Drive Down I-95

[WLBound]

When my son was little, we made this drive every year. The first leg of the trip, we would try to go as far as Daytona Beach, so the 2nd leg of the trip wasn't so bad. On the way back, we'd stay an hour or so south of Virginia Beach. We have stayed in Manning, SC a few times too. A stop at J&Rs was imperative!! Only once did we ever stop at South of the Border and ran like hell back to our car LOL I actually used to love that drive. We did drive straight thru a few times. Got to Orlando a bit passed midnight.

I think it's either a rite of passage or some obscure law that says you must stop at South of the Border once in your life, if for no other reason than to say that you've done it too. However, my husband was with you on this one. After about five minutes he said "Can we go now? I've seen it".

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

I think it's either a rite of passage or some obscure law that says you must stop at South of the Border once in your life, if for no other reason than to say that you've done it too. However, my husband was with you on this one. After about five minutes he said "Can we go now? I've seen it".

I know, right!?!?!? We sat down in their *restaurant* I swear I saw cockroach ... big enough to carry away my then small son. The *waiter* doubled as a cook, came out, with a filty apron, gave me a toothless smile and said "can I take your order?!?" I said.... be right back .... and ran, small son in tow, did not stop, hauled my NJ self OUTTA there... passed the big silver slipper and continued down I 95. NEVA' AGAIN!!!!!!

 

[WLBound]

I know, right!?!?!? We sat down in their *restaurant* I swear I saw cockroach ... big enough to carry away my then small son. The *waiter* doubled as a cook, came out, with a filty apron, gave me a toothless smile and said "can I take your order?!?" I said.... be right back .... and ran, small son in tow, did not stop, hauled my NJ self OUTTA there... passed the big silver slipper and continued down I 95. NEVA' AGAIN!!!!!!

Yeah, the place is pretty bad (putting it nicely) but it does make an otherwise boring drive through NC entertaining laughing at the cheesy billboards. I actually get all excited when I see the first one. For this, and probably many more reasons, my husband thinks I'm a little nuts.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Yeah, the place is pretty bad (putting it nicely) but it does make an otherwise boring drive through NC entertaining laughing at the cheesy billboards. I actually get all excited when I see the first one. For this, and probably many more reasons, my husband thinks I'm a little nuts.

OMG the billboards ..... "Pedro sez..." or "You never sausage a place" LOLOL

 

[JohnD]

I'm a native of Jacksonville. I suspect most people driving through to WDW take what is now known as I-295 West Beltway around town. The little known secret is the I-295 East Beltway (formerly 9A) is shorter and in fact is shorter than I-95 straight through. You also get the benefit of crossing the Dames Point Bridge (cable-stayed) over the St. Johns River.

Just south of Jax is the St. Augustine outlet stores and driving into town itself for the fort, Ripley's, etc.

 

[RKSteel]

I'm a native of Jacksonville. I suspect most people driving through to WDW take what is now known as I-295 West Beltway around town. The little known secret is the I-295 East Beltway (formerly 9A) is shorter and in fact is shorter than I-95 straight through. You also get the benefit of crossing the Dames Point Bridge (cable-stayed) over the St. Johns River.

Just south of Jax is the St. Augustine outlet stores and driving into town itself for the fort, Ripley's, etc.

Last year I debated about taking it, but stayed on 95. Shorter is better in my book so I'll try it this year. Thanks.

 

[JohnD]

Last year I debated about taking it, but stayed on 95. Shorter is better in my book so I'll try it this year. Thanks.

I was just corrected that I-95 is 1.5 miles shorter than I-295 East Beltway. (I was thinking of the as yet not built 9B extension which would run directly south to a NW to SE 1-95 south of Jax). However the I-295 EB is definitely shorter than the WB and doesn't go through the center of town.

 

[englanddg]

I was just corrected that I-95 is 1.5 miles shorter than I-295 East Beltway. (I was thinking of the as yet not built 9B extension which would run directly south to a NW to SE 1-95 south of Jax). However the I-295 EB is definitely shorter than the WB and doesn't go through the center of town.

At the speeds people drive in FL, does it even matter? <grin>

 

[Victor Kelly]

Florida where warp drive is a reality.

Warp factor 9 Mr. Sulu.

 

[MaxsDad]

As a SC resident, I apologize for the excuse of an interstate that is I95. It is poorly paved, and in need of widening badly.

As for SotB, it is indicative of the Myrtle Beach shade of tourism in the area, a culture that drives us to vacation away to other places, like FL for instance. SC is a naturally beautiful state, but we find a need to trash the place up somehow. Please refrain from supporting these eyesores if you feel so led.

Regarding exits (from N to S), I have stayed at Richmond Hill, GA, and won't be back. Brunswick, GA was great. I have stayed at Kingsland 3 times. Good value and just over 2 hours to WDW. Stayed at Baymeadows exit south of Jax one time, will not even stop for gas in the daylight there now. Stayed at St Augustine on one of our first trips, it was great.

 

[Master Yoda]

As a SC resident, I apologize for the excuse of an interstate that is I95. It is poorly paved, and in need of widening badly.

As for SotB, it is indicative of the Myrtle Beach shade of tourism in the area, a culture that drives us to vacation away to other places, like FL for instance. SC is a naturally beautiful state, but we find a need to trash the place up somehow. Please refrain from supporting these eyesores if you feel so led.

Regarding exits (from N to S), I have stayed at Richmond Hill, GA, and won't be back. Brunswick, GA was great. I have stayed at Kingsland 3 times. Good value and just over 2 hours to WDW. Stayed at Baymeadows exit south of Jax one time, will not even stop for gas in the daylight there now. Stayed at St Augustine on one of our first trips, it was great.

That use to be a very nice section of town many moons ago. It just goes to show you what happens when you put too many apartments in one place. You have the same issue in a number of locations around Jacksonville.

 

[wdwstateofmind]

That use to be a very nice section of town many moons ago. It just goes to show you what happens when you put too many apartments in one place. You have the same issue in a number of locations around Jacksonville.

That's weird considering I think it was Forbes that named Jacksonville as one of the top spots for young couples and job creation...

As for SotB, it is indicative of the Myrtle Beach shade of tourism in the area, a culture that drives us to vacation away to other places, like FL for instance. SC is a naturally beautiful state, but we find a need to trash the place up somehow. Please refrain from supporting these eyesores if you feel so led.

It's not THAT bad, it all just felt a bit old and kitchy...If you want to see a trashed place come to New Jersey. People trash up nice lands and a unique ecosystem all while living there too...

 

[wdwstateofmind]

Can anyone name the hotels that have those annoying husband & wife on every billboard throughout NC and SC?

 

[Master Yoda]

That's weird considering I think it was Forbes that named Jacksonville as one of the top spots for young couples and job creation...

Don't get me wrong. I have no problem with living in Jacksonville. I have been here since 1972 and will more than likely be here until I retire. J-ville is no different than any other city. There are a few places that have never been good and a few more that fell from grace.

 

[JohnD]

I'm a native of Jax. Love my home town. But let's be honest -- you're driving to WDW. Not much to draw you off the Interstate until you get there. Now, if you're looking for leisure after an action-packed trip at WDW, there's the beaches, golf, Jacksonville Zoo, St. Augustine to the south, Fernadina Beach/Amelia Island to the north, to name a few. . .