Do you want a roadtrip in Florida, featuring some of its most unspoiled parts? This is a brilliant candidate for that. It features some of the finest ‘Old Florida’ scenery out there.
From the Tampa area or areas to the north, you’ll end up at Exit No. 301 off Interstate 75 (not to be confused with nearby US Highway 301). From there, one of my favorite rides in the state of Florida awaits. As development has continued to take over the State of Florida, this roadtrip will provide a nice change of pace.
Eastern Hernando County, south Sumter County, and parts of Lake County. The Green Swamp, old houses, big oak trees, clay dirt roads, orange trees, rolling hills, amazing lake views. It all lies ahead.
Ridge Manor
Starting out eastbound on State Road 50, it also doubles as US Highway 98 for a short distance. Here is the unincorporated town of Ridge Manor. Ridge Manor was developed in the 1960s, and roads were built, but the houses and businesses never really followed. However, it’s really just as well. Many of the sandy hills and pine trees still remain. Aside from some development at Interstate 75, it’s a forested area.
A pedestrian bridge crosses State Road 50 and carries the Withlacoochee State Trail, a former railroad, and the state’s longest rail trail.
US Highway 98 soon splits from State Road 50, heading south towards the small town of Trilby, Dade City, and eventually Lakeland.
The next major intersection is with US Highway 301. It’s still a two-lane intersection, with an older True Value Hardware store, a flag shop in an old Circle K/Lil’ General store, and a newer Circle K store.
Withlacoochee State Forest
As State Road 50 ventures from the sandy rolling hills of the Brooksville Ridge, you will enter the Withlacoochee State Forest. For the next several miles, the road is surrounded on both sides by tall trees, such as pines and oaks.
The Richloam Trailhead for the Withlacoochee State Forest is located on the south side of the road just past US Highway 301 on the eastern edge of Ridge Manor. The trailhead is a hotspot for hikers looking to take in nature. It is a very desolate area with no resources–bring your own water, snacks, and TP if you plan on hiking.
Tarrytown
Tarrytown is a small logging community at the intersection of State Roads 50 and 471. Shell and Sunoco gas stations are at opposite corners of the intersection.
4 miles north of Tarrytown along State Road 471 is the small City of Webster, and its world famous Webster Westside Flea Market.
Out of Tarrytown, State Road 50 continues eastbound on a two-lane stretch of road with farms and classic Florida Cracker houses.
Linden
The small settlement of Linden’s main goings-on is its farming community. Also included in town is a former gas station/general store, three churches, and a cemetery dating back to 1842.
From Linden to Mabel, County Road 772 runs parallel to State Road 50 and is itself the former highway.
Mabel
The small community of Mabel was once the intersection of State Road 50 and the Seaboard Railroad. This rail line ceased operation in 1988 and was re-purposed as the James Van Fleet State Trail. Mabel now serves as the trail’s northernmost trailhead.
Sumter-Lake County Line
Going from Sumter into Lake County, the highway scenery takes a turn from swampy and flat, to sandy and a little more hilly coming into the settlements of Slones Ridge and Stuckey.
Slones Ridge was settled in 1843 by Georgia-born Confederate Army Captain William Slone. Cattle were raised, supplying beef to Confederate soldiers.
Stuckey is a historically black settlement, formed during the era of segregation when black people were prohibited from buying property in the adjacent City of Mascotte. There are a few older homes there today, as well as a Baptist church.
Mascotte
The City of Mascotte, population just over 5,000, is the next stop along Highway 50, and where the highway expands from two to four lanes. Mascotte marks the beginning of the Orlando metropolitan area along Highway 50.
Mascotte was founded in 1925 and was named for a small tobacco-carrying ship. The city’s official logo is similar to that of the City of Tampa, also a Mascotte boat.
Pay close attention to the speed limit signs in town, as the city has its own police force and frequently runs speed traps along Highway 50.
Mascotte is home to this road trip’s best eating place, the Rainbow Family Restaurant. Go for the buffet, or go for their homemade menu items in this friendly establishment.
Groveland
As you leave Mascotte, you’ll immediately enter the City of Groveland. With a population of 8,700 and growing, Groveland has experienced a rapid expansion to the east towards Clermont, six miles away.
Groveland features a classic downtown district near the intersection of State Roads 50 and 19. In hopes of one day making downtown safer for pedestrians, a truck route/bypass is being planned to go just north of the current route, as part of Groveland’s Downtown Master Plan.
The first turn in the roadtrip will be at State Road 19, going north.
State Road 19
Exiting the north end of Groveland, Highway 19 crosses Palatlakaha Creek along with a little swampy terrain.
Soon after, the elevation rises. The landscape gives way to orange groves, red clay, and rolling hills.
The next roads are US Highway 27 and the Florida Turnpike, which run parallel to each other for about six miles. Both roads pass over Highway 19 providing minimal congestion and no stopping and starting.
From the Turnpike, Highway 19 continues another four miles through County Road 455 and into the town of Howey-in-the-Hills.
Howey-in-the-Hills
The Town of Howey-in-the-Hills was founded in 1921 by William John Howey, who built the first citrus juice plant in Florida in the town. The town, orignally called “Howey” was incorporated in 1925, and became Howey-in-the-Hills in 1927 to reflect the area’s rolling hills.
Highway 19 runs through the center of town along Palm Avenue. Houses from the 1920s through the present day dot both sides of the street. To the east of Palm Avenue, the land is on a terrace descending towards the Little Lake Harris shoreline.
Lakeshore Blvd. runs parallel to the shore of Little Lake Harris and is a scenic alternative to Highway 19 from Lakeview Avenue to Laurel Avenue.
On Citrus Avenue off of Highway 19 is the site of the William J. Howey Mansion. Howey built the mansion himself in 1925. The building still stands, and buyers are looking to preserve it back to its original state after years of neglect.
The Mission Inn Resort and Club is on the west side of Highway 19 near its junction with County Road 48.
Little Lake Harris Bridge
Upon exiting Howey-in-the-Hills, Highway 19 crosses over the mouth of Little Lake Harris, near its entry point into Lake Harris. The bridge was built in 1950 and provides a direct link between Howey-in-the-Hills and the Lake County seat of Tavares.
Hickory Point Recreation Facility is a waterfront park, the first left-hand turn after the bridge. It features the largest boat ramp on Little Lake Harris, a fishing pier, a nature trail, brilliant views of the lake, and more.
County Road 448
The next turn on the trip, County Road 448 begins here and runs near the northern shoreline of Little Lake Harris until hitting County Road 561.
Lake Idamere Park sits on the south shore of Lake Idamere. Its parking area surrounds a baseball diamond, but the park offers more than just baseball. Hiking, views of Lake Idamere, or simply having a picnic lunch await. The baseball diamond and running track features Lake County’s first Miracle League playing surface, offering play to people with physical disabilities.
County Road 561
Making a right hand turn at County Road 561, you’ll now be on the east shore of Little Lake Harris.
As a longtime industry in the immediate area, sand mines line both sides of the road, taking advantage of the area’s white sugar sand. Hills of sand can tower up to 75 feet above the adjacent road when mining is in high activity.
Astatula
At County Road 561’s junction with County Road 48 is the Town of Astatula.
There is a single traffic signal at the center of town, the intersection of Monroe Street (CR 561) and Florida Avenue (CR 48). The Astatula Town Hall is the northwest corner.
Florida Avenue west of Monroe dead-ends on the shore of Little Lake Harris, making this the city’s only public access point to the lake.
County Road 455
County Road 561 travels another three miles south until it reaches a newly-constructed roundabout intersection with County Road 455.
Making the first right at the roundabout will now put you westbound and south of Little Lake Harris. This is a hilly route with some impressive climbs and drops for Florida.
The road trip reaches its final intersection with State Road 19 about three miles after the roundabout.
Why This Route?
For a few reasons. First, it shows sides of Florida that many people don’t see or associate with Florida. The route is largely undeveloped, showing Florida cracker houses, hills, clay, orange groves, lakes, horse farms, tree farms, and small towns that take one back in time. A little something different that Florida has to offer.
Secondly, this one is a special one to me as my grandparents lived just north of Astatula until 1989. This was the route we took on our visits, and very much how I remembered things as a kid. A real trip down memory lane.
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