Travel on 441 through Georgia (Gainesville, Milledgeville: renting, homes, college)

[popcorn247]

I am planning a trip from Florida to the Smoky Mountains. I would prefer to see the real America and avoid interstates and freeways, etc. I see that 441 goes in the general area I would like to travel. How is this highway? Interesting places along the way? What is the speed limit?

[WanderingImport]

Not a bad highway where I've traveled it. (From Dublin to Athens) Right outside of Dublin, it begins a new 4 lane highway. A few miles further, the speed limit ramps up to 65 until you hit the smaller towns in Wilkinson county. Towns like Milledgeville, Eatonton and Madison are pretty, though there are bypasses if you want to get up to the mountains quicker.
Overall, it's a good alternative to the interstate. Not quite sure how it is south of I-16 however.

[ellie]

It is interesting. I love Mycanopy, FL. Be sure to visit the old town as you pass through. Oleno/River rise State parks, also in FL, are geologically interesting. Not too sure what to recommend about Lake City.

Then the drive to Fargo, GA is piney and remote. You can stop at the Okefenokee State Park, though it's hard to get a real sense of the swamp without actually renting a boat and going out. From there to the interstate there won't be much to slow you down. Farther north, its worth driving around in Milledgeville and Madison, GA since they have some of the best archicture in the state.

[popcorn247]

Thanks for your replies. I think I will drive up 75 through most of Florida and catch 441 near Lake City. Any places in Georgia (museums, restaurants, funky places) along 441 I should not miss?

[ellie]

If you like southern Gothic literature, Flannery O'Connor's home, Andalusia, just north of Milledgeville , is worth visiting. Downtown has a few college town style restaurants. The Uncle Remus museum is in Eatonton. Athens has all kinds of places to eat and investigate, if you're into funky places. It deserves its own chapter in the list of things to do.

[popcorn247]

any more comments? I will be staying one night in Helen, GA

[Ollie1946]

I'd rather take a dirt road than I-75.

441 is a great choice if you are not in a hurry. Just driving into the downtown areas of some of the towns along the way is good. I recommend doing that in Madison, GA. Some beautiful homes along the in town stretch. You also go through Athens and that is somewhat interesting with Botanical Garden.

Helen is off the track as you must know. Tourist trap. Wait until Gatlinburg and Pidgeon Forge for that aspect.

Enjoy the drive. Oh, careful around Commerce due to close enforcement of speed. Not a speed trap but they do enforce over 55. If you take the by-pass in Madison, same deal. Watch the posted speed.

[Blue Eagle]

Southern Heritage Bar-B-Que in Dublin is a good bbq joint. I always enjoy eating there. And I love their brownies.

Near Eatonton, at Rock Eagle there is a prehistoric bird of stones made by the Moundbuilder Indians. You have to climb up the steps of a tower to get a proper view. It is worth a visit.

From Madison, a short detour to Social Circle to eat at the famous Blue Willow Inn Restaurant in Social Circle would be one of the better meal options along your route.

[Newsboy]

EXTENDED STOPS WORTH MAKING:
-- Milledgeville, Georgia's antebellum capital and great little college town today!
-- Downtown Madison (you could actually spend a night and a couple of days exploring this movie-set picture-perfect town!) BEST SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA!
-- Athens (don't have to be a UGA fan to appreciate all that The Classic City has to offer. As a college town, puts both Gainesville and Tallahassee to great shame. Like Madison, you could spend a couple nights and days and never really embrace it all. If a couple of hours is all you have to spare, park the car downtown and just WALK! Magic awaits in every direction!)

[popcorn247]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I am leaving in about 10 days. Does anyone else have information about what to see along 441 in Georgia?