Hi all, I might head down to Naples in a few weeks. I'd like to ride, but I really hate the stretch of I75 from the skyway south - flat, boring, can't stand the traffic - everyone does either 50 or 90, no in between. So, I'm wondering if it would be possible and not add too much time to take back roads? Looking at the map, I don't really see many options, maybe US 41? I know 41 is a main drag in Fort Myers, at least it was 30 years ago when I lived there, so I imagine its worse today. Anyways, does anyone have any thoughts or tips on this? Anyone that has done Tampa to Naples without using 75, how long did it take?

Thanks

 

How much time do you have. Lots of different ways to go. US 41 wouldn't be one of them. That's as bad as 75, maybe worse because of all the stop and go. There are a lot of little roads that you could take, and maybe get lost along the way. That's part of the fun.

 

Agreed, 41 would be the worst route. This route will take you just east of Naples. What part of Naples are you going to?
You will have to map it out for the time it will take.

60 east
17 south
70 east
31 south
80 west
I75 south
Alico Rd. West
Three Oaks Pkwy / Imperial Pkwy / Livingston Rd. South

 

Thanks for the tips. I have no major time constraints, but I don't want to turn a 3 hour drive into a 6 hour ride. I'll be headed to downtown Naples, and I'll be starting by going over the skwyway as I live in pinellas county. Otherwise I would ride out to 17 and down.

 

Head down 41 to Bradenton and then head west and ride down the coast looking at all the big houses until you get to Siesta Key ( St. Armands Circle ) Jump back on 41 down to the Venice Pier for lunch. After that, pick a route....

 

This is not a bad route. Starting from 58th Ave S. Total time 3:40. Probably closer to 4 hrs. due to lights, and such. Good scenery. Roads not too bad once you get through Palmetto. Gas along the way, but plan it. A few stretches there is nothing for miles.

Time Mile Instruction For Toward
Summary: 197.6 miles (3 hours, 40 minutes)
9:00 AM 0.0 Depart Untitled on Local road(s) (South) 153 yds
9:00 AM 0.1 Turn LEFT (East) onto 58th Ave S 0.1 mi
9:01 AM 0.2 Turn RIGHT (South) onto 31st St S 0.5 mi
9:02 AM 0.7 Turn RIGHT (West) onto SR-687 [Pinellas Point Dr S] 0.3 mi
9:03 AM 0.9 Turn LEFT (South) onto Local road(s) 10 yds
9:04 AM 1.0 *Toll road* Take Ramp onto I-275 14.4 mi I-275 S / US-19 S
9:16 AM 15.4 *Toll road* At exit 2, turn RIGHT onto Ramp 0.3 mi US-41 / Palmetto / Bradenton
9:17 AM 15.7 *Toll road* Keep LEFT to stay on Ramp 76 yds US-41 N / Port Manatee
9:17 AM 15.7 Merge onto Local road(s) 43 yds
9:17 AM 15.7 Merge onto US-41 [SR-45] 1.2 mi
9:18 AM 16.9 Turn RIGHT (East) onto CR-683 [Moccasin Wallow Rd] 98 yds
9:18 AM 17.0 At 2497 Moccasin Wallow Rd, Palmetto, FL 34221, stay on CR-683 [Moccasin Wallow Rd] (East) 0.7 mi
9:20 AM 17.6 Keep STRAIGHT onto CR-6 [Moccasin Wallow Rd] 5.3 mi
9:26 AM 23.0 Keep STRAIGHT onto CR-6 [97th St E] 1.1 mi
9:28 AM 24.0 Turn RIGHT (South) onto US-301 [Sr-43] 0.4 mi
9:29 AM 24.4 Turn LEFT (East) onto SR-62 [State Road 62] 0.4 mi
9:29 AM 24.8 At 12605 State Road 62, Parrish, FL 34219, stay on SR-62 [State Road 62] (East) 37.1 mi
10:08 AM 61.9 Turn RIGHT (South) onto US-17 [SR-35] 0.3 mi
10:08 AM 62.2 Turn LEFT (East) onto Pine Cone Park 32 yds
10:09 AM 62.3 At US-17, return West on Pine Cone Park 32 yds
10:09 AM 62.3 Turn LEFT (South) onto US-17 [SR-35] 27.1 mi
10:37 AM 89.4 Turn LEFT (East) onto SR-70 [E Magnolia St] 1.8 mi
10:39 AM 91.1 Turn RIGHT (South) onto SR-31 [SE Highway 31] 2.0 mi
10:41 AM 93.2 At SR-31, stay on SR-31 [SE Highway 31] (South) 34.4 mi
11:17 AM 127.6 Turn LEFT (East) onto SR-80 [Palm Beach Blvd] 2.5 mi
11:20 AM 130.1 Turn RIGHT (South) onto Buckingham Rd 1.0 mi
11:22 AM 131.1 At Buckingham Rd, stay on Buckingham Rd (South) 4.5 mi
11:27 AM 135.6 Keep LEFT onto Gunnery Rd N 1.7 mi
11:30 AM 137.3 Road name changes to Local road(s) 21 yds
11:30 AM 137.3 Keep STRAIGHT onto CR-876 (N) [Gunnery Rd N] 0.3 mi
11:31 AM 137.6 Keep STRAIGHT onto CR-876 (N) [Gunnery Rd S] 0.6 mi
11:32 AM 138.1 Keep STRAIGHT onto CR-876 (N) [Gunnery Rd N] 0.3 mi
11:32 AM 138.4 Keep STRAIGHT onto CR-876 (N) [Gunnery Rd S] 1.3 mi
11:34 AM 139.7 Turn LEFT (East) onto SR-82 0.6 mi
11:35 AM 140.4 At SR-82, stay on SR-82 (East) 18.2 mi
11:54 AM 158.5 Turn RIGHT (South) onto SR-29 [Sr-29 N] 5.5 mi
12:00 PM 164.1 Turn RIGHT (South) onto CR-846 [S 1st St] 3.9 mi
12:05 PM 168.0 At CR-846, stay on CR-846 [Immokalee Rd] (West) 29.0 mi
12:38 PM 197.0 Turn RIGHT (North) onto US-41 [SR-45] 0.3 mi
12:38 PM 197.3 Turn LEFT (West) onto Main House Dr, then immediately turn LEFT (South) onto US-41 [SR-45] 0.3 mi
12:40 PM 197.6 Arrive US-41

SUMMARY
Driving distance: 197.6 miles
Trip duration: 3 hours, 40 minutes
Driving time: 3 hours, 40 minutes
Cost: $21.96

 

Thanks for the feedback!

 

I’d take 64, 62, 70, or 72 east to 17, then 31 south from Arcadia. That’ll get you to Ft. Myers. Or go east to 27, then 29 south to Naples area. I’m with the others, 41 would be my absolute last choice, it’s as bad as 19.

I live in Pinellas and ride out east down there a lot. There usually isn’t too much traffic and there isn’t a red light every other block.

 

Good to know! Looks like I probably won't be going, but I'll keep that in mind if I do.