Florida questions

[rbs]

Trying to determine if we can venture into Florida to visit a niece who lives north of Clearwater. We usually try and travel secondary roads, but haven't been to Florida for years. Looking for good advice how to navigate through Florida with the least amount of traffic. Also, are the parks open for camping and are they hard to get in to? Never traveled on US 19 above the bay, and can remember when US 41 was the main roadway. Any and all help greatly appreciated.

[Hans627]

We go to FL just about every winter. And so do thousands of other people. So is tends to be busy with lots of traffic.

US 19 just north of Clearwater is brutal with lots of traffic and stop lights. Personally I would use US 19 sparingly. US 41 is a bit better because it is farther away from the coast.

If I were traveling to that area of FL I would use I75. Yes the traffic is heavy but generally keeps moving. I stay in the right lane and travel 65 MPH and let everyone pass me. Then go west on FL 50 and take FL 589 south. And then find a local road to cut west to US 19 where it makes sense for you..

And there are RV parks all over FL. They are not hard to find or get to but make reservations ASAP as many, those in popular tourist areas, fill up over winter.

Which app are you using for finding campgrounds?

All the best on your trip.

[Redbarron55]

Just go the way you want.
Traffic moves just fine.
Nothing to worry about other than in the cities rush hour is just like everywhere else.

[gamakai]

Florida's secondary roads are among the best maintained in the US. Get a map and pick your route--I would avoid I-75 and I-95 if possible. If you stay north of Orlando and away from costal areas, finding campgrounds should not be difficult.

[rbs]

we use Campendium

[Keys Dave]

I'm gonna recommend you stay away from SE Florida. Miami metropolitan area is a disaster. We live in South Florida so we can say so. While there are a few great RV parks the traffic and roads make it not worth the effort. The Keys are the exception once you get there.

[rbs]

would love to be able to get down to the Keys, it's been close to 50 years since I've been there. I worked out of Marathon on fishing boats during the winter. Stayed in Marathon, on Grassy Key and even stayed on Pigeon Key one winter. That was the old 7 Mile Bridge. I assume getting a camping spot in the Keys would be next to impossible

[janicemd]

We like US 98, but that is better if you are coming down through Alabama as it is further west. It's nice road, starts to get crowded in Hernando county. That goes right through were Helene came through but I'm sure is is fine by now.

If you are going north of Clearwater, I-75 may okay too. It is a crapshoot but it doesn't get really bad until closer to I-4 and south of there. At least in our experience.

I've been the one calling too late for winter reservations and it's no fun but you might get lucky. Some places start releasing single month or even weekly stays in December once they get all their usual winter guests booked. I have lots of notes I can share if you want to send me a DM.

[Native143]

I always take US 19 to and from the FL border to Clearwater. But..I also cut over to the Suncoast Parkway (a toll road but worth it), starting at SR44 to head south to SR 54, then cut over to the coast. Ocala is a mess as is most of I-75.

[sculpt]

I have an Aunt and Uncle that live in Clearwater and I use US 301 down to Ridge Manor, Fl then head west to I75 then on in to Clearwater. Works well, less stress around construction areas.

[Strait331]

Originally Posted by rbs

Trying to determine if we can venture into Florida to visit a niece who lives north of Clearwater. We usually try and travel secondary roads, but haven't been to Florida for years. Looking for good advice how to navigate through Florida with the least amount of traffic. Also, are the parks open for camping and are they hard to get in to? Never traveled on US 19 above the bay, and can remember when US 41 was the main roadway. Any and all help greatly appreciated.

If you have the RV Trip wizard you can filter for no interstates, and it will take you their front door.

[TouringDan]

We like camping at the Ocala National Forest campgrounds. One of our favorites is Clearwater Lake.

Dan

[Mollysdad]

Now that the Veteran's Expressway is open from near the Tampa airport to Crystal River (toll) it's an option to avoid Hwy 19 for a while.

[greghoro]

I can’t speak to traveling secondary roads from Decatur to FL.

Taking interstates, I would suggest I75/I24 thru IL and avoid I65 thru IN, as you bypass Indy & Louisville. You will have severe traffic thru Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta and possibly near Ocala on the Interstates. Getting around these will take time and mileage and may not be worth the effort.

You didn’t say when you would be traveling. Snowbird season (December thru Easter) is the busiest. I stopped going to state parks this year due to the change in the reservation system giving FL residents a month head start. I assumed they would be booking all the weekends.

As you guessed, sites in the Keys are super hard but like many things, money talks. Get ready for sticker shock at private campground. State parks in the Keys will certainly be booked 11 months in advance at the instance they become available at 8:00 AM.


Greg

[rbs]

Originally Posted by greghoro

I can’t speak to traveling secondary roads from Decatur to FL.

Taking interstates, I would suggest I75/I24 thru IL and avoid I65 thru IN, as you bypass Indy & Louisville. You will have severe traffic thru Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta and possibly near Ocala on the Interstates. Getting around these will take time and mileage and may not be worth the effort.

You didn’t say when you would be traveling. Snowbird season (December thru Easter) is the busiest. I stopped going to state parks this year due to the change in the reservation system giving FL residents a month head start. I assumed they would be booking all the weekends.

As you guessed, sites in the Keys are super hard but like many things, money talks. Get ready for sticker shock at private campground. State parks in the Keys will certainly be booked 11 months in advance at the instance they become available at 8:00 AM.


Greg

We avoid Indy at all costs, and travel south on US 41 thru Indiana and Ky, great road, with little traffic. Totally avoided Nashville, but did have to enter Chattanooga and use I-75 to the exit for Rome, then used US27 to avoid Atlanta. Indy is like "Ground Hog Day" it never changes, Louisville and Nashville are carbon copies of each other, tight winding roads with a lot of semis and everybody is late for something. Going thru Chattanooga made me think seriously about installing a dash camera. I probably could have sold the video of a convoy of 5 double wide trailers with one in particular, that we couldn't wait to get by, glad I got the horsepower. Just left FDR SP, will be in the Savannah area in couple days, staying for couple weeks.
Many many thanks to all that took the time to respond, but a very special thanks to Jan, our new hero. Also, please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any advise/ideas, we alway appreciate the kindness and help.
Best
Rod & Jane

[rbs]

Originally Posted by sculpt

I have an Aunt and Uncle that live in Clearwater and I use US 301 down to Ridge Manor, Fl then head west to I75 then on in to Clearwater. Works well, less stress around construction areas.

really appreciate that info, that looks like it will be our route

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by rbs

really appreciate that info, that looks like it will be our route

Although I love 301 when coming south from I-95, it's much closer to Jacksonville than to Tallahassee.
I tried to use back roads on a trip through Alabama, but wandered all over.
Hwy 98 is nice from Tallahassee to Chrystal River. Cedar Key is a nice side trip (If they've recovered from Helene)
From Crystal River south, you can use the Veteran's toll road down to the Tampa Airport, then head west to Clearwater. Or, exit the Veteran's farther north. Look into a stop in Tarpon Springs, and browse the sponge docks. Then you're just north of Clearwater. Also, Dunedin is a pretty coastal town just N. of Clearwater.
Lots of options.