The I-95 Exit Information Guide - Side Trips

Acadia Byway

Webmaster — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:37:35 +0000

The Acadia Byway is designated as an official â€œAmericaâ€™s Bywayâ€. The byway begins approximately 36 miles from I-95, exit 182 (I-395) in Bangor, Maine. Take I-395 east to US Route 1A east to ME Route 3 east. From there, the Acadia Byway is approximately 40 miles long. You should allow about three hours (without stopping) to drive and see this route.

Click on the map below for a more detailed route view.

Prepare yourself for a wonderful time and bring plenty of film as you drive the Acadia Byway and tour the “Down East.” One trip to Maine’s Acadia region and you’ll fall in love with its people and its landscape. From the romantic ocean mists blanketing charming coastal towns, to colorful lobster buoys bobbing in the Atlantic, the Acadia region feels like home the minute you arrive. Acadia’s landscape, culture, and lifestyle combine on this unforgettable drive along some of the most beautiful coastline in the country.

Famous for its parks, trails, and mountains, the byway is a playground for lovers of the outdoors, and with no clear line dividing nature from civilization, travelers will find the unique opportunity to see diverse wildlife such as puffins, moose, and fascinating marine life, watch lobster boats in the ocean, or enjoy outdoor adventure like sea-kayaking, horseback riding, or sailing.

Be sure to visit some of the quaint coastal towns to truly experience the Acadia region. The culture of the area is greatly influenced by the commercial fishing industry and small-town hospitality, but that may be the only characteristic the various villages have in common. Each town offers something different. Stop in Bar Harbor for some seafood chowder and to chat with the locals, or head to the posh town of Seal Harbor to check out some hip galleries and exclusive shops. A trip to the “Down East” will leave you with a memorable experience you won’t soon forget. more…

Photo Credits:
Top Left: Â© 1998. Larry S. Bermel, Chappaqua, NY.
Right: Â© July 1988. Maine Department of Transportation.
Bottom Left: Â© 1998. Larry S. Bermel, Chappaqua, NY.

The National Scenic Byways Program recognizes highways that are outstanding examples of our nationâ€™s beauty, history, culture, and recreational experience by designating them as All-American Roads and National Scenic Byways. The roads being featured were designated by the Secretary of Transportation from nominations submitted by the states and federal land management agencies. These designations provide a compass for people from all over the world to explore Americaâ€™s treasured open roads.

Content reproduced with permission from the National Scenic Byways Online: www.byways.org

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Connecticut State Route 169

Webmaster — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:16:43 +0000

Connecticut State Route 169 is designated as an official â€œAmericaâ€™s Bywayâ€. The byway begins approximately 19 miles from I-95, exit 76 (I-395) in East Lyme, Connecticut. Take I-395 north to exit 83A. From there, Connecticut State Route 168 is approximately 32 miles long. You should allow about one hour (without stopping), or one full day to visit attractions along this route.

Click on the map below for a more detailed route view.

Consider everything you know about New England — spectacular autumn color, historic buildings, charming cities — and you will have an idea of what you will find on Connecticut Route 169. Much has changed over the years on this byway, but the history and traditions of the area are still very much a part of the lives of the people who belong to the communities.

Take the opportunity to experience some of the sights along this historical stretch of road. Visit the beautiful churches in Pomfret that date back to the 1800s. Or find out what life was like for a prosperous family in the mid-19th Century at the Bowen House Museum in Woodstock. Or simply explore some of the towns at your leisure, admiring the distinctive architecture and well-kept parks.

As you travel the byway, you will visit many wonderful communities; don’t miss the chance to tour each one. The route crosses through Lisbon, where the feeling of an early American community is still evident. Explore Canterbury, where Connecticut’s interpretation of Georgian architecture is prominent. Then you will find yourself in Pomfret, once known as “the other Newport” for its strong influx of wealthy summer vacationers. Finally, you will pass through Woodstock, with its many architectural surprises clustered around a town common. Traveling this byway, you will sense an area that is moving ahead in the times while still maintaining a sense of pride in its history. more…

Photo Credits:
Top Left: Â© January 1996. Jan Underwood.
Right: Â© February 2003.
Bottom Left: Â© 1996. Jan Underwood.

Content reproduced with permission from the National Scenic Byways Online: www.byways.org

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Merritt Parkway

Webmaster — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:07:39 +0000

The Merritt Parkway is designated as an official â€œAmericaâ€™s Bywayâ€. For northbound I-95 travelers, the Merritt Parkway begins approximately 6 miles from I-95, exit 21 (I-287). Take I-287 north to the Hutchinson River Parkway east to the Merritt Parkway east. From there, the Merritt Parkway is approximately 37 miles long. For southbound I-95 travelers, the Merritt Parkway begins approximately 2.5 miles from I-95, exit 38 (Milford Parkway). Take the Milford Parkway north to the Merritt Parkway west. From there, the Merritt Parkway is approximately 37 miles long. You should allow about one hour (without stopping) to drive this route.

Click on the map below for a more detailed route view.

As one of the only roads listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Merritt Parkway boasts a distinction usually reserved for buildings or battlefields. Many locals consider the byway the heart of their communities. Drive the winding Merritt Parkway and see for yourself why it inspires both reverence and devotion among its fans and supporters, many of whom use it daily or live nearby. Built in the 1930s to cope with America’s new fascination with the automobile, this byway is enshrined in the hearts of many as an icon of the automobile age and a model of highway planning.

A number of places along the byway dedicate great time and effort into preserving nature. The Audubon Center in Greenwich satisfies nature lovers of all kinds. With 15 miles of hiking trails and over 500 acres of woodlands and meadows, your chances to explore nature exist in abundance. Birders appreciate its wildlife viewing windows, nature store, and famous hawk-watch site. The Bartlett Arboretum sits on 63 acres in North Stamford. There, over 2,000 living plants grow and thrive under an array of conditions; perennial gardens are managed intensely, and woodlands develop naturally. During a visit at the Bartlett Arboretum, your senses fill with the vivid colors and fresh fragrances of woodland scenery. Formerly known as The Nature Center for Environmental Activities, Earthplace encourages environmental protection and awareness through a museum, a wildlife rehabilitation center, a research lab, and a 62-acre wildlife sanctuary that serves as an outdoor exhibit. Follow the trail system through the sanctuary and see a variety of wildlife in their natural surroundings.

At every bend and turn, brilliant foliage and scenery fill the senses with color. Traveling the Merritt Parkway is much the same today as when it was built, as much a drive through a park as a trip on a modern highway. Wind your way past green, well-maintained park areas and under bridges created with both function and aesthetics in mind, proving how beautiful a road can be. The road may have changed since the Thirties, but the feelings and symbolism behind this beautiful byway remain. more…

Photo Credits:
Top Left: Â© January 1996. Merritt Parkway.
Bottom Right: Â© January 1996. The Merritt Parkway.

Content reproduced with permission from the National Scenic Byways Online: www.byways.org

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Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway

Webmaster — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:01:03 +0000

The Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway is designated as an official “America’s Byway“. It is easily accessible from I-95, exit 7 (Delaware Avenue, DE Route 52) in Wilmington, Delaware. From there, the Brandywine Valley Scenic Highway is approximately 12 miles long. You should allow about one hour (without stopping) or 2-3 days to visit attractions along the way.

Click on the map below for a more detailed route view.

Take an unforgettable journey through the rolling hills of the genteel Brandywine Valley landscape and discover the lasting influence of the du Pont family dynasty. This journey is a true Delaware original. The byway leads to an unparalleled concentration of historic sites, magnificent estates, glorious gardens and mesmerizing museums where visions from a vanished century abound.

The byway begins in downtown Wilmington at Rodney Square, home of the Caesar Rodney Statue and the luxurious building that houses the Hotel du Pont and the du Pont Theater. Visitors can explore the park and Farmers’ Market or see Broadway shows in the du Pont Theater. At the start of the 20th Century, the square was a symbol of the international stature that corporations like DuPont had brought to the city; today, it is the gateway to the byway and a modern showcase of historical influences.

Leaving Wilmington, preserved landscapes grace several estates, including Nemours, Winterthur, and Longwood. Created and maintained by heirs to the du Ponts, these estates feature large, elegant mansions, flourishing gardens, and charming pasturelands. Nemours brags a modified Louis XVI French chateau, while Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods fairy-tale garden will charm children of all ages. Longwood Gardens, just over the Delaware/Pennsylvania state border, encompasses over 1,000 acres filled with indoor and outdoor gardens, fountains, and over 11,000 different kinds of plants. At each of these places, visitors can explore rooms full of antique furnishings and discover acres of world-renowned greenery.

The works of Brandywine artists can be found in many of the museums and institutions along the byway. The Brandywine River Museum contains the largest, most comprehensive collection of works by N.C., Jamie, and Andrew Wyeth. The Delaware Art Museum features Pre-Raphaelite work, American illustration, pieces by Howard Pyle and John Sloan, and more. Internationally famous, the artwork exhibited in the Brandywine River Museum and the Delaware Art Museum reflects the scenic splendor of the Brandywine Valley.

History and horticulture, artwork and antiques, rolling hills and open meadows are beautifully intertwined along the alluring Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway to create an unforgettable travel experience. more…

Photo Credits:
Top Left: Public domain. Photo by Rick Darke
Right: Public domain. Courtesy of Longwood Gardens
Bottom Left: Public domain.

Content reproduced with permission from the National Scenic Byways Online: www.byways.org

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Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway

Webmaster — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:12:38 +0000

The Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway is designated as an official â€œAmericaâ€™s Bywayâ€. For northbound I-95 travelers, the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway begins approximately 31 miles from I-95, exit 19 (US Route 50). Take US Route 50 east to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. From there, the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway is approximately 85 miles long. For southbound I-95 travelers, the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway begins approximately 9.5 miles from I-95, exit 109 (MD Route 279). Take MD Route 279 south to MD Route 213 south to Chesapeake City. From there, the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway is approximately 85 miles long. You should allow about two and a half hours (without stopping) to drive this route or 2-3 days to stop and visit various attractions along the route.

Click on the map below for a more detailed route view.

Come closer! Chesapeake Country is small town America at its best! Steeped in early colonial history, crossroad communities, rural farmland, wildlife refuges, and maritime recreation along the Chesapeake Bay, this Byway offers a diversity of nature, history, working landscapes, and scenic vistas. Nowhere along this Byway is the visitor far from the tributaries that feed the Chesapeake Bay, or the Bay itself.

Beginning in 1608, Captain John Smith began his voyage to explore and chart the Bay and its tributaries. This exploration resulted in Smith’s famous 1612 map, which was deemed the first accurate depiction of the Chesapeake and served as the definitive map of the region for nearly a century. In 1631, William Claiborne established a trading post and commerce center on Kent Island, the first English settlement in Maryland, named after Claiborne’s English homeland, the County of Kent. Lord Baltimore claimed ownership of Kent Island through a land grant resulting in a dispute that lasted until 1657 when Claiborne gave up claim to the Island. Many of the towns and attractions throughout the Byway hearken back to Colonial history. Come closer! This Byway is a treasure chest of finds for any history buff!

Come closer and bring your binoculars! The Chesapeake Byway, situated along the Atlantic Fly-Way, offers wildlife refuges and management areas which are major feeding and resting places for the migratory and wintering waterfowl. Tundra Swans, Canada geese, Pintails, Great Blue Herons, Killdeer, Sandpipers, to name a few, along with the endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel and Southern Bald Eagle have all found habitat in the protected resource areas of the Byway.

Come closer! The lore of the Bay’s bounty can be seen still in operation today. From schooners and shallops, to clippers and bug-eyes, from dead-rises and skipjacks, the traditions of working the waters can be seen from numerous ports of call. Try your hand at soft-crabbing, or fish for Striped Bass also known as Rockfish to most Marylanders. The picturesque rivers, creeks and Bay give the Chesapeake Country National Scenic Byway exceptional outdoor recreation and fun for all. Come closer! more…

Photo Credits:
Top Left: Â© 2000. Mary Means & Associates, Inc..
Right: Â© September 2005. Bernadette Van Pelt.
Bottom Left: Â© 1996. Cecil County Tourism.

Content reproduced with permission from the National Scenic Byways Online: www.byways.org

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George Washington Memorial Parkway

Webmaster — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:02:47 +0000

The George Washington Memorial Parkway is designated as an official â€œAmericaâ€™s Bywayâ€. For northbound I-95 travelers, the Parkway begins approximately 10 miles from I-95, exit 161 (US Route 1). Take US Route 1 north to the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway (VA Route 235) east to the George Washington Memorial Parkway. From there, the George Washington Memorial Parkway is approximately 25 miles long. For southbound I-95 travelers, the George Washington Memorial Parkway begins approximately 16 miles from I-95, exit 27 (I-495). Take I-495 north to exit 43. From there, the George Washington Memorial Parkway is approximately 25 miles long. You should allow about one hour (without stopping) to drive this route or one full day to visit attractions along the way.Click on the map below for a more detailed route view.

The George Washington Memorial Parkway passes monuments and memorials, wildlife preserves and historic homes, majestic waterfalls and scenic overlooks, connected by a roadway designed for pleasure driving. It is a memorial to the first President of our Nation. Framed by low stone walls, the parkway offers scenic views of the Potomac River and historic sites at several locations. Intimate woodland scenes give way to extensive views of the Potomac River.

Beginning at Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, visitors can see the original plantation home of George Washington. Preserved as an 18th Century manor home, with surrounding outbuildings, gardens and fields, visitors can experience the true feeling of a plantation home. Along the way, you can visit Riverside Park, Fort Hunt, or the Collingwood Picnic Area and take in a relaxing and scenic view of the Potomac River. Visitors can stop and watch for birds at Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve or stay awhile at Belle Haven Park. Jones Point Park offers an opportunity to picnic with views of the Potomac River and the historic lighthouse that provided a warning light for naval ships approaching the Washington Navy Yard.

After lunch, stop at Arlington National Cemetery and gain a new appreciation of what service to our Nation means. You will journey on Memorial Avenue, lined with military monuments, including the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, a unique, living memorial honoring all military women. The USMC War Memorial, the Netherlands Carillon and the Navy Marine Memorial provide connections with historic events of our nation.

Natural and historic sites are located along the northern end of the parkway, with trails for hiking and scenic spots for picnicking. The journey ends at Great Falls Park, where the Great Falls of the Potomac challenged the engineering skills of George Washington. The history and scenic beauty of Great Falls provide a fitting end to a journey through the lands that George Washington traveled by horse. more…

Photo Credits:
Top Left: Public domain. Courtesy of the National Park Service
Right: Public domain. Photo by Catie Drew
Bottom Left: Public domain. Photo by Catie Drew

Content reproduced with permission from the National Scenic Byways Online: www.byways.org

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Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway

Webmaster — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:21:16 +0000

The Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway is designated as an official â€œAmericaâ€™s Bywayâ€. The byway consists of several routes that run along both sides of the Indian River between Titusville and Wabasso. Taking any I-95 exit between these two points and heading east will intersect with the Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway. The Byway is approximately 150 miles long. You should allow about four hours (without stopping) to drive or two days to stop at various attractions along the route.

Click on the map below for a more detailed route view.

For a truly diverse adventure, travel the Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway. Explore wildlife refuges, seashores, historic districts, and even the intricacies of the NASA Space Program. While traveling the byway, you will meander through three national wildlife refuges and through several state and local parks and sanctuaries. And, speaking of diversity, while visiting the Indian River Lagoon, you will find yourself in the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. The Lagoon is home to more than 4,000 species of plants and animals.

In addition to the ample wildlife surrounding the byway, an abundance of recreational opportunities await you. Choose from sailing, swimming, surfing, boating, fishing, bird watching, hiking, and biking. Or, if you prefer a leisurely stroll, wander through the vibrant historic districts found in many of the communities along the byway. Don’t forget to include a stop at the McLarty Treasure Museum, where you will see many examples of Spanish treasure lost in shipwrecks just off the coast of Florida.

Once you’ve seen all the byway has to offer on land, enter the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and look to the sky. Take a virtual moonwalk, sit at a mission control console, or visit with real astronauts.

Whether you are going to explore the natural ecosystem surrounding the lagoon or to observe the workings of the nation’s space program, the opportunites are endless on the Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway. more…

Photo Credits:
Top Left: Public domain. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Right: Public domain. Courtesy of Indian River County
Bottom Left: Â© July 2002. NASA.

The National Scenic Byways Program recognizes highways that are outstanding examples of our nation’s beauty, history, culture, and recreational experience by designating them as All-American Roads and National Scenic Byways. The roads being featured were designated by the Secretary of Transportation from nominations submitted by the states and federal land management agencies. These designations provide a compass for people from all over the world to explore America’s treasured open roads.

Content reproduced with permission from the National Scenic Byways Online: www.byways.org

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A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway

Webmaster — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:55:59 +0000

A1A Scenic and Historical Coastal Byway is designated as an official â€œAmericaâ€™s Bywayâ€. For northbound I-95 travelers, the A1A Scenic and Historical Coastal Byway begins approximately 10 miles from I-95, exit 289 (Palm Coast Parkway). Take the Palm Coast Parkway east to FL Route A1A. From there, the A1A Scenic and Historical Coastal Byway is approximately 72 miles long. For southbound I-95 travelers, the A1A Scenic and Historical Coastal Byway begins approximately 14.6 miles from I-95, exit 344 (FL 202). Take FL Route 202 east to FL Route A1A. From there, the A1A Scenic and Historical Coastal Byway is approximately 72 miles long. You should allow about two hours (without stopping) to drive this route.

Click on the map below for a more detailed route view.

Dip your toes in the oceans off the Florida coast during your journey along A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway. With miles and miles of white beaches, you will have plenty of space to spread out with buckets and blankets. Build sand castles or simply relax and listen to waves crawling towards the shore. The sight of surfers and sailors may just entice you into the water for your own aquatic adventures. You can charter a fishing boat or swing your feet over the pier and dangle a line for flounder, snook, whiting, snapper, or blues, just to name a few varieties. For the competitive angler, join in a fishing tournament and take home tales that will tease your friends.

If you don’t want to get your feet wet but still you enjoy watching the ocean, try jogging, biking, roller blading, or strolling along the 19-mile path from Marineland to the Volusia County line. Or stash your binoculars in your beach bag for views of wildlife and birds. From May to October, visitors can turtle-watch along the shores of Flagler Beach, which is protected during this time because the eggs are hatching and the new turtles are swimming back into the ocean. Keep a lookout for dolphins, migrating northern whales, or alligators. Also, A1A is included on the Great Florida Birding Trail, so you’ll be sure to see tri-color heron, marsh wrens, osprey and other birds. With so many different habitats, the environment around the byway supports a variety of wildlife, including 50 endangered species.

History aficionados will enjoy touring St. Augustine, the oldest permanent European settlement in North America. Stop by the Colonial Spanish Quarter for a glimpse at life in 18th Century Florida. Here, costumed tradesmen will show you the ropes in candlemaking, blacksmithing and carpentry. Learn more about military might while visiting Fort Matanzas, Castillo de San Marcos, and Fort Mose. These national treasures offer tours and historical re-enactments where you can become a part of history.

A popular destination for over 400 years, the Florida coast and A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway won’t disappoint! more…

Photo Credits:
Top Left: Â© 2001. J.E. Fitzpatrick.
Right: Â© January 2001. Walter Coker.
Bottom Left: Â© 2001. St. Johns County VCB.

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Massachusetts’ North Shore

Webmaster — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:58:31 +0000

Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, the coastal towns along Massachusetts’ North Shore were home to the production of magnificent wooden ships that set sail for ports in Asia and Africa, and returning great wealth to the area. Many of the majestic homes and buildings constructed during that era, still stand against the backdrop of some of the most beautiful coastline on the Atlantic.

Begin your northbound diversion by leaving I-95 at exit 45 (MA 128 North, Gloucester) and traveling a couple miles north on MA Route 128 to exit 25 (MA 114). Take MA Route 114 three miles east to historic Salem, home of the House of the Seven Gables, New England Pirate Museum, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, and the Salem Witch Museum.

Leave Salem, head north on MA Route 1A about three miles to MA Route 127. Take MA Route 127 east less than a mile to Beverly, founded in 1626 as an extension of Salem and an important port during the Revolutionary War.

Continue east on MA Route 127 approximately twelve miles along rocky coastline to the summer resort of Gloucester, on Cape Ann. Settled in 1623, Gloucester is home to the Fishermen’s Memorial, Hammond Castle Museum, the Rocky Neck Art Colony and several whale watch boat cruise companies.

Three miles more east on MA Route 127 takes you to the historic seaside village of Rockport, a thriving art colony and shoppers haven with sandy beaches, coastal and walking tours, hiking and whale watching.

About seven more miles of winding MA Route 127 will take you around the tip of Cape Ann and back to MA Route 128. Hop on MA Route 128 south about three miles to the next exit (exit 14) and then to MA Route 133 about three miles north to Essex, founded as a shipbuilding center and home to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. Travel five more miles north on MA Route 133 and you’ll rejoin MA Route 1A… then one mile north on MA Route 1A to the town of Ipswich, settled in 1640 on the site of the American Indian Village of Pentucket. In 1627 Hannah Dustin was kidnapped in an Indian raid and, it is said that she scalped 10 of her captors before escaping and reached home safely.

Continue about twelve miles north on MA Route 133 passing thru the towns of Rowley and Newbury, to Newburyport, birthplace of the U.S. Coast Guard and home of the Custom House Maritime Museum and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.
Three miles west on MA Route 113 takes you right back to I-95 at exit 57.

This Massachusetts North Shore diversion trip is approximately 60 miles. The I-95 distance between I-95 exit 45 and exit 57 is approximately 24 miles.

Directions

In Massachusetts, take I-95 northbound to exit 45. Then MA Route 128 north to MA Route 114. MA Route 114 east to Salem. From Salem, MA Route 1A north to MA Route 127 east to Beverly, Gloucester and Rockport. Continue on MA Route 127 to MA Route 128 south. Travel 3 miles to MA Route 133 and Essex, then to MA Route 1A north to Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury and Newburyport. In Newburyport take MA Route 113 to I-95 (exit 57)

Details

Sidetrip miles: 60 miles
I-95 miles: 24 miles

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Florida’s St. Augustine Coastline

Webmaster — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:49:04 +0000

Talk about a breath of fresh air… just getting off I-95 for an hour or so can really rejuvenate you! This Florida Coastline diversion is just the medicine for road warriors in need of a reality check.

Begin your southbound diversion by leaving Florida’s I-95 at exit 318 (FL 16, St. Augustine, Green Cove Springs) and traveling about five miles east on FL Route 16 to historic St. Augustine, the oldest, continuously occupied European settlement in the United States. St. Augustine is home to the Castillo De San Marcos National Monument, Old St. Augustine Village, Plaza De La Constitucion, Spanish Quarter Village, and dozens of museums, attractions and historic sites. Walking tours and sightseeing trains are also available.

Travel south through St. Augustine on FL Route 5A about two miles to FL Route A1A. Take A1A south, over the Bridge of Lions and begin your trip along Florida’s Atlantic Coastline. Continue south on A1A about two miles and you’ll pass Anastasia State Recreation Area, a 1,035 acre park at St. Augustine Beach.

Now… just sit back, open all the windows and savor the next twenty-five miles or so as you travel along a fairly desolate highway along the Atlantic seashore. Eight miles down the road you’ll come to Crescent Beach. Seven more miles south and you’re at Marineland, a family oriented marine park established in 1938 and on the National register of Historic Places.

Six more miles south on FL Route A1A and you’re in Palm Coast where the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River provide the natural boundaries for the 410 acres of coastal scenery that comprise Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Ocean waves have washed away the sand, exposing coquina rock and creating a picturesque boulder-strewn beach. At low tide, many shore birds feed and rest around the peaceful tidal pools. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, fishing and walking through the ornamental gardens and along the river.

Six more miles south on FL A1A and you’ll pass thru Beverly Beach, then three more to Flagler Beach, and Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Inter-coastal Waterway, this 144-acre park offers coastal camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, and nature study. The daily low tide is an ideal time to observe the shore birds feeding in tidal ponds, and summer months bring sea turtles to lay their eggs in the sand.

At Flagler Beach take FL Route 100 about four miles west and you’re right back to I-95 at exit 284.

This Florida St. Augustine Coastline diversion trip is approximately 55 miles. The I-95 distance between I-95 exit 318 and exit 284 is approximately 34 miles.

Directions

In Florida, take I-95 southbound to exit 318. Then FL Route 16 approximately five miles east to St. Augustine and FL Route 5A. Take FL Route 5A south approximately two miles to FL Route A1A. Travel south on FL Route A1A about ten miles to Crescent Beach, then seven miles to Marineland, and twelve miles more to Beverly Beach. Continue south on FL A1A about two miles to Flagler Beach and FL Route 100. Travel west to on FL Route 100 approximately four miles to I-95 (exit 284)

Details

Sidetrip miles: 55 miles
I-95 miles: 34 miles

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