Best route from Miami to Naples?
 

Hello all,

We will be driving to Naples from Miami and are not sure what route to take -- Hwy 41 or drive north and take the 75 west. Which is faster?

Thank you.

Did you try mapquest? Just type in the 2 destinations. It only takes seconds.

Good luck. We're doing this same trip in February.

Steve R
Silver Spring MD

75 west is the fastest

I wouldn't guarantee that I-75 is fastest. First of all where are you coming from, where are you going to in Naples, what date, and what time of day? We've left the Miami airport and spent as much as an hour just getting up to the turn off toward Alligator Alley west of Ft. Lauderdale. On the other hand, if coming from the airport we normally head west and get to 41 and come straight across in very little traffic. Definitely quicker for us. My great niece comes over all the time from Barry University -- fairly near the airport -- and while she prefers driving I-75, she admits she's made better time on 41.

Also, while not an interstate highway, I think 41 is more scenic. If you do, be sure to stop at the Ochopee Post Office, the smallest post office in the US -- it looks like an outhouse.

Hi all,

We will be staying in downtown Miami (JW Marriott) and will be heading out after lunch on a Tuesday in January. We are staying at the Bellasera in NAples which I believe is on the 41...?

Given that information, would 41 be the best since there's likely not to be too much traffic?

Is the 41 more scenic than Alligator Alley?

Any other reccomendations of sights not to miss on the way?

TIA,

Lisa

41 is a much prettier drive, you're right in the Everglades rather than on a highway. If you want to stop, the Butcher gallery is a great place. He is often refered to as the Ansel Adams of the Everglades. Coming from Miami it
will be on the other side to the road.
If you're looking to eat before you head on over, The Pit BBQ is teriffic.
It's on the Miami side. If you have time a side trip to Everglades City is fun. Go to the Rod and Gun Club for lunch, it's a trip back in time.
Newt

Great suggestions from newt. I love the BarBQ place! I agree. Take 41.

From downtown Miami, go north on I-95 to the toll road 836, a short distance. Go west on that, past the airport to the very end and go south on the Florida Turnpike for less than a mile where you will see the sign for US 41 West -- I'm thinking it says "Naples" as well, but I won't promise that part. Then follow that all the way to Naples. When you get into Naples downtown, 41 makes a sharp right turn to the north. Do that turn and Bellasera is just two blocks north from that point on the right.

Another vote for 41. That stretch of Interstate from miami to naples seems to last forEVER, and for a long portion of it, there are no exits (or even places to pull off the road) should you, heaven forbod, have car trouble (or get hungry, need a bathroom break, etc...).

You'll also see many more gators if you take 41, watch canal off to the right as you drive,
Newt

bamakelly, just an update to what you mention about Alligator Alley. There are emergency phones along the way. There are also two large rest areas and a couple of smaller "recreational areas" along the route. There is also a "hole-in-the-wall" Indian gas station, restrooms, and fast food restaurant about mid-point.

In addition, they have now installed solar powered "barricade signals". So many people have died when they fell asleep and ran off the road through the barricades and into the swamp, that these signals now go off if anyone crashes through the barricade fencing. They will know if that has happened and can pinpoint the place. As if that means someone can get there and get them out of the car before they drown.

Thanks for the update, Patrick, I guess things have changed a little. I just remember being bored out of my mind on that lond stretch of interstate and feeling very claustrophobic, for I felt like there were not many places to stop if necessary. I remember there being a few small places but they seemed sooooo few and far between! I just starting using 41 and it made me feel much better!

Besides, emergency phones are nice, but they don't call it Alligator Alley for nothing! :) Ha! (I know, I know, the gators never come that close to the road...that's what everybody SAYS anyway!)