Gulf State Park AL route question

**KyDan** · 09-12-2016, 08:12 AM

Working on my google route to Gulf State Park and have a question about
the last leg.

I'll be going south on I65 and eventually US31 and AL 59 to I 10
at that point I can jog briefly East on I 10 to Foley Beach Express south
which google says has tolls.
OR
I can continue South on AL 59.

Google reports nearly identical drive times either way Not counting traffic.
BTW we'll be making this leg on a Saturday mid afternoon if that matters.

What do you think??

richp · 09-12-2016, 10:05 AM

Hi,

I take 59 all the way. It has some stop and go, but it's all that bad. On a Saturday, there will be traffic for sure, particularly going through Foley.

FWIW.

Rich Phillips

Oakman · 09-12-2016, 10:37 AM

Dan, I’m going to disagree with richp, the Foley Beach Expressway is the best route and much better than Hwy 59 because of the lack of light signals. Google is dead wrong about identical drive times especially on weekends and weekday rush hour. The toll is near the end of the Expressway when it crosses over Portage Creek/Wolf Bay, it’s a bridge toll.

To avoid the bridge toll make a right turn on Bradford Road, it ends at Roscoe Road and then a left turn onto Roscoe Road. Roscoe Road ends at Cotton Creek Rd/Brown Rd and make a right. Stay on Cotton Creek road until it runs into Hwy 59 and make a right onto Hwy 59. I know it sounds complicated but it’s not. This is the route I take when we go to Gulf Shores, AL. Check Google maps. BTW, at the intersection of Bradford Rd and Roscoe Rd you will see Sugar Sands RV park right in front of you. Either route will get you there so have fun.

Also, you owe it to yourself to eat at Lambert’s Café, Home of the Throwed Rolls on Hwy 59 in Foley, AL you won’t be disappointed.

richp · 09-12-2016, 11:15 AM

Hi Dan,

Oakman is right, and I suppose my preference for straight line routes prejudices my thinking.

I would argue, however, that the benefit of my route is that it takes you right past Lambert's, in addition to a lot of last minute shopping and fuel options.

And if you are looking for an excellent higher end restaurant, then the Shipps Harbor Grill in Orange Beach is well worth it.

Have a great trip.

Rich Phillips

Topspud · 09-12-2016, 12:31 PM

i agree with both restaurants.

so, take a couple days to enjoy.

ccsvolsfan · 09-12-2016, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakman

Dan, I’m going to disagree with richp, the Foley Beach Expressway is the best route and much better than Hwy 59 because of the lack of light signals. Google is dead wrong about identical drive times especially on weekends and weekday rush hour. The toll is near the end of the Expressway when it crosses over Portage Creek/Wolf Bay, it’s a bridge toll.

To avoid the bridge toll make a right turn on Bradford Road, it ends at Roscoe Road and then a left turn onto Roscoe Road. Roscoe Road ends at Cotton Creek Rd/Brown Rd and make a right. Stay on Cotton Creek road until it runs into Hwy 59 and make a right onto Hwy 59. I know it sounds complicated but it’s not. This is the route I take when we go to Gulf Shores, AL. Check Google maps. BTW, at the intersection of Bradford Rd and Roscoe Rd you will see Sugar Sands RV park right in front of you. Either route will get you there so have fun.

Also, you owe it to yourself to eat at Lambert’s Café, Home of the Throwed Rolls on Hwy 59 in Foley, AL you won’t be disappointed.

There are only 3 or four stop lights and no towns to go thru. I always use this route. We stay at Sugar Sands.

ccsvolsfan · 09-12-2016, 12:46 PM

Gulf Seafood has the best Low Country Boil you can buy on the coast and less than $20. Feeds 2-3.

Dennis Carpenter · 09-12-2016, 12:54 PM

Stay on 59 all the way

**Bama Rambler** · 09-12-2016, 01:19 PM

The decision to stay on 59 or take the Beach Express is heavily predicated on what time of year you're traveling. If you're traveling October through March, I'd stay on 59, as it won't be a bad drive and the traffic isn't bad at all, even on weekends. If you're traveling Late March through Sept, then don't even consider traveling 59 especially on weekends.

I have friends and family that live in a around Gulf Shores, so we travel there pretty regularly.

billcoll · 09-12-2016, 01:36 PM

Have driven both ways at busy and slow times of the year. Foley XWay is absolutely the best. The shortcut to avoid the toll is very easy. 59 is forever no matter what time of year!

**KyDan** · 09-12-2016, 02:30 PM

Thanks everyone! Sounds like we'll take the Foley and detour the bridge!
Also appreciate the eating recommendation!!

BTW we have reservations at Gulf state park. We visited the area about
10 years ago and stayed a week in a condo. While there we checked
CGs and the state park. We thought the SP had decent lot separation and
plenty of paved bike/walking paths. Also loved the Bon Secour Nature preserve as well as a ferry ride to Dauphin Island. And of course the Naval
air museum at Pensacola. It was a wonderful trip and it's been too long
since we visited!
Really looking forward to a re-visit!

Happy Trails!

bend302 · 09-12-2016, 03:23 PM

Great area. X2 on Lamberts. They are also in Sikeston MO

Bill

Oops · 09-12-2016, 03:31 PM

59 has its perks - great for testing brakes and horsepower on takeoff over and over and over again... We went in June. The state park there was great though, one of our favorites!

tomrob1161 · 09-12-2016, 07:41 PM

We go to the National Shrimp Festival each October, camp at Luxury RV Resort on Hwy 59, so we take 59 all the way from I-65. There is traffic, but it moves.

ccsvolsfan · 09-12-2016, 09:21 PM

We will be at Shrimp Fest. Staying at Sugar Sands RV Resort. Will take Foley.

tomrob1161 · 09-12-2016, 09:28 PM

We like staying at Luxury RV Resort in Gulf Shores because we can walk to the Shrimp Festival that way we don't have to worry about parking.

**KyDan** · 09-13-2016, 08:01 AM

When we were online at the Gulf state park reservation site we found several
sites open for reservation one week and totally booked the next weekend. I called and asked "what's up" and they said shrimp festival. We're fond of
shrimp but not so much big crowds so we moved our stay a week earlier when we could get a site.

I guess we're missing something neat but I imagine we can still find shrimp somewhere!

ccsvolsfan · 09-13-2016, 08:38 AM

The food at SF is not so good anyway. We never eat there. All the craft and venders booths have nice stuff. Also some of entertainment is good.

MarkyB · 09-13-2016, 10:08 AM

I go Baldwin / Foley Beach Express all the way from I-10 to Gulf Shores.
Heck, I even pay the toll, it's not that much.
Food is much better at the local restaurants than at Shrimp Fest.
Live Bait, and Ribs and Reds are two that come to mind.

tomrob1161 · 09-13-2016, 02:35 PM

KyDan, our first trip to Gulf Shores was the week before Shrimp Fest in 1996. We tried to stay another week and attend the Shrimp Fest, but, as you said everyone was booked up. At that time we camped at Surfside Resort, which is now a condominium on the Gulf. We've gone every year since, except when hurricanes changed our minds. We stay at Luxury RV Resort which is only 3 blocks on the beach highway where all the action is, so we can walk from the campground. However, you do have to make your reservations a year in advance. The festival is from Thurs. - Sun., we go down on Monday before it starts and leave the Monday after it finishes on Sunday.

Have fun in Gulf Shores. While you are there you might want to check it out for next year.

You may also like: