Trip Tips
TIPS - 2025
Please take a minute and read this. It will benefit yourself and the rest of the group. Feel free to refer back to it at any time.
GPS
This may seem obvious but I will say it anyway...
Florida is South relative to NY. To get to Florida you should be going primarily Southbound. In other words you will be driving “down”. To get from FL to NY you will primarily be driving Northbound, “up”.
Important tip for routing on Waze/Google maps:
When the destination is too far out, Waze/Google maps will not properly inform you of traffic patterns to choose which are closer to you. Rather it will look at the entire trip as a whole.
To work around this, it is best to choose closer waypoints as destinations along your route (ie. the next rest stop or welcome area along the route) and break up the route into smaller trips so Waze/Google maps can give you more detailed route options.
A great rest stop coming from NY/NJ is the Davis Travel Center, it is right off the highway and there's a 24 hour Starbucks, clean showers, and a large parking lot for people to Daven Mincha and Maariv
Waze: https://waze.to/lu/hdq8fqgd4t
Google Maps: http://tinyurl.com/kovh3fy
GAS + TOLLS
For up to date gas prices you can download the app or go to https://www.gasbuddy.com/
>They also have a handy gas cost trip calculator
E-ZPass + Sunpass INFO
E-Zpass works on all the highways in Florida. (Besides for some parts of the 429)
You can also open a sunpass account online and add your vehicle to your account online.
You get 25% discount on tolls with sun pass in FL
You don’t need the physical transponder - You just need to order the cheap one for $4.99 and then you're good to go.
In the first rest stop Jacksonville Welcome Center when you enter Florida, they sell disposable sunpasses where you can download an app and reload it whenever you'd like.
Links with more info:
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/solving-miami-sunpass-toll-conundrum/
https://www.sunpass.com/en/about/sunPassTransponders.shtml
LOCATION SHARING
WhatsApp has a share live location feature. Turn that on for 8hrs at a time. It will help the United Team coordinate minyanim even if you're not looking at the chat. (We might message you if we see you are close to a minyan etc.)
To facilitate accurate information for Minyanim and help if needed please follow the following guidelines:
1. Press the 📎 or + in the message box
2. Press the Location button
3. Press Share live location
4. Press 8 hours
Now you can see in real-time Locations and ETA
If you don't use whatsapp’s built-in location sharing, write what state you are in followed by the mile marker. For example, I think I just saw a Jewish family on side of the road in Virginia at MM 76 can someone double check? As you travel south towards Florida the numbers will be counting down. When you hit exit or mile marker 1 you are crossing into the next state.
The exits also correlate to the mile marker, so if you are at exit 117 you are also at Mile marker 117.
REPORT on Waze AND the group! When you see a cop or are in traffic, report it so others in the group can benefit. When reporting to the group please give State and MM (Mile Marker) instead of sharing a location.
Keep an eye out for the speed limit since it may change drastically between states.
If you have the option for the express lane (depending on the time of day) always go for the express. Please note, trucks and trailers are not permitted on the express lane so if you are pulling something, stay off.
DAVENING
> The usual Shachris location for the return trip up north USED TO BE the first rest stop on the 95 North in North Carolina, The NC Welcome Center IS NOW CLOSED. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATED INFO!
> When creating a minyan try to arrange for it to be at a rest stop or a large safe gas station like the Davis center.
> When trying to arrange a minyan, always say how many men you have so we can have an accurate count (not how many cars)
> When counting for a minyan, dont do the math on the chat. Just say how many men you are Let an admin assist with the calculation.
> To check up the earliest time to daven try searching your location on: https://www.myzmanim.com/search.aspx
> Although we hope to make minyanim within our group, you can always use http://www.godaven.com/ to find minyanim near areas along the I-95
RICHMOND VA- Keneseth Beth Israel 6300 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA 23226 phone: (804) 288-7953 https://www.kbirva.com/
Raleigh NC - Chabad of Raliegh North Carolina House - 7400 Falls of Neuse Rd., Raleigh, NC 27615 1(917)406-6826 Daily Minyan times this week (04/14-04/20) - 7:00 AM - Shacharis. - 7:30 PM - Mincha & Maariv
SAVANNAH GA - Bnai Brith Jacob 5444 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31405 https://bbjsynagogue.com/
JACKSONVILLE FL- Etz Chaim Synagogue 10167 San Jose Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32257 (904) 262-3565https://www.etzchaim.org/calendar
FOOD
There isn't much kosher food between NY and FL besides the Baltimore Silver Springs area, and then Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Boynton Beach, Boca, Hollywood, North Miami Beach and Miami Beach.
RICHMOND VA
Kosher Krispy Kreme (804) 355-9111 https://maps.app.goo.gl/FTUZbHAfAX7V7KFi7
JACKSONVILLE FL
Gili's Kitchen 126 W Adams St # 102, Jacksonville, FL 32202 giliskitchen.com (904) 475-1400
Beyer's Bakery 3134 Cornelia Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32257 https://beyersbakery.business.site (904) 919-1191
REST STOPS
Full list of rest stops on the I-95: REST STOP LIST
If you get tired and pull over to sleep in the car for a little bit, MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE THE WINDOW SLIGHTLY OPEN and lock your doors.
LODGING
For all those stopping overnight and asking for a good hotel 8-10hrs in, these few locations have been very popular and highly recommended in the previous years. There’s no way to know about minyanim just yet. However, keep these in mind when looking for that “mid-point” layover.
Book in advance as availability is limited
The following hotels are right off the 95.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Florence
(843) 317-9050
https://goo.gl/maps/hw36mBSGVr8R4S319
Hampton Inn & Suites Florence-North-I-95
(843) 662-7000
https://goo.gl/maps/zqB9A3kb2J86FS4S8
Hilton Garden Inn Florence
(843) 432-3001
https://goo.gl/maps/jpYN6dJaQBsBf1hG7
Residence Inn by Marriott Florence
(843) 468-2800
https://goo.gl/maps/3eiFVhntrUCWtBcq5
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Florence
(843) 407-9400
https://goo.gl/maps/DugqL2fEkehM7xPg8
Most hotels along the I-95 within 15 miles, along with the hotel exits are listed here: http://www.i95exitguide.com/lodging/
You want to avoid South of the Border. The Signs may seem enticing but it is not a safe or nice area.
MISC.
VA & D.C. Are the only places where a radar detector is illegal. They can detect if you have one and you will get ticketed.
Some States are tougher than others when it comes to speeding. Just remember, it's not worth the half hour you save by going more than 10 MPH over. Most officers and troopers won't pull over for less than 9 MPH over the posted speed limit.
If you are traveling with your firearm for Yom Tov from NY/NJ to Fl, read this article https://2a613.com/#driving-from-NY-to-fl which breaks down the laws of all the different states you will be
⚠️ Beware of the speed camera on the I-95 (Maryland mm 75) speed limit 65 in a construction zone - THERE MAY BE MORE SINCE 2023!
Other cameras to look out for...
On the Baltimore Washington Parkway (MD-295. unsure of the mm) a few minutes before entering DC and then again in DC (DC-295. Unsure of the mm) as you enter DC
INTERSTATE 95
Total Number of Miles- 1907
Florida- 381 miles
Georgia- 112 miles
South Carolina- 201 miles
North Carolina- 183 miles
Virginia- 178 miles
Maryland- 110 miles
Delaware- 26 miles
Pennsylvania- 58 miles
New Jersey- 44 miles
New York- 29 miles
If you have ideas, tips, tricks, or stops people should know about, please DM an admin to add to the site.
The United 95 group closes during the year.
Have a safe drive!
- UNITED 95 Team
(V18.12)