Along Florida's Expressways

On the 50th anniversary of this nation’s Interstate highways, I thought it would be fitting to review a book that covers Florida’s Interstate highways. I wasn’t sure what to expect when Dave Hunter kindly honored my request for a review copy of his book, Along Florida’s Expressways. What I found was a well-researched guide book that offered much more than I expected.

I learned that Dave and his wife, Kathy, have been writing and publishing a book called, Along Interstate-75, for a number of years. That book stops at the Florida border because it was designed to get travelers to Florida in comfort and style. When the destructive hurricanes hit in 2004, urgent requests for “Along I-75” poured in as Floridians realized they had to evacuate northward. It was then that the couple realized the need to write about Florida’s expressways. It took them six weeks, driving an amazing 4,916 miles and spending $66.40 in tolls. They drove every Florida expressway in both directions, stopping at a different place each night and visited many interesting places. The result was Along Florida’s Expressways.

I often depend on my first-impressions of guide books – this was no exception. The first thing I noted about the spiral-bound book was its usability. It seemed to be sized to easily fit into most glove compartments. Its easy-to-wipe-clean cover is flexible with a handy fold-over feature that makes an awesome bookmark. It also easily lies flat when opened, so you don’t have to fight to keep your place.

One of the first things I noticed upon opening this book is that the maps and road notes are written from north to south and east to west – opposite to the way the US Government nationally mandates that an expressway’s mile markers be assigned starting with zero at a state’s southern-most border and the state’s western border for an west to east mile marker count. This is also opposite to the way most of us read maps – with north always at the top of the page. I found this almost impossible to get used to.

This was intended as an extension of the author's other book which was written to get travelers from the north to Florida. It may work for the "snowbirds" continuing their trips south; but, for this Floridian, it was confusing and meant I had to think twice about every turn... and still made a few wrong ones.

Of course, having lived in Florida most of my life, I tend to think I know where I’m going, so I have a bad habit of getting on the road with little pre-planning. I decided I needed to step back for a new perspective – I needed to “plan” a trip and use this book as my guide.

Actually, I planned two trips on different days – each about 80 miles one way. One trip headed away from my home in the Tampa Bay area over a familiar highway I had traveled often. The other trip began at a familiar point in the state, heading over a highway I hadn't traveled in some time and to an unfamiliar destination. In both instances, I planned stops about every 15-20 miles for things all of us seek when traveling – gasoline, restaurants, restrooms, hotels, shopping or just a fun sounding place to stop and stretch my legs.

Over the years, I've traveled these highways often. At one time or another I've probably stopped at most every exit in "search" of a gasoline or a restroom. Planning my trips with Along Florida's Expressways took away the guesswork and put in its place amazingly accurate information which made me feel more relaxed and in control.

Taking Dave's Along Florida's Expressways on the road with you is a safe bet. Whether you're simply traveling in Florida or a new resident, you'll find helpful information about Florida's traffic laws and roadside assistance. The white mile-by-mile travelogue pages provide detailed information on each expressway exit and "Insider Tips" offer helpful hints — special restaurant "finds," when to gas up, great places to stay and more.

Interestingly, the promotional material for this book says that this isn't a "destination" travel guide. It is meant to be a driving guide — helping "anyone drive around the state with the ease, comfort and safety that 'local knowledge' provides." It does that, for sure, but it also is what it says it's not. Its white mile-by-mile travelogue pages offer some of the most interesting history, fun facts, and details that I've ever read in "destination" travel guides.

The bottom line is if you're interested in Florida's history and enjoy fascinating fun facts, this book will not only help you get from place to place... it is a great read!