Planning to go on a road trip from central NJ to Key West, FL
I know the roads suck in NJ but I'm not too sure about further down like N, S Carolina and Georgia.

The car is a 06 IS250AWD and I'm almost 60k miles (59900-ish)
I don't know whether I should do oil change and spark plugs right now or after this trip

The only thing that makes me hesitate is just the road conditions
I don't want to bend my wheels or crack it, but I want it to be there (Not with the stockies on )


Would anyone who had done this or lived in these areas provide information about what roads I should avoid or whether the state is full of potholes?

My trip would be Virginia Beach --> Richmond, VA --> Charlston, SC --> Savannah, GA --> Orlando, FL --> Miami, FL --> Key West, FL
and then the return trip would mostly be the same....

I hope if I really drive down I can meet some local Clublexus members...

 

Hey!

I've driven my Lexus down to VA before and another car to key west.

98% of the road going south would be many, many times better than NJ. There's always some rough patches like construction area around delware bridge, DC area. Some roads are pretty bad in FL but I am sure someone can fill you in on that. Though from my memory even the worst hwy in FL is nothing compared to 78 around newark or the belt parkway in brooklyn

 

I can only comment on south FL, but our roads are much better than places like NY for example. Fair warning tho, some roads in the keys SUCK. Well there was quite a bit of construction when I went earlier in the year so I'm not sure if it will be the same.

Oh and if you end up taking 595, be careful. That highway has been under construction for the past 3 years and are pretty bad. Luckily I only drive on it for about 5 miles to get to work but I scrape every time

 

Yeah, once you leave the NORTH, you're chances of hitting a pothole will actually decrease.

 

are you planning to use I95? if so I can comment on the section from theVA/NC line down to the south end of SC.... not to bad, better than what I have seen in NJ during work trips.

 

Trip should be predominately I-95 and the trip shouldn't be hateful. If you are due for any tune ups or maintenance, do them prior to departing. The trip itself will not warrant any unnecessary part replacement or repair. If you are up to date, Have a good safe trip and a good time. I've traveled I-95 numerous times. Only word of caution would be to watch out for the drivers with the Northern plates, but being that's where you are from you already know that! Be safe and have fun!