Tampa to Panama City best route??

**KyDan** · 10-10-2015, 07:14 AM

We've got a couple weeks booked in south WEST FL in January

stopping in the panhandle as we work our way back to KY.
Hide-a-way RV park Ruskin Fl (Tampa/St Pete area) north to near Panama
City.
Google maps says I 75 then I 10 west to exit 174 then FL 12 to St. Andrews state park.

Alternate shorter but not necessarily faster is taking I 75 for a while then
switching to US 27 or US 98 at some point.
I'll call that the "scenic" route. I don't mind scenic if it's not a lot more time.

We just returned from a great trip KY to Maine. We had some great interstate and some that was about as bad as I've ever encountered.
Some of the interstate in NY was just a wash board for hour after hour.
My truck bucked so hard I had trouble keeping my foot on the gas pedal

Wondering about this route above-- which one might have the better
pavement and or just be the best route in your opinions??

jgahlhoff · 10-10-2015, 07:37 AM

I take the scenic route 27 is four lane until 98 at Perry all good roads and lots of places to pull over for a rest just my $ .02

jgahlhoff · 10-10-2015, 07:38 AM

oh and speed limit is 60to 65

**KyDan** · 10-10-2015, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgahlhoff

oh and speed limit is 60to 65

Where???

jgahlhoff · 10-10-2015, 07:48 AM

on 27 and 98

rsdata · 10-10-2015, 08:03 AM

last year the wife and I got into a huge traffic backup going up I-75 north of Tampa... we were on our way to Ocala to pick up Rt 27 to Williston to Alt 27 to Rt 98 which we have traveled before... after stopping for lunch we could see the traffic was even worse so we headed WEST and caught Rt 589 which I think is called the "Sunshine Parkway". This was a freeway type road that had nearly zero traffic on it in either direction. There were tolls collected every 10 miles or so and I think it cost us about $10 to travel it from near Tarpon Springs (On the coast) to it's end at Rt 98 in the north. It seemed to be fairly new freeway as there was not much to offer at the exit ramps for fuel or eats... so make sure you are fueled up.

Once on 98 you can go all the way to Panama City. We use 98 all the time, usually picking it up off Rt 27 as was previously mentioned. Cities along the "Nature Coast" as that part of FL is called are few and far between and the speed limit is usually from 55 to 65 on those stretches so you can make some time and the road is in good shape.

I do break that trip in half though (Tampa to Port St Joe), stopping usually at Manatee Springs SP near Chiefland, FL or at Ochlocknee SP in Sopchoppy, FL... both are interesting places to visit. We have 11 nights at Manatee SP this year.

Passing through the towns gives you the ability to eat at non-chain places and pick up produce at a number of road-side markets.

We stay off the interstates as much as possible and it makes for a more enjoyable trip.

We spend time at both St George Island and Port St Joseph Peninsula SP and love both places for the miles of beaches they both offer. Both are right off Rt 98.

Ernest.M. · 10-10-2015, 08:12 AM

if you are looking for time then go 75 to I 10 to 231 down to hwy 390 to hwy 98 to Thomas drive on out to the park. I know the area well. But if you want scenery and light traffic I would take the 27/98route but it will add a lot to your time.

**KyDan** · 10-10-2015, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernest.M.

if you are looking for time then go 75 to I 10 to 231 down to hwy 390 to hwy 98 to Thomas drive on out to the park. I know the area well. But if you want scenery and light traffic I would take the 27/98route but it will add a lot to your time.

Yeah, that's the way I see it too.
I know google is giving me best case most of the time and I always add
at least an hour to a trip like this for gas/lunch stops but all things equal....
All interstate I 75/ I 10 looks like 6:13 and 408 miles.
IF I jog over to US 98 up to Newport and then 267 it goes up to
6:39 and miles drop to 370
If I take the coast and stay on US 98 time jumps to 7:21 and 392 miles.

I guess I'm wondering if anyone has recent experience with the "faster"
I 75/I 10 route pavement?? We really got pounded when we went to Maine and I'm hoping the interstate in FL is a little better...

dalford · 10-10-2015, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyDan

Yeah, that's the way I see it too.
I know google is giving me best case most of the time and I always add
at least an hour to a trip like this for gas/lunch stops but all things equal....
All interstate I 75/ I 10 looks like 6:13 and 408 miles.
IF I jog over to US 98 up to Newport and then 267 it goes up to
6:39 and miles drop to 370
If I take the coast and stay on US 98 time jumps to 7:21 and 392 miles.

I guess I'm wondering if anyone has recent experience with the "faster"
I 75/I 10 route pavement?? We really got pounded when we went to Maine and I'm hoping the interstate in FL is a little better...

We travel this route a lot as our granddaughter lives in Pensacola. We live in the Melbourne area.

As far as the interstate condition goes I-75 and I-10 are good smooth rides, just boring as hell, especially I-10. Plus on 75 you have to put up with the maniacs..

Take 27 out of Ocala to 98 and then 98 onto Panama City. If you are like me you are only driving 60 on I-75 and the speed limit on the alt route is at your running speed. Yes, you will go through a few small towns but this is a pretty route for the most part. Rolling fields, horse farms, etc. We even saw a black bear one time.

It does not add all that much time but if in a hurry, line me up on the interstate and go and hope someone does not do something stupid and hold you up in traffic for a long time.

We usually make it a two day trip anyway. There is a KOA in Perry... Could be a overnight stop for you.

Enjoy your trip and have fun..

Ernest.M. · 10-10-2015, 12:08 PM

If you have never been through Homosassa or Crystal River or along the coast on 98 in the Northern panhandle of Florida then that's the way to go. You will see the real Florida or as they call it the Forgotten Coast. Beautiful drive and if you have time you can stop at Homosassa springs. You can do the Toll Road 589 Suncoast Parkway out of Tampa (New Road) Its up to you, Ill be at St Andrews next weekend

Bob Vaughn · 10-10-2015, 12:08 PM

We go there by going up 75 to 50 the Brooksville exit. West on 50 then north on 98 to 19 then north to Perry. West on 98 then pick up 20 take that straight across to Fountain South on 231 to Panama City.....very little traffic this way....

bend302 · 10-10-2015, 01:05 PM

We travel from KY to Hudson FL each winter and use US19/98 thru Perry and to I-10 West to get to 231 north. We have used the Perry KOA a few times and it is OK just a bit sandy.

I-10 is smooth and not too crowded. I-75 seems to be a zoo most of the time

We too travelled to Maine this summer and the toll road East through NY was the worst I have ever encountered. I slowed to 45MPH over a large section. And, they charged us for the privilege of using that road! North through Mass, NH and Maine wasn't bad. Came home through the Shenandoah Valley. Very nice route.

Bill

Rvdixie · 10-10-2015, 01:38 PM

X2 27 to 19 is almost as quick and much more fun to drive. At least you won't be pushed by the semis and it's nice smooth road and plenty of places to stop if you want to.

Rvdixie · 10-10-2015, 01:43 PM

The Interstate is very smooth all the way to Louisiana

Archg38r · 10-10-2015, 06:27 PM

I travel from Tallahassee to Bradenton a couple times a month and suggest you take Suncoast Parkway to US98. I75 just north of Tampa is under construction for about 30 miles. You would be driving on milled asphalt and in several areas there are temporary travel lanes constructed on the shoulder and limited places to pull over if you have an issue. I do not think it will be completed by January. It's will be a nicer drive, better scenery and far less headaches. FWIW I work for Fla Dept of Transportation.

DobeFanatic · 10-10-2015, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rvdixie

X2 27 to 19 is almost as quick and much more fun to drive. At least you won't be pushed by the semis and it's nice smooth road and plenty of places to stop if you want to.

X3 From Largo, I take Suncoast to Brooksville, then 19, 27 to Perry then Rt 20 or pick up I 10 at that point, quicker than 75 to 10 and much more relaxed drive with the camper.

Sistahazel · 10-10-2015, 09:10 PM

I live about a mile from St Andrews St park and have traveled all the routes detailed n previous posts. All routes have plus and minuses. Although I-10 is probably the quickest route, it's also the most boring.

**KyDan** · 10-11-2015, 05:57 AM

Wow, thanks everyone! I've been reading and re-reading your opinions
on routing. You've got me leaning towards the scenic route.

It's been about 3 years but we took this route once before. We were
traveling from Sanibel Island to St. Joseph peninsula state park.
I remember heavy fast traffic with some slow downs on I 75 but what I
remember most is at some point we did get over on the scenic side and it
was less stressful except for 2 things-- we were driving a diesel and I got
down to the point where I was really worried about finding fuel and then
it started to rain and it REALLY rained a lot and a long time. It was totally
dark and we were totally exhausted by the time we got to St. Joseph.

This trip we are starting from 2 hours north of that so it will be shorter
and I'm back driving my gasser.

We already have booked a week on both ends of this trip so a stop over
to break it up is out. If weather and traffic are decent we should be fine
on this one. It's about 400 miles and we'll get an early start.

**KyDan** · 10-11-2015, 06:02 AM

How about a follow up?
We are staying in Hide-a-way rv resort near Ruskin. SE of Tampa
The suncoast hwy is on the far side NW of Tampa from Ruskin.
It looks like we'd have to go right thru the center of Tampa to get
to 589?? It it worth it?

WolfWhistle · 10-11-2015, 06:38 AM

Depending where the start in Tampa is exactly. I would go the non-Interstate route. If far east I would get on I-275 out of Tampa. US19 is pretty slow, depending on the time of day. Staying off the Interstates only adds a little to the travel time and is ten times less boring. I agree about 267 then 20 to staying away from 98 (through Port St. Joe).
WW

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