Help heading way South (Miami, Golden Glades: homes, college, trailer)

[ChrisNY]

I was looking for some thoughts about why google maps tells me to get off I95 South at exit 129 and go to the Florida Turnpike to get to the Keys. Why no take 95 South? Has anyone taken these routes?

I appreciate any thoughts

[madcapmagishion]

I have been to the keys dozens of times and it seems like the best way to go as I-95 ends just south of Miami and turns into US-1 and thats mainly a 4 lane street level main drag through south Miami where it turns into the south Dixie Highway, where as the Florida Turnpike is an Expressway to the South Dixie Highway and then onto the Overseas Highway to Key West. The #1 reason is ITS QUICKER!!!

[bativac]

I've gone dozens of times, too. I believe the Turnpike is a toll road and I-95 isn't. Also, the Turnpike is quicker and less crowded - MUCH less crowded, the last time I drove it. More expensive, due to the tolls, but I've taken both and I think the Turnpike is quicker. Especially this time of year.

I remember doing it as a college kid a few years ago and counting out change, praying that I had enough for the next toll. Good times!

[madcapmagishion]

Originally Posted by bativac

I've gone dozens of times, too. I believe the Turnpike is a toll road and I-95 isn't. Also, the Turnpike is quicker and less crowded - MUCH less crowded, the last time I drove it. More expensive, due to the tolls, but I've taken both and I think the Turnpike is quicker. Especially this time of year.

I remember doing it as a college kid a few years ago and counting out change, praying that I had enough for the next toll. Good times!

I think the total for my truck and a triple axle boat trailer was like $15.00 one way and well worth every penny of it. Thats a total of 5 axels with just a car it is probably 1/2 that.

[ChrisNY]

This is very helpful. We drove down last year and got the feeling we were lost when we took 95 to the end. it felt like Little Havana for a bit. Then when we went home I found the turnpike and it's tolls. I blew right through one of the express lanes without paying bfore I realized I was in the wrong lane. Never got a ticket but I still ahve my fingers crossed.
The turnpike does sound like the best route.
Again, I really appreciate the help. We are leaving around 5am Staurday

[madcapmagishion]

Originally Posted by ChrisNY

This is very helpful. We drove down last year and got the feeling we were lost when we took 95 to the end. it felt like Little Havana for a bit. Then when we went home I found the turnpike and it's tolls. I blew right through one of the express lanes without paying bfore I realized I was in the wrong lane. Never got a ticket but I still ahve my fingers crossed.
The turnpike does sound like the best route.
Again, I really appreciate the help. We are leaving around 5am Staurday

Staurday? Slow those fingers down and and your driving too, no blowing through the tool booths without paying either...we'll be watching for you this year...LOL

[ChrisNY]

I just checked the SunPass website to calculate the tolls and they now can take a picture of your plate and you get get billed for whatever tolls you went thru in the past 30 days plus a $2.50 service fee

[jwolfer]

Originally Posted by ChrisNY

I was looking for some thoughts about why google maps tells me to get off I95 South at exit 129 and go to the Florida Turnpike to get to the Keys. Why no take 95 South? Has anyone taken these routes?

I appreciate any thoughts

If I go to the keys I take 95 to the Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County (SR869 I think) and then take I-75 South the the Homestead Ext of Turnpike. or you can take 95 to just north of Miami and at the Golden Glades Interchange switch to SR 874( I think) and take that to the Homestead Extension. You save on some tolls.

You can take US1 but its like driving Blanding Blvd in Orange Park. Look at a map and there are some Freeway connections to the HEFT off US1 not too far from the end of I-95 if you really want to drive to Mile 0 on I-95 or just want to see the Miami Skyline

[ssclulow]

The turnpike has much less traffic, many fewer on off ramps and cuts a lot of time from the trip. Get a Sunpass. They are very convenient and you don't have to keep stopping to pay tolls.