Reply #14: I-95 from Richmond, Virginia to Jacksonville, Florida [View All]

[Tommy_Carcetti]

Not that it's particularly scenic, but in terms of nostalgia and sentimentality, it means a lot to me.

Family vacations from Maryland to Florida--we'd take US 301 and the Nice Bridge over the Potomac into Virginia, until we met I-95 just north of Richmond. Then it was on through North Carolina, South Carolina (with an obligatory stop at South of the Border, of course), Georgia, and about halfway through Georgia we'd start counting the miles to the Florida border. Finally, we'd hit the bridge over the St. Mary's River, my father would sing a sanitized version of "Swannee River" (not the most PC of songs in retrospect, but I still have a soft spot for it nonetheless) and we'd stop at the Florida Welcome Center and get our Dixie Cup of Florida Orange Juice. Soon we'd hit Jacksonville, cross the mighty St. John's River, and finally exit off I-95 and onto US 1 just south of Jacksonville to begin our Florida vacation in earnest (usually in St. Augustine).

It usually took 2-3 days to accomplish, but I loved that drive. The anticipation, the special routines, it all had a special place in my heart. I wish I had the time to do a road trip like that with my family. Hopefully in a few years I will.