U.S. Route 27 in Florida
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 27 in Florida
is a north–south United States Highway. It runs 481 miles (774.1 km) from the South Florida Metropolitan Area
northwest to the Tallahassee Metropolitan Statistical Area. Throughout the state, US 27 has been designated the Claude Pepper Memorial Highway by the Florida State Legislature. It was named after long-time Florida US Senator
and congressman Claude Pepper
. Nearly the entire length of US 27 in Florida is a divided highway.
The secret designation for US 27 in Florida, between Miami and Hialeah, is State Road 948 (SR 948). Between Hialeah and Leesburg, it follows SR 25
, between Leesburg and Williston, it follows SR 600
, between Williston and High Springs, it follows SR 45, between High Springs and Downtown Tallahassee, it follows SR 20
, within Downtown Tallahassee it follows SR 61, and between Tallahassee and the Georgia border, it follows State Road 63 (SR 63).
Concurrencies
include Florida State Road 80
, between South Bay and Clewiston, Florida State Road 78 from Moore Haven to Citrus Center, US 98 between Sebring and West Frostproof, US 441 between Leesburg and Ocala, which also includes a concurrency with US 301 between Bellview and Ocala. Others include US 41 between Williston and High Springs, SR 20
between High Springs and Tallahassee, US 129 in Branford, US 19 between Perry and Capps Jacksonville and SR 61.
Miami, heading west from US 1 for 4.4 miles (7.1 km) before turning northwest to pass under the western terminus of the Airport Expressway (State Road 112, SR 112). It then proceeds northwest for five miles (8 km) as South Okeechobee Road, parallel to the Miami Canal
, forming the southwest boundary of the city of Hialeah
. After an interchange with the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826), it continues northwest as North Okeechobee Road for five miles (8 km) before an interchange with the Homestead Extension of the Florida Turnpike. After another four miles (6 km), the highway curves to the north and, after passing the northern terminus of Krome Avenue (SR 997), crosses into Broward County
.
In Broward County, the highway passes protected wetlands and heavy duty power lines on the west and the outer reaches of the suburban communities of Pembroke Pines
and Weston
on the east where it curves to the northwest. US 27 then reaches an interchange with I-75
and Alligator Alley
which is an elaborate partial cloverleaf with flyovers from US 27, loop ramps from I-75 and no re-entry to either road. From here, he road is surrounded by Everglades-related wilderness and recreational areas before curving to the north toward South Bay
, where it intersects Florida State Road 80
and overlaps the road before curving west along the shores of Lake Okeechobee
. The highway skirts the southwestern shore of Lake Okeechobee and then heads west through Lake Harbor
and then Clewiston
, before making a sharp turn to the north towards Moore Haven
, where it crosses the Mamie Langdale Memorial Bridge over the Caloosahatchee Canal and makes another sharp turn to the west. The road then intersects with Florida State Road 78, which it overlaps until reaching Citrus Center
, then proceeds in a northerly direction toward the central Florida communities such as Lake Placid
, where it intersects Florida State Road 70.
The southern terminus of the concurrency with U.S. Route 98
is also the eastern terminus of Florida State Road 66. From here, the hidden routes are Florida State Road 25
and Florida State Road 700. Shortly after this, US 27-98 runs through a commercial strip area before curving to the west at a wye intersection along the south shore of Lake Jackson in Sebring
, where Florida State Road 17
begins. The road heads back to the northwest as it runs along and then away from the edge of the lake. North of here, the road runs west of Lake Sebring, but in Avon Park
it runs much closer to the shores of Lake Glenada, where it passes through South Florida Community College
territory. From here it passes by Lake Lelia, and Lake Anoka, and just east of Avon Park Executive Airport
it intersects Florida State Road 64
and the northern terminus of a segment of Florida State Road 17
. SR 64 continues east along part of SR 17 as a bi-county extension northeast into Polk County which runs through Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
and terminates at the Avon Park Air Force Range
. North of here, US 27 carries hidden state routes (SRs 17, 25 and 700) into Polk County
until it reaches Sunray Deli Estates, where SR 17 breaks away again, and runs relatively parallel to US 27 until it reaches Haines City
. Meanwhile after making a reverse curve over a bridge above a CSX Railroad Line that is used by Amtrak
's Silver Star
and Silver Meteor
lines, US 98 breaks away in West Frostproof, taking SR 700 with it. In the opposite direction of this intersection is a continuation of Lake County Road 630. After passing by Warner University, Crooked Lake Park and Lake County Road 640, US 27 becomes slightly less rural as it approaches an un-numbered partial cloverleaf interchange with Florida State Road 60 in Lake Wales
. North of this point, US 27 becomes a six-lane highway, and remains that way until reaching Florida State Road 540
in Waverly, Florida
, where the road narrows down to four lanes again. However, the widening of US 27 to a six-lane highway continues in Polk County between here and SR 542
in Dundee
. North of here, US 27 runs through Lake Hamilton
, and curves around the eastern shores of the lake for which the community was named. After passing by a pair of gated communities and crossing over a bridge between Middle Lake Hamilton, and the ironically named larger Little Lake Hamilton, it curves north and intersects SR 544
. Taking a turn to the northeast after passing by Lake Henry, US 27 encounters another un-numbered interchange with U.S. Route 17/92 in Haines City, and immediately passes over another CSX Railroad Line that is used by Amtrak's Silver Star and Silver Meteor lines. With the exception of a segment between Hammock Lake and Tower Lake, most of US 17 remains a commercial strip, especially as it enters Davenport
, and approaches quarter-cloverleaf interchanges on the southeast and northwest corners of the bridge over Interstate 4
at Exit 55.
(Florida State Road 530) on the Polk-Lake County Line in Citrus Ridge, and shortly afterwards an at-grade intersection with County Road 474 (CR 474), although some maps have indicated another interchange here. Most of the road remains a rural four-lane highway with at-grade intersections. After passing by Lake Louisa State Park
and winding around the eastern shores of the lake that the park was named for, US 27 approaches yet another diamond interchange without exit numbers at SR 50 in Clermont. Almost instantly, the road enters Minneola
along the east side of Lake Minneola, where it intersects such roads as Old Lake County Road 50, as well as Lake County Road 561, the latter of which it shares a brief concurrency until reaching Little Everglades. After this it briefly runs parallel to the southwest side of Florida's Turnpike, until it veers slightly to the west and approaches a quarter-cloverleaf interchange with SR 19
south of Howey-in-the-Hills, which also includes a southbound interchange with Florida's Turnpike
. The northbound Turnpike interchange can be found further northwest. At Okahumpka, US 27 intersects two county roads that are extensions of state roads. The first of which is Lake County Road 48, and the next of which is the northern terminus of Lake County Road 33 before running along the western shore of Lake Harris and eastern shore of Lake Denham, the location of Singletary Park. North of Lake Harris, it enters Leesburg
where US 27 has an intersection with Florida State Road 44. US 441
later joins US 27, and as a result, the hidden state routes are officially SR 25
-500
. SR 500 becomes more prominent however, because in Lady Lake, SR 25 branches away as Marion County Road 25. This once served as the southern terminus of the US 27-441 Alternate Route around Lake Weir into Belleview
, but still remains a scenic route.
Around the Lake-Marion county border, US 27-441 enters a retirement community known as The Villages
. Because of the frequent use of street-legal golf cars in the community, bridges and tunnels for these carts can be found throughout the road. US 27-441 leaves The Villages as it approaches Marion County Road 42, a bi-county east-west scenic route through Central Florida. North of here, it serves as the newly constructed eastern terminus of Marion CR 484, in Summerfield
. Within Belleview, the road encounters two somewhat important intersections; Marion County Road 25A, and then Florida State Road 35
. SR 35 joins US 27-441 in a wrong-way concurrency with SR 500 as the road curves more to the west, until it reaches the intersection with US 301
, where SR 35 turns south, and SR 500 becomes the hidden state road for US 27-301-441 for a few blocks. However SR 25 reunites with the triplex at the former eastern terminus of Marion CR 484, and shares a concurrency with SR 25
, and US 27-301-441's new secret route becomes SR 25
-500
. After that the road curves more to the north again. Near the right of way for the formerly proposed Cross Florida Barge Canal
, the median for the road widens, but narrows back down to normal again. Before it does, however, it intersects Marion CR 328, where a police station exists between the median. Supports for a bridge that was intended to run over the canal exist behind the police station. To the west of this intersection is the Santos Trailhead of the Cross Florida Greenway.
Before US 27-301-441 enters Ocala
, it veers off to the left at an intersection with Marion County Road Old 441 (Southeast Lake Weir Avenue), a former segment of US 441 that eventually leads to Ocala Union Station
. The first major intersection after this is 31st Street. Then it crosses under a railroad bridge before reaching the City Limits and the intersections with the northern terminus of Marion CR 475 and crossing SR 464 (17th Street). US 27-301-441 intersects with SR 200 (becoming the new hidden state road until US 301 reaches US 1-23). The highway reaches the heart of Ocala at the intersection with SR 40 (West Silver Springs Boulevard). After this, the road crosses a railroad bridge west of Ocala Union Station. Five blocks later, it reaches the intersection of SR 492(Northwest 10th Street) only to move in the opposite direction, leaving the US 301-441 overlap and taking SR 500
with it. After retaining its status as an independent US highway, US 27 moves from Northwest Tenth Street to Northwest Blitchton Road and has another interchange with Interstate 75
, although this one is a mere diamond interchange, as opposed to the elaborate partial cloverleaf with flyovers in Weston. From here it continues northwest through rural Marion County, much of which is surrounded by horse farms. The few truly significant intersection in this region include Marion County Road 464B in Fellowship
and then Marion County Road 326 near Emathla
.
The last intersections at the Marion-Levy County border are with Marion CR 316 and Levy-Marion CR 335. Though horse farms are scarce along this segment in Levy County, the surroundings remain rural. Levy CR 316 begins again at an intersection with US 27 in East Williston, and as the road enters the City of Williston, it serves as the western terminus of Levy CR 318, crosses a set of CSX railroad tracks, and loses its status as an independent US route. Florida State Road 500
continues striaght ahead along ALT US 27, while US 27 turns north and joins US 41(hidden SR 45), as well as Florida State Road 121
, which already ran east for a few blocks along ALT US 27. The conurrency with SR 121 is short-lived though, as it branches away to the northeast. The US 27-41 concurrency is one of the few segments that are only two lanes wide, and it begins to lean to the northwest until briefly shifting straight north before approaching Archer
, where it intersects Alachua CR 346, then a former Florida Railway and Navigation Company right-of-way, and finally Florida State Road 24. After SR 24, US 27-41 curves back northwest but head straight northward through Florida State Road 26 in Newberry
and both remain as such until US 41 reaches High Springs
, and joins US 441 towards Lake City
and points north.
. which is named First Avenue until it crosses the Santa Fe River and enters Columbia County
. From here it continutes to run northwest, but briefly turns straight west after entering Fort White, Florida
just before intersecting Florida State Road 47. The road shifts to the right again and turns northwest before leaving the city, but gradually turns back west as it gets closer to Suwannee County, Florida
. Before the road crosses the Ichetucknee River
at the Columbia-Suwannee County Line, it intersects with Southwest Riverside Avenue, which serves as the western terminus of the O'Leno to Ichetucknee Trail and the eastern terminus of the Suwanee River Greenway. Both US 27 and the trail run through Hildreth, the home of the Ichetucknee Springs State Park
, and then encounters the east end of a multiplex with U.S. Route 129
(Florida State Road 49) which is also the southern terminus of Suwanee County Road 49. US 27-129 and the trail enter the hamlet of Wachtokha, but the trail remains straight while the road curves slightly to the northwest. A slight curve to the southwest is where both routes officially enter Branford, Florida
where US 129 turns north onto Hidden SR 249. The Suwanee River Greenway crosses US 27 between the west end of the US 27-129 multiplex and Frank R. Norris Bridge across the Suwannee River
, but it was also once the northern terminus of US ALT 129, which followed US 27 across the river into Lafayette County
until it reached Florida State Road 349
in Grady.
The road runs through the rural community of Alton, Florida
without being noticed, but slows down as it enters Mayo, Florida
where it intersects Florida State Road 51, the northwest corner of which contains the historic Lafayette County Courthouse
After the intersection of Lafayette Street, the road curves northwest again. Outside the city limits, the road intersects various local roads, the most significant of which is Lafayette County Road 534. The rest of the way, US 27 runs northwest through more of western rural Lafayette County, but it turns straight west again as it approaches Buckville, Florida where it intersects the southern terminus of Lafayette County Road 53 and northern terminus of Lafayette County Road 534, both of which were once part of Florida State Road 53. The last intersection in Lafayette County is with Lafayette County Road 348 in Townsend, Florida before US 27 becomes surrounded by swampland as it enters Taylor County.
Swampland continues to surround US 27 until it comes close to Perry
, where a small truck weigh station can be found along the westbound shoulder. The road divides momentarily at the intersection of Florida State Road 30, which has controlled turn lanes in the divider, but then turns back into an undivided two lane road as it curves northwest. At Buckeye Nursery Road, US 27 gets the name East Hampton Springs Avenue. East Hampton Springs curves from northwest to southwest once again, and the straight west at Washington Street. The street name changes from East Hampton Springs Avenue to West Hampton Springs Avenue at US 221(hidden SR 55
) but also joins U.S. Truck Route 221. Several blocks later the road intersects Byron Butler Parkway which is the northern terminus of the US 19
-98
-ALT 27 multiplex. Here, U.S. Alternate Route 27 terminates, U.S. 98 and SR 30 leaves US 19 turning straight ahead west onto West Hampton Springs Avenue, and US 27 joins US 19 becoming a four-lane highway again. US 19-27 also continues to carry US Truck 221 until it reaches Taylor County Road 359A(Wright Road), but also continues to take SR 20 with it heading straight northwest through the rest of Taylor County, and then Madision County, where it intersects Madison County Road 150(also known as Creek 150). US 19 breaks away in Capps
onto Florida State Road 57 on its way through Monticello
, but not before resuming a westward direction at the Madison-Jefferson County Line. In Tallahassee
, the road becomes the 1957-built Apalachee Parkway, a major east–west thoroughfare. The parkway has a short expressway section just east of the capitol, then is a busy four-lane surface boulevard with service roads for the next few miles, passing the Governor's Square Mall
and many state office buildings. US 27 runs west along this stretch of road however, and the Apalachee Parkway ends at Florida SR 61(Monroe Street) in front of the Florida State Capitol
building. US 27 and SR 20 make a sharp turn north along SR 61, but at the intersection of U.S. Route 90 in Florida, SR 20 turns west while US 27 continues north along SR 61.
SR 63 approaches its only suffixed auxiliary route in the form of Leon County Road 63A before encountering a partial cloverleaf interchange with Interstate 10
(Exit 199). North of the interchange, it begins to leave the Tallahassee City Limits. A great deal of this segment of SR 63 consists of RV parks and other facilities serving tourists for the Lake Jackson Mound State Archeological Park It also serves as the northeast terminus of Leon County Road 0356. After crossing a bridge that runs over a small portion of Lake Jackson, the road simultaneously intersects the northern terminus of Florida State Road 263
and southern terminus of Leon County Roads 157 and 0361.
The road runs along the west side of Tallahassee Commercial Airport
, and makes a reverse curve as it approaches a bridge over the Ochlockonee River
, where it crosses the Leon-Gadsden County Line and continues to move northwest. After crossing another bridge, the first major intersection in the county is the eastern terminus of Gadsden County Road 270. Further north, Gadsden County Road 159 secretly joins US 27/SR 63 in a triple concurrency, and all three routes approach a CSX Railroad line until they curve northeast before entering the Town of Havana
. CR 159 branches off on its own to the northwest before US 27/SR 63 curves straight north as it approaches the intersection with Florida State Road 12 and Gadsden CR 12A. SR 12 joins the road in a brief concurrency before branching off to the east as Gadsden CR 12, within the Havana Town Limits. The previously mentioned CSX railroad line runs more or less parallel to the road again. The road and the tracks curve back and forth near each other until the tracks take one final turn to the northwest in Hinson
, and SR 63 begins to curve back to the northeast before the intersection with Gadsden County Road 159A. Shortly after this SR 63 curves further to the northeast as it approches Gadsden County Road 12B. Finally in Darsey, SR 63 serves as the northern terminus of Gadsden County Road 157 and the southern terminus of an extension of Georgia State Route 111, before curving to the northwest again and finally terminating at the Florida-Georgia State Line, where US 27 continues onto Georgia State Route 1.
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US 27 first entered Florida in 1934, terminating at Tallahassee
. In 1949, it was extended to its current terminus in Miami.
From 1956 until 1993, US 27 signs in Florida featured white numbering on a green shield. The "color-coding" of U.S. Routes by the Florida Department of Transportation
was stopped when the state could no longer use Federal funds to replace the signs with anything but the standard black-and-white version; a few green US 27 signs remain.
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
is a north–south United States Highway. It runs 481 miles (774.1 km) from the South Florida Metropolitan Area
South Florida metropolitan area
The South Florida metropolitan area, also known as the Miami metropolitan area, and designated the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Pompano Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area by the U.S...
northwest to the Tallahassee Metropolitan Statistical Area. Throughout the state, US 27 has been designated the Claude Pepper Memorial Highway by the Florida State Legislature. It was named after long-time Florida US Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
and congressman Claude Pepper
Claude Pepper
Claude Denson Pepper was an American politician of the Democratic Party, and a spokesman for left-liberalism and the elderly. In foreign policy he shifted from pro-Soviet in the 1940s to anti-Communist in the 1950s...
. Nearly the entire length of US 27 in Florida is a divided highway.
The secret designation for US 27 in Florida, between Miami and Hialeah, is State Road 948 (SR 948). Between Hialeah and Leesburg, it follows SR 25
Florida State Road 25
State Road 25 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Florida.It is mainly signed as U.S. Highways:*U.S. Highway 27 from Miami to Lady Lake and Belleview to Ocala*U.S. Highway 301 from Belleview to near Sparr...
, between Leesburg and Williston, it follows SR 600
Florida State Road 500
State Road 500 is a major state highway running through Florida as a mostly unsigned route under several US Highways. From Chiefland to Williston it is U.S. Highway 27 Alternate. From Williston to Ocala, it is U.S. Highway 27. From Ocala to Kissimmee, it is U.S. Highway 441. From Kissimmee to...
, between Williston and High Springs, it follows SR 45, between High Springs and Downtown Tallahassee, it follows SR 20
Florida State Road 20
State Road 20 is an east–west route across northern Florida and the Florida Panhandle.-Route description:The western terminus of State Road 20 is at State Road 85 in Niceville. The route proceeds east through Blountstown, crossing the Apalachicola River on the Trammell Bridge, then proceeding...
, within Downtown Tallahassee it follows SR 61, and between Tallahassee and the Georgia border, it follows State Road 63 (SR 63).
Concurrencies
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
include Florida State Road 80
Florida State Road 80
Florida State Road 80 is a route linking US 41 in Fort Myers and Florida State Road A1A in Palm Beach. The road is the northernmost of three linking Southwest Florida to South Florida via the Everglades...
, between South Bay and Clewiston, Florida State Road 78 from Moore Haven to Citrus Center, US 98 between Sebring and West Frostproof, US 441 between Leesburg and Ocala, which also includes a concurrency with US 301 between Bellview and Ocala. Others include US 41 between Williston and High Springs, SR 20
Florida State Road 20
State Road 20 is an east–west route across northern Florida and the Florida Panhandle.-Route description:The western terminus of State Road 20 is at State Road 85 in Niceville. The route proceeds east through Blountstown, crossing the Apalachicola River on the Trammell Bridge, then proceeding...
between High Springs and Tallahassee, US 129 in Branford, US 19 between Perry and Capps Jacksonville and SR 61.
Miami through Central Florida
US 27 begins as North 36th Street in MidtownMidtown Miami
Midtown Miami is the collective term for the Wynwood and Edgewater neighborhoods of Miami, Florida, United States, north of Downtown and south of the Miami Design District. It is roughly bound by North 29th Street to the south, I-195 to the north, I-95 to the west and Biscayne Bay to the east.In...
Miami, heading west from US 1 for 4.4 miles (7.1 km) before turning northwest to pass under the western terminus of the Airport Expressway (State Road 112, SR 112). It then proceeds northwest for five miles (8 km) as South Okeechobee Road, parallel to the Miami Canal
Miami Canal
The Miami Canal, or C-6 Canal, flows from Lake Okeechobee in the U.S. state of Florida to its terminus at the Miami River, which flows through downtown Miami. The canal flows in a south and southeasterly direction for approximately 77 miles, and passes through three counties: Broward, Palm Beach,...
, forming the southwest boundary of the city of Hialeah
Hialeah, Florida
Hialeah is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 226,419. As of 2009, the population estimate by the U. S...
. After an interchange with the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826), it continues northwest as North Okeechobee Road for five miles (8 km) before an interchange with the Homestead Extension of the Florida Turnpike. After another four miles (6 km), the highway curves to the north and, after passing the northern terminus of Krome Avenue (SR 997), crosses into Broward County
Broward County, Florida
-2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,623,018 people, 654,445 households, and 411,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,346 people per square mile . There were 741,043 housing units at an average density of 615 per square mile...
.
In Broward County, the highway passes protected wetlands and heavy duty power lines on the west and the outer reaches of the suburban communities of Pembroke Pines
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Pembroke Pines is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. The city had a population of 154,750 at the 2010 census, making it the second most populous city in Broward County, the tenth most populous in Florida, and the 150th most populous in the United States...
and Weston
Weston, Florida
Weston is a suburb of South Florida located in Broward County, Florida, USA. Established as a city in 1996, much of the community was developed by Arvida/JMB Realty and is located near the western developmental boundary of Broward County. It is the most western city in Broward County, and its...
on the east where it curves to the northwest. US 27 then reaches an interchange with I-75
Interstate 75 in Florida
Interstate 75 is a part of the Interstate Highway System and runs from Hialeah, Florida, a few miles northwest of Miami to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan...
and Alligator Alley
Alligator Alley
Alligator Alley is a section of Interstate 75 and State Road 84 extending from Naples on the west coast of Florida to Weston on the east...
which is an elaborate partial cloverleaf with flyovers from US 27, loop ramps from I-75 and no re-entry to either road. From here, he road is surrounded by Everglades-related wilderness and recreational areas before curving to the north toward South Bay
South Bay, Florida
South Bay is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It is the westernmost municipality in the South Florida metropolitan area. The population was 3,859 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 4,506...
, where it intersects Florida State Road 80
Florida State Road 80
Florida State Road 80 is a route linking US 41 in Fort Myers and Florida State Road A1A in Palm Beach. The road is the northernmost of three linking Southwest Florida to South Florida via the Everglades...
and overlaps the road before curving west along the shores of Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee , locally referred to as The Lake or The Big O, is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Florida. It is the seventh largest freshwater lake in the United States and the second largest freshwater lake contained entirely within the lower 48 states...
. The highway skirts the southwestern shore of Lake Okeechobee and then heads west through Lake Harbor
Lake Harbor, Florida
Lake Harbor is a census-designated place in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 195 at the 2000 census. It located along the southern banks of Lake Okeechobee, at the beginning of the Miami Canal...
and then Clewiston
Clewiston, Florida
Clewiston is a city in Hendry County, Florida. The population was 6,460 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 7,173. Clewiston is home to the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and the Clewiston Museum.-History:...
, before making a sharp turn to the north towards Moore Haven
Moore Haven, Florida
Moore Haven is a city in Glades County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,635 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,726. It is the county seat of Glades County...
, where it crosses the Mamie Langdale Memorial Bridge over the Caloosahatchee Canal and makes another sharp turn to the west. The road then intersects with Florida State Road 78, which it overlaps until reaching Citrus Center
Citrus Center, Florida
Citrus Center is a small unincorporated community in Glades County, Florida, United States. It is located on Florida State Road 78 about west of the junction of SR 78 and U.S. Route 27 west of Moore Haven.-References:...
, then proceeds in a northerly direction toward the central Florida communities such as Lake Placid
Lake Placid, Florida
Lake Placid is a town in Highlands County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the town's population as 1,878 on 1 July 2007...
, where it intersects Florida State Road 70.
The southern terminus of the concurrency with U.S. Route 98
U.S. Route 98 in Florida
U.S. Route 98 is an east-west United States highway that runs from western Mississippi to southern Florida. It was established in 1933 as a route between Pensacola, Florida and Apalachicola, Florida, and has since been extended eastward across the Florida Peninsula and westward into Mississippi...
is also the eastern terminus of Florida State Road 66. From here, the hidden routes are Florida State Road 25
Florida State Road 25
State Road 25 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Florida.It is mainly signed as U.S. Highways:*U.S. Highway 27 from Miami to Lady Lake and Belleview to Ocala*U.S. Highway 301 from Belleview to near Sparr...
and Florida State Road 700. Shortly after this, US 27-98 runs through a commercial strip area before curving to the west at a wye intersection along the south shore of Lake Jackson in Sebring
Sebring, Florida
Sebring is a city in Highlands County, Florida, United States, nicknamed "The City on the Circle", in reference to Circle Drive, the center of the Sebring Downtown Historic District...
, where Florida State Road 17
Florida State Road 17
State Road 17 , also formerly known as Alternate U.S. 27, is a north–south state road in the U.S. state of Florida. It is split into two sections...
begins. The road heads back to the northwest as it runs along and then away from the edge of the lake. North of here, the road runs west of Lake Sebring, but in Avon Park
Avon Park, Florida
Avon Park is a city in Highlands County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population in 2009 at 8,824. It is the oldest city in Highlands County, and was named after Stratford-upon-Avon, England.-History:...
it runs much closer to the shores of Lake Glenada, where it passes through South Florida Community College
South Florida Community College
South Florida Community College , serving more than 19,000 area residents annually, has campuses and centers in Highlands, DeSoto and Hardee counties, Fla. The Highlands Campus, on , is located two miles south of Avon Park, Florida. It is bounded on the north by Lake Lelia, to the south by Lake...
territory. From here it passes by Lake Lelia, and Lake Anoka, and just east of Avon Park Executive Airport
Avon Park Executive Airport
Avon Park Executive Airport is a city-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles west of the central business district of Avon Park, a city in Highlands County, Florida, United States...
it intersects Florida State Road 64
Florida State Road 64
State Road 64 extends from State Road 789 approximately two blocks from the Gulf of Mexico in Holmes Beach in Manatee County to US 27/US 98 in Avon Park in Highlands County. State Road 64 travels from west to east through the counties of Manatee, Hardee and Highlands. It is a mostly rural 2-lane...
and the northern terminus of a segment of Florida State Road 17
Florida State Road 17
State Road 17 , also formerly known as Alternate U.S. 27, is a north–south state road in the U.S. state of Florida. It is split into two sections...
. SR 64 continues east along part of SR 17 as a bi-county extension northeast into Polk County which runs through Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
The Lake Wales Ridge State Forest is in the U.S. state of Florida. The forest is located on the Lake Wales Ridge in Central Florida, near Frostproof.-References and external links:*...
and terminates at the Avon Park Air Force Range
Avon Park Air Force Range
The Avon Park Air Force Range is a United States Air Force bombing range and air-ground training complex in the U.S. state of Florida located east of the city of Avon Park.-History:...
. North of here, US 27 carries hidden state routes (SRs 17, 25 and 700) into Polk County
Polk County, Florida
Polk County is located in central Florida between the Tampa Bay and Greater Orlando metropolitan areas. The county was established by the state government in 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War and named after former United States president James K. Polk. The county seat is Bartow and its...
until it reaches Sunray Deli Estates, where SR 17 breaks away again, and runs relatively parallel to US 27 until it reaches Haines City
Haines City, Florida
Haines City is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 13,174 at the 2000 census. As of 2010, the population estimated by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida is 18,762. Haines City is the third most populous city in Polk County, Florida...
. Meanwhile after making a reverse curve over a bridge above a CSX Railroad Line that is used by Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
's Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
and Silver Meteor
Silver Meteor
The Silver Meteor is a 1389-mile passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the Silver Service brand, running from New York City, New York, south to Miami, Florida, via the Northeast Corridor to Washington, D.C., thence via Richmond, Virginia; Fayetteville, North Carolina; North Charleston, South...
lines, US 98 breaks away in West Frostproof, taking SR 700 with it. In the opposite direction of this intersection is a continuation of Lake County Road 630. After passing by Warner University, Crooked Lake Park and Lake County Road 640, US 27 becomes slightly less rural as it approaches an un-numbered partial cloverleaf interchange with Florida State Road 60 in Lake Wales
Lake Wales, Florida
Lake Wales is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,194 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 11,802 . It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. North of this point, US 27 becomes a six-lane highway, and remains that way until reaching Florida State Road 540
Florida State Road 540
State Road 540 is a west–east route in Central Florida, serving Polk County. It runs from the south side of the city of Lakeland to US 27. SR 540 also runs along the future entrance to Legoland Florida...
in Waverly, Florida
Waverly, Florida
Waverly is a census-designated place in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,927 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, where the road narrows down to four lanes again. However, the widening of US 27 to a six-lane highway continues in Polk County between here and SR 542
Florida State Road 542
State Road 542 is a west–east route in Central Florida, serving Polk County. It runs 6.8 miles from the downtown of Winter Haven to the downtown of Dundee, Florida.-Route description:...
in Dundee
Dundee, Florida
Dundee is a town in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,912 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 3,008...
. North of here, US 27 runs through Lake Hamilton
Lake Hamilton, Florida
Lake Hamilton is a town in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,304 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,406...
, and curves around the eastern shores of the lake for which the community was named. After passing by a pair of gated communities and crossing over a bridge between Middle Lake Hamilton, and the ironically named larger Little Lake Hamilton, it curves north and intersects SR 544
Florida State Road 544
State Road 544 is a west-east state road in the U.S. state of Florida. It runs 11.7 miles from Auburndale to Haines City.-Route Description:...
. Taking a turn to the northeast after passing by Lake Henry, US 27 encounters another un-numbered interchange with U.S. Route 17/92 in Haines City, and immediately passes over another CSX Railroad Line that is used by Amtrak's Silver Star and Silver Meteor lines. With the exception of a segment between Hammock Lake and Tower Lake, most of US 17 remains a commercial strip, especially as it enters Davenport
Davenport, Florida
Davenport is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,925 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,994. While the city of Davenport itself is very small, the area north of the city close to Interstate 4 and US 27 is...
, and approaches quarter-cloverleaf interchanges on the southeast and northwest corners of the bridge over Interstate 4
Interstate 4
Interstate 4 is a intrastate Highway located entirely within the state of Florida, United States. It goes from Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida to Interstate 95 at Daytona Beach, Florida . It also has the Florida Department of Transportation designation of State Road 400, but only a small...
at Exit 55.
Citrus Ridge to High Springs
North of I-4, US 27 contains more un-numbered interchanges. The first of which is a trumpet interchange with US 192U.S. Route 192
U.S. Route 192 is an east–west route of the United States Numbered Highway system in central Florida. It runs 75.04 miles from U.S. Route 27 in Citrus Ridge, Lake County, east past Walt Disney World and through Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Melbourne, to end at State Road A1A in Indialantic, one...
(Florida State Road 530) on the Polk-Lake County Line in Citrus Ridge, and shortly afterwards an at-grade intersection with County Road 474 (CR 474), although some maps have indicated another interchange here. Most of the road remains a rural four-lane highway with at-grade intersections. After passing by Lake Louisa State Park
Lake Louisa State Park
Lake Louisa State Park is a Florida State Park located south of Clermont, in the northeast corner of the Green Swamp and the southwestern shore of Lake Louisa. The park has two entrances: the western one is off County Route 561 on Lake Nellie Road, and the eastern one is south of State Road 50 on...
and winding around the eastern shores of the lake that the park was named for, US 27 approaches yet another diamond interchange without exit numbers at SR 50 in Clermont. Almost instantly, the road enters Minneola
Minneola, Florida
Minneola is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,435 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,253. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area...
along the east side of Lake Minneola, where it intersects such roads as Old Lake County Road 50, as well as Lake County Road 561, the latter of which it shares a brief concurrency until reaching Little Everglades. After this it briefly runs parallel to the southwest side of Florida's Turnpike, until it veers slightly to the west and approaches a quarter-cloverleaf interchange with SR 19
Florida State Road 19
State Road 19 is a Florida State Road in Putnam, Marion, and Lake counties. It runs from Groveland to Palatka. It provides access to areas in Ocala National Forest, like Pittman.-Groveland to Tavares:...
south of Howey-in-the-Hills, which also includes a southbound interchange with Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike
Florida's Turnpike , designated as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, and originally known as the Sunshine State Parkway is a north–south toll road that runs through 11 counties in the Florida peninsula, from U.S...
. The northbound Turnpike interchange can be found further northwest. At Okahumpka, US 27 intersects two county roads that are extensions of state roads. The first of which is Lake County Road 48, and the next of which is the northern terminus of Lake County Road 33 before running along the western shore of Lake Harris and eastern shore of Lake Denham, the location of Singletary Park. North of Lake Harris, it enters Leesburg
Leesburg, Florida
Leesburg is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,956 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 19,086.. Leesburg is located in central Florida, between Lake Harris and Lake Griffin, at the head of the Oklawaha River system....
where US 27 has an intersection with Florida State Road 44. US 441
U.S. Route 441 in Florida
U.S. Route 441 in Florida is a north–south United States Highway. It runs from Miami in South Florida northwest to the Georgia border north of the Lake City area....
later joins US 27, and as a result, the hidden state routes are officially SR 25
Florida State Road 25
State Road 25 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Florida.It is mainly signed as U.S. Highways:*U.S. Highway 27 from Miami to Lady Lake and Belleview to Ocala*U.S. Highway 301 from Belleview to near Sparr...
-500
Florida State Road 500
State Road 500 is a major state highway running through Florida as a mostly unsigned route under several US Highways. From Chiefland to Williston it is U.S. Highway 27 Alternate. From Williston to Ocala, it is U.S. Highway 27. From Ocala to Kissimmee, it is U.S. Highway 441. From Kissimmee to...
. SR 500 becomes more prominent however, because in Lady Lake, SR 25 branches away as Marion County Road 25. This once served as the southern terminus of the US 27-441 Alternate Route around Lake Weir into Belleview
Belleview, Florida
Belleview is a city in Marion County, Florida. The population was 3,478 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2009, the city had a population of 4,483. It is part of the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name, Belleview, which means beautiful view, came from one of...
, but still remains a scenic route.
Around the Lake-Marion county border, US 27-441 enters a retirement community known as The Villages
The Villages, Florida
The Villages is a master-planned age-restricted retirement community located mainly in Sumter County, Florida, United States, but also includes portions of Lake and Marion counties. The community is controlled by several Community Development Districts , most of which are controlled by H. Gary...
. Because of the frequent use of street-legal golf cars in the community, bridges and tunnels for these carts can be found throughout the road. US 27-441 leaves The Villages as it approaches Marion County Road 42, a bi-county east-west scenic route through Central Florida. North of here, it serves as the newly constructed eastern terminus of Marion CR 484, in Summerfield
Summerfield, Florida
Summerfield is an unincorporated community in Marion County, Florida, United States. It is located near the intersection of US 301 and County Road 475A. The community is part of the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. Within Belleview, the road encounters two somewhat important intersections; Marion County Road 25A, and then Florida State Road 35
Florida State Road 35
State Road 35 is a north–south state highway in the western counties of the U.S. state of Florida.-Route Description:It is mainly signed as a hidden route along U.S. Highways:*U.S. Route 17: Punta Gorda to Bartow....
. SR 35 joins US 27-441 in a wrong-way concurrency with SR 500 as the road curves more to the west, until it reaches the intersection with US 301
U.S. Route 301 in Florida
U.S. Route 301 in Florida runs from the Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area northeast to the Greater Jacksonville Metropolitan Area. The road is a spur of U.S...
, where SR 35 turns south, and SR 500 becomes the hidden state road for US 27-301-441 for a few blocks. However SR 25 reunites with the triplex at the former eastern terminus of Marion CR 484, and shares a concurrency with SR 25
Florida State Road 25
State Road 25 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Florida.It is mainly signed as U.S. Highways:*U.S. Highway 27 from Miami to Lady Lake and Belleview to Ocala*U.S. Highway 301 from Belleview to near Sparr...
, and US 27-301-441's new secret route becomes SR 25
Florida State Road 25
State Road 25 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Florida.It is mainly signed as U.S. Highways:*U.S. Highway 27 from Miami to Lady Lake and Belleview to Ocala*U.S. Highway 301 from Belleview to near Sparr...
-500
Florida State Road 500
State Road 500 is a major state highway running through Florida as a mostly unsigned route under several US Highways. From Chiefland to Williston it is U.S. Highway 27 Alternate. From Williston to Ocala, it is U.S. Highway 27. From Ocala to Kissimmee, it is U.S. Highway 441. From Kissimmee to...
. After that the road curves more to the north again. Near the right of way for the formerly proposed Cross Florida Barge Canal
Cross Florida Barge Canal
The Cross Florida Barge Canal was a canal project to connect the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean across Florida for barge traffic. Two sections were built but the project was cancelled, mainly for environmental reasons. It is now a protected green belt corridor, one mile wide...
, the median for the road widens, but narrows back down to normal again. Before it does, however, it intersects Marion CR 328, where a police station exists between the median. Supports for a bridge that was intended to run over the canal exist behind the police station. To the west of this intersection is the Santos Trailhead of the Cross Florida Greenway.
Before US 27-301-441 enters Ocala
Ocala, Florida
Ocala is a city in Marion County, Florida. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 53,491. It is the county seat of Marion County, and the principal city of the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated 2007 population of 324,857.-History:Ocala...
, it veers off to the left at an intersection with Marion County Road Old 441 (Southeast Lake Weir Avenue), a former segment of US 441 that eventually leads to Ocala Union Station
Ocala Union Station
The Ocala Union Station is a historic site in Ocala, Florida, United States. It is located at 531 Northeast First Avenue, and was built in 1917 by both the Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line Railroads. Prior to this, ACL and SAL had separate depots in Ocala...
. The first major intersection after this is 31st Street. Then it crosses under a railroad bridge before reaching the City Limits and the intersections with the northern terminus of Marion CR 475 and crossing SR 464 (17th Street). US 27-301-441 intersects with SR 200 (becoming the new hidden state road until US 301 reaches US 1-23). The highway reaches the heart of Ocala at the intersection with SR 40 (West Silver Springs Boulevard). After this, the road crosses a railroad bridge west of Ocala Union Station. Five blocks later, it reaches the intersection of SR 492(Northwest 10th Street) only to move in the opposite direction, leaving the US 301-441 overlap and taking SR 500
Florida State Road 500
State Road 500 is a major state highway running through Florida as a mostly unsigned route under several US Highways. From Chiefland to Williston it is U.S. Highway 27 Alternate. From Williston to Ocala, it is U.S. Highway 27. From Ocala to Kissimmee, it is U.S. Highway 441. From Kissimmee to...
with it. After retaining its status as an independent US highway, US 27 moves from Northwest Tenth Street to Northwest Blitchton Road and has another interchange with Interstate 75
Interstate 75 in Florida
Interstate 75 is a part of the Interstate Highway System and runs from Hialeah, Florida, a few miles northwest of Miami to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan...
, although this one is a mere diamond interchange, as opposed to the elaborate partial cloverleaf with flyovers in Weston. From here it continues northwest through rural Marion County, much of which is surrounded by horse farms. The few truly significant intersection in this region include Marion County Road 464B in Fellowship
Fellowship, Florida
Fellowship is an unincorporated community in Marion County, Florida, United States. It is located near the intersection of US 27 and County Road 464. The community is part of the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and then Marion County Road 326 near Emathla
Emathla, Florida
Emathla is an unincorporated community in northwestern Marion County, Florida, United States. It is located at the intersection of State Road 326 and County Road 225. The community is part of the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
.
The last intersections at the Marion-Levy County border are with Marion CR 316 and Levy-Marion CR 335. Though horse farms are scarce along this segment in Levy County, the surroundings remain rural. Levy CR 316 begins again at an intersection with US 27 in East Williston, and as the road enters the City of Williston, it serves as the western terminus of Levy CR 318, crosses a set of CSX railroad tracks, and loses its status as an independent US route. Florida State Road 500
Florida State Road 500
State Road 500 is a major state highway running through Florida as a mostly unsigned route under several US Highways. From Chiefland to Williston it is U.S. Highway 27 Alternate. From Williston to Ocala, it is U.S. Highway 27. From Ocala to Kissimmee, it is U.S. Highway 441. From Kissimmee to...
continues striaght ahead along ALT US 27, while US 27 turns north and joins US 41(hidden SR 45), as well as Florida State Road 121
Florida State Road 121
State Road 121 is a major state highway that runs north and south in northern Florida. The road is actually part of a long multi-state route that also goes through Georgia and South Carolina. Some see it as a de-facto auxiliary route from U.S. Route 21 in Rock Hill, South Carolina...
, which already ran east for a few blocks along ALT US 27. The conurrency with SR 121 is short-lived though, as it branches away to the northeast. The US 27-41 concurrency is one of the few segments that are only two lanes wide, and it begins to lean to the northwest until briefly shifting straight north before approaching Archer
Archer, Florida
Archer is a city in Alachua County, Florida, United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau estimates of 2006, the city had a population of 1,302.The city is named after James T. Archer.-Geography:Archer is located at...
, where it intersects Alachua CR 346, then a former Florida Railway and Navigation Company right-of-way, and finally Florida State Road 24. After SR 24, US 27-41 curves back northwest but head straight northward through Florida State Road 26 in Newberry
Newberry, Florida
Newberry is a city located on the west side of Alachua County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,316 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 3,630 . Much of the city borders the neighboring Gilchrist County to the west...
and both remain as such until US 41 reaches High Springs
High Springs, Florida
High Springs is a city in Alachua County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,863 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 4,139 .-Geography:High Springs is located at ....
, and joins US 441 towards Lake City
Lake City, Florida
Lake City is the county seat of Columbia County, Florida, in the United States. In 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 12,614. In addition, it is the Principal City of the Lake City Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is composed of Columbia County, and had an...
and points north.
High Springs to Tallahassee
US 27 heads west along the unsigned SR 20Florida State Road 20
State Road 20 is an east–west route across northern Florida and the Florida Panhandle.-Route description:The western terminus of State Road 20 is at State Road 85 in Niceville. The route proceeds east through Blountstown, crossing the Apalachicola River on the Trammell Bridge, then proceeding...
. which is named First Avenue until it crosses the Santa Fe River and enters Columbia County
Columbia County, Florida
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 56,513. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 64,040 . Its county seat is Lake City, Florida....
. From here it continutes to run northwest, but briefly turns straight west after entering Fort White, Florida
Fort White, Florida
Fort White is a town in Columbia County, Florida, United States named after a military fort built in the 1830s. It is the closest town to the Ichetucknee Springs State Park. The Fort White Public School Historic District is located within the town's borders. As of 2010, the population recorded by...
just before intersecting Florida State Road 47. The road shifts to the right again and turns northwest before leaving the city, but gradually turns back west as it gets closer to Suwannee County, Florida
Suwannee County, Florida
Suwannee County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 34,844. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 38,624 . Its county seat is Live Oak, Florida. Suwannee County was a dry county until August, 2011.....
. Before the road crosses the Ichetucknee River
Ichetucknee River
The Ichetucknee River is a spring-fed, pristine river in North Central Florida. The entire of the river average wide, deep and most of the 6 miles lie within the boundaries of the Ichetucknee Springs State Park while the rest is to the south of US Highway 27...
at the Columbia-Suwannee County Line, it intersects with Southwest Riverside Avenue, which serves as the western terminus of the O'Leno to Ichetucknee Trail and the eastern terminus of the Suwanee River Greenway. Both US 27 and the trail run through Hildreth, the home of the Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is a Florida State Park and National Natural Landmark located four miles northwest of Fort White off State Road 47 and State Road 238. It centers around the six mile long Ichetucknee River, which flows through shaded hammocks and wetlands into the Santa Fe River....
, and then encounters the east end of a multiplex with U.S. Route 129
U.S. Route 129
U.S. Route 129 is an offshoot route of U.S. Route 29, which it intersects near Athens, Georgia. US 129 currently runs for 582 miles from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Chiefland, Florida, at U.S. Route 19 and U.S. Route 98. It passes through the states of Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida...
(Florida State Road 49) which is also the southern terminus of Suwanee County Road 49. US 27-129 and the trail enter the hamlet of Wachtokha, but the trail remains straight while the road curves slightly to the northwest. A slight curve to the southwest is where both routes officially enter Branford, Florida
Branford, Florida
Branford is a town in Suwannee County, Florida, United States. The population was 695 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Branford is located at .The town is located on the banks of the Suwannee River. U.S. Route 27 and U.S...
where US 129 turns north onto Hidden SR 249. The Suwanee River Greenway crosses US 27 between the west end of the US 27-129 multiplex and Frank R. Norris Bridge across the Suwannee River
Suwannee River
The Suwannee River is a major river of southern Georgia and northern Florida in the United States. It is a wild blackwater river, about long. The Suwannee River is the site of the prehistoric Suwannee Straits which separated peninsular Florida from the panhandle.-Geography:The river rises in the...
, but it was also once the northern terminus of US ALT 129, which followed US 27 across the river into Lafayette County
Lafayette County, Florida
Lafayette County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 7,022. It is the second least populated county in the state, having one more resident, according to the 2000 census, than Liberty County, Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is...
until it reached Florida State Road 349
Florida State Road 349
State Road 349 is a 2 lane Florida State Road in eastern Dixie and Lafayette counties, near the Suwannee River. It is long. Near Fletcher, it intersects CR 351, a major access road to Cross City and Horseshoe Beach. The northern terminus is with an intersection of SR 20/US 27near Branford...
in Grady.
The road runs through the rural community of Alton, Florida
Alton, Florida
Alton is an unincorporated community in Lafayette County, Florida, United States. Its elevation is 82 feet , and it is located at ....
without being noticed, but slows down as it enters Mayo, Florida
Mayo, Florida
Mayo is a town and the only municipality in Lafayette County, Florida, United States. The population was 988 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,009...
where it intersects Florida State Road 51, the northwest corner of which contains the historic Lafayette County Courthouse
Lafayette County Courthouse (Florida)
The Lafayette County Courthouse, built in 1908, is an historic courthouse building located in Mayo, Florida, It was designed by Atlanta-based architect Edward Columbus Hosford in the Classical Revival style, who designed other courthouses in Florida and other states. It was built of Indiana...
After the intersection of Lafayette Street, the road curves northwest again. Outside the city limits, the road intersects various local roads, the most significant of which is Lafayette County Road 534. The rest of the way, US 27 runs northwest through more of western rural Lafayette County, but it turns straight west again as it approaches Buckville, Florida where it intersects the southern terminus of Lafayette County Road 53 and northern terminus of Lafayette County Road 534, both of which were once part of Florida State Road 53. The last intersection in Lafayette County is with Lafayette County Road 348 in Townsend, Florida before US 27 becomes surrounded by swampland as it enters Taylor County.
Swampland continues to surround US 27 until it comes close to Perry
Perry, Florida
Perry is a city in Taylor County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,017 at the 2010 census. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,017....
, where a small truck weigh station can be found along the westbound shoulder. The road divides momentarily at the intersection of Florida State Road 30, which has controlled turn lanes in the divider, but then turns back into an undivided two lane road as it curves northwest. At Buckeye Nursery Road, US 27 gets the name East Hampton Springs Avenue. East Hampton Springs curves from northwest to southwest once again, and the straight west at Washington Street. The street name changes from East Hampton Springs Avenue to West Hampton Springs Avenue at US 221(hidden SR 55
Florida State Road 55
State Road 55 is mainly the internal or secret designation of U.S. Route 19 through Florida, although it has appeared on maps and atlases in several occasions. State Road 55 originates at the Georgia border north of Ashville, and ends at SR 684 in Bradenton. North of Perry, it's the secret route...
) but also joins U.S. Truck Route 221. Several blocks later the road intersects Byron Butler Parkway which is the northern terminus of the US 19
U.S. Route 19 in Florida
U.S. Route 19 in Florida runs along Florida's west coast from an interchange with U.S. Route 41 in Memphis, Florida, south of Tampa, and continues to the Georgia border north of Monticello, Florida....
-98
U.S. Route 98 in Florida
U.S. Route 98 is an east-west United States highway that runs from western Mississippi to southern Florida. It was established in 1933 as a route between Pensacola, Florida and Apalachicola, Florida, and has since been extended eastward across the Florida Peninsula and westward into Mississippi...
-ALT 27 multiplex. Here, U.S. Alternate Route 27 terminates, U.S. 98 and SR 30 leaves US 19 turning straight ahead west onto West Hampton Springs Avenue, and US 27 joins US 19 becoming a four-lane highway again. US 19-27 also continues to carry US Truck 221 until it reaches Taylor County Road 359A(Wright Road), but also continues to take SR 20 with it heading straight northwest through the rest of Taylor County, and then Madision County, where it intersects Madison County Road 150(also known as Creek 150). US 19 breaks away in Capps
Capps, Florida
Capps is an unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Florida, United States. It is located at the intersection of US 19 and US 27. During the 1940's and 50's, Capps was the headquarters of an agri-business known as Tungston Plantation, owned by Everett P. Larsh, an industrialist from Dayton,...
onto Florida State Road 57 on its way through Monticello
Monticello, Florida
Monticello is a city in Jefferson County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,533 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 2,572. It is the county seat of Jefferson County...
, but not before resuming a westward direction at the Madison-Jefferson County Line. In Tallahassee
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
, the road becomes the 1957-built Apalachee Parkway, a major east–west thoroughfare. The parkway has a short expressway section just east of the capitol, then is a busy four-lane surface boulevard with service roads for the next few miles, passing the Governor's Square Mall
Governor's Square
Governor's Square is a super-regional shopping mall located on Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee, Florida. Its two-level design was a first for northern Florida when it opened in 1979, and it remains the newest of two enclosed malls in the Tallahassee area, the other being Tallahassee Mall. Its...
and many state office buildings. US 27 runs west along this stretch of road however, and the Apalachee Parkway ends at Florida SR 61(Monroe Street) in front of the Florida State Capitol
Florida State Capitol
The Florida State Capitol, in Tallahassee, Florida, USA, is the state capitol of the U.S. state of Florida. The building is an architecturally and historically significant building, having been listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
building. US 27 and SR 20 make a sharp turn north along SR 61, but at the intersection of U.S. Route 90 in Florida, SR 20 turns west while US 27 continues north along SR 61.
North from Tallahassee
After the intersection with US 90, hidden State Road 63 officially begins at the intersection of North Monroe Street and Thomasville Road, where Florida State Road 61 resumes its status as a separate exposed route. After crossing Seventh Avenue, it begins to curve to the northwest avoiding Lake Ella. The first intersection during this curve is Leon County Road 158 (Tharpe Street), and is the beginning of SR 63's alternate street name of Old Quincy Highway.SR 63 approaches its only suffixed auxiliary route in the form of Leon County Road 63A before encountering a partial cloverleaf interchange with Interstate 10
Interstate 10 in Florida
The of Interstate 10 in Florida is the eastern most section of the east–west Interstate 10 in the Southern United States. It is also the eastern end of the Interstate Highway known as the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway, one of three coast to coast interstates, along with I-80...
(Exit 199). North of the interchange, it begins to leave the Tallahassee City Limits. A great deal of this segment of SR 63 consists of RV parks and other facilities serving tourists for the Lake Jackson Mound State Archeological Park It also serves as the northeast terminus of Leon County Road 0356. After crossing a bridge that runs over a small portion of Lake Jackson, the road simultaneously intersects the northern terminus of Florida State Road 263
Florida State Road 263
State Road 263 is a north–south route that forms the western portion of Capital Circle, Tallahassee's "beltway".The route runs from State Road 363 , taking over from the hidden State Road 261 to its east. it then runs west, separating from US 319 at State Road 61/Crawfordville Highway, where...
and southern terminus of Leon County Roads 157 and 0361.
The road runs along the west side of Tallahassee Commercial Airport
Tallahassee Commercial Airport
Tallahassee Commercial Airport is a privately owned airport open to the public located 8 miles northwest of the central business district of Tallahassee, the county seat of Leon County, Florida, United States...
, and makes a reverse curve as it approaches a bridge over the Ochlockonee River
Ochlockonee River
The Ochlockonee River is a fast running river originating in Georgia and flowing for before terminating in Florida.- Background :The Ochlockonee originates south of the town of Sylvester in Worth County in southwest Georgia emptying into Ochlockonee Bay, then into Apalachee Bay, in Florida...
, where it crosses the Leon-Gadsden County Line and continues to move northwest. After crossing another bridge, the first major intersection in the county is the eastern terminus of Gadsden County Road 270. Further north, Gadsden County Road 159 secretly joins US 27/SR 63 in a triple concurrency, and all three routes approach a CSX Railroad line until they curve northeast before entering the Town of Havana
Havana, Florida
Havana is a town in Gadsden County, Florida, United States and suburb of Tallahassee. The population was 1,713 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,703...
. CR 159 branches off on its own to the northwest before US 27/SR 63 curves straight north as it approaches the intersection with Florida State Road 12 and Gadsden CR 12A. SR 12 joins the road in a brief concurrency before branching off to the east as Gadsden CR 12, within the Havana Town Limits. The previously mentioned CSX railroad line runs more or less parallel to the road again. The road and the tracks curve back and forth near each other until the tracks take one final turn to the northwest in Hinson
Hinson, Florida
Hinson is a small unincorporated community in Gadsden County, Florida, United States of America....
, and SR 63 begins to curve back to the northeast before the intersection with Gadsden County Road 159A. Shortly after this SR 63 curves further to the northeast as it approches Gadsden County Road 12B. Finally in Darsey, SR 63 serves as the northern terminus of Gadsden County Road 157 and the southern terminus of an extension of Georgia State Route 111, before curving to the northwest again and finally terminating at the Florida-Georgia State Line, where US 27 continues onto Georgia State Route 1.
History
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
. In 1949, it was extended to its current terminus in Miami.
From 1956 until 1993, US 27 signs in Florida featured white numbering on a green shield. The "color-coding" of U.S. Routes by the Florida Department of Transportation
Florida Department of Transportation
The Florida Department of Transportation is a decentralized agency charged with the establishment, maintenance, and regulation of public transportation in the state of Florida. The department was formed in 1969. It absorbed the powers of the Florida State Road Department...
was stopped when the state could no longer use Federal funds to replace the signs with anything but the standard black-and-white version; a few green US 27 signs remain.
Major intersections
Related routes
At least four other bannered routes of US 27 have existed in Florida, however only one exists today.- U.S. Route 27 Alternate – SebringSebring, FloridaSebring is a city in Highlands County, Florida, United States, nicknamed "The City on the Circle", in reference to Circle Drive, the center of the Sebring Downtown Historic District...
Southgate to Avon ParkAvon Park, FloridaAvon Park is a city in Highlands County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population in 2009 at 8,824. It is the oldest city in Highlands County, and was named after Stratford-upon-Avon, England.-History:...
; former route - U.S. Route 27 Alternate – Sunray Deli Estates (north of Avon ParkAvon Park, FloridaAvon Park is a city in Highlands County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population in 2009 at 8,824. It is the oldest city in Highlands County, and was named after Stratford-upon-Avon, England.-History:...
) to Haines CityHaines City, FloridaHaines City is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 13,174 at the 2000 census. As of 2010, the population estimated by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida is 18,762. Haines City is the third most populous city in Polk County, Florida...
; former route - U.S. Route 27 Alternate – Lady LakeLady Lake, FloridaLady Lake is a town in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 11,828 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 13,244...
to BelleviewBelleview, FloridaBelleview is a city in Marion County, Florida. The population was 3,478 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2009, the city had a population of 4,483. It is part of the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name, Belleview, which means beautiful view, came from one of...
; former route co-signed with Alternate U.S. Route 441. - U.S. Route 27 Alternate – WillistonWilliston, FloridaWilliston is a city in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,297 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 2,467.-Geography:Williston is located at ....
to PerryPerry, FloridaPerry is a city in Taylor County, Florida, United States. The population was 7,017 at the 2010 census. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,017....
External links
- US 27; Florida in Kodachrome (Robert V. Droz)
- US 27 in Florida (SoutheastRoads.com)