Best Way around Jacksonville?

[PotteryGal]

I just picked up our Trip-Tik from AAA today and I noticed that there is construction (surprise, surprise!) on 295 around Jacksonville. AAA highlighted going on 95 through Jacksonville. What are the road conditions there, and what is the most efficient way to get around them? We will be driving through Saturday morning the 25th, so any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

1st Trip to WDW!! :sohappy::sohappy:

 

[disney9752]

i live in jacksonville, most of the construction seems to be repaving the road, which seems to be done at night during the week. usually going 295 around town is safer than going through.:snore:

 

[dandaman]

Why does it matter if 295 has work being done, if you should stay on 95 as it is?

I guess another route besides those two would be the 9A (to the east/right on the Triptik map, I'd think). We went to Jacksonville U. for a tour last August, and we took that route to branch off/reconnect with the highway. :wave:

By the way, 95 hasn't been bad in the few times I've been there (once during rush hour, to boot).

 

[PotteryGal]

Why does it matter if 295 has work being done, if you should stay on 95 as it is?

I guess another route besides those two would be the 9A (to the east/right on the Triptik map, I'd think). We went to Jacksonville U. for a tour last August, and we took that route to branch off/reconnect with the highway. :wave:

By the way, 95 hasn't been bad in the few times I've been there (once during rush hour, to boot).

Well, I've never have driven in Florida in my life, so I was trying to minimize the driving headaches...I thought the outerbelt of Jacksonville might be better than straight through, but since it's a Saturday the traffic shouldn't be as bad, right? Oh well, I'll just let my DH drive it anyway !
Thanks for your input!

 

[dandaman]

Straight through will probably be your best bet. :wave:

 

[jeffcot]

We drive straight through on 95 every time with rarely a problem. On a Saturday AM you should have no difficulty at all.

You get a great view of downtown Jacksonville and its a very beautiful city area!

 

[scpergj]

Why does it matter if 295 has work being done, if you should stay on 95 as it is?

I guess another route besides those two would be the 9A (to the east/right on the Triptik map, I'd think). We went to Jacksonville U. for a tour last August, and we took that route to branch off/reconnect with the highway. :wave:

By the way, 95 hasn't been bad in the few times I've been there (once during rush hour, to boot).

I live in Jacksonville, used to work in the downtown area (while living in a southern suburb), and my wife still works downtown. We have very extensive experience in this area...so, some advice.

Take I-295 around the city. The construction projects are about done, and are being done at night anyway to lessen the impact on rush hour. I-95 through the city is an absolute NIGHTMARE right now. The bridge north of the city, just south of the airport, is being replaced and the traffic pattern is quite difficult. I have been darn near run over by semi's twice in the last few months, since there is very little room in each lane (both times they came into my lane while I was next to their drive wheels). When you are in the downtown area, where I-10 and I-95 merge and cross the St. John's river, they are totally rebuilding the entire area. The construction hasn't done too much to effect the actual flow of traffic, but it is still quite confusing, even to a native that drives it frequently.

Oh yeah...forget the 9A suggestion. Bad idea. Full of traffic lights and not an easy solution, not to mention the worst traffic in the city is that part of town (beaches traffic is terrible).

Where are you coming from? I may have other suggestions depending on that.


Never mind all of the above...Saturday morning will be no problem trafficwise. I missed the saturday part



Kevin

 

[KaliSplash]

I haven't had any trouble going straight through on 95, particularly on weekend. But I bow to the locals as to the up-to-the-minute status of construction on both 295 and 95.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I drove on 95 last Thursday evening, aroud 7 PM, and had no trouble. Drove back going the other way on Sunday night, and also had no trouble.

I will say this, however. You have to be alert because of the construction and traffic patterns. The roads wind in and out, and if you're not paying attention, you'll wind up getting off of 95 accidentally. At some points, there is only one lane that continues on 95.

 

[dandaman]

I will say this, however. You have to be alert because of the construction and traffic patterns. The roads wind in and out, and if you're not paying attention, you'll wind up getting off of 95 accidentally. At some points, there is only one lane that continues on 95.

You're telling me. We tried cutting through Florida via I-10 in August, and despite my best navigational efforts, we somehow ended up back on 95. :lol:

Like they said: trust the locals. I forgot about the 9A traffic lights... though ^^^ seems to have changed his mind about the Saturday driving.

 

[800Miles2Magic]

I too would suggest the straight through on 95 approach. I have always heard it is a bit quicker even with traffic. I go to FL a few times a year and always gone on 95.

The only warning I can give is do not pay too much attention to the lovely city or you will miss the 95 South exit. If i recall corectly its around a turn, if you miss it, it can be a little trouble getting back on 95 south.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I abolutely agree with that ^^.

I nearly missed it myself, not because I was looking at the city (I was far too nervous about getting lost to do that), but because it comes up VERY quickly. I had to change lanes really quickly, and actually kind of cut someone off to get over there.

 

[PotteryGal]

Well, lots of advice to consider here..I think we'll try staying on 95 the trip down, and take 295 on the way home, as it will be a Friday (Dec. 1st) around lunchtime (I hope). Thanks to all who posted! :wave:

 

[MHSJAX]

Another Local

As a Jacksonville native that commutes from the far southern burbs to the far north of the city 5-6 days a week at all times of the day and night, I can tell you without a doubt GO I-295 around. The river view on the long "Buckman" bridge is cool, and if you go I-95 enough times sooner or later something bad will happen to you! Too many twists and turns, too much construction and too many people trying to get to WDW that don't know where they are going :animwink: Good Luck and have fun!!

 

[mkt]

I regularly go surfing up that way in Jax Beach/St. Aug beach (followed by running to Georgia for cheap gas if I'm in Amelia for some reason), and 295 is nothing... you'll be fine

 

[Master Yoda]

I live in Jacksonville as well and the I-95 corridor through Downtown is a nightmare right now it will be bearable on a Saturday morning. If you do wish to bypass it 9A will be fine. There currently is only 1 traffic light on 9A and while there can be a huge back up there on the weekdays the effect is pretty minimal on the weekends. Regardless of your route the earlier you can get there the better it will be.