Driving to Central Florida from Belfast, Maine in March

Question

Hi, we are planning to drive back to central Florida in middle March from Belfast, Maine. We want to have a different route from the route we took on th way up here. We managed to go through every expensive toll, congested roads, etc that apple maps could find. We are hoping suggestions of a less congested route if possible. I'm not sure how many extra miles that will put onto our drive but I can map it. Apple maps an Google maps seem to provide the most direct route but not the least congested or less tolls. Thanks for any suggestions in advance.

Answer

Hi! It sounds like you're looking for a less congested, toll-free route for your road trip from Belfast, Maine to central Florida in March. The routes that Apple Maps and Google Maps often recommend are usually the fastest, but they can indeed lead you through busy highways and costly tolls. Below are some suggestions that should help you find a more scenic, less crowded, and potentially cheaper route:

### Suggested Alternative Routes

Route 1: Avoiding Major Toll Roads by Taking Scenic Roads

For a more scenic and less congested route, try taking U.S. Route 1, which runs along the coast and offers a more relaxed pace compared to the highways. You can take this through Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, avoiding some of the more direct but congested interstate routes.

Start on U.S. 1 south from Belfast, ME.
As you approach Massachusetts, you can get back onto Route 95 south, but you'll want to use secondary roads like U.S. Route 1A or 202, which often bypass some of the busy areas.
You'll still be close to the coast in many parts of this route, so you’ll get scenic views as you head through New England.

Route 2: Taking Secondary Highways & Avoiding Tolls

If you're looking to avoid major tolls and still want a fairly quick route, try staying on secondary highways. This will add some extra miles but can save you from toll roads and congested highways.

Begin by taking Route 95 south from Belfast, ME. When you get to New Hampshire, you can take Route 101 west (a secondary highway) to bypass the tolls and congestion of I-95.
From there, head south via Route 202 in Massachusetts, continuing to take state routes and avoiding the major highways like I-95 or the Turnpike.
This route will take you through more rural areas, which might add some extra time to the drive, but it will also allow you to see more local attractions and avoid the high congestion and tolls of I-95.

Route 3: Inland Routes to Bypass Major Toll Roads

If you're okay with some extra miles and don’t mind driving through more rural areas, consider heading inland to avoid major toll roads like the New Jersey Turnpike or I-95. These routes will help you avoid the most congested areas while giving you a chance to explore less-traveled roads.

Take U.S. Route 2 west out of Maine toward New Hampshire.
When you get to New Hampshire, you can pick up U.S. Route 3 south through Massachusetts and into Connecticut.
From there, connect to Interstate 81 south toward Virginia, which is a quieter interstate route without tolls.
Then, you can follow Route 81 all the way to Tennessee and eventually take U.S. Route 19 south into Florida.

### General Tips

Use Toll-avoidance Settings: Both Google Maps and Apple Maps have a "avoid tolls" feature that can help guide you around tolls. Make sure to enable this feature before you start your journey.
Check for Local Traffic Reports: Use apps like Waze, which are crowd-sourced and may help you find less congested roads in real-time.
Expect More Driving Time: These alternative routes will likely add extra time to your trip, especially if you avoid the highways. However, the trade-off is a more relaxed and scenic drive with fewer traffic jams.

### Conclusion

While taking less congested and toll-free routes will definitely add some extra miles and time to your trip, it can make for a much more enjoyable and scenic drive. By using secondary highways, avoiding major cities, and staying off high-traffic interstate routes, you’ll likely enjoy a more peaceful journey and explore parts of the East Coast you might not otherwise see. Safe travels on your road trip!

Driving to Central Florida from Belfast, Maine in March

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