Travelers on I-95 passing through Jacksonville, Florida, can avoid urban congestion by choosing between two main bypass routes: the I-295 West Beltway and the I-295 East Beltway. In this article we discuss both options.
About Jacksonville’s I-295:
I-295 in Jacksonville, Florida, is a 61-mile beltway that serves as an auxiliary route to I-95, looping around the city. It consists of two segments, the West Beltway and the East Beltway, with I-95 dividing the two and also providing a bypass around the downtown area. The West Beltway includes the 3.2 mile long Buckman Bridge, which carries traffic over the St. Johns River. The East Beltway includes the Dames Point Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge also over the St. Johns River.
Option 1: I-295 West Beltway:
The West Beltway offers a scenic route around Jacksonville’s western perimeter, providing a more relaxed drive with less stop-and-go traffic. It is ideal for those heading towards the southwestern outskirts or continuing south, avoiding the city’s dense core.
I-295 West Beltway – Route Details:
- From Florida I-95 Exit 362 (I-295, FL 9A) take I-295 (West Beltway) to the junction of I-10. (14 miles)
- From the junction of I-10, continue on I-295 south to Orange Park. (11 miles)
- From Orange Park, continue south on I-295 over the Buckman Bridge. (5 miles)
- Continue on I-295 south to I-95 exit 337. (5 miles)
I-295 West Beltway – Trip Totals:
Total distance for this alternate route is 35 miles. Total distance if using I-95 is 25 miles.
I-295 West Beltway – Along The Way:
Orange Park, Florida
Orange Park is a town in Clay County, Florida. The name reflects the hope of its founders for a fruit-growing industry, but their crops were destroyed in the Great Freeze of 1894-95. Despite recovery elsewhere, the crops never came back to Orange Park.
Buckman Bridge
The Buckman Bridge is a 3.2 mile bridge that carries I-295 traffic over the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida. It was named for Henry Holland Buckman, a prominent legislator and attorney who was instrumental in establishing a state road system. Downtown Jacksonville and Naval Air Station Jacksonville are visible from the bridge to the north. On a clear day, the Georgia-Pacific paper mill in Palatka can be seen to the south of the bridge.
Option 2: I-295 East Beltway
The East Beltway is perfect for travelers aiming to stay closer to the coastal regions or needing access to the eastern suburbs. This route facilitates easy connections to other major highways and is often less congested than the city center, offering a quicker bypass during peak hours.
I-295 East Beltway – Route Details
- From Florida I-95 Exit 362 (I-295, FL 9A) take I-295 (East Beltway) to the Dames Point Bridge. (8 miles)
- From the Dames Point Bridge, continue on south on I-295 to I-95 exit 337. (18 miles)
I-295 East Beltway – Trip Totals:
Total distance for this alternate route is 26 miles. Total distance if using I-95 is 25 miles.
I-295 East Beltway – Along the Way
Dames Point Bridge
The Dames Point Bridge in Jacksonville, Florida, is a critical transport link and iconic landmark. It connects the city’s northern areas and is officially known as the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Bridge. Finished in 1989, this 10,646-foot cable-stayed bridge is one of the longest of its kind in the U.S., with pylons reaching 471 feet. A symbol of progress, the bridge transports motorists over the St. Johns River offering stunning views and embodies Jacksonville’s community spirit.
Both of these bypass routes streamline travel through Jacksonville, allowing for a smoother and faster journey along the I-95 corridor.
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