Drive from Tampa to Miami
 

We are driving from Tampa to Miami Beach on Monday. When I mapquest the route, it says to take HWY 75 across the state. From looking at maps, it looks like HWY 41 may also be an option. Anybody every drive HWY 41? Is it a lot slower? More scenic?

Thanks.

From Tampa, many prefer the more scenic (and equal in time if you're not going during rush hour) trip on I-275 across the Howard Franklin bridge, through St. Petersburg, and over the Sunshine Skyway bridge, connecting to I-75, instead of taking I-75 South along Hwy 41. "Old Highway 41" as it is lovingly called, is much more scenic, but much slower from that point on, with its myriad of stops and go's for traffic and traffic lights.

If your question is whether to take Hwy. 41 or Alligator Alley at Naples, I'm not sure there is much difference until you get to Miami because either route takes you through the desolate Everglades. I'd say it's six of one, half a dozen of the other. Although you are more likely to encounter the traffic near the airport if you travel in rush hour. The key to your question is whether or not you're traveling in rush hour.

If there is an accident on HWY 41, you will stuck in traffic for hours. Take I-75, faster, easier drive.
IMO, from your car there is no way to enjoy the everglades.

Question for someone in Florida. The road that goes from Naples to Miami, is that called Alligator Alley? If so then where is the Tamaani (sp?) Trail. I thought that was the road from Naples to Miami.

Was on the road several years ago - guess I thought I knew where we were but evidently not.

Thanks!

There are 2 roads that cross the state from Miami to Naples. I-75 (Alligator Alley) and further south US-41 (Tamiami Trail...also becomes "Calle Ocho - 8th Street")

The Tamiami Trail (Tampa to Miami originally, get it?) is the same as 41. It is two lanes, but generally not terribly busy until you get right into Western Miami, but then you can get onto the Florida Turnpike to go north just one exit and then take the expressway all the way over to Miami Beach. It is more scenic than I-75 and tends to take us about the same length of time from Naples itself to the Miami Airport, for example. Be sure to stop and take a picture of the Ochopee Post Office, the smallest one in the country that actually looks like an outhouse.

Alligator Alley existed for years as another two lane road, but then was expanded into an interstate to complete the Southern end of I-75. While it seems faster to get across, it actually heads due east from Naples to the outskirts of Ft. Lauderdale, then turns southward to Miami. That section can be very busy especially at commuter times. As I mentioned it is doubtful that it will save you any time.

Taking 41 from Tampa down to Naples will change that time from about 3 1/2 or 4 hours to well over 10 or 12. It is amazingly slow going and has roughly 7,000 stop lights along the way!!!
But if you head south on I-75 all the way to Naples, turn south on Collier Blvd.(RT. 951) at the last exit before the toll plaza (well-marked) to go a couple of miles to US 41 where you'll turn left to follow that to Miami. I'd agree that Sunshine Bridge route explained by Tandoori Girl is superior, and certainly more scenic as the way to head south out of Tampa.

Milemarker, It was H-41 we took. Thought it was the Tamiami Trail, I need a map of Florida.
Thanks for your info. Take care.

Tamiami (Route 41) from Naples to Homestead is wonderful. We've taken it twice just to see the many aligators along side the road. It is only two lanes so you are close to the aligators. Aligator Ally is a four lane and much faster but you can't get as close to the wildlife.