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Miss Kitty

Meow

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

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!

I think the 331 route is much faster unless you hit it at the &quot;rush hour&quot; 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

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.

I&#039;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.

BlueFox181

331 ALL THE WAY!

I mean, who needs the traffic and to spend the extra $$? No one. I mean, unless you're headed to that part of Destin it makes no sense.

:chill:

331 ALL THE WAY! 
 
I mean, who needs the traffic and to spend the extra $$? No one. I mean, unless you&#039;re headed to that part of Destin it makes no sense. 
 
:chill:

30A Skunkape

Skunky

331 is the faster way to the eastern end of 30-A any day of the week, at any time.  Trust me:wave:

TreeFrog

If you want to save time, stay out of Destin and Niceville until October.

331

If you want to save time, stay out of Destin and Niceville until October. 
 
331

seacrestkristi

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

I like shallowsnole route of 81 to 79. Then you skip Defuniak and a couple small towns but then I&#039;m comin&#039; fom TN 😀

GraysonDave

Beach Comber

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.

We use 79 as well, but we&#039;re coming from the east.  Not sure if it would be worth driving that far then doubling back.

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

If you toss in a &quot;gee, I&#039;m hungry&quot; 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&#039;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. 😀

Irishone

Beach Crab

[b]Thanks to everyone that replied - See you this weekend.[/b]

We R

Thanks to everyone that replied - See you this weekend. 
 
We R

iwishiwasthere

[quote="seacrestkristi, post: 253194"]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[/QUOTE]

How long does it take you with this route? Being from TN as well, I lam always looking for quicker routes.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="seacrestkristi">I like shallowsnole route of 81 to 79. Then you skip Defuniak and a couple small towns but then I&#039;m comin&#039; fom TN 😀</blockquote> 
How long does it take you with this route? Being from TN as well, I lam always looking for quicker routes.

InletBchDweller

SoWal Insider

These are my directions from ATL down. They have served me well over the years ;) 

5-6 hr drive depending on your speed----


From Atlanta, travel south on I-85 for approximately 75 miles to I-185. (about 65 minutes)

Exit right onto I-185 for 40 miles to Hwy 80. (about 30 minutes)

Stay on Hwy 80.  (You are going around Columbus & through Phenix City for 6.5 miles where it dead ends at traffic lights.)

Turn left at the lights and follow signs to Hwy 431. The distance from your left turn to 431 is approx. 2.8 miles.

Travel south on 431 (93.8 miles) through Eufala to Dothan & the Dothan bypass, which is Hwy 231 South (Ross Clark Circle). The bypass takes 10 minutes (7 miles) traveling around Dothan.

On 231 South, you will go south all the way to I ?10 West.  This is about 31.7 miles.

Go West on I -10 for 45 miles (35 minutes @ 80 mph.) to exit 85 (De Funiak Springs).  At the bottom of the ramp, turn left onto Hwy 331.

Travel about 14 miles and as you come into Freeport, turn left at the lights onto 20 East.

Travel on 20 East for about one mile to your first traffic lights and turn right back onto 331 South.

Follow 331 across the bridge for 9.6 miles to the lights at Hwy 98.

These are my directions from ATL down. They have served me well over the years 😉 
 
5-6 hr drive depending on your speed---- 
 
 
From Atlanta, travel south on I-85 for approximately 75 miles to I-185. (about 65 minutes) 
 
Exit right onto I-185 for 40 miles to Hwy 80. (about 30 minutes) 
 
Stay on Hwy 80. (You are going around Columbus &amp; through Phenix City for 6.5 miles where it dead ends at traffic lights.) 
 
Turn left at the lights and follow signs to Hwy 431. The distance from your left turn to 431 is approx. 2.8 miles. 
 
Travel south on 431 (93.8 miles) through Eufala to Dothan &amp; the Dothan bypass, which is Hwy 231 South (Ross Clark Circle). The bypass takes 10 minutes (7 miles) traveling around Dothan. 
 
On 231 South, you will go south all the way to I ?10 West. This is about 31.7 miles. 
 
Go West on I -10 for 45 miles (35 minutes @ 80 mph.) to exit 85 (De Funiak Springs). At the bottom of the ramp, turn left onto Hwy 331. 
 
Travel about 14 miles and as you come into Freeport, turn left at the lights onto 20 East. 
 
Travel on 20 East for about one mile to your first traffic lights and turn right back onto 331 South. 
 
Follow 331 across the bridge for 9.6 miles to the lights at Hwy 98.

[quote="BlueFox181, post: 253911"]
Travel south on 431 (93.8 miles) through Eufala to Dothan & the Dothan bypass, which is Hwy 231 South (Ross Clark Circle). The bypass takes 10 minutes (7 miles) traveling around Dothan.
[/quote]
 
 
I can save you 5-10 minutes here. After you have been on 431 for about a mile or two, take a left onto ALA rte 165; After 32 miles or so it will end at 431 just north of Eufala. Take a left and continue as usual. But don't tell anyone else about this shortcut. I don't want the word to get out.
 
:D

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="BlueFox181">Travel south on 431 (93.8 miles) through Eufala to Dothan &amp; the Dothan bypass, which is Hwy 231 South (Ross Clark Circle). The bypass takes 10 minutes (7 miles) traveling around Dothan.</blockquote> 
 
I can save you 5-10 minutes here. After you have been on 431 for about a mile or two, take a left onto ALA rte 165; After 32 miles or so it will end at 431 just north of Eufala. Take a left and continue as usual. But don&#039;t tell anyone else about this shortcut. I don&#039;t want the word to get out. 
 
😀

Rapunzel insists that the Dothan bypass is a scam to get people into the McRestaurants and stores on the way to the beach.  When we go from Georgia to the beach and vice/versa, I must say that if there is traffic, going through downtown did seem faster, but those aren't my stomping grounds, so I don't know:idontno:

Rapunzel insists that the Dothan bypass is a scam to get people into the McRestaurants and stores on the way to the beach.  When we go from Georgia to the beach and vice/versa, I must say that if there is traffic, going through downtown did seem faster, but those aren&#039;t my stomping grounds, so I don&#039;t know:idontno:

NoHall

hmmmm......can't remember

[quote="GraysonDave, post: 253982"]I can save you 5-10 minutes here. After you have been on 431 for about a mile or two, take a left onto ALA rte 165; After 32 miles or so it will end at 431 just north of Eufala. Take a left and continue as usual. But don't tell anyone else about this shortcut. I don't want the word to get out.
 
:D[/QUOTE]

My uncle lives in Headland (between Dothan and Eufalua) and told me about this shortcut years ago.  He told me to take it because 431 is so dangerous.  (About the same time, an article in Reader's Digest listed it as one of the deadliest stretches of road in the U.S.)  It's two-lane, but traffic usually is light.


[quote="30A Skunkape, post: 254023"]Rapunzel insists that the Dothan bypass is a scam to get people into the McRestaurants and stores on the way to the beach.  When we go from Georgia to the beach and vice/versa, I must say that if there is traffic, going through downtown did seem faster, but those aren't my stomping grounds, so I don't know:idontno:[/QUOTE]

I hate Ross Clark Circle.  I always go straight through Dothan.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="GraysonDave">I can save you 5-10 minutes here. After you have been on 431 for about a mile or two, take a left onto ALA rte 165; After 32 miles or so it will end at 431 just north of Eufala. Take a left and continue as usual. But don&#039;t tell anyone else about this shortcut. I don&#039;t want the word to get out. 
 
😀</blockquote> 
My uncle lives in Headland (between Dothan and Eufalua) and told me about this shortcut years ago. He told me to take it because 431 is so dangerous. (About the same time, an article in Reader&#039;s Digest listed it as one of the deadliest stretches of road in the U.S.) It&#039;s two-lane, but traffic usually is light. 
 
 
<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="30A Skunkape">Rapunzel insists that the Dothan bypass is a scam to get people into the McRestaurants and stores on the way to the beach. When we go from Georgia to the beach and vice/versa, I must say that if there is traffic, going through downtown did seem faster, but those aren&#039;t my stomping grounds, so I don&#039;t know:idontno:</blockquote> 
I hate Ross Clark Circle. I always go straight through Dothan.

Sheila

[quote="GraysonDave, post: 253982"]I can save you 5-10 minutes here. After you have been on 431 for about a mile or two, take a left onto ALA rte 165; After 32 miles or so it will end at 431 just north of Eufala. Take a left and continue as usual. But don't tell anyone else about this shortcut. I don't want the word to get out.
 
:D[/quote]

Sorry GD, this is a "well known" secret!  We take this route every trip down.  But I won't tell! ;-)

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="GraysonDave">I can save you 5-10 minutes here. After you have been on 431 for about a mile or two, take a left onto ALA rte 165; After 32 miles or so it will end at 431 just north of Eufala. Take a left and continue as usual. But don&#039;t tell anyone else about this shortcut. I don&#039;t want the word to get out. 
 
😀</blockquote> 
Sorry GD, this is a &quot;well known&quot; secret! We take this route every trip down. But I won&#039;t tell! ;-)

[quote="iwishiwasthere, post: 253398"]How long does it take you with this route? Being from TN as well, I lam always looking for quicker routes.[/quote]
  I guess the quickest we've found from TN is actually to pass Montgomery about 50 - 60 miles to Georgianna exit. Take L on SR 106 about a mile, second stop sign take R on 55 South thru Andalusia all the way to Florala to 331. Take a L on 98 about 10 1/2 miles and make a  R thru Camp Creek Golf Course to 30-A. I have done this to Gallatin in 7 hrs and 45 mins but that is the absolute quickest for me. It's usually 8. 
This other way is good iif you want to stop at the springs on the way in or just bypass DeFuniak but pickin' up 231 in Montgomery is not always a good plan if you're in a hurry. From 231 you would pick up SR 89 about 50-75 miles, which turns into 81 over the Florida line , then L on 20 in Bruce, go about 6 miles and turn R on 79, then R on 98 W about 10 miles to Seacrest. Its not quicker but there is a lot less traffic.I 'd say it was about 8 1/2 hours that way. If you're in Franklin or south you can really shave off about 1/2 hr. from our time. We are north of Nashville about 30 mins. :cool:

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="iwishiwasthere">How long does it take you with this route? Being from TN as well, I lam always looking for quicker routes.</blockquote> I guess the quickest we&#039;ve found from TN is actually to pass Montgomery about 50 - 60 miles to Georgianna exit. Take L on SR 106 about a mile, second stop sign take R on 55 South thru Andalusia all the way to Florala to 331. Take a L on 98 about 10 1/2 miles and make a R thru Camp Creek Golf Course to 30-A. I have done this to Gallatin in 7 hrs and 45 mins but that is the absolute quickest for me. It&#039;s usually 8. 
This other way is good iif you want to stop at the springs on the way in or just bypass DeFuniak but pickin&#039; up 231 in Montgomery is not always a good plan if you&#039;re in a hurry. From 231 you would pick up SR 89 about 50-75 miles, which turns into 81 over the Florida line , then L on 20 in Bruce, go about 6 miles and turn R on 79, then R on 98 W about 10 miles to Seacrest. Its not quicker but there is a lot less traffic.I &#039;d say it was about 8 1/2 hours that way. If you&#039;re in Franklin or south you can really shave off about 1/2 hr. from our time. We are north of Nashville about 30 mins. :cool:

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?

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