Ontario To Key West

[Dave Lyon]

I'm considering a trip in February from Ontario to Key West. No trailer - driving DW's car. Google Maps is showing three routes:

1. Detroit to I75 to Ocala and over to I95 (longest route)
2. Buffalo, NY, I90 through Pennsylvania, WV to I95
3. Buffalo, NY, I270 through Maryland to I95

Any suggestions on best route considering the time of year? Any recommendations of places to stay (hotels) would be appreciated.

I'm just starting to look and haven't booked anything.

Thanks.

[ependydad]

For #3. I270 and I95 can be incredibly heavy with traffic depending on time of day and your luck.

[Chief T]

I recommend researching current conditions there. My best friend has a home on Big Pine Key. They just got power a couple weeks ago, but still unlivable due to all the debris. Recovery efforts may have gone faster on KW since it's the touristy location.

Safe and happy travels.

[kenandterry]

Dave....
We’re from Belleville/Trenton area and have travelled here to Florida for a number of years.....by car or RV.

Your profile shows Oshawa Ontario. I can better advise if you identify what border crossing you are planning on.

[Dave Lyon]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Dave....
We’re from Belleville/Trenton area and have travelled here to Florida for a number of years.....by car or RV.

Your profile shows Oshawa Ontario. I can better advise if you identify what border crossing you are planning on.

Thanks Ken. It depends on the comments received. It could be Detroit or Buffalo.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Chief T

I recommend researching current conditions there. My best friend has a home on Big Pine Key. They just got power a couple weeks ago, but still unlivable due to all the debris. Recovery efforts may have gone faster on KW since it's the touristy location.

Safe and happy travels.

Good call. It's my understanding that Key West didn't get hit anywhere like the Keys further north.

Last I heard, Key West was back open for business fully.

[kenandterry]

Dave....

I’m sending you a private message to discuss by phone.

[donsim]

Best to book a place before you go out on the keys .Weekends are pricey ,phone Boyds for openings last minute , everyplace is pricey. On the way down ,it's best to travel over the Smokey Mtns. south near Chattanooga on I75. Less chance of snow.

[markb422]

We do this a couple times a year from mid Michigan. I usually do I75/US23 Detroit/Ann Arbor South to Knoxville then Southeast I40 and 26 to South Carolina until we hit I95.
If the weather allows it and you have a little extra time, you can do 441, east of Knoxville, through Gatlinburg, Smokey Mountain NP, Blue Ridge Prky.
You can do 295 east around Jacksonville then the traffic should be good until you get to the Miami area. Suggest you get a SunPass so you can do the Florida Prky around Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.

[itat]

I prefer to head east on the 401 and avoid Toronto, Cambridge, Waterloo, London, etc. or the QEW. I've traveled I-81 down into TN but only in the summer and a long time ago. You'll want to stay well away from Washington, DC and the major urban centers in the northeast unless you plan to visit them specifically, so maybe stay on I-81 and turn south on I-77 or even I-75 down to I-95?

[stillontheroad]

We have traveled from Ontario (Hamilton area) to Florida many times. Always took I75. Straight forward and easy. Only "hill" country is in Tennessee. We used the Florida turnpike to access the Keys. Costs a little but saves a lot of traffic hassle. (avoid travelling around Miami in the morning or afternoon rush hours... they are crazy)

[Dennis King]

I just got to the Keys from Cincinnati and like I-75 all the way to just before Wildwood Florida where we picked up the Florida Turnpike! Easy Peasy. But there is aToll! Google Maps had a couple of options. We are in Grassy Key nice place but no beach! Nice setup little cove marine for a few small boats aerator keeps water nice and have rope with floats like a boon for oil spills to keep grass sea weed etc from clogging up the seawall.

[softailstitches]

You can come down I75 down the west coast. Calmer than our Miamo

[CaptnJohn]

If coming through Buffalo I'd pick up I-79 at Erie PA and take it to at least WV to beat the I95 stuff. Pick up I95 in NC and it is pretty smooth all the way to the FL turnpike in s fl.

[SailorSam20500]

If you decide on Detroit - know that I-75 SB is still closed from just south of the Ambassador bridge:

I-75 TOTAL CLOSURE
From: 03/02/2017, 12:00 AM
To: 11/30/2018, 12:00 PM
When: Continuously
Location: SB I-75 from Dix Hwy to Northline Rd
Description: SB I-75 is closed for bridge work.
Detour: SB I-75 thru traffic use WB I-96 to SB I-275 to SB I-75

(or take I-94 west to either I-275 or US-23) Neither alternative adds all that much distance. While a bit longer, I would opt for us-23 and pick up I-75 south of Toledo.

[buckeyefan]

Looks like a bunch of folks have given advise on the drive. I can provide some thought on where to stay. Every year we fly from CVG to EYW for 7-10 days. It's our non camping happy place. Feel free to PM if you have specific questions.

Feb is high season down there so don't expect cheap prices. We stay on the north side at the Pier House. We also stay at the Hyatt next to the Pier House. If you are going to stay at least 7 days, there is also Truman Annex that has condo for rent. We have stayed there a few times as well.

All of these locations are close to Duval Street which is the main strip for nightlife.

Let me know if you have more questions.

[buckeyefan]

Also thought I would mention that the drive from Miami to Key West will take you 4 hours. Post speed limit is mainly 45 MPH. Like mentioned above from Marathon (MM55) through Cujoe Key (~MM 14) there is still a lot of recovery going on. KW is officially open and raring to go, but the drive to get there may be a downer. I have friend on Cujoe and Big Pine who were lucky but the cleanup by Monroe County is slow in those areas.

[goodguy]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

If coming through Buffalo I'd pick up I-79 at Erie PA and take it to at least WV to beat the I95 stuff. Pick up I95 in NC and it is pretty smooth all the way to the FL turnpike in s fl.

X2

[Dave Lyon]

Thanks for all the responses......it gives me something to thing about and has been helpful.

[DougW]

If you are crossing a Buffalo you can also take I90 west to Cleveland, take I271 express lanes to I77 and follow that ll the way to Columbia SC, the I26 to I95.

We have travelled this direction several times towing and I77 is MUCH flatter and MUCH straighter than I79. Mapping software says it is 20 minutes further to take I77 but we find it to be no noticeable difference. Traffic around Cleveland is no problem with the express lanes, with Charlotte NC being the only other large city to pass through. There are a couple of tunnels and a couple of pretty good climbs/descents but nothing a normal rig has any problems with.