I used to drive from Sarasota to NY and I had several people tell me on different occasions to not bother with I-95 or I-75 but rather to take 301 north to Jacksonville.
They said it was actually faster than I-95 just on an average daily basis even though it goes through some small towns with speed zones.
I just looked at Google traffic and 301 shows green all the way.
301 is good. Slow, narrow, twisty, but better than being stuck on 95. However, services are few and far between.
301 is my go to bypass for I-95.
long trips I run with a CB in the car and when the truckers start talking about an accident and backed up traffic I take the next exit and cut over to 301.
I run the SC, NC and VA sections.
I-75 between Orlando and Atlanta (!) and I-95 in GA and SC are now unbelievably jammed.
We often drive between CT and FL - I'm the navigator, constantly checking the traffic on Google Maps, etc. on the iPad. We've saved ourselves countless hours of aggravation in avoiding traffic jams by occasionally getting off the main highways, and taking side roads. Some of those roads have been quite scenic and interesting, too.
I wish everyone who is trying to get out of FL, GA, SC, etc. Godspeed, but I don't understand sitting in many hours-long traffic jams when you can get off the highway and take other roads....?