Community Forums

coffeeman · 01-10-2012, 07:06 AM

Looking at the map US27 seems to be an alternative to the interstate. Anyone take this route? If so how is the drive and sights? Txs

johnhicks · 01-10-2012, 01:37 PM

Heavy traffic, slow'n'go, plenty of traffic lights until you get well south of Clermont. It's a little thick around Sebring too, but otherwise OK to around Moore Haven. I haven't gone farther on 27.

wardy · 01-10-2012, 01:59 PM

I would jump onto 75 then the turnpike. 27 has some nice stretches but you have plenty lights even in the rural sections, you get up to speed then hit a light.

coffeeman · 01-10-2012, 03:48 PM

Thanks for the responses....doing a little more searching seems that there is a lot of lights, etc. I'd like to see the country but not stop and go. Looks like the turnpike for me.

CoastieSCPO · 01-10-2012, 03:54 PM

As we formerly lived in Homestead, Fl and drove north to Sebring regularly and many times further north to Georgia and beyond, I can tell you that US 27 is not the way to go. While south of Sebring is four laned and OK, Sebring north all the way to where it intersects with the Florida Turnpike is not a good route for an RV. There are numerous stop lights, cross traffic and unsafe areas. The $18.00 or so that you will spend on tolls on the turnpike are worth it in saved gas and peace of mind.

ImagineIF · 01-10-2012, 07:58 PM

Wouldn't I-4 to Orlando then the Bee Line towards Melbourne and then I-95 to Homestead be an option?

johnhicks · 01-11-2012, 10:06 AM

From the Turnpike you could go across SR408 and SR528 to I-95 but I don't think there's much point to that.

As much as I dislike interstates and that high-speed mad rush, this is one of those situations where I'd get on the Turnpike as soon as possible and just stay on it.

CoastieSCPO · 01-11-2012, 10:34 AM

You could go east and take I-95 south towards Miami, but I would not recommend it. The interstate in south Florida, including Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties are not RV friendly and you would have to go over to the turnpike anyway to avoid US 1 thru the area of Coral Gables, South Miami and southward.

HD4Mark · 01-11-2012, 10:49 AM

If you haven't already, get a Sun Pass to avoid the toll booths. We wouldn't use any other route than the turnpike going to the Keys. Have tried 95 and the Sawgrass but the turnpike is faster and easier especially if you can plan around rush hours.

Triker56 · 01-11-2012, 11:17 AM

I would go from leesburg W. on 44-468-301-470-I75-951-41-997 a total of 346.9 miles to Homestead.
Via Turnpike it is 301 miles but much more traffic and cost more for tolls then the extra gas/diesel of the extra 45 miles.

Via 27-997 it is 279 miles. 4 lane all the way with some lights.

Click this link to get your 4 axle turnpike cost
With Sun Pass $36.50
Via Plate $46.15

PyrateSilly · 01-11-2012, 01:03 PM

I know its not Leesburg but every time we had to go from the Tampa area down to Key West we took I-75 until right before the tolls then took US-41 across to 997 to US-1. We did Pirates in Paradise down there for several years in a row. People that followed us on that route instead of all I-75 and thru the tolls and Miami were quite surprised at how much time and gas they saved. If you are worried about traffic then maybe think about traveling during the night to miss it.

tom77hmstd · 01-13-2012, 08:22 AM

Make this run almost weekly turnpike is 1 hour faster and cost a lot. 27 has lots of redlights in spots but we prefer it as it seems a lot more laid back. Not in a hurry any more.