Basically avoid US98 between Pensacola and Panama City unless you're specifically going to the coast roads or Okaloosa Island. In the hundred miles between those two, probably 65 or 70 miles are 45 zones or less, with lights, strip malls, Walmarts, you name it. "Congested" doesn't even start to describe it. For example, US98 in Destin today:
There're good roads inland, and this is the Florida equivalent of "hill country," so we even (almost) have some twisties!
Only having had the bike for a few months, I'm still exploring, but south of I-10/US90 and north of SR20, one finds some interesting well-maintained county-level roads. Six or seven mile bursts between stop signs, where you then have to dog-leg up a mile or three to the next fun road.
If it's progress you're after (like for your IBA out-leg), slab it across west FL. Basically I-10 to I-75, all the way to Tampa. Shortcuts are not worthwhile. If you're not on the slab here, you're among the elderly incapacitated or the blind drunk youth. (There are no rednecks like inland Florida rednecks!!) If you've got all week and want to see the coast, stay on SR30A west of Panama City, East of Destin. Also cross over to the island at Navarre (if westbound, west of Ft. Walton Beach) and take the island road to Pensacola. (Now that I say that, the road was destroyed by hurricane Ivan - I'd better check that it's re-opened!)
West of Pensacola, go through Perdido Key to the Alabama coast for some more great scenery, although not much in the way of "riding roads". Problem there is you have about a 20-mile cut inland to get back to I-10 or US90 to cross Mobile Bay, or you can take the ferry that runs between Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island. Only runs every 90 minutes, though. I've never been through there, but I've been to Orange Beach and then inland from there.
East of Panama City US98 hugs the coast for quite a while, through Port St. Joe, Apalachicola, East Point, and Carabelle. I made a
ride report back in October about that area, check it out and see if there's anything you'd be interested in. Spring will be in full swing by March, so if you even think you might have a chance of possibly having allergies, or if you've ever been related to anyone who had the slightest hayfever, be prepared potions-wise. All this green stuff makes lotsa pollen!
Somewhere you should make a point to see the coast along here. The beaches east of Mobile Bay and west of Cape San Blas are pure white quartz sand, finer than sugar, so fine it squeaks underfoot when you walk on it. It's like nothing anywhere else in the world.
As for construction, they've just about finished the new I-10 bridge east of Pensacola (to replace the one Ivan sank) and it's had 4 lanes open for quite a while now. I-10 through P'cola is being expanded, especially at the I-10/I-110 interchange, and they have a
web site with details. Except for rush hour, I10 moves freely through Pensacola.
I10 is being widened to 6 lanes through Tallahassee. No lane closures, but 60mph limit (down from 70) and lots of lane shifts, and occasionally some rough shaved pavement or uneven lane surfaces (always fun on 2 wheels.) Clicky
here for that site. Tallahassee usually flows well along I10, but evening rush can be crowded.
If you have time, the museum at Pensacola NAS is the best air museum this side of the Smithsonian. You'll need at least a half day to do it right. There's a smaller one, but still worthwhile, at Eglin AFB along SR85 west of the base. They have a B-49, B-52, B-17, B-25, an SR-71, and a Jolly Green Giant C130. God, those 40mm's sticking out the side! Also several fighter craft up to an F-16. A couple hours covers this one.
I doubt I'd be able to get that far south with you, but I could certainly meet up somewhere and go a bit. It might be better to rendevous somewhere on your return leg and I could go west a ways, maybe lead through what counts as fun roads hereabouts.
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