Travel Route Series

Every route has different challenges. Some move large numbers of people north along the coast, while others lead inland or connect with major highways farther from the storm’s projected path.

As the series develops, individual route guides may include:

• Real-world driving footage
• Major highways and connecting roads
• Primary and alternate route options
• Important exits and decision points
• Fuel, food, restroom, and rest-stop locations
• Hotels and possible overnight stopping areas
• Areas known for congestion or limited services
• Bridges, toll roads, and major interchanges
• Potential turnaround points
• Connections to inland destinations

These guides are designed to supplement your evacuation plan, not replace official instructions or current navigation information.

The Travel Route Series will begin with routes that are particularly relevant to residents of South Florida and the Florida Keys.

Planned coverage includes:

I-95 Northbound

Interstate 95 is one of South Florida’s primary northbound evacuation corridors. It provides direct access through Palm Beach County, the Treasure Coast, Central Florida, and communities farther north, but it can become heavily congested as more residents leave coastal areas.

Florida’s Turnpike

Florida’s Turnpike provides another major northbound option from South Florida. Future guides will examine its connections, service plazas, toll considerations, and access to inland destinations.

US-27 and Inland Alternatives

Inland highways may provide alternatives when coastal traffic becomes congested. These roads can also have fewer fuel stations, rest areas, and services, making advance planning especially important.

I-75 and Alligator Alley

Alligator Alley connects Southeast Florida with Southwest Florida and Interstate 75. It can be a useful route in some evacuation scenarios, but your destination must be selected based on the storm’s direction and expected impacts.

Florida Keys Evacuation Routes

The Florida Keys present unique evacuation challenges because US-1 is the primary route to the mainland. Our future coverage will focus on route familiarity, travel timing, fuel planning, stopping points, and connections once drivers reach South Florida.

Regional and Alternate Routes

Not every evacuation requires traveling hundreds of miles. We will also explore regional roads that can help residents move inland, reach shelters, connect with family, or avoid specific hazards.

Your first time driving an evacuation route should not be when a hurricane is approaching.

Driving all or part of your planned route during normal conditions can help you identify:

• Confusing interchanges
• Difficult merges
• Reliable fuel stops
• Restrooms and rest areas
• Pet-friendly stopping locations
• Food and lodging options
• Areas with limited services
• Backup destinations
• Alternate roads if your primary route is blocked

A familiar route reduces the number of decisions you must make under pressure. It also helps you estimate how much fuel, food, water, and travel time your household may need.

No recorded video or written route guide can account for every road closure, traffic jam, fuel shortage, flood, or change in a hurricane’s path.

During an actual evacuation, always check current information from emergency-management agencies, law enforcement, transportation officials, and trusted weather sources. Follow evacuation orders and road closures, even when they conflict with your original plan.

Never drive through floodwater or around barricades. A route that was safe during normal conditions may not be safe during a storm.

Route knowledge is only one part of a complete evacuation plan. Your household should also decide when to leave, where to go, what to take, how to communicate, and what to do if the original plan becomes unavailable.

Continue building your plan with these Hurricane Bug Out resources:

• Evacuation Planning: Decide when to leave, where to go, and how your household will respond.
• Evacuation Routes: Understand primary routes, alternate roads, and destination planning.
• Vehicle Readiness: Prepare your vehicle for heat, traffic, long travel times, and unexpected delays.
• Gas, Food & Shelter: Plan for fuel shortages, meals, rest stops, hotels, and emergency shelter options.
• Real-Time Maps & Alerts: Find current storm, traffic, road, and emergency information.
• Evacuation List: Use a practical checklist to prepare before departure.

New route videos and guides will be added as we travel, document, and evaluate evacuation corridors throughout Florida.

Check back as the series grows, and begin exploring the roads that could help you and your family travel more confidently when it matters most.