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Irishone

Beach Crab
Sep 8, 2005
4
0
I drive from Louisiana and usually take I-10 to 331 and then to 98, however I wanted to know if the Mid Bay Bridge through Destin could actually be shorter. I know it is from a mileage standpoint, but does traffic make it more troublesome and longer in time?
 

Miss Kitty

Meow
Jun 10, 2005
47,017
1,131
69
This is the eternal question. We took 331 one time to 98 and decided we preferred Mid Bay Bridge. The good news is when you are that close...:clap: !
 

scooterbug44

SoWal Expert
May 8, 2007
16,732
3,330
Sowal
I think the 331 route is much faster unless you hit it at the "rush hour" commute times when people are heading south to work or north to their homes.

Better view too - the bay vs. strip malls!

Love the ND avatar!
 

ShallowsNole

Beach Fanatic
Jun 22, 2005
4,292
849
Pt Washington
I'm thinking 331 to 98, and then 98 to whatever the little cut-off road by the Camp Creek Golf Course. If you took the Mid-Bay Bridge, you would need to jump off I-10 at Crestview, 85 South to Niceville, 20 East to White Point Rd, south across the Mid-Bay ($2.50 please), east on 98 about thirty miles. Good news is that it is four-laned all the way; bad news is you have the potential to run into major traffic in Crestview, Niceville/Bluewater Bay AND Destin.

Another possibility is I-10 east to Hwy 81 (ten miles east of 331). South on 81 to 20, east on 20 six miles to Hwy 79, 79 south to 98 in Panama City Beach, right on 98, and left on 30-A to Seacrest. There is very little traffic on 81.
 

seacrestkristi

Beach Fanatic
Nov 27, 2005
3,539
36
I like shallowsnole route of 81 to 79. Then you skip Defuniak and a couple small towns but then I'm comin' fom TN :D
 

GraysonDave

Beach Comber
May 13, 2007
33
0
We use 79 as well, but we're coming from the east. Not sure if it would be worth driving that far then doubling back.
 

ShallowsNole

Beach Fanatic
Jun 22, 2005
4,292
849
Pt Washington
If you toss in a "gee, I'm hungry" trip to Boondocks (under the West Bay Bridge), 79 is a real good way to go.

However, do NOT take 79 directly off I-10. I-10 starts inching up toward Alabama right about there, and it seems much farther.

I'm still thinking 331 is the fastest, though. Just be sure to stay safe, and watch for idiots coming the other way who think they have four lanes instead of two. :D
 
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