A rural route straddling the northern tier of Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties in Northwest Florida. The highway begins at U.S. 29 in Century and sinks southeastwards through Blackwater River State Forest. Florida 4 west of U.S. 29 has been downgraded to Escambia County 4.
Mileage: 43.75 (Source:
Original Florida Route Log compiled by Justin Cozart)
Western Terminus - U.S. 29 - Century
Typical commercial development fronts U.S. 29 though the
Century vicinity. This includes gas stations and strip mall type structures. As is typical for northwest
Florida state ends, no end shield is posted for Florida 4. The railroad crossing in the foreground
parallels U.S. 29 and eventually Escambia County 95A/Old Palafox Highway southward into Pensacola.
Photo taken 08/24/02.
Eastern Terminus - U.S. 90 - near Crestview
Florida 4 junction shield on U.S. 90 eastbound for the highway's eastern terminus. Florida 4 ventures 37 miles northwest from Milligan through Blackwater River State Forest to Baker, Munson, and Jay. Photo taken 05/31/04.
U.S. 90 eastbound at the end of Florida 4 in Milligan. The state maintained portion of Highway 4 stretches from Century (junction U.S. 29) in northern Escambia County 44 miles to Okaloosa County. There are several other segments that were apart of Florida 4 that remain as County Highway 4 in Northwest Florida. Photo taken 05/31/04.
Florida 4 Guide
A new viaduct was constructed for Florida 4 over the Escambia River and associated wetlands. This new sweeping roadway includes wide travel lanes and shoulders, and replaced a vastly substandard span to the south. A date stamp at the foot of the bridge reads 1996, with a small abandoned stretch of the original roadway nearby.
Florida 4 East
A close look at the first eastbound shield. Florida 4 has received new pavement as of Summer 2002 between Century/U.S. 29 and the Escambia River viaducts. The mileage sign in the background indicates that it is eight miles to the village of Jay. Photo taken 08/24/02.
A short distance from the beginning of Florida 4, is this Lawton Chiles Trail sign. This routing was dedicated to the memory of the former Florida Governor. The route begins at U.S. 29/Florida 4, and travels eastward throughout the Panhandle. Another trailblazer is posted in the westbound direction near this vicinity as well. As the signage displays, this route was only designated in 1999, and is sporadically signed as such. The route eventually ends in south Florida. Photo taken 08/24/02.
Florida 4 West
Florida 4 eastbound in the town center of Jay. The town is somewhat small, but does feature on-street parking and a small variety of commercial establishments. The next intersection represents Florida 89's entry into Florida 4. The two highways overlap a short distance to the east, while Santa Rosa County 197 emerges to the north. This unusual method of signing the Florida 4 & 89 overlap is in place for both directions with the town of Jay. The two highways only share a few blocks, but the signage leads one to believe that Florida 89 exists in two segments. Traffic turning to the left will reach the state line of Alabama in approximately three miles. Florida 89 terminates at the line, transitioning to Escambia County 55 en route to Alabama 41 and Brewton. Photo taken 08/24/02.
Typical commercial development fronts U.S. 29 though the Century vicinity. This includes gas stations and strip mall type structures. As is typical for northwest Florida state ends, no end shield is posted for Florida 4. The railroad crossing in the foreground parallels U.S. 29 and eventually Escambia County 95A/Old Palafox Highway southward into Pensacola. Photo taken 08/24/02.
