drive 75 or 19 down? where to stay? (Tampa, Spring Hill: dangerous, gardens, safe)

[Sunbrite]

hi everyone! driving to Tampa now-should we take 75 or 19 down? not in a rush prefer safe and less busy route
also where are some nice family beach towns to spend the night we have a 10 year old. think we will end up in
Horseshoe Beach, Suwanee or Cedar Key area maybe even Crystal River. Thank You!

[FLKitties]

That's a tough one. Do you want to see a lot of nothing or see a lot of nothing? I personally dread driving through that whole area either way. It's not especially scenic. It's not like taking 98 through the panhandle where you're at least driving near the water. If you want access to stops for refueling/eating/drinking/bathroom usage and places to stay, I'd say stick to 75. For me, 19 seems more okay after Crystal River just because there is more consistency with the smaller towns and then of course once you get closer to St. Pete there's a lot more civilization but there's not a lot to actually "see". Take a look at Google Maps and see what interests you more along the way. Safe travels!

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by FLKitties

That's a tough one. Do you want to see a lot of nothing or see a lot of nothing? I personally dread driving through that whole area either way. It's not especially scenic. It's not like taking 98 through the panhandle where you're at least driving near the water. If you want access to stops for refueling/eating/drinking/bathroom usage and places to stay, I'd say stick to 75. For me, 19 seems more okay after Crystal River just because there is more consistency with the smaller towns and then of course once you get closer to St. Pete there's a lot more civilization but there's not a lot to actually "see". Take a look at Google Maps and see what interests you more along the way. Safe travels!

North of Crystal River into the "armpit" of Florida US 19 is more than rural, it's remote. I would never drive that route just because of the lack of civilization. If something goes wrong, you're a long, long way form anything. Wouldn't surprise me if there's little to no cell service along there, too.

RM

[FLKitties]

^^^100% correct. We only ended up going that way to evacuate during Irma because I-75 was like a parking lot and we thought we could make better time going the back roads. I definitely would recommend against this at night like we did. Lack of everything along that 19 route as RM points out.

[LKJ1988]

19 is free and clear once you get into Levy county going north. Once you get into Hudson it clogs up and gets worse the more south you get to Tarpon Springs

[boissoneau]

^^^^true, but it still scuks better bad

[83austin83]

I definitely agree with the other posters, take 75. Neither 75 or 19 are particularly scenic but at least with 75 you should get to your destination quicker.

The only reason to take 19 would be if you're going to Spring Hill, Tarpon Springs, Port Richey or New Port Richey. Even with that you would just take 75 to 50 to 19 and would be on 19 for a short time. The only other exception would be if you wanted to stop at Weeki Wachee for the mermaid shows. A cool little look into old Florida (before the days of Disney/Universal/Sea World/Busch Gardens taking over the state) but that's the only interesting thing I can think of on 19.

Like other posters said once you get north of Spring Hill/Weeki Wachee there is NOTHING on 19.

[sinatras]

As a native Floridian I think everyone should familiarize themselves with ALL of the parts of Florida, even the "armpit." If you haven't driven 19, why not do it. Lotsa of local seafood shacks to choose from, great natural springs, etc.

You will get a glimpse of the Florida before the Snowbirds, the Cubans, the runaway development, the tacky theme parks, etc.

[lavender]

I used 19 all the time, from pinellas to FSU - but took the Veterans from tampa and then took 19 from there. I think it is pretty, very green and rural, a few small places you pass through are ok, old Florida really, you could hit Cedar Key on way but check that it is not still damaged from a hurricane??? was that recently can't remember? I agree with Sinatras try them, I-75 is horrible traffic but lots of chain places to eat / stay, nothing exciting though could be anywhere.

I once drove to 95 through Ocala area and the forest there and stopped in a cute little town called Palatka -had a really old caboose diner - awful food but very atmospheric LOL but there are cool other options for dining that are not chain.

enjoy the journey

[jambo101]

If you want beaches drive to the St Pete beach area where you have plenty of beaches to choose from . those places you cited may be on the water but they have no beaches and Tampa is also lacking in what i would call beaches.
http://www.topteamweb.com/area-map.html


Id also take I-75 over the dangerously congested 19
https://www.city-data.com/forum/flori...-they-say.html