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PyrateSilly · 02-07-2013, 07:55 PM

Are you coming from the Tampa area? If so I would get off onto US 41 and not even bother with I 75. We used to go to Key West at least once a year, sometimes more. We went I 75 once, only once, never did it again. Went US 41 every other time and then took 27 thru Homestead down to 1. We saved gas, time and tolls every time. The other thing we did was time it so that we would hit the Keys in the middle of the night. The reason is it never failed that there was an accident on the 7 Mile Bridge and by the time we got there about midnight it was almost all cleared up.

60Vette · 02-08-2013, 08:06 AM

Hi Folks:

Having read everyone's input I have decided I care more about the route than the tolls. Really great info, guys.

Because of your tips I have ordered on line and have received a Sun-Pass transponder. That way at least we can motor on through without stopping.

I think at Ft Pierce we'll be jumping on the Toll Road. I will sit down and go over the route and based on weather and departure time will finalize a few days before we leave.

And by the way departure time was brought up and is a consideration. I'm in Western Massachusetts about an hour and a half north of Waterbury, CT and Route 84. This I'll have to factor in to my calculations if traveling near major cities.

So I sit here waiting for the 20th of Feb watching the snow ripping down here in Western MA. Man, I gotta' get out of here. The better half's flower business is gone this time next year come Hell or high water.

Which reminds me buy your Valentine's roses from your local flower shop not Stop and Shop, Big Y, the U-Haul van parked at the side of the road or etc. Don't be cheap bastids support your local florist.

Best Regards,

60Vette

PyrateSilly · 02-08-2013, 09:09 AM

Funny but traffic and route is part of the reason we do NOT do toll roads. Seems to always be a problem with accidents and traffic and toll takers wanting to charge for the axles on the MH, the trailer and the bike and vehicle on the trailer.
Going non toll roads we see more and it's way easier for us to get off the road for a quick bite or gas/diesel.

But hey everyone is different and if everyone was the same and did everything the same it would be a VERY boring world. Go for it if that's what you've decided.

Gadget63 · 02-08-2013, 09:43 AM

I stopped using toll roads long ago when they charged me a commercial tractor trailer rate of 8.00 an axle to go over the Verrazano Bridge in NY with my car and a utility trailer! I didn't know it at the time because I was using my ezpass and it wasn't until two months later when the bill came in that I saw the toll was 24.00! I called and complained to EZPass and even spoke with a supervisor who refused to back down and insisted that was the rate. This is even after I pointed out the previous time I went though with my trailer I was charged less than half that amount!
Moral of the story is, it's better to pay cash at a toll booth and to annoy them pay in small change and ask for a receipt.