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09-30-2014, 07:05 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 12
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Jacksonville, to by-pass or not to by-pass
We will be taking I-95 from Maryland to Orlando, Florida this coming February. We have a 36 foot motor home.
In planning our route, I am wondering if when we get to Jacksonville, Florida.... would it be OK to simply stay on I-95 through the city, OR take the bypass around town and pick up I-95 south of the city?
The time difference and distance is enough to consider going straight through the city, but I remember back in 2002 when we did this there was substantial road work along there. In 12 years, not sure if the problem is any better or worse.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ed
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09-30-2014, 07:12 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Chester, VA/Zephyrhills, FL
Posts: 1,329
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We made that drive about a month ago and we always use the bypass. I don't recall any road construction and if there was any, it did not impede our travel. Staying on I95 through Jacksonville always seems to present more excitement than I care to experience.
Good luck on your trip and hope you enjoy yourself as you trek south.
__________________
Tom and Gloria 2022 Newmar Dutch Star 4081, TOAD: 2017 Buick Enclave/2023 GMC Sierra Denali, Blue Ox Towbar, Baseplate and M&G Braking System
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09-30-2014, 07:36 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 525
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We go that way several times a year and always use the bypass. Go on the east side, it is shorter and less truck traffic.
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R & E
No RV at the moment
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09-30-2014, 07:36 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,125
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We just took that route at the end of August, coming up from Fort Myers to Baltimore, with our new Bay Star. It wasn't bad at all. I do not remember any construction. We went through that area at about 4-5 PM on a Saturday. The only thing I would strongly reccomend you bypassing is much closer to home. DC and Virginia are a nightmare. I would reccomend you take 301 South and join in to Rt 95, South of Richmond. Its a much easier drive. From the Capital Beltway (495) down to Richmond is a constant backup, with HEAVY traffic. 301 may be a little longer (not by much), but it will be a much more enjoyable drive.
__________________
Bill & Denise
2014 Bay Star 3103 - 5 Star Tune, CHF, Magne Shade
2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara
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09-30-2014, 08:37 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Today? Clayton, North Carolina
Posts: 5,093
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteadyEddy
...The time difference and distance is enough to consider going straight through the city............. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Ed
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Ed.... The east side bypass only adds 3 miles (3 min) to your trip. The west side bypass will add 14 miles (14 min). The west bypass is farther from the downtown and away from the coast, so probably has less traffic. In my view both are short enough to be no factor in the decision. Even absent downtown construction I would take either of these just to avoid an urban expressway, which are always pretty well beat up by the direct truck traffic.
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John and Diane (RIP Lincoln, 21 FEB 22) RVM103 NHSO
Fulltimers since June, 2012
2002 Dutch Star 40, Freightliner, Cat 3126, 2004 Element
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09-30-2014, 08:41 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,607
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We've always gone straight through. Try not to hit it at prime drive time M-F 7-9, 4-6. We've hit traffic but no backups and route is fairly well marked.
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09-30-2014, 08:58 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 12
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Thanks all.
You gave me the information I was looking for.
As for Washington DC... I'm very familiar with that problem.
Going south, I plan to hit 495 around 3 am so will be as little traffic problem as possible. Hope to get south of Richmond via 295 by 6:30 or 7am
Not sure what I'll do coming back yet.
Ed
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09-30-2014, 10:42 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 168
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Local
I live in Jacksonville and prefer the bypass options also.
Definitely avoid downtown at rush hour. It is stop and go, very slow.
Big rigs use both I-95 and the 295 bypass depending on traffic conditions.
The Bypass is smoother and a much more relaxed drive.
JohnnyB
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2014 ShowHauler 45'
2014 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie
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09-30-2014, 11:39 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 12
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JohnnyB,
It sounds like the East side bypass is the way to go.
Thanks for the good advice everyone..... it's appreciated.
Ed
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09-30-2014, 11:45 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island N.Y.
Posts: 357
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I just did that run round trip from NY to Orlando in Aug. I have a 35' MH with a tow dolly so I am 65" total. Went straight through I95 at midday Fri. Had no issues light traffic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BPoland
We just took that route at the end of August, coming up from Fort Myers to Baltimore, with our new Bay Star. It wasn't bad at all. I do not remember any construction. We went through that area at about 4-5 PM on a Saturday. The only thing I would strongly reccomend you bypassing is much closer to home. DC and Virginia are a nightmare. I would reccomend you take 301 South and join in to Rt 95, South of Richmond. Its a much easier drive. From the Capital Beltway (495) down to Richmond is a constant backup, with HEAVY traffic. 301 may be a little longer (not by much), but it will be a much more enjoyable drive.
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"BPoland"
Are there ant tolls on 301? How about the bridge you cross. Also what is the road like, traffic lights, conditions etc..
Thanks
__________________
" A day without camping is....WORK"
2003 Bounder 35R
3 Jack Russell's
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09-30-2014, 11:50 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Nor'easters Club Fleetwood Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 311
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We always go around Richmond, from home in North Jersey to Disney it adds 1 mile and 4 minutes to the drive... well worth it to skip that Richmond mess. Never tried wrapping around Jacksonville... usually just so happy to be in Florida that we go straight through.
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09-30-2014, 04:11 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 286
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I always go straight through. Last March came north and no construction at all. Went thru midday on a Monday and no problem except in mid town the speed limit drops to 55 for a couple miles. Hope you have great trip.
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Larry & Jean
2021 Jayco Melbourne Prestige 24RP
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09-30-2014, 04:17 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Vero Beach, FL
Posts: 8
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I'v been using the bypasses until last year when I fond both Richmond and Jax I-95 much quicker - just not at commuter hour.
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09-30-2014, 04:19 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Willow Lakes RV & Golf Resort, FL
Posts: 3,163
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We just traveled thru I 95 south bound from the national rally in Myrtle Beach. We are very familiar with the route. However, their is an over abundance of construction going on. I would certainly take the east side 9A.
__________________
Clay & Pebble
2012 Providence 42 M. Spartan Chassis, 450 ISL
Ford Edge toad, RM All Terrane, TST TPMS, SMI Air Force One, RVM95....
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