Drive NJ to FLA Recommendations
 

We are looking to drive down from NJ to Florida at the end of April and were thinking about the Panhandles. We don't know much about them so would appreciate any information you can offer. We just want somewhere warm, beautiful, beach and moderately priced. We have a toddler with a health issue that is why we are driving. Thanks.

I think you should forego the Panhandle and instead drive on I-95 to the closest beaches in Florida. The Panhandle is lovely but if you are driving from NJ, it is a bit difficult to get there. From Jacksonville, it is about 7 hrs. to Panama City, for instance.

Why not check into the beaches at Jacksonville? what's that area? Ponte Vedra? It looks lovely. Or go on down to St. Augustine.

whatever you do, be sure to get a place with a pool. Some toddlers don't care for the beach, the salt water, the sand in their eyes -- but a pool is a familiar aquaeous place for them.

Beg to differ - I live in PC, and have relatives in Jax. At the LONGEST it takes 5 hours to get to PC from Jax, and routinely it takes 4 1/2 hours (have made it in 4 hours, but was risking a ticket doing so - the 4 1/2 hours is no more than 5 miles over speed limit).

That being said, I would still go to the NE beaches of Jacksonville, St Augustine if I was coming from NJ. I drove to PA last Oct and hauling a trailer it took us a couple of days of long driving. I wouldn't want to do that with a toddler! If you have the time and the ability to do it though, the beaches in the Panhandle are nicer (IMO) as the water is bluer, the waves are not as rough (almost non existant), the water is warmer, and the sand is "sugar sand" so called as they are white and feel like confectioners sugar. End of April is after Spring Break (mostly) and before summer break so it should be nice. Panama City is cheap, but Destin/Pensacola are nicer with more to do - but also further to drive. Port St Joe/Apalachicola/Mexico Beach will be slightly closer, still in Eastern Time Zone and quieter (read less night life), and cheaper than Destin etc.

I agree with you--the panhandle has better beaches. I'd suggest Seagrove or Seaside. Try www.garrettrealty.com for reasonable rentals there. Tons for kids and adults both to do, very, very pretty. Small and unusual little city, very charming!

Thanks to all. ANISSA, long did it take you to get to PA? Would you take 95? Do you think we should try the train or is it the same difference? Our toddler has health issues that being on a plane is a danger to him, but we so want to go somewhere as a family after the year our toddler has had - we all need a peaceful trip.

I'm not sure where exactly you're starting, but I'd forget about I-95.
Head down I-81 to Knoxville, I-75 to Chattanooga, I-59 to Birmingham, then I-65 to Mobile and work your way east from there (or turn off before Mobile and head down to the Panhandle). This is a far more scenic route than I-95.

I agree with Patrick about avoiding I-95.
The jacksonville and St. Augustine beaches are not as nice as you think. Hard and dark sand. heard the Panhandle beaches have soft sand.

NLS - I agree with everyone that has posted about avoiding I-95, it seems that would take you further out of your way.

As for going to PA, I was hauling a horse trailer (we were going to Devon), so it really is a skewed measurement on how long it took us - we had to make frequent stops for the horse, stay overnight at a couple of different places, and hauling is slower than just driving (can't go as fast, etc). Given that I think that it took us a total of 24 hours or so - and that was up I-95 because of friends along the way that would put us and the horse up... Should have been less hours than that though.