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re: Travel hint to those coming to central or southern Florida this summer.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 11:43 am to oldtrucker
Posted on 3/11/26 at 11:43 am to oldtrucker
That’s a great route
Here’s a variation option that skips Tallahassee entirely.
From Marianna, go south on Highway 71 to Blountstown,
then pick up Highway 20 east. Stay on 20 until you hit Highway 267 (the Bloxham Cutoff), and follow it east to US 98 in Newport. Take US 98 east to Perry.
From Perry, you can either head down Highway 27 toward central Florida or stay on 98 south toward St. Pete or Tampa. Simple route, less traffic, fewer headaches.
Stop at Wakulla Springs State Park or St Marks NWR
Here’s a variation option that skips Tallahassee entirely.
From Marianna, go south on Highway 71 to Blountstown,
then pick up Highway 20 east. Stay on 20 until you hit Highway 267 (the Bloxham Cutoff), and follow it east to US 98 in Newport. Take US 98 east to Perry.
From Perry, you can either head down Highway 27 toward central Florida or stay on 98 south toward St. Pete or Tampa. Simple route, less traffic, fewer headaches.
Stop at Wakulla Springs State Park or St Marks NWR
0
Posted on 3/11/26 at 11:52 am to Funky Tide 8
I've gotta go this route for a hunt in a week or so. Plenty spaces to sleep at Bert's big T?
Posted on 3/11/26 at 12:01 pm to oldtrucker
I’ve done that route a couple of times and I was much more relaxed after the drive.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 12:04 pm to oldtrucker
quote:
there are still the old pay phone booths.
Do they still habe working phones in them?
Posted on 3/11/26 at 12:06 pm to oldtrucker
Been doing that for years but thanks for sharing it.
Another pro trip for folks who want to break up the trip, especially if you get a late start on the going down leg-
Stay in Apalachicola, that’s 7 hours (no traffic, traffic from Baton Ruhge) and then you’re then ~5 hours from WDW leaving Apalachicola.
Much better than stopping in the armpit known as Lake City, FL.
The Gibson Inn (Link)
Another pro trip for folks who want to break up the trip, especially if you get a late start on the going down leg-
Stay in Apalachicola, that’s 7 hours (no traffic, traffic from Baton Ruhge) and then you’re then ~5 hours from WDW leaving Apalachicola.
Much better than stopping in the armpit known as Lake City, FL.
The Gibson Inn (Link)
Posted on 3/11/26 at 12:11 pm to RidiculousHype
quote:
I went off the beaten path one time in central FL and was shocked at how hilly it was. I thought I was in east TN for a minute
Lake Wales ridge, baw. I'm about 110' up, ready to be beachfront again
Posted on 3/11/26 at 12:31 pm to RidiculousHype
quote:
I went off the beaten path one time in central Florida
I did that once. Six years later I got parole.
This post was edited on 3/11/26 at 12:32 pm
Posted on 3/11/26 at 12:33 pm to nolaks
Betts Big T has a decent size parking lot, but it is no longer a truck stop. So I don't know if they allow overnight parking.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 12:44 pm to oldtrucker
Will I still pass through the Villages? 
Posted on 3/11/26 at 12:45 pm to OysterPoBoy
Another interesting stop is the Villages. It is truly unique. The Brownwood Paddock Square has many restaurants and shops. But the best is the nightly FREE entertainment. Each night a live band plays from 6pm till 9pm. Plenty free seating to enjoy the outdoor music. Kids often dance along with the adults to the music. Visitors are welcome.
If you have time, rent a golf cart and take the kids on a ride thru the many golf cart trails thru the Villages. You can download an app so you don't get lost. The area north of 44 is beautiful. Stop and visit the Eisenhower Recreation center which is near the square. Cross 44 and even the Florida Turnpike on a golf cart only bridge. Fun.
The pools, and other amenities are not open to the public.
If you have time, rent a golf cart and take the kids on a ride thru the many golf cart trails thru the Villages. You can download an app so you don't get lost. The area north of 44 is beautiful. Stop and visit the Eisenhower Recreation center which is near the square. Cross 44 and even the Florida Turnpike on a golf cart only bridge. Fun.
The pools, and other amenities are not open to the public.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 1:16 pm to MoarKilometers
quote:
Lake Wales ridge
My mom loved that area of Florida and used to talk about going there before Disney and all of the other attractions took over Orlando.
She would talk about Bok Tower Gardens and The Great Masterpiece (I understand that the mosaic was moved to Bob Jones University) and having your car "back up the hill" at Spook Hill.
When I was at Auburn, I took a scuba class and at the end of the semester the class took a bus to the Keys for a few days of diving. On the way back we stopped at Rainbow River outside of Dunnelion. Beautiful area around there.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 1:20 pm to PJinAtl
quote:
and having your car "back up the hill" at Spook Hill.
I had forgotten all about that. Blast from the past.
Posted on 3/11/26 at 1:33 pm to oldtrucker
Any routes to bypass Houston going from Lafayette to San Antonio ?
Posted on 3/11/26 at 1:53 pm to oldtrucker
Just curious...how much time does that add to the trip?
Posted on 3/11/26 at 2:13 pm to Canon951
quote:On average, 20 minutes exactly.
Just curious...how much time does that add to the trip?
Posted on 3/11/26 at 2:14 pm to Canon951
Not much if any…live in Clearwater and take 19/27/tollway to Tallahassee or Baton Rouge all the time. Much more relaxed and virtually as fast
Posted on 3/11/26 at 2:14 pm to Salviati
Sounds great to me. It's the wife that will be fussing because we are getting to disney later than we should... 
Posted on 3/11/26 at 2:25 pm to St. Pete Tiger
(no message)
This post was edited on 3/11/26 at 2:30 pm
Posted on 3/11/26 at 2:27 pm to oldtrucker
quote:
Chiefland
Posted on 3/11/26 at 2:30 pm to Canon951
(no message)
This post was edited on 3/11/26 at 2:31 pm
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