U.S. 41 serves South Florida and Southwest Florida as part of the Tamiami Trail, connecting Miami and Tampa. The highway is two lanes upon entering Collier County, but quickly widens to four lanes near its junction with Florida 951 and again to six lanes once in the urbanized areas of Naples. U.S. 41 remains a divided highway throughout Collier County, but it usually a slower route for through traffic. Interstate 75, which lies east of Naples, is the best alternative.
Northbound U.S. 41/Tamiami Trail
North of the intersection with Florida 951 and Collier County Route 951 (Collier Boulevard), U.S. 41 approaches the southern outskirts of Naples. The first traffic signal after Florida 951 is Price Street and Triangle Boulevard. Triangle Boulevard travels east around the back side of the Freedom Square Shopping Square. Triangle Boulevard then reconnects with Collier County Route 951 northeast of the shopping area. Photo taken 12/26/03.
St. Andrews Boulevard winds northeast from U.S. 41 toward Lely, where it joins Collier County Route 864 (Rattlesnake Hammock Road). Photo taken 12/26/03.
The first major intersection along northbound U.S. 41/Florida 90 after passing the Marco Island cutoff at Florida 951/Collier Boulevard is with Collier County Route 864, Rattlesnake Hammock Road. This is one of our favorite road names in Southwest Florida ... it provides us with the colorful imagery of a rattlesnake resting casually in its hammock, enjoying a Gulf breeze and a cocktail. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Collier County Route 864 is a relatively short highway, traveling a few miles east to end at Collier County Route 951 in Lely and traveling west along Thomasson Drive to meet Collier County Route 31 (Bayshore Drive) east of Naples Bay. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Northbound U.S. 41 reaches Collier County Route 864, Rattlesnake Hammock Road east to Lely. Photo taken 12/26/03.
After Collier County Route 846 (Rattlesnake Hammock Road), U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) continues northwest toward downtown Naples. The busy road becomes six lanes wide, and has a series of traffic signals between here and downtown. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Northbound U.S. 41/westbound Florida 90 approaches Lakewood Boulevard (northbound) and Avalon Drive (westbound) southeast of Naples. Photo taken 12/26/03.
A few blocks north, U.S. 41 meets Palm Drive northbound. Photo taken 12/26/03.
The next traffic signal along northbound is Courthouse Shadows, which provides access to the Collier County Courthouse. Situated at the northeast corner of U.S. 41/Tamiami Trail and Collier County Route 31/Airport-Pulling Road, the Collier County Courthouse rises above the trees and is one of the few high rise buildings in the Naples area. Photo taken 12/26/03.
After passing the Courthouse Shadows intersection, U.S. 41 northbound reaches Collier County Route 31, which follows Airport-Pulling Road from the vicinity of the courthouse north to Collier County Route 846/Immokalee Road. The county road passes by the Naples Municipal Airport, which is reached via a left turn on North Road (westbound). Photo taken 12/26/03.
The Collier County Route 31 shield is secondary to the overhead signs for Airport-Pulling Road. The signage would be even more effective if the county shield were also pasted onto the overhead sign. In addition to providing access to the airport, Collier County Route 31 can be a much faster route than U.S. 41 to bypass downtown Naples and reconnect to U.S. 41 via Collier County Route 896 (Pine Ridge Road) westbound. Collier County Route 31 does not connect to the much longer Florida 31 in Lee County east of Fort Myers; however, Collier County Route 31 merges onto U.S. 41 briefly so it can connect to Bayshore Drive southbound. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Bayshore Drive is the continuation of Collier County Route 31 southbound, and the brief silent duplex between U.S. 41 and Collier County Route 31 comes to an end at this traffic signal. Bayshore Drive travels due south past Gulfgate Plaza shopping center, connecting to Thomasson Drive which leads west to the east shore of Naples Bay near Harbor Head and east back to U.S. 41 near Naples South Plaza shopping center. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Pine Street turns south from U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) to the Naples Land Yacht Harbor Club, while Commercial Street is a short connector east to Pelton Street. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Northbound U.S. 41 approaches Florida 84, Davis Boulevard. Once a major east-west highway across the Everglades that connected Southwest Florida with South Florida, Florida 84 is now relegated to having two segments, one in Collier County between U.S. 41 and Interstate 75/Alligator Alley and the other in Broward County, where Florida 84 acts as frontage road to Interstate 75 and Interstate 595 before entering Fort Lauderdale. Prior to the completion of Interstate 75 in 1992, the Alligator Alley was signed as Florida 84. However, signage for Florida 84 was removed after the Alley was brought up to Interstate standards, and the route is entirely signed as Interstate 75 (secret Florida 93). Photo taken 12/26/03.
After the intersection with Florida 84 (Davis Boulevard), U.S. 41 crosses over Naples Bay and the Gordon River near Tin City. The next traffic signal is Collier County Route 851, Goodlette-Frank Road. Since U.S. 41/Florida 90 is traveling nearly due west at this point, Collier County Route 851 travels north and will parallel U.S. 41/Florida 45 north to Collier County Route 846 (Immokalee Road). Note that the larger signs used for Florida 84 and Collier County Route 31 are not found here. Photo taken 12/26/03.
After Collier County Route 851, U.S. 41 and Florida 90 approach downtown Naples. It is here that U.S. 41 will drop the hidden duplex with Florida 90 and will pick up Florida 45 northbound toward Tampa Bay. U.S. 41 will turn right (north) on 9th Street, while the left lane continues straight ahead on 5th Avenue. Use 5th Avenue to reach Naples' famed downtown shopping district. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Westbound Florida 90 reaches its western terminus here at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 9th Street. U.S. 41 north turns right onto northbound Florida 45. For downtown parking, continue straight ahead along 5th Avenue. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Northbound U.S. 41/Florida 45 approaches Collier County Route 886, which follows Golden Gate Parkway east to Collier County Route 951 (Collier Boulevard) in Golden Gate. The highway will soon have a connection to Interstate 75, as a new interchange is being designed and constructed between Collier County Route 886 and Interstate 75. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Passing through North Naples, U.S. 41 serves a variety of multi-family residential complexes, houses, commercial establishments, and shopping facilities. The highway remains four to six lanes throughout, and traffic can be quite busy during commuting hours and during the "snowbird" season. A major intersection along northbound U.S. 41 in North Naples is with Collier County Route 896 (Pine Ridge Road), which travels east to Interstate 75 and Collier County Route 951. To the west, Seagate Road travels toward the Registry Resort and Golf Course on Outer Clam Bayou. Photo taken 12/26/03.
These trailblazer shields for Collier County Route 896 and Interstate 75 are posted along northbound U.S. 41. Collier County Route 896 extends east along Pine Ridge Road, ending at Collier County Route 951 north of Golden Gate. Photos taken 12/99 and 12/26/03.
Northbound U.S. 41 reaches Collier County Route 896 (Pine Ridge Road). Use Collier County Route 896 east to reach Interstate 75 and Collier County Route 951 (north of Golden Gate). Photo taken 12/99.
Use Collier County Route 846/Immokalee Road east to Interstate 75 and Immokalee; Collier County Route 846 west becomes 111th Avenue and then Bluebill Avenue before ending at Delnor Wiggins State Park near Vanderbilt Beach. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Old U.S. 41, which used to follow Collier County Route 887/Lee County Route 887 through Bonita Springs, follows a less direct route than the modern U.S. 41. Signed as a county route, some maps still refer to this road as Old Tamiami Trail. Photo taken 12/26/03.
In Fort Myers, U.S. 41 (Cleveland Avenue) meets Florida 884 and Lee County Route 884 (Colonial Boulevard). Use Florida 884 east to reach Interstate 75 and west to Cape Coral via Mid Point Memorial Bridge. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Here, U.S. 41 departs from Lee County and enters Charlotte County, which was ravaged by Hurricane Charley in Fall 2004. U.S. 41 remains a four-lane, divided highway in Charlotte County as it serves Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Southbound U.S. 41/Tamiami Trail
Prior to crossing the Caloosahatchee River, southbound U.S. 41 traffic is advised of the pending interchange with Florida 80, Florida 82, and Florida 867 on the south bank of the river in downtown Fort Myers. The access to these routes occurs fairly quickly upon reaching the south end of the four-lane Caloosahatchee River Bridge. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Use the right lane to reach the connections to eastbound Florida 80 (Palm Beach Boulevard), eastbound Florida 82 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard/Immokalee Road) and southbound Florida 867 (McGregor Boulevard). Florida 80 is a transpeninsular state road that connects Fort Myers with Palm Beach. Florida 82 connects Fort Myers with Florida 29 in rural Collier County north of Immokalee Road. Florida 867 parallels U.S. 41 along the southeastern bank of Caloosahatchee River, leading southeast toward Iona and Truckland. The state road ends at Lee County Route 869 (not to be confused with Toll Florida 869/Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County), Summerlin Road. Lee County Route 869 continues southwest on McGregor Boulevard to Sanibel Island. Photo taken 12/26/03.
This substandard ramp from southbound U.S. 41 provides connections to Florida 80 and Florida 82 eastbound. This marks the western terminus of both route. The second right exit connects to Florida 867 (McGregor Boulevard). Photo taken 12/26/03.
This view of southbound U.S. 41 after the intersection with Collier County Route 896 (Pine Ridge Road) presents an error: The "Florida 41" shield should be a "U.S. 41" shield. This would be accurate if the Florida shield were for Florida 90 (since this shield is located southeast of downtown Naples, the western terminus of Florida 90 and southern terminus of Florida 45). Photo taken 12/99.
Departing downtown Naples, U.S. 41 approaches Florida 84, which is the primary route to eastbound Interstate 75, the Alligator Alley. Use Interstate 75 east (south) to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, and Miami. Of these cities, Interstate 75 only serves Hialeah directly. To Miami, use Florida 826 and Florida 836; to West Palm Beach, use Florida 869 and Interstate 95; and to Fort Lauderdale, use Interstate 595. Photo taken 12/26/03.
The left two lanes of U.S. 41 turn left (east) onto Florida 84 (Davis Boulevard) east to Interstate 75, while the right three lanes continue south on U.S. 41 to Marco Island, Everglades City, Ochopee, and the northern edge of Everglades National Park. Photo taken 12/26/03.
South of Naples, U.S. 41 approaches an intersection with Florida 951 south and Collier County Route 951 north. Use four-lane Florida 951 south to reach Marco Island and four-lane Collier County Route 951 north to reach Interstate 75 and Florida 84. Collier County Route 951 is partially signed as an alternate to U.S. 41, allowing traffic from northbound U.S. 41 to follow Collier County Route 951 north to Interstate 75. These particular signs found along southbound were placed in 2003 to allow for further clarity of the 41/951 intersection. Photos taken 12/26/04.
Now only four lanes and southeast of Naples and Marco Island, southbound U.S. 41 approaches Collier County Route 92/San Marco Road. Photo taken 12/99.
The next major intersection on southbound U.S. 41 (Florida 90) is Florida 29 and Collier County Route 29. Florida 29 travels north from U.S. 41 to Interstate 75/Alligator Alley and U.S. 27 at Palmdale. Collier County Route 29 heads south from here, serving Everglades City and Chokoloskee. Photo taken 12/26/03.
These trailblazer shields for Florida 29, Interstate 75, and Collier County Route 29 are posted along southbound U.S. 41 at the intersection with Florida 29. Photo taken 12/26/03.
At a rest area in the southeastern quadrant of the U.S. 41/Florida 29 intersection is this historical plaque describing the history of the construction of the Tamiami Trail, which was especially treacherous through the Everglades. The highway, which is today's U.S. 41, was opened to traffic in 1928 through this swamp. Photo taken 12/26/03.
Collier County Route 841 departs north from U.S. 41 near Ochopee via Corts 841, and it ends at Collier County Route 837 (Beroon Road). Collier County Route 837 travels east to Collier County Route 839, which serves access points in Big Cypress National Preserve. Photo taken 12/28/03.
U.S. 41 southbound (eastbound) enters Big Cypress National Preserve after passing the Florida 29 intersection. Photo taken 12/28/03.
The smallest post office in the country is located in Ochopee, which is situated along U.S. 41 on a small turn off on the south side of the highway just after the Collier County Route 837 intersection. Photo taken 12/28/03.
Several campgrounds are located within Big Cypress National Preserve, including Burns Lake Campground. Photo taken 12/28/03.
Southeastbound U.S. 41/Florida 90 approaches unsigned Collier County Route 94, which offers an unpaved, scenic route into Big Cypress National Preserve. This road passes through Monroe County before rejoining U.S. 41 in Miami-Dade County near Miccosukee Indian Village. Photo taken 12/28/03.
The official National Park Service font is used for the signage to point the way to the Visitors Center in Big Cypress National Preserve. The center is on the left (north) side of U.S. 41. Photo taken 12/28/03.
Diversion dams such as this one help regulate water flow in the Everglades, especially along the canal that parallels U.S. 41 from Miccosukee Indian Village east to Sweetwater. Photo taken 12/28/03.
The aforementioned canal is visible along U.S. 41 eastbound as it passes through the Everglades west of Sweetwater in Miami-Dade County. Photos taken 12/28/03.
The two-lane monotony of the Everglades comes to a sudden end at U.S. 41 eastbound approaches a large casino on the north side of the road and the intersection with Florida 997, Krome Avenue (SW 177th Avenue). Photo taken 12/28/03.
Formerly known as Florida 27, this state road was renumbered in the late 1980s to eliminate confusion with nearby U.S. 27. Florida 997 extends north from here to U.S. 27 and south from here to Homestead via some primarily agricultural areas where sugar cane and other crops are grown. Photo taken 12/28/03.
Eastbound U.S. 41/Florida 90 reaches Florida 997, Krome Avenue. Photo taken 12/28/03.
After the intersection with child U.S. 441/Florida 7, U.S. 41 continues east along Calle Ocho through Little Havana. The Interstate 95 viaduct is visible along with the downtown Miami financial district to the east. Photo taken 12/28/03.
A right turn here provides a connection to southbound Interstate 95, which only exists for only about a mile south of here before being subsumed by U.S. 1/Dixie Highway. U.S. 41 continues straight ahead to downtown and U.S. 1 north to Miami Beach. Photos taken 12/28/03.
From U.S. 41, this ramp makes the connection onto Interstate 95 south to U.S. 1 and to Key Biscayne via Florida 913, the Rickenbacker Causeway. Photo taken 12/28/03.
Miami Avenue is a major north-south city arterial. East of Miami Avenue, all avenues and streets are signed NE or SE. West of Miami Avenue, all avenues and streets are signed NW or SW. Photo taken 12/28/03.
Eastbound (Southbound) U.S. 41 approaches its southern terminus at U.S. 1 in downtown Miami. Photo taken 12/28/03.
End shields for U.S. 41 are posted on both sides of the highway. Tamiami Trail, which generally follows U.S. 41 from Tampa to Miami, comes to its southern conclusion here at U.S. 1. Photo taken 12/28/03.
U.S. 41 reaches the end of its southerly journey in the shadows of the tall buildings of Miami's financial district. Previously, U.S. 41 continued east by turning north on U.S. 1, then crossed Biscayne Bay via MacArthur Causeway. In 1999, U.S. 41 was truncated to this point. However, it is still a fitting conclusion to a major transcontinental U.S. route, since it originates at the shore of Lake Superior and ends here near Biscayne Bay. Photo taken 12/28/03.
Business U.S. 41/Florida 739 - Fort Myers
In Fort Myers, the original alignment of U.S. 41 is a business route, secretly Florida 739. South of the Caloosahatchee River, Business U.S. 41 passes through Fort Myers on Park Avenue (northbound) and Fowler Street (southbound). Photo taken 12/03/03.
After the Florida 80 intersection in Fort Myers, Business U.S. 41/Florida 739 cross the Caloosahatchee River via two separate bridges, one for northbound and the other for southbound. The two spans converge on the north bank of the river. Here, northbound Business U.S. 41 approaches Edison Bridge from Park Avenue. Photo taken 12/03/03.
After crossing the river, the business route passes by Florida 78 (Pine Island Road west and Bayshore Road east) and North Fort Myers Park and Library, then follows the Tamiami Trail north toward a merge with parent U.S. 41 (Cleveland Avenue). Photo taken 12/03/03.
Northbound Business U.S. 41 and Florida 739 (Tamiami Trail) rejoins U.S. 41 (Florida 45/Cleveland Avenue) in North Fort Myers to re-form U.S. 41/Florida 45/Tamiami Trail northbound. Photo taken 12/03/03.
Meanwhile, here southbound Business U.S. 41 and Florida 739 (Tamiami Trail) approach Florida 78 (Pine Island Road west and Bayshore Road east). Use Florida 78 west to Cape Coral and east to Florida 31. Photo taken 12/03/03.
Meanwhile, here southbound Business U.S. 41 and Florida 739 (Tamiami Trail) reach the traffic signal for Florida 78 (Pine Island Road west and Bayshore Road east). Use Florida 78 west to Cape Coral and Pine Island. To reach Interstate 75, use Florida 78 east; the state road continues east to Florida 31, where it reverts to Lee County Route 78. Photo taken 12/03/03.
Business U.S. 41/Florida 685 - Tampa
In Tampa, former U.S. 541 was decommissioned in 1951 in favor of Business U.S. 41. This business route follows 22nd Street (Florida 45) north into Tampa near Ybor City, then turns west via Florida 60 (Adamo Drive and Kennedy Boulevard) and then north along Florida Avenue (Florida 685), returning to U.S. 41 (and U.S. 92) at Hillsborough Boulevard north of downtown Tampa. Here, Business U.S. 41 approaches Twiggs Street in downtown Tampa just north of Florida 60/Kennedy Boulevard. Photo taken 12/03/03.
Business U.S. 41 and Florida 60 are cosigned in Tampa, as the two routes wind around the area near Ybor City and Florida 618/Leroy Selmon Crosstown Expressway. Photo taken 12/27/00.
In this picture, southbound Business U.S. 41 and eastbound Florida 60 approach their junction with Toll Florida 618/Crosstown Expressway to Interstate 4. Note the reverse color of the Business U.S. 41 shield. Photo taken 12/27/00.
Southbound Business U.S. 41 and eastbound Florida 60 (Adamo Drive) sit in the shadow of the elevated Florida 618/Crosstown Expressway viaduct. The land beneath the viaduct is generally undeveloped, as seen here. However, with plans to increase the capacity of the toll road, it is possible that further development will come. Photo taken 12/27/00.
These shields near the intersection of Florida 60 (Adamo Drive) and Business U.S. 41 (Florida 45/22nd Street) indicate that southbound Business U.S. 41 has a connection to Toll Florida 618/Leroy Selmon Crosstown Expressway. Photo taken 12/27/00.
This picture shows southbound Business U.S. 41 at Junction Florida 618, the Leroy Selmon Crosstown Expressway. The toll road partially parallels Business U.S. 41 while it is merged with Florida 60 along Adamo Drive and Kennedy Boulevard. As a result, the business route and toll road have several access points, including this one along southbound 22nd Street at Florida 618. Photo taken 12/27/00.
U.S. 41 Side Trip: Fakahatchee Strand
U.S. 41 between Marco Island and Miami passes through some of the most pristine wilderness through the Big Cypress National Preserve, Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, and Everglades National Park. This series of photos profiles the Fakahatchee Strand as seen from the U.S. 41 parking area. Photo taken 12/31/04.
Fakahatchee State Preserve has no entry fees, and it features a wooden boardwalk hike into the swamp. Winner of a gold medal award, the state preserve is a favorite stopping point for travelers crossing U.S. 41 en route to the Big Cypress and Everglades parks. Photo taken 12/31/04.
Wildlife is quite common through the Fakahatchee Strand, including a multitude of birds, plants, and animals. The endangered Florida panther and the ever-present alligator may also be found throughout the swamp, including within the preserve. This sign warns hikers to be wary of alligators, as they can be dangerous and unpredictable. Photo taken 12/31/04.
Sure enough, a very large, live alligator was lounging on the bank of the swamp just beyond the alligator warning sign. Photo taken 12/31/04.
A wooden boardwalk enters the swamp from the entry point, allowing walkers to stay above the water line. Photo taken 12/31/04.
These swampy scenes show the Fakahatchee Strand, where a variety of plant and animal life abounds. Smaller alligators lounge on some of the larger pieces of wood and logs resting on top of the water. Photos taken 12/31/03.
U.S. 41 Side Trip: Abandoned Tamiami Trail
Between Collier-Seminole State Park and Fakahatchee Strand, sections of old U.S. 41/Tamiami Trail (former U.S. 94) may be found. This particular stretch includes one old bridge and an extant two-lane segment that can be used for viewing wildlife from the banks of the swamp, including alligators. Note the year in which the bridge was constructed: 1952. Photo taken 12/31/03.
U.S. 41 Side Trip: Big Cypress Visitors Center
Between Florida 29 and just east of the Collier-Miami-Dade County Line, U.S. 41 travels through the Big Cypress National Preserve. Between Naples and Florida 29, U.S. 41 travels northwest to southeast. After Florida 29, U.S. 41 is mostly east-west, and signs show U.S. 41 as east-west through Miami-Dade County. A visitors center for the preserve is located on the north side of U.S. 41 near Ochopee (home to the nation's smallest post office). At this center, alligators wait in the lake adjacent to the visitor parking lot. Photo taken 12/28/03.
