FAQs about Florida Highways

There are many major highways in Florida, including the four major Interstate highways: I-4, I-10, I-75 and I-95. I-4 runs through the middle of Florida, going through the cities of Tampa and the surrounding areas before continuing on to the city of Daytona Beach. I-10 runs through the northern part of the state, entering from the state of Alabama near the city of Pensacola and continuing on to the city of Jacksonville. I-75 runs through the southern part of the state before turning to the west and continuing on to the Gulf Coast of the state of Georgia. I-95 runs along the Atlantic coast of the state of Florida, entering from the southern part of the state near the city of Miami and continuing on to the city of Jacksonville before leaving the state of Florida and entering the state of Georgia.
US 1 is a major historic north-south route, running through the center of the state. It is often used as an alternate route to the same section of the Interstates. The list of major highways, for the most part, serve to connect the major cities of the state to the smaller towns, to connect the coast to the interior of the coast to the interior of the state.
Although there is no single road through Florida, two major Interstate corridors travel through the state from north to south. Although neither highway is straight, I-75 generally travels through southwestern Florida and then through north-central Florida before continuing into the neighboring state of Georgia. In contrast, the east coast road of I-95 runs mostly along the coast of Florida before continuing into the neighboring state of Georgia. The historic north-south road of U.S. Route 1, the main historic north-south road through the state, travels through the Florida Keys.
The Turnpike, or Turnpike System, is a group of toll roads in South Florida and Central Florida. The Turnpike is a main line of 312 miles going through 11 counties. There is also a Turnpike Extension of 47 miles. Other roads are part of the Turnpike System as well.
Toll roads in Florida are generally considered to be paid for by tolls collected from motorists who use the facilities. Some of the toll roads are free for certain classes of users and the rates for others can vary depending on the time of day, the number of axles on the vehicle, and other factors. For example, Florida’s Turnpike is generally a toll road although there are certain classes of users who are granted free passes. There are also other regional expressways in Florida that are toll roads.
Interstate Exits are based off of mile markers on the highways. Therefore, the mile marker and the exit number will go up as you travel from south to north on highways that are traveling north and south (such as I-4, I-75). On the other hand, the mile marker and the exit number will go up as you travel from west to east on highways that are traveling east and west (such as I-10, I-4).
Typically, there is a 30 mph speed limit in business or residential areas and a 55 mph speed limit elsewhere. Sometimes higher speed limits are posted for certain sections of highways, including the Interstate system. The information on the posted speed limit signs must be followed.
To get the most up-to-date information on the latest traffic, accidents and road work, contact Florida 511, the official traveler-information service for the state of Florida. You can also get a hold of official highway maps as well as get the most current information on all of the transportation services provided throughout the state by contacting the Florida Department of Transportation.