Florida 98 / 19

[planopat]

Have driven 10 & 75 many times to Orlando. Maybe this time thinking about a more leisurely route. Coming through Mobile w/ 40 Ft A & dinghy. I'm looking for comments on Tallahassee to Orlando on 19. What about 98 from Pensacola to 19 then 19 to Orlando? Is it all 4 lane?

[GL1800Rider]

98 from Pensacola has a lot of 2 lane and you will also pass thru a lot of the area that was ravaged by the hurricane last October. I ran the entire way several years ago pulling a 32' TT and it was a nice leisurely drive. There is still a lot of rebuilding going on south of Panama City.

U.S. 19 is a great route and all 4 lane with only a few small towns to pass thru. I would pick it up off of I-10 ( I think it's exit 225) instead of running thru Tallahassee traffic. I would take 19 to Chiefland and pick up Alt US 27 then merge with US 27 at Williston and take that to I-75. If you don't want to pay all the tolls, take I-75 to the Turnpike but get off again on US 27 and go South to 192 which goes by Disney. I would not take 27 past I-75 because you will hit a lot of traffic in Ocala, The Villages, and Leesburg.

[Ramblingromines]

This is a beautiful drive. Not 4 lane all the way, but worth the trip.

[formerFR]

It seems like we've never lived far from US19, whether where we grew up, right on 19 in west Central GEORGIA, now all four lane divided... or Thomasville, GA later in our married life, or a short stint in the lower St. Petersburg, FL peninsula, several winters in Clearwater, FL, or even now in NORTH CAROLINA, only a few miles from Murphy, where 19 runs thru and up to CHEROKEE and the Smoky Mountains... we just can't seem to break away!

US19 is a very long, and very historic road, from St Pete, FL all the way 'up' to lake Erie, PA...

We love the drive thru Florida on US19, as it's divided and easy to drive, with little 'fast' traffic and the pressures that normal 'interstate' driving requires - and it's generally spotted with a few towns to traverse, though few stops. The drive is generally great until you start reaching the WeekiWachee/TarponSprings/Clearwater areas, as then it becomes a traffic-light congested stop-and-go drive.

[Jeffjeeptj]

I used to live in Homosassa Springs. Drove 19, everyday to north of Crystal River. Also, frequently further north to the cut-off to Gainesville.

I would pick up 19 as soon as you could avoiding Tallahassee trafic per above, and take it to Weeki Watchee. Turn left at 50 and go thru Brooksville. follow it to Clermont and 27.

You do not indicate what part of Orlando you are going to, so beyond Clermont is your option.

After 27, 50 gets you to the north end of Orlando with a bunch of stoplights.
South on 27 gets you to 192 and Disney.

If you are 1000 Trails, Clerbrook and Orlando CGs are on 27, 192 has Lake Magic CG.

[planopat]

Disney is the Orlando stop. Thanks to all for the great advice.

[oldgoat1526]

If you decide to take the 98 tunnel instead of the I-10 tunnel at Mobile be aware that it has a 12 foot height limit.

[planopat]

Originally Posted by oldgoat1526

If you decide to take the 98 tunnel instead of the I-10 tunnel at Mobile be aware that it has a 12 foot height limit.

Good to know. I'll take the tunnel as I'm 12' 9" Thanks!

[Chuckinca]

We always take I-10 to US 19 to I-75 at Ocala or reverse when going or coming to eliminate some Truck traffic on I-75


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