Naples - driving from Miami
 

Hi there

We are coming over from London next week. We are flying into Miami and driving accross to Naples, the directions provided by our tour operator look really complicated !
Is it easier to join I-75 or US-41 from Dollar car hire ?

I will be navigating and I am not known for my map reading skills !

Thanks in advance

41 It is also a _much_ more_ interesting route, though not dual carriageway for most of the route.

I would only drive 75 (you must go north for some distance, uusally in heavy traffic) if I were driving at night or in bad weather.

If you are picking up your car at the airport your best bet would be to take 826 North (also known as the Palmetto express way) to I-75, to your destination, I would contact the hotel and ask them which exit to take coming on 75 from Miami. This is what you do when out of the rental company you will look (better if you ask at the counter) how to get on 836 West. Take it to 826 North you will have about 8 or so exists before you reach 75 as Ackislander stated there is a lot of traffic here, I really doubt there is a time that there is light traffic. Hope this helps let me know if you know if you need more detailed directions.
Gina

I agree with colombiana. You can get good directions and map at Dollar, but in case you want to look it up yourself first, here's some further info.

When you depart the Dollar lot at MIA, make a left out of the lot. After you pass the railroad tracks, just after the freeway underpass, turn left onto NW South River Drive. Continue on this road for a few miles until you reach Palmetto Expressway (826 north). If I recall correctly, you will want to be in your right hand lane to enter the expressway going north. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong).

I find Miami to be quite confusing to get around (at least until you are familiar with the city), so this would be the most direct route from Dollar to Palmetto Expressway, IMO. Someone else might have a better idea, however.

I don't think that South River Drive has an entrance to the Palmetto. The area around the airport is confusing and your absolute best bet is to ask at the counter for how to get out. Making it hard to give specific directions is that there is alot of construction in the area and there might be detours. Everyone is right, 836 West to 826 North (Palmetto) to I-75. For US-41, 836 West to Florida Turnpike south, I think the next exit or soon after is SW 8th Street (US-41). Turnpike is a toll road. The highways are well signed, in rush hour (peak 4-7) you will have heavy delays on all these roads. Check out the www.dollar.com website - it has a feature that gives you point to point directions and you can put in your destination in Naples.

If at all possible, I'd suggest taking 41 and stopping at the Shark Valley entrance to the Everglades. And once there, take the two-hour tram ride.

I never gave much thought to taking the tour. However, my (English) wife suggested it one day. We went, and I was bowled over! It's truly an awesome experience....

We drove I-75 from Ft Lauderdale airport last week back and forth and encountered no traffic on I-75. It was a very easy drive to and from Naples in the morning. Can't comment on traffic getting from Miami to I-75, but you will have an easy time once on 75. Make sure your passeneger keeps an eye out for all of the gators on the side of the road while you are heading west! They are black, not green, and there were loads of them sunning themselves last week!

Thanks for all the help guys. Bring on the shunshine - it's cold, wet and miserable here in London !