Community Forums

Charming · 12-14-2020, 08:19 AM

We're planning a trip to Tallahassee and Savannah in April. We have a couple of days to use between the two main stops and I was thinking about staying 2 nights at Manatee Springs State Park. We are point A to point B travelers. I really dislike the loop from I-10 onto I-95 north at Jacksonville.

Trip adviser has us taking 301 to I-10. What is 301 like all the way north to where it intersects 90 just south of the state line?

I have 4 months to agonize over the decision so, let me know what you've encountered on 301 between Baldwin (I-10) and Hero (I-95)

kenandterry · 12-14-2020, 08:33 AM

I’ve done 301 from the Ocala area up to I-10 several times as a change from I-75 to I-10 to I-295 to I-95. It’s a nice change to boring interstates all the time.
It’s been improved over the last few years.....still needs work at I-10 interchange.

Are you asking about 301 North of I-10 up to where it intersects I-95?
If so.....I can’t expect it’s much more different but who knows.

chuckster52 · 12-14-2020, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charming

We're planning a trip to Tallahassee and Savannah in April. We have a couple of days to use between the two main stops and I was thinking about staying 2 nights at Manatee Springs State Park. We are point A to point B travelers. I really dislike the loop from I-10 onto I-95 north at Jacksonville.

Trip adviser has us taking 301 to I-10. What is 301 like all the way north to where it intersects 90 just south of the state line?

I have 4 months to agonize over the decision so, let me know what you've encountered on 301 between Baldwin (I-10) and Hero (I-95)

If you are coming down I-95 south.....get off at exit 373 ,which is Fla Rt 200....go west toward Callahan on 200.....In Callahan ,pickup Rt 301 ...it is a dividend 4 lane road all the way to I-10 ......has a by Pass now around Baldwin....and continue south....this is a beautiful route and nothing to agonize about at all.....C

chuckster52 · 12-14-2020, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster52

If you are coming down I-95 south.....get off at exit 373 ,which is Fla Rt 200....go west toward Callahan on 200.....In Callahan ,pickup Rt 301 ...it is a dividend 4 lane road all the way to I-10 ......has a by Pass now around Baldwin....and continue south....this is a beautiful route and nothing to agonize about at all.....C

If you are staying in Savannah, check to see if Mrs Wilkes Boarding House is open for lunch
Great food....open from 11 AM to 2 PM......Monday thru Friday......C

Charming · 12-14-2020, 08:58 AM

Thanks all, I think we will avoid Jacksonville both directions, from our trip to Tallahassee and back up to Skidaway.

I love Mrs. Wilkes. An open invitation to over eat! I couldn't get a reservation for an extra day at Skidaway, but we will be back in 2022. We will give the Wilkes family a visit then. I have a lovely photo of my great niece meeting Mrs. Wilkes. She was so impressed with her! I have an autographed cook book to give to her one day, but I'm still using recipes from it.

BeaverDen · 12-14-2020, 09:02 AM

301 is a good route just be VERY AWARE of 2 spots, the first and worst is WALDO. Waldo is nationally known by AAA as a speed trap. The speed will change several times down -up down-down -down-up then down again. They often will have radar set up in a barn. Lawtey just north of Stark is also know for this but not nearly as bad. There is construction near I-10 and the town of Baldwin I would watch my speed thru there to. over the last 50 years each of those have caused be to contribute to there local economy. Just pay attention for the 5 minutes it takes to get thru either of theses and 301 will be fine. $ lane divided from just below the state line south. I have driven 301 from mid-Florida to N. Georgia within the last 5 years and I remember taking it in 1964 all the way to Canada back before Interstates were built. Enjoy the ride!

Jack962 · 12-14-2020, 07:44 PM

Waldo Police dept. has been shut down and is no longer a speed trap. Lawtey still is a speed trap. 301 now has a bypass around Starke. It is a good route to travel.

TC Wndsr · 12-18-2020, 08:19 AM

I agree with previous post, Exit 373 to FL 200 to 301. Great route to avoid the interstate around JAX.

Chuck&Pam · 12-18-2020, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC Wndsr

I agree with previous post, Exit 373 to FL 200 to 301. Great route to avoid the interstate around JAX.

Just came that way. Yea! The Baldwin bypass is now open so no more having to make those turns in downtown.

We’ve actually taken 301 all the way to Orangeburg then 601 to near Charlotte. 301 thru SC is mostly an abandoned 4 lane road with no traffic. Takes longer but beats the bumper to bumper during certain times on 95.

Where you staying near big O? We’ll be down that way again this winter too.

Belgique · 12-19-2020, 08:30 AM

We hate interstates so we take old US Highways whenever possible. Pride ourselves on taking 321/301 from Hickory NC to Dade City FL and never getting on an Interstate. 301 is an excellent choice.

Chuck&Pam · 12-23-2020, 02:32 PM

Just came back on 301/601 from Fl state line to Charlotte area. About an hour longer overall but felt like we were on a private Hwy for most of the trip.

Jima5813 · 01-14-2021, 03:18 PM

be sure you watch your speed in every little town.

Patriot P · 11-12-2021, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck&Pam

Just came that way. Yea! The Baldwin bypass is now open so no more having to make those turns in downtown.

We’ve actually taken 301 all the way to Orangeburg then 601 to near Charlotte. 301 thru SC is mostly an abandoned 4 lane road with no traffic. Takes longer but beats the bumper to bumper during certain times on 95.

Where you staying near big O? We’ll be down that way again this winter too.

Hi Chuck and Pam. This post was an old one and I am just joining in 2021. But I am looking at doing this very route from statesville (just north of Charlotte) to yulee Fl (which is just north of Jacksonville). I want to avoid the interstate congestion and craziness. You mentioned it only took about an hour longer over all. Is that accurate today ? My GPS says it takes about 3 hours longer? Was this a good road overall? Condition, 4 lane, traffic etc? Thanks.

Patriot P · 11-12-2021, 06:20 AM

Hello everyone. New to the forum and looking for everyone's opinion. We will be heading to FL from NE ohio. We have a planned stop in statesville which is just north of Charlotte NC. From there we are traveling to Yulee Fl. We are considering alternative ways to avoid the interstate with our young family and avoid the log jams, craziness around the holidays, and help for additional easier stops with our children. Can anyone speak to the quality of the roads, the average speed, and the extra amount of time it may take VS I95. My gps says around 3 hours longer vs 77 to 26/95. But that is probably assuming certain things. Has anyone done this route? I saw where Chuck and Pam have and commented that it only took an extra hour overall. That was a very old post from like 2009 I think. Thank you all !