Community Forums

brendaross61 · 01-21-2023, 03:53 PM

Hi, we are new to RV'ing and are going to Florida for March - leaving the 26th of February. What is the best route to go considering we are new to this? The mountains may not be the best way? Suggestions on where to stop that is RV friendly for parking along the way? THanks.

Lakehouse 2 · 01-21-2023, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendaross61

Hi, we are new to RV'ing and are going to Florida for March - leaving the 26th of February. What is the best route to go considering we are new to this? The mountains may not be the best way? Suggestions on where to stop that is RV friendly for parking along the way? THanks.

Brenda,

We'll need more information to be of any help. What type of RV do you have, motor home or travel trailer? If it is a motor home will you be towing a vehicle? Where in Florida are you going? How many miles a day will you be driving?

TandW · 01-21-2023, 05:20 PM

Welcome aboard!

mytimeyet · 01-26-2023, 07:39 AM

Our typical winter route GTA to FLA is via Detroit and I-75 all the way. Niagara and mountains are for summer. Try to have a flexible departure date and watch the weather reports. Sneak out between weather events. Because many campsites/stopping places in the north are closed typically the 1st day heading south will be a long one to get to where there are more choices for stopping places. That's all I have...

TXiceman · 01-26-2023, 08:02 AM

Just watch the weather and adjust your schedule as needed to avoid the bad weather. February is too unpredictable to make a guess more than a few days in advance.

Ken

TB673 · 01-27-2023, 01:03 AM

If you decide to cross in Buffalo and travel thru WVa (I 77S), you may not find many RV Parks that are open.
Usually the parks close on Labor Day (First Monday in September) and open around Memorial Day (May 29th 2023)
We travel from Cleveland, Oh and have found plenty of Parks open on I 71- I 75 on our way to the West Coast of Florida. Biggest issue on this route is the travel thru Atlanta, Ga. The best time to do this is on the weekend.

Tim

Souljourner · 01-27-2023, 05:56 AM

Invaluable app when planning winter travel:

Drive Weather

**hamm2018** · 01-29-2023, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendaross61

What is the best route to go considering we are new to this? The mountains may not be the best way? Suggestions on where to stop that is RV friendly for parking along the way? THanks.

If you go down I-75 you will need to go over Jellico at the Ky.-Tenn. state line. Jellico is the only high hill you will need to go over. Just stay in the right lane and follow the semis up and down you will be okay.

brendaross61 · 01-30-2023, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakehouse 2

Brenda,

We'll need more information to be of any help. What type of RV do you have, motor home or travel trailer? If it is a motor home will you be towing a vehicle? Where in Florida are you going? How many miles a day will you be driving?

Hi and thanks for the response. We have a Ram 5.7 hemi pulling a 28ft Springdale trailer. Imperial Bonita Springs near Fort Myers I believe. We are planning on driving about 8 hours per day and going through Detroit - I75?

Kenny Loney · 01-30-2023, 03:01 PM

As 'mytimeyet ' says I75 all the way. Be flexible, if possible, when leaving. Try for 2 days of clear weather to get further south. Clear good driving conditions, we would leave from North of Toronto and spend the first night either North of Cincinnati/Dayton or into northern KY. South of Cincinnati would miss the next morning rush (unless weekend).
Atlanta, avoid rush hours, also avoid the right lane or two so you don't get caught on an off ramp. You've driven the 401 in Toronto, biggest difference is that you are pulling the trailer.

Ken

brendaross61 · 01-31-2023, 10:29 AM

Thanks for the tips. We can definitely be flexible for the weather. We are hoping to get to Findlay Ohio the first night to stop at the Drury Hotel there.

TB673 · 01-31-2023, 09:36 PM

If you decide to take I 75, you may check your timing and the status (any construction) of the Brent Spence Bridge which is the I 71/ I 75 bridge across the Ohio River.
I 71 (2 lanes) merges with I 75 (2 lanes) just as you approach the bridge, and the pavement across the bridge is rough.

Traffic is generally steady all day, but best to plan to cross between 11:00am and 2:00pm.

If you decide to take I 71, you can bypass this bridge and traffic by taking the outerbelt I 471S -> I 275W -> I71S.

And like Kenny Loney said:avoid rush hour in Atlanta.
BTW Downtown Atlanta may be a better route as the semi trucks are on the outerbelt (I 285) and that road IS rough.
Good luck!

Tim

**hamm2018** · 02-02-2023, 07:26 AM

As mentioned, take the bypass around Cincinnati over to Kentucky from either I-71 or I-75. The Bypass is less traffic, and the roads are smoother, and the traffic flow is better.

Jim.B1 · 02-02-2023, 09:02 AM

Hi Brenda, We travel from Campbellville ON to the Keys every January and have used I-75 for the past 11 years.
The roads are very good and this year the traffic was noticeably less.
We go through Atlanta between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm and it's like driving across the 401 in Toronto, we stay in the slow lane and have never had an issue.
If you are interested in more details and places to stay along the way please message me. Cheers