Snow Bird needs route advice.

[FixerCQI]

I am planning a trip to Florida's Myakka River area (Port Charlotte) from east of Toronto Ontario Canada in our 40' MoHo. I used Good Sam's trip planner, but it has me passing right through the middle of any big city along the way. Is this wise, or should I be trying the bypasses when available. It has us crossing the border at the Peace Bridge, which I think is good. It then directs me out 190 to 90 and south on 79 19 77 26 95 4 & 75. If anyone can think of an easier route or??? please let us know. Not too sure about whether you are allowed through the tunnels in the mountains with propane etc. Cities to pass through include Pittsburg PA, Charlotte NC, Columbia SC, Jacksonville Fl, & Orlando.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by FixerCQI

I am planning a trip to Florida's Myakka River area (Port Charlotte) from east of Toronto Ontario Canada in our 40' MoHo. I used Good Sam's trip planner, but it has me passing right through the middle of any big city along the way. Is this wise, or should I be trying the bypasses when available. It has us crossing the border at the Peace Bridge, which I think is good. It then directs me out 190 to 90 and south on 79 19 77 26 95 4 & 75. If anyone can think of an easier route or??? please let us know. Not too sure about whether you are allowed through the tunnels in the mountains with propane etc. Cities to pass through include Pittsburg PA, Charlotte NC, Columbia SC, Jacksonville Fl, & Orlando.

I'm OK with your route till Jacksonville, FL. I would take the west bypass to I10 and then take US301 south to Ocala. At that point pick up I75. This will keep you out of the rat race of Orlando. Tampa is no issue at all.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[BFlinn181]

I 79 actually skirts the west side of Pittsburgh, so you aren't going through the center of the city, which is the biggest one on your list. You could go further south on I-95 then W on FL 70 to bypass the Orlando traffic. Other than that, most the other routes are the best roads in the area you're traveling through.

[DRL1950]

Originally Posted by FixerCQI

I am planning a trip to Florida's Myakka River area (Port Charlotte) from east of Toronto Ontario Canada in our 40' MoHo. I used Good Sam's trip planner, but it has me passing right through the middle of any big city along the way. Is this wise, or should I be trying the bypasses when available. It has us crossing the border at the Peace Bridge, which I think is good. It then directs me out 190 to 90 and south on 79 19 77 26 95 4 & 75. If anyone can think of an easier route or??? please let us know. Not too sure about whether you are allowed through the tunnels in themountains with propane etc. Cities to pass through include Pittsburg PA, Charlotte NC, Columbia SC, Jacksonville Fl, & Orlando.

Just curious, when are you making the trip, and where exactly are you staying?

[ChasA]

I agree with Steve Ownby. By pass Jacksonville. But instead of taking I-295 to I-10 to US 301, I would take exit 373 (A1A) west through Callahan to US 301 and then south to I-75 in Ocala.
There is a very nice KOA in Starke. If your coach needs a wash, there is a man named Terry listed on the bulletin board in the KOA . He does an outstanding job.

[GaryKD]

Hi FixerCQI,
I do not like the route. For me:
1. Get to Interstate 81 as soon as you can.
2. Take I 81 all the way to Tennessee where it becomes I 40 West.
3. Take I 40 West to I 75 South.
4. Take I 75 South to the Myakka River area.

Plan your travel through Atlanta on a weekend and mid-day. Stay on I 75 through Atlanta. Other than that, this route is a pleasant and scenic drive. There are many things to stop and see along the way.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi FixerCQI,
I do not like the route. For me:
1. Get to Interstate 81 as soon as you can.
2. Take I 81 all the way to Tennessee where it becomes I 40 West.
3. Take I 40 West to I 75 South.
4. Take I 75 South to the Myakka River area.

Plan your travel through Atlanta on a weekend and mid-day. Stay on I 75 through Atlanta. Other than that, this route is a pleasant and scenic drive. There are many things to stop and see along the way.

Not too much to argue with in Gary's route for directness. For me, after more trips through Atlanta than I care to remember, I'll do most anything to escape that particular experience. From Chattanooga to south of Macon the traffic is heavy, the scenery is unremarkable and the road service is less than desirable.

A very scenic interstate drive would be to stay on I81 to I26 in Tennessee. I26 from Erwin, TN to Mars Hill, NC is relatively new & very scenic.


Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

[JFXG]

I would never argue against I-81 as long as it's reasonably direct. IMO, right now I-81 is one of the best continuous stretches of interstate highway east of the Mississippi; and Steve is right in that I-26 is a beautiful drive. We left Asheville via I-26 up to TN just last spring heading north.

That said, I have also driven the I-79/US19/I-77 segment from Pittsburgh through WV/VA into NC, and it too is a wonderfully scenic drive, with virtually no traffic to be of concern. Charlotte traffic is essentially nonexistent if you take the I-485 bypass.

Whichever you select, good luck and stay safe!

[FixerCQI]

All I can say is WOW! One day and all my questions answered.

To Steve Ownby; I have been down this route in a car, and went the way you suggest in Fl. on 10 301 75. I looked at that route and did not see a place to stop within 250miles of our destination. This led me to look at the other side of Fl. where I did find a stopover. I agree with your logic of missing Orlando if it is a mess so I will have to revisit your route.

To DRL1950; We are leaving on or about 13th Oct. with overnight stops about every 250miles and staying at Myakka River Motor Coach Resort near El Jobean and Pt. Charlotte.

To BFlinn181; I think I'll try the West coast route down 301 to 75 (I've done it before by car), but thanks, I had not noticed 70 till you mentioned it.

To ChasA; I tried the A1A to 301 to 10 route by car and if felt like we were on it for a lifetime. Too many small towns with traffic congestion. I might have just hit a bad time. Going to try 295. But I would really like to thank you for your suggestion to stay at Starke KOA. I'll tell Terry you sent me.

To GaryKD; Unfortunately I have Done a lot of the planning for stops and reservations on the 79 77 route, but I will look at that one next time, thanks.

To JFXG; Thanks for the info re 485, as I've mentioned above I'm leaning to the 79 19 77 route. Thanks for the best wishes.

Thanks for all the pertinent info Guys. Bob & Belle

[MCJones]

I have driven from NC to tampa on both the suggested routes and I would lean toward 95 and picking up 301 just north of Jacksonville, then down. BUT! if you value your sanity, try to avoid driving on football weekends. In Georgia and north Florida they seem to take their college games very seriously and the whole world seems to travel to and from the areas on game day! have fun - mark

[FixerCQI]

Originally Posted by MCJones

I have driven from NC to tampa on both the suggested routes and I would lean toward 95 and picking up 301 just north of Jacksonville, then down. BUT! if you value your sanity, try to avoid driving on football weekends. In Georgia and north Florida they seem to take their college games very seriously and the whole world seems to travel to and from the areas on game day! have fun - mark

Hey Mark; I'm definitely leanin that way. This is going to sound dumb, but is there an easy way for a Canadian boy to find out what those "weekends" will be.

[MCJones]

Keep an eye on the Florida State games (Seminoles) and Florida (Gators) they draw crowds. Be cautious if any Georgia or S. Carolina teams are playing them. Maybe the easiest thing is to not travel the area on Friday or Saturday if you have that kind of flexibility. It also seems to me that the route is heavy during the Christmas holiday season. The 301 route is a nice drive and if you are not trying to get from point A to B as fast as possible is more fun to drive. I have to keep reminding myself it is the journey, not the destination now that I don't have to work everyday. We winter in the tampa area Nov.-Mar. and then back to the smokies. travel safe, mark

[Tom N]

Drive to Pittsburgh and follow me.

I-79 to US19 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95 to FL200/A1A to US301

North of Charlotte take I-485 west. I-485 is the new bypass on the west side of Charlotte.

I've been driving this route since before I-77 was completed and the WV turnpike (I-77/I-64) was 2 lanes. Scenic drive.

-Tom, W3TLN

[DRL1950]

Originally Posted by FixerCQI

All I can say is WOW! One day and all my questions answered.

To Steve Ownby; I have been down this route in a car, and went the way you suggest in Fl. on 10 301 75. I looked at that route and did not see a place to stop within 250miles of our destination. This led me to look at the other side of Fl. where I did find a stopover. I agree with your logic of missing Orlando if it is a mess so I will have to revisit your route.

To DRL1950; We are leaving on or about 13th Oct. with overnight stops about every 250miles and staying at Myakka River Motor Coach Resort near El Jobean and Pt. Charlotte.

To BFlinn181; I think I'll try the West coast route down 301 to 75 (I've done it before by car), but thanks, I had not noticed 70 till you mentioned it.

To ChasA; I tried the A1A to 301 to 10 route by car and if felt like we were on it for a lifetime. Too many small towns with traffic congestion. I might have just hit a bad time. Going to try 295. But I would really like to thank you for your suggestion to stay at Starke KOA. I'll tell Terry you sent me.

To GaryKD; Unfortunately I have Done a lot of the planning for stops and reservations on the 79 77 route, but I will look at that one next time, thanks.

To JFXG; Thanks for the info re 485, as I've mentioned above I'm leaning to the 79 19 77 route. Thanks for the best wishes.

Thanks for all the pertinent info Guys. Bob & Belle

Maybe we I'll see you there we are staying there also but won't be there until January!