When you guys drive to the keys you do it straight through? I am in the upstate so add a couple more hours. If you stop, where do you stop. Trying to figure out options. If we stop, need somewhere that can securely handle the truck and boat. Way too much important stuff in there to risk it getting stolen.
Think we need to arrive during daylight so we can put the boat in. Traveling on weekdays so assume we also want to miss Miami rush hours.
Thanks
We usually break it up into 2 days and spend the night around W. Palm Beach. Getting too old to make that trip non-stop now.
You certainly want to avoid Miami at rush hour, Jacksonville too.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
We still make it in one day. Normally we go and return on Sundays in order to avoid Jacksonville and Miami traffic. We have found if we take three hour shifts at the wheel it is very bearable. We do leave the lowcountry at 04:00, no exceptions! That gets us to Trumbo Point at about 4pm, just in time to unload the boat, unpack and have cocktails by sunset.
Next trip is 8 May!
ZX
We drive from Columbia. Leave around 3:00 a.m., arrive around 3:00 pm. My wife will drive pulling the trailer on the interstate, not comfortable driving in town. It isn’t really a bad trip. Take the FL turnpike, driving through Miami was nuts though my kids still swear they saw Lebron James driving a Maserati through town. I like it because e get down in time to unload, get groceries and then kick back with something cold and watch the sunset. Always been a little uneasy about stopping overnight and leaving the boat outside as it is usually packed with stuff.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
8/10 times I push all the way through. I’ve stopped in Gainesville, W Palm and Bradenton before but those stops were just to visit with friends.
8/10 times I push all the way through. I’ve stopped in Gainesville, W Palm and Bradenton before but those stops were just to visit with friends.
Thank guys. Will see if either of us have the friend option somewhere along the way. To me an ideal trip would be leave here mid-afternoon and knock out 3-6 hours. Then get the next day and arrive midday.
On the turnpike did you buy a pass ahead of time or pay as you go?
The turnpike is the way to go for sure. We usually get on it at West Palm and take it to Homestead. I never buy the pass and you don’t have to pay as you go now. They have license tag scanners in the booths and will send you a toll bill in the mail, along with a color photo of your vehicle and tag. My last trip down, going and coming was like $28.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
I went down to Marathon a few weeks ago, this was my first trip where we didn’t drive all the way through. It was a lot more enjoyable, but maybe that’s just me getting old. We left after work on Friday and got to Jax around 9. Got up the next morning and was on the road by 9, got on the turnpike and made good time. I got the Sunpass since we were going back through Orlando and we planned on taking the turnpike up that way. I put $30 on my account and I know I had money left over. You don’t need the pass, but you do get a slightly better toll rate if you have one.
Would love to hear some stories/opinions/advice on doing the lobster mini season…?
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau
I bought a Sunpass in 2010 and just reload it via the website every year when I go down. Blow right through the Sunpass lane. Never been for mini season but heard it can get pretty crazy. Personally, not interested due to all the idiots out there.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
Leave @ 0500 & was there before 1700. Would’ve been sooner but a fella who rode with us has a child’s bladder. We blew through the toll booths waiting on the bill in the mail. Never got one cause they couldn’t get the tag cause we pulled a boat.
21 Contender
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker LarryWe usually break it up into 2 days and spend the night around W. Palm Beach. Getting too old to make that trip non-stop now.
…Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Me too…
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
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Don’t do the mini lobster season! When I lived on Little Torch key we would hunker down and stay in the house or load up and visit friends on the mainland before the hordes would come rolling south.
ZX
quote:
Don't do the mini lobster season!
X2!! The rates double and the crowd quadruples. It’s a zoo.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
quote:
We blew through the toll booths waiting on the bill in the mail. Never got one cause they couldn't get the tag cause we pulled a boat.
Interesting. I was wondering about that if you are from SC. Come to think of it, the last photos they sent me were of my boat trailer and trailer tag. The boat blocked the truck tag. In GA we have tags on the trailer.
I reckon it’s free if you live in SC and pull a boat:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
quote:
Originally posted by bonecrusherWould love to hear some stories/opinions/advice on doing the lobster mini season…?
Other than a large amount of people decending on a very small land mass and jacked up hotel rates its pretty cool.
2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau
I drive strait through every year.
Great thread! I’ve been wondering the same. It sounds like its not that bad. For those that have made the trip what kindof trailer tires are you running? Radials or regular trailer tires? Anyone have to change a tire along the way?
Haven’t made that kind of drag with the boat yet but radials are the only way to go. Even on my drags from Lexington to Charleston/Mt Pleasant, I wouldn’t trust anything other than radials.
As far as the trip to the Keys, I’m very interested in more information too. Been contemplating that trip myself but don’t have the first clue where to even start. Boat-friendly lodging, where to launch, where to fish, when to go… Never been before so i’m totally in the dark. Where did you guys start looking for information when you planned your first trip to the Keys?
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO