Along Florida’s Expressways

Delivers Maps and Exit Knowledge

By Susan J. Young

The adage goes that the journey is half the fun. But what if the kids are hungry and you're not sure which exit to get off? Or, if mom wants a rest stop, how do you know what facilities are ahead? Where's the nearest pharmacy or hospital? How do you NOT miss some important sights or attractions along the way? And, how do you avoid roadway congestion or construction. 

Singles, families or couples who set off for the Sunshine State in search of beaches, balmy weather and theme park fun might check out “Along Florida’s Expressways,” a 208-page softcover roadway guide to Interstates 4, 10, 75 and 95. The guide also ably covers I-110, I-275, I-595, Tampa’s Crosstown, Orlando’s Beachline (formerly the Beeline) and Greeneway, the Seminole Parkway, Miami’s Palmetto, the Sawgrass Expressway and the FTP Homestead Extension.

Written by Dave Hunter, the handy 6’ by 9” guide highlights where road warriors may find rest stops or avoid construction areas. With 106 full color maps, the book uses symbols to show where to find food, gas, a grocery store, campgrounds, tourist information, airports and even a vet if your pet is ill.

The “concealed” spiral paperback features a laminated wraparound cover, so it won’t get dog-eared. Helpful are Insider Tips and intel for travelers. You might check out where to find a grocery “ahead” on the route or which lane you should be driving in when motoring near a busy intersection. Or, the guide might tell you to  “get gas now” if a long stretch without any facilities is approaching.

Yes, GPS systems are terrific, but this book makes a great complementary resource. It’s packed with local knowledge most GPS systems don’t have – like descriptions of sea cows (Florida manatees), native American history, tours options for quaint towns along the route, tips on lodging options, a look at Florida’s “Green Flash” (a green flair when the sun dips below the horizon), and dining and entertainment tips.

And while you hope you never need Emergency Evacuation Information, it provides that detail via colored strip maps, county names, information radio frequencies, parallel routes (in case your primary route is blocked), and which side of the roadway gas, food, groceries, drugstores and lodging are on.

Because the book is packed with detail, don’t peruse it while at the wheel. It’s perfect, however, for your co-pilot in the passenger seat to use – alerting you to what’s ahead. Drivers who are headed out alone into unknown territory on Florida’s Expressways should review it before they begin their drive or after pulling over for a break.

We liked the strip maps. While roads aren’t that straight, when dealing with lots of information related to small sections of roadway, it was easier to identify with the straight maps. 

Dave and his wife Kathy personally drove 5,000 miles to gather material for this book. We believe it's a good resource to have in the car when headed to Florida, or even for Floridians when exploring other parts of their state.

ISBN: 1-896819-45-1. Suggested retail price is $23.95 in the U.S. and $29.95 in Canada, but you can often get it cheaper online at Amazon.com. You'll find a handy link on this page.