Hi,
I've heard some real horror stories about how crowded 41 and 75 are in the fall and winter.

I've heard about 3x the time to get to the airport and bumper to bumper to traffic on 41.

True or exaggeration?

Thanks.

Frank

Winter, yes, sometimes in the past, fall never (well, hardly ever) unless there is a bad accident.

It will be interesting to see from some of the regular Naples posters like Neopatrick whether the economy has made much of a difference.

As to the airport, it depends on what direction you are coming from.

If you look hard at the map, you will see that there are alternatives to both 41 and 75 in many places that have much less traffic.

Hi

Exaggeration. I live here and,yes, it is much busier but never bumper to bumper, not moving traffic on 41. It takes me a little longer to get somewhere but not horrible! Also, the traffic on 75 is hit or miss - it took me over 1 hour to get to the airport last week b/c of horrible rain and then there are times "in season" when it takes me 20 minutes. It really depends on if there is an accident, time of day, etc. I would say our traffic here in the winter is tame compared to large metro areas but our driving is scary on a whole other level - blue haired little old ladies barely able to see over the steering wheel making a right turn into the early bird special from the far left lane - Now that's the "horror story!!"

I wouldn't say fall means much, except maybe Thanksgiving weekend and later.

I must admit that last year about three times in a row when I got on I-75 during season (Jan - April), traffic stopped and I was stuck quite a while, once for over an hour without moving! Accidents happen -- a lot, and the current widening of it isn't helping either.

But frankly the bulk of the long construction project on 41 is at last finished, and even in March I was finding there were few stoppages. In fact, I live in Olde Naples south of Fifth Ave, and even when I'm up by Bonita or north Naples, I take 41 all the way down and find it quicker than Goodlette, for example.

travelingirl, my gripe is the drivers who immediately get in the left lane and drive very slow because in 3 or 4 miles they are going to turn left. GRRRRR.

We travel there at peak times and thankfully (fingers crossed, knocking on wood) we've never had any traffic troubles. Now of course I've jinxed myself and will never make it to the airport on time again. It was good while it lasted...

kelliebellie, you've NEVER had a traffic problem traveling in Naples in peak times? Can I touch you?
Seriously, I hope you HAVEN'T jinxed yourself.

Oooh, I knew it was too good to be true!