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Leaving Florida
We are nearing our the end of our first winter season in Florida . We learned yesterday from an experienced snowbird that you don’t want to leave on the first of April, or any first of the month, because both I-75 & I-95 will be very busy and slow. The advice was to leave either three days early or three days late. I assume most people knew this, but I did not.
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28 Replies
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It’s really only April 1st that’s the worst but it’s good advice! March 31st is when most of the snowbirds season ends and they “have to” go.
Safe travels.
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Today on I-75 north near Wildwood (turnpike split) traffic was at a stand still heading north all the way to Ocala. You couldn’t even get on 75 northbound at the turnpike. Glad I was southbound.
Take a look before you go, may have to use 301 or some other route. Maybe it will be better on Monday with the weekend over.
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Roy: Avoid the crowds. Take the roads less traveled! Sneak out of Florida.
For three years in a row we’ve gone down into central Florida and then headed west. My brother lives in a fishing village called Steinhatchee and stop there once on the trip. That educated us to US 98. Depending on where you are, its easy to reach. Most of US 98 is four lanes. Sure there are cross roads and once in a while it goes through a small time that time and the Interstate has bypassed. But its sure better than I-75 and trying to run through Atlanta.
If you’re headed home to Missouri, you want to get west anyway. So US 98 to 19 gets you I-10. I don’t know what I-10 is like during that time period. From there things should have tinned out.
Have a good trip!
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Roy, The Snow-Bird is right, I-75 is a parking lot on April 1. Dick is correct, take U.S. 19 up the West coast of Florida Yes, you will hit a couple of traffic lights, but the drive is peaceful and little traffic. As Dick said 4 lane divided. About 20 miles North of Perry, FL U.S. 19 takes a right at a traffic light and 5 miles later you are turning onto I-10. Have a safe trip.
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Thanks guys very good information. When we leave Florida we are headed to Jeff’s, then to Missouri. We’ll just wait a few says then head out.
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When we head south to Florida we stop at Jeff’s first. Then we usually head to Steinhatchee. Taking my suggested route and going to Jeff’s might take you a little out of the straight line route … it’s still a possibility.
Staying a few extra days in Florida should solve the problem too. Twice we’ve stayed next door to a friend in Polk City. That’s a very nice place.
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We left Florida a few days ago and are in Indiana now for a day or two. Then back home to FL early because stuff is shut down everywhere we’d planned to go. Hardly any traffic through Atlanta on Saturday and almost no traffic through Indy today. Eerie!!
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Doug, Don’t be afraid to change your avatar, I got your back.
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WHERE ARE YOU LEAVING FROM?
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Tom, you may have Doug’s back, but I don’t see your Cab Over White with a refer box as an avatar.
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Roy, if you want to stay in FL a few days extra, drop by the house, I have extra 50 amp plugs and my rates are pretty good.
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Yes, good question. We will be leaving from LaBelle Florida.
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Tom: I’m planning to change my avatar but I can’t find a pic of air not leaking.
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PC , I need to take a ride from Fl to Indio Ca. My question to the group is . Do you think some states will close there boarders to visitors ? I need to close up my lot and ship a car back east so it is not entirely pleasure . Thank you in advance for your thoughts and knowledge .
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States closing their borders. That is well beyond my thoughts (fears).
Making the trip in your motorhome? If yes, right now I wouldn’t worry. Your self-contained.
Milwaukee radio Station WTMJ-AM has Gregg Marcus on this afternoon. He’s CEO of the Marcus Corp … Marcus Theatre chain, Baymont Hotels, etc. He closed their theatres today. Reading between the lines, occupancy at the hotels is down.
If I had to make the trip like you, knowing what I know right now I’d make the trip in the coach.
We’re in Mesa AZ. Home is near Milwaukee. We were headed to San Diego, Malibu/LA, Pismo Beach/Central Coast, and then home mid-April. For the near term we’re staying put. Nice place. Well located. 1/3 empty (for now) and good separation.
PS: Wish we were closer to Orange Beach AL
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