnpike is about 30mi shorter... and is usually an easier ride with less potential for congestion... Usually / potential being the key words here LOL... But then you have Tolls etc...

10 to 95 is fine if you can time your trip to get around Jax (I-295) in non peak traffic hours...

I'd go 10-95, just be mindful of getting around Jax... Not near as bad as Choo Choo Town or Atlanta at peak traffic,,, If your timing dictates one of the 3 Cities during peak traffic then Jax is much easier than either of the other 2...

Ed

Thanks Ed! My #1 goal is to get through ATL before morning rush hour (about 6AM) Wednesday. That should put me in JAX around lunchtime and hopefully Port St Lucie by 3 or 4PM. If I can load up quickly and get back on the road I'll go as far north as I can before I collapse for the night. I plan to go through ATL around lunchtime Thursday. If I can make that happen it should be smooth sailing to the house.

[coloradotom]

I'd completely avoid Atlanta and scoot down i65. Not sure if that i85 bridge that fell down is fixed or not but that just adds to the Atlanta crapshoot.

[pvanwagner]

I know you can't use the Sun Pass mini-sticker on a motorcycle, but I have a friend that mounts the portable transponder on his motorcycle and it works fine.  The website says you can do it also.  It does cost $20 but if you plan on going to Key West or something it would be handy.  That's why my buddy, Andy, has one.  He rides to Key West yearly and does a crap load of ABCs of Touring not to mention Iron Butt Rides.

[JoeVibe]

I'd completely avoid Atlanta and scoot down i65. Not sure if that i85 bridge that fell down is fixed or not but that just adds to the Atlanta crapshoot.

I-65 adds 2 hours to my trip each way, in the best case. I go through ATL quite a bit for work. The secret is to get past downtown by 6AM.

[2015FLHTKSE]

Probably the best route is 75 to the Florida Turnpike. It will save you a good amount of time if you don't mind the toll. All routes in Florida are dangerous, so be careful.

[iski]

Used to make the drive to Miami every 6-8 weeks when I was working.  I 75 to Turnpike is fastest - IF you have a Sunpass.  Without the Sunpass, it's probably a push.  Traffic on I 95 is rude, crude, and terrible on it's best day.  If you choose I 95, keep a close watch on the other dirvers.  I ride Jax to Daytona on 95 a couple of times a year.  Worst drivers in Florida on 95.

[CVODON]

You do not have to stop for tolls on the Florida Turnpike, you can call ahead and register for toll-by-plate and they will just send you a invoice after your trip. I have a Sunpass for Florida so it doesn't apply to me here but I have used the Toll-by-plate in Texas and it works fine. Just do a google search for the Florida Turnpike toll choices and call ahead.
Less congestion on the T/P as well. I live here and I would use the T/P without a doubt.

[Cvostu]

Turnpike is always an easier ride. . 95 really sucks all the way.  Hardly any parts you can enjoy. . I live in South FL. . Even worse down here.  Take the turnpike. You'll be much better off.  Stuart.

[TinSpinner]

Another vote for the turnpike. If you do go I-10 to JAX be mindful of the smoke from the SE GA wildfires, it is visible from space and has caused some traffic issues in the area a few days. Depends entirely on the wind direction though.

[JoeVibe]

Looks like the majority vote is for the turnpike so I guess that's my route. I've set up Toll by Plate for the truck and trailer, as suggested by the FDOT folks. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks for all the suggestions. And thanks to JCZ for moving the thread, I wasn't sure where I should have posted it.

Joe

[08glide]

so,instead of a new 17 you're going the opposite direction? what are you looking to get?