Florida to North Carolina Without I-95

Chuckman said:
South of NC or north of NC?
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In fairness to 95, the last time I drove it (spring 2023) there was no construction from 26 to I-4. Georgia finally finished their 10+ year whatever-the-hell-they-were doing project.
 
i thought they actually scheduled overnight road work especially on Interstates.
 
I was able to get off the ship much earlier than we originally thought. Left Tampa FL around 9:30 AM arrived in Swansboro NC around 10:15 PM. That was including stops for gas, bathroom breaks, and having 2 sit down meals.

I had alternate routes planned using Hwy 301 and Hwy 17. But never had to use them. Was able to take I-95 all the way into I-74 in NC. I used real time GPS traffic information. Continued to look ahead for delays.

We were able to time our stops around traffic delays areas. Hit all major cities either before or after rush hour traffic. I was really surprised the trip back went so smooth! It was one of the smoothest drives to FL that I can remember.

South bound lanes had some series delays due to a couple of really bad accidents. EMS was doing chest compressions on one person while getting them loaded up on the ambulance. I hope they made it.
 
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We drove every July from Pittsburgh to Ft Lauderdale in a 9 passenger wagon with no air conditioning on mostly 2 lane roads in the 60s. I95 holds no fear for me! We're driving to Tampa in May for our niece's commissioning as a USAF 2LT. First time driving to FL in 40 years. Looking forward to the destination but not the drive.
 
I did a turn and burn Thursday morning.

Left Charlotte area at 3am Thursday morning to Winter Park FL. Pulled in at home at 9pm Dropped off a driver and straight back. 5-7 mph over EVERY mile. I've made trips to FL mary many times. Thay has never happened.

On my way north, Southbound, 10 miles south of Jacksonville traffic was almost stopped. For absolutely no reason. 63 mile backup from a dead stop to 10mph slow roll. It's always a crap shoot on I95
 
Me. said:
I’m doing Melbourne to Raleigh on Monday.

I expect it will be worse than the trip down.

The trip down was a 9-hour estimated time that took 12 hours (30 minutes of that was stops I made). All of the problems were in Florida.


There is really no hope for me. I need to just take 95, and let Google reroute me for the worst parts.


With it being the last day of the typical holiday season, I expect everyone to be on the road that day.


They only glimmer of hope is that more people go south at the end of the holiday.
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I went through Daytona right at 1pm. Not saying it'll work for you. But I hit 0 traffic from I4 & I95 all the way to I26
 
LeeMajors said:
I went through Daytona right at 1pm. Not saying it'll work for you. But I hit 0 traffic from I4 & I95 all the way to I26
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Sounds like you had my luck. I hit every major city right before lunch, after lunch, before rush hour, or after rush hour. Other than the short 1 mile stretch of I-95 that I travel from Benson to I-40, I have not had a better experience on I-95.
 
Average Joe said:
South bound lanes had some series delays due to a couple of really bad accidents. EMS was doing chest compressions on one person while getting them loaded up on the ambulance.
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Being involved in something like that is why I avoid highways like 95 as much as possible. I was on 85 earlier this week between GSO and 421. That was enough. We were pushing 80 MPH and has idiots pulling to the right and passing us with traffic trying to merge in at the same time.
 
GoWolfpack said:
Thank goodness I didn't waste a trip down there to see NC State flop and twitch through their bowl game.
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My daughter and son in law went down for the game and said traffic on 95 was horrible going down and then worse coming home yesterday. Trip ended up taking them 2+ hours longer than it should have. Said traffic would just come to to a stop on 95 for no reason.
 
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Me. said:
I’m doing Melbourne to Raleigh on Monday.

I expect it will be worse than the trip down.

The trip down was a 9-hour estimated time that took 12 hours (30 minutes of that was stops I made). All of the problems were in Florida.


There is really no hope for me. I need to just take 95, and let Google reroute me for the worst parts.


With it being the last day of the typical holiday season, I expect everyone to be on the road that day.


They only glimmer of hope is that more people go south at the end of the holiday.
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Early morning flying through the night is your friend. It’s your only hope.

And I think the traffic flow is opposite: more headed back north after the holiday period.
 
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Me. said:
After-action report…

95 was smooth-sailing the whole way home, but we rolled out at 3:30am.

The only slowdown I encountered was a self-imposed stop at Buc ees. First time going there, we ended up dropping almost $200 and didn’t even get gas. :D

I did pick up a couple of the gas-cans CFF recommended in another thread. $25 each. Good deal.

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You now are part of the secret Buccee’s handshake club. No matter what they tell you, you’re allowed to keep your pants buttoned when performing the handshake.
 
We’re heading to Miami the first week of March. Probably leaving the Siler City area around 5 and driving through the night in no rush. Should put us in Miami around 8, we will go 95 almost the whole way.
 
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