ADVICE FROM THE FLORIDIANS
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Forum Name: Camping Adventures
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4165
Printed Date: 09 May 2025 at 6:52am
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Topic: ADVICE FROM THE FLORIDIANS
Posted By: hogone
Subject: ADVICE FROM THE FLORIDIANS
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2013 at 9:26am
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I'm heading to Florida in mid November, just looking for some route advice. Will be departing St. Louis and heading to Homestead. Would you take the turnpike or head down 95 via 10? Later in the trip will be departing Cocoa Beach and heading to Destin. What's the recommendation for that route. Multiple options, just looking for ideas from those of you who reside in those areas. Appreciate any advice. Thanks, hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2013 at 6:09pm
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If you'll be in Cocoa Beach make sure you do the full tour of NASA! One of the 3 shuttles is now installed at the visitor's center (another is near me at the Udvar-Hazy annex of the Air & Space Museum near Dulles airport north of DC). If you are into space artifacts there are actually many more at the Astronaut's Hall of Fame just down the road from the visitor's center. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: The Tweeners
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2013 at 10:09pm
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We prefer 95 over the Turnpike just for the ease of getting off and on for food or bathroom stops. The further south you go it doesn't matter much because they run so close to one another...you can actually see the Turnpike as you drive on 95. Safe travels ------------- Tweeners |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2013 at 7:02am
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Tweener: What's your thoughts from cocoa beach over to destin? ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2013 at 8:57am
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As someone who has travelled I95 from New England to Florida on more occasions than I care to contemplate, I would do anything to avoid it- (Although if you are joining it from I10 you will miss the worst parts.) To Homestead it's probably a toss-up. Just insure that wherever your Florida travels take you, including the route you select from Cocoa to Destin, that you cut Orlando and its environs the widest swath possible! The Mouse is not your friend! ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2013 at 9:03am
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yep, need to avoid orlando and that's my dilema........unless i cross over very early or very late ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: danthoman
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2013 at 10:53am
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I have to agree with Bob. Avoid I95 like the plague. Also, I've rarely had any problem getting through Orlando on the turnpike. ------------- Linda and Dan Calley the golden retriever R-pod 177 and a Tundra 8 cyl |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2013 at 11:29am
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Odd, I did 4 trips (3 with the family, one with the pod) to the Orlando area in 2011 and the only time we had a problem was fighting a huge storm front going through the Carolinas. Although three of them were 14 hour slogs point-to-point so we didn't arrive in the area until 10 pm, and the other one had us camping north of the city, which might explain it. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: The Tweeners
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2013 at 7:58pm
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With all the new beltways around Orlando it really isn't too bad anymore. We would catch what use to be called the B-Line/East West Expressway from Cocoa Bch. This will have you traveling just outside of Orlando. You will have a short distance in Orlando when you pick up the Turnpike but if you plan it so that you are not arriving during peak rush hour its not bad. The Turnpike will eventually connect to I75 which will take you to I-10. If you choose to take I-95 to I-10 be warned that there is plenty of new construction underway outside of Jacksonville, which can be a traffic nightmare as well. ------------- Tweeners |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2013 at 8:23pm
If your traveling directly to Homestead from Saint Louis you would take I-75 across everglades then in Miami you would exit to Florida turnpike. That would be if you were traveling 20 years ago . Not sure now perhaps I-75 takes you all the way to Homestead now. I grew up in Miami 34 years, traveled often to Everglades national park while living there. That was the route then but that was some time ago. Or you could get on US 41 in Naples from I-75 and cross the everglades that way, both routes are a interesting drive. If you take US 41 there is air boat rides. Naples has collier Seminole state park you could camp at. David and Danette------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2013 at 8:25am
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Our experience with both Orlando and Jacksonville is one of perpetual road work. Neither of them seem to ever run out of projects and funding. If you know the area, (which we really do not), you will probably be able to avoid the trouble spots, but if you're an infrequent visitor, (as we are), watch out! Personally, I would gladly go at least a half hour out of the way, (probably more....), to avoid them. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: Paige
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2013 at 9:57am
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Last year, we tried every route to get from Jacksonville to Ft. Myers...back roads, going through Orlando, etc. Even though it was slightly longer, it was faster to go I 10 west to 75 and then down 75. At one point, our daughter left Jacksonville ahead of us by 45 minutes and went down 95 and through Orlando. We went 10 and 75 and beat her by 15 minutes! ------------- Paige and Pete 2010 177 - RPug 2012 Rav (six cylinder) New York & Florida residents 
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