[gdude]

i should be going to Florida sometime this summer and i already know about how much to expect in tolls. I will be traveling the entire length of the tollway. should i expect any long delays in Orlando or Miama/Fort Lauderdale area? would it be best to use the Sawgrass expressway once i reach South Florida in order to by-pass all the traffic? and most importantly about how long would it take to traverse the turnpikes entire length?

[Lilybeans]

Where is your ultimate destination? If you are going to the Keys, then yes, the Sawgrass is the way to go. As far as traffic, it depends what time. If you hit rush hour it will slow down. Same for Orlando. There is no real way to bypass the Turnpike. Once you get to Ft. Pierce, you can get on I-95 and head south, but rush hour will still get you.

It's about 5 hours from Wildwood to Miami.

[tallrick]

The only way I would travel the Turnpike is if I had a car that can fly over the toll plazas. The last time I was on a business trip the whole journey was close to 5 hours from Homestead to its end.

[gdude]

i plan on traveling from where the turnpike starts to where it ends in homestead. i plan on going to Islamorada

[jhlcomp]

It really depends what time of day you are driving the turnpike. The only time we have experienced high traffic is when there is an accident, construction, or some rush hour. All in all, we have experienced more delays on 75 and 95 than the turnpike. Use common sense. If you travel through areas during rush hour, you will expeirence some delays.

[gdude]

i would probably start traveling the turnpike at 5 AM and hope to reach Islamorada by 9 AM is that do able?

[danh600]

Originally Posted by gdude

i would probably start traveling the turnpike at 5 AM and hope to reach Islamorada by 9 AM is that do able?

Probably not, remember once you hit the Keys it's a 2 lane road. I would say you are looking at 5 1/2 hours. Plus once you get to the Keys you will want to enjoy yourself. Just take your time and enjoy the drive.

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by gdude

i would probably start traveling the turnpike at 5 AM and hope to reach Islamorada by 9 AM is that do able?

No. Not unless you are driving 100mph.

[gdude]

Originally Posted by danh600

Probably not, remember once you hit the Keys it's a 2 lane road. I would say you are looking at 5 1/2 hours. Plus once you get to the Keys you will want to enjoy yourself. Just take your time and enjoy the drive.

5.5 hours is fine with me! i enjoy nice drives that are very scenic and beautiful

[bfreder576748]

Originally Posted by gdude

i would probably start traveling the turnpike at 5 AM and hope to reach Islamorada by 9 AM is that do able?

yeah by jet!! It takes me 3 1/2 - 4 hours to travel from gainesville to palm city, with maybe a stop for gas or coffee. I have found the stress level very high on the turnpike, everyone is in a big huge rush to get to where they are going. I started avoiding the turnpike and driving highways like 441 and 27 then cutting over to the coast where I live. So much less stress!