TRAVEL TO GAINESVILLE

Be Advised: Book your flight and car rental as soon as possible. Florida is a popular destination in March and April.

WEATHER IN GAINESVILLE: Florida is constantly green and in bloom. While all seasons here are always comparatively warm for our northern friends, for us Floridians temperatures begin to warm up by March when the strawberries come in. By early April the weather is generally pleasant with temperatures ranging from the low 60's at night to the lower or mid-80's during the day.  

CAR RENTAL: We highly recommend renting a car if you arrive at Gainesville or the other airports.  Although Gainesville has a bus system, and there will be shuttles to the various CAMWS events, you will find it more convenient to have a car in order to access the restaurants, shopping, and other activities within a reasonable drive from Gainesville. City maps will be available at the convention and are also easily accessed on-line.

CAMWS has negotiated a discounted rate for the convention with AVIS. To reserve a car on-line, click on this link AVIS-CAMWS or call 1-800-331-1600. You will need to enter or mention your Avis World (AWD) number J907572 to receive the discount. If you prefer, other major rental car companies are located at the Gainesville airport: Alamo, Hertz, National, Enterprise.

AIRPORT OPTIONS: You can fly directly into Gainesville, but you may save money and find more convenient flight times by flying into Jacksonville, Orlando, or Tampa, and then taking ground transportation to Gainesville. Drive time from the airport to the Holiday Inn West is approximately 1.5 hours from any one of those three cities.  Jacksonville tends to be the least expensive and has shuttle service and convenient car rental pick-up / drop-off.

Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) is a small, traveler-friendly airport situated about 5 miles northeast of downtown Gainesville. Delta (via its affiliate ASA), US Airways (via its affiliate Express), and Northwest all fly to Gainesville from their regional hubs:  Delta from Atlanta, US Airways from Charlotte, Northwest from Memphis. Continental Connection flies to Gainesville non-stop from Miami and Tampa and provides connections to the Bahamas and South Florida.

Delta Connection / ASA: 800-221-1212 or 800-282-3424

US Airways / Mesa Airlines: 800-428-4322

Northwest Airlink / Pinnacle Airlines: 800-225-2525

Continental Connection / Gulfstream: 800-525-0280

Driving directions from the Gainesville airport to the Holiday Inn West: You may take the complimentary shuttle from the Holiday Inn West by prior reservation with the hotel (instructions above). If you are driving a rental car, exit from the airport on to 39th Ave. (or State Road 222) and go west about 10 miles to I-75; then take the southbound exit (over the bridge; ramp to your right) and proceed south 3 miles on I-75 until the next exit (387). Follow the ramp down to the intersection with Newberry Road (State Road 26). At the light make a left (west); proceed a short distance and the hotel will be on your left. Taxi service is also available (phone numbers above).

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is serviced by all major airlines. The shuttle company Runways operates between JAX and Gainesville ($35 one way or $60 round trip); reservations are required (www.rnwy.com; phone: 800-578-6929); two stops are available in Gainesville. The more convenient for the Holiday Inn West is at Compass Bank, SW 34th Street and Archer Road. The shuttle also stops on the UF campus. From either stop you will have to call a taxi for the 5-mile ride to the Holiday Inn West.  See taxi information above.

Driving directions from JAX (ca. 85 miles) and points northeast to the Holiday Inn West: There is only one main exit route from the passenger terminal (International Drive). Just follow the signs to I-295 (South), which is the by-pass around Jacksonville. Stay on I-295 until you reach I-10 (West), marked to Tallahassee. After approximately 13 miles on I-10, leave I-10 at Exit 343 (U.S. 301 and Baldwin). Stay right at the fork in the exit ramp, joining U.S. 301 (South). Follow this road for about 37 miles, passing through the towns of Lawtey and Starke, until you reach Waldo. (Note: Lawtey and especially Waldo are notorious speed traps. Observe the speed limits scrupulously on US 301 in these areas.)  In Waldo you fork right onto S.R. 24 (Waldo Road to Gainesville). Take S.R. 24 for 10 miles. As you approach Gainesville, you will pass through a light at NW 53 Ave., then see the airport perimeter on your left. At the next light, turn right onto NE 39 Ave. (State Road 222). Then follow the rest of the directions as from the Gainesville Airport (above).

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is serviced by all major airlines. MCO can be busy because of spring breaks and its proximity to Disney. Make plane reservations early. Your best bet here is to rent a car for travel.  Lake Limo (800-448-2808) does provide shuttle service to Gainesville, but prepayment via credit card is required, and the fare is $105 for the first passenger, $67 for each additional passenger; the drop-off location is at the Oaks Mall about a half mile east of the Holiday Inn West.

Driving directions from the Orlando Airport (ca. 120 miles) and points south: After leaving the Orlando airport, take Bee Line Expressway (528) West to the Florida Turnpike North to Interstate 75 north (expect about $4.00 in tolls). Follow I-75 north to Gainesville exit 387 (Newberry Road / State Road 26). Take the ramp down to the intersection with Newberry Road. At the light make a left (west); proceed beneath the overpass, then a short distance, and the Holiday Inn West will be on your left.

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is serviced by all major airlines. Tampa is further from Gainesville, but like the drive from Orlando, it is four-lane highway all the way. There is no shuttle service to Gainesville.

Driving directions from TPA: The drive from Tampa to Gainesville typically takes a little over 2 hours. After leaving TPA, exit onto I-75 north. Follow I-75 north to Gainesville exit 387 (Newberry Road / State Road 26). Take the ramp down to the intersection with Newberry Road. At the light make a left (west); proceed beneath the overpass, then a short distance, and the Holiday Inn West will be on your left.

From Tallahassee and points west: Take I-10 east to I-75 south (exit 296); proceed 40 miles south on I-75 to exit 387. Follow the ramp down to the intersection with Newberry Road (State Road 26). At the light make a left (west); proceed a short distance and the hotel will be on your left.

BUS SERVICE: The Gainesville Greyhound bus station is located at 516 SW 4th Ave. For fare information and reservations visit http://www.greyhound.com.  Regional Transit System, or RTS, is the City of Gainesville's public transportation system. Bus schedules will be available at the conference. Bus information is also available on-line at http://www.go-rts.com.

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