Florida's Turnpike

[bob91750]

Leaving for Lake Okeechobee area right after Christmas. Last year when we took this trip Florida's Turnpike from I-75 to Highway 441 near Yeehaw Junction was under heavy construction in many places, not to mention very crowded. Considering using Highway 27 to Highway 60 to 441 as an alternate this year.
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks, Bob

[Ivylog]

I boycott the turnpike as much as possible... we were told it would be free after 20 years of tolls which would’ve been 1977. From West Palm Beach I do not get on until Kissimmee using 441 from YeeHaw north to Kenansville... need a Sun Pass to get on south of Kissimmee. No way would I use 27 which currently has a section “closed” west of Orlando...never seen that before. 60 west of YeeHaw is one of the most dangerous roads in Florida.
As much as I dislike using the turnpike I suck it up and use it to get to /from 75.

[Ivylog]

Another option is stay on I-75 just past where you’d get off for the T pike and take 471 south to US98.98 through Lakeland (slow going) to Bartow and then 60.

[johnhicks]

If anything, US-27 is more crowded plus lots of traffic lights until past Lake Wales. I'd just grit my teeth and use the turnpike.

[Chuck&Pam]

Originally Posted by Ivylog

Another option is stay on I-75 just past where you’d get off for the T pike and take 471 south to US98.98 through Lakeland (slow going) to Bartow and then 60.

That’s the way we just came. Good except for the part through Lakeland. Going back north I’m going to take the Polk Parkway to I 4 and then north on 98 as a bypass. It’s toll and a few miles longer.
Last year we went from the Villages down FL 33 to Polk City then cut across to Haines City. Not bad either and there’s a Pilot Station in Haines City with RV gas pumps.

[BillJinOR]

Originally Posted by Ivylog

I boycott the turnpike as much as possible... we were told it would be free after 20 years of tolls which would’ve been 1977. From West Palm Beach I do not get on until Kissimmee using 441 from YeeHaw north to Kenansville... need a Sun Pass to get on south of Kissimmee. No way would I use 27 which currently has a section “closed” west of Orlando...never seen that before. 60 west of YeeHaw is one of the most dangerous roads in Florida.
As much as I dislike using the turnpike I suck it up and use it to get to /from 75.

I just drove back on 27 from up north the other day and it was fine as in no closures ( my rv home is near 4 and 27 )
I’d just suck it up on 75 .... 27 is a great road but lots of communities with stoplights and will cost you time . That said I hate freeways and have time so I take 27 almost exclusively north to northern Indiana almost every year to visit family. For the most part a great road.