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State Road 44 (Florida)
Encyclopedia
State Road 44 is an east–west state highway
in the U.S. state
of Florida
. It runs from Crystal River
on the Gulf of Mexico
east to New Smyrna Beach
on the Atlantic Ocean
, passing through Inverness
, Wildwood
, Leesburg
and DeLand
.
A section in Lake County
, between eastern Leesburg and a point north of Mount Dora
, is concurrent with U.S. Highway 441 (SR 500
). This concurrency is not signed; signs on US 441 mark it as TO SR 44. The former alignment of SR 44 in that area is now mostly County Road 44, which runs north of Lake Eustis
, on the other side as US 441 and current SR 44.
A former western extension of SR 44 from Crystal River to the Gulf of Mexico is now Citrus County Road 44. In some locations, it is signed as County Road 44W.
After crossing Lecanto Highway (Citrus County Road 491), the divider becomes more prominent, The road runs up and down various hills as it runs along the northern border of Withlacoochee State Forest
, and though it never stays straight, it still runs mostly east. Near a pair of shopping centers, the divider ends east of Crofft Avenue, and the road resumes its status as an undivided four-lane highway with center-left turn lanes. Entering the Inverness City Limits, the road straightens out again at the intersection of South Pleasant Grove Road(Citrus County Road 581) and Forest Drive, where it becomes Main Street. CCR 581 secretly joins SR 44 as a hidden route. One block before CR 581 leaves SR 44 to become its own route again, southbound US 41 joins SR 44. The two routes continue to move directly east until the intersection of Seminole Avenue, where it curves around the Old Citrus County Courthouse
, and then moves to the southeast before breaking off at East Highland Boulevard, where US 41 continues towards Floral City, Brooksville, Tampa, and points south, while SR 44 moves onto Gulf-Atlantic Highway and becomes a divided highway once again.
with bike ramps on both sides, and then along the southern shore of Henderson Lake. The rest of the road is surrounded by farms, parkland, and boat launching areas, especially as it gets ready to cross the Withlacoochee River at the Citrus-Sumter County Line, where it enters Rutland
. The rural landscape continues even at the northwest end of Sumter County Road 470, which leads to Lake Panasoffkee, Sumterville, and Okahumpka in Lake County.
As the road enters Wildwood, Florida
it is lined with truck stops, travel plazas, hotels, and other tourist attractions surrounding the interchange with Interstate 75
as well as Florida's Turnpike
. The Florida Department of Transportation
and Florida's Turnpike Enterprise
are planning to combine the ramps from the turnpike into those of I-75. The road curves to the southeast again, as it approaches the western terminus of Sumter County Road 44A. After straightening out again, it approaches the CSX Wildwood Subdivision, where a new four lane bridge was completed in 2010 spanning the railroad tracks just before the road intersects with US 301
. East of US 301, the road takes another slight southeastern curve and later meets the eastern terminus of County Road 44A and then Sumter CR 468 in Orange Home, just before crossing the Lake County Line. A former railroad line running from Wildwood to Leesburg that ran along the south side of CR 44A runs along the north side of the road, when CR 44A ends
Before reaching Downtown Leesburg, SR 44 makes a sharp right turn onto a truck bypass at the intersection of Main Street and Lake County Road 468. The name of this section is South Street and it runs north and south, until it takes a sharp curve at Casteen Road, which it replaces. South Street continues to run in its easterly direction and approaches Venture Avenue, which was built on a former southwest-to-northeast railroad right-of-way, and Carpenter Avenue which runs along the east side of this former ROW. SR 44 approaches the intersection of US 27
, and turns into West Dixie Avenue, where it runs northeast momentarily, and then turns east again. At the intersection of South Palmetto Street and west end of Dozier Circle, West Dixie Avenue turns into East Dixie Avenue. The road curves to the northeast again at Lake Port Boulevard and crosses the same abandoned railroad line that originated in Wildwood. Right after the intersection of East Main Street, SR 44 joins Southbound US 441
, but both continue to run east.
The southbound wye at Florida State Road 19
in Tavares, is also Lake County Road Old 441, and northbound SR 19 joins US 441 and SR 41 through the rest of Tavares into Eustis until it encounters an interchange with Florida State Road 19
and part of Lake CR 19.
North of Mount Dora, SR 44 leaves US 441, which curves south towards Orlando and Miami. SR 44 turns north then narrows from four lanes to two lanes before it curves between Lake Joanna and Loch Leven before passing by the Mid Florida Air Service Airport in Eustis. From there the road turns right onto East Orange Avenue, which continues Route 44's status as a two lane rural scenic highway.
. In Crow's Bluff, SR 44 serves as the eastern terminus of County Road (former State Road) 42 and immediately crosses a drawbridge over the St. Johns River
, where it enters Volusia County and curves back east. West of DeLand, SR 44 is named West New York Avenue and runs along a bridge over an Amtrak line north of DeLand (Amtrak station)
, but then crosses a grade crossing for a railroad spur leading from the station into Downtown DeLand.
Motorists know they're getting close to Downtown DeLand itself when they intersect Florida State Road 15A, but SR 44 doesn't actually enter downtown until it approaches U.S. Route 17/92. Here, West New York Avenue becomes East New York Avenue. The road begins to move southeast from Talmadge Gardens Road to East Voorhis Avenue then takes a south turn along the west coast of Lake Winnemisett and becomes a four-lane divided highway again at the south end of Lake Winnemisett. It then bypasses a former section of SR 44 just before it approaches Interstate 4
, which contains partial cloverleaf ramps on the southwest and northeast corners of the bridge.
can be found on the northwest corner. O'Reilly Road, a gateway to a housing development is slated to become Volusia County Road 4009. A partial cloverleaf exists for Interstate 95
, with separate westbound and eastbound off-ramps for southbond traffic. Northbound traffic uses a half-diamond interchange.
When the road finally arrives within the New Smyrna Beach city limits, Florida State Road 44 Business branches off to the northwest as Canal Street, while SR 44 itself becomes Lytle Avenue. The final segment of SR 44 runs on top of a bridge that goes over the Florida East Coast Railroad Main Line and U.S. Route 1 in Florida
where the road suddenly becomes a segment of Florida State Road A1A
. Access to and from US 1 is only available from SR A1A, unless motorists from SR 44 use side streets within New Smyrna Beach.
on Main Street, merging with US 441 east of downtown. It then split to the north on current County Road 44, passing north of Lake Eustis. North of Eustis
, it turned southeast on present County Road 452, merging with State Road 19
into downtown Eustis, where it turned east on Orange Avenue to rejoin current SR 44 east of Eustis.
The current alignment around the south side of Leesburg was taken over ca. 1986. It had previously been State Road 486 from the west end to U.S. Highway 27 (SR 25
) and State Road 33
from roughly Canal Street east to Main Street, but was given to the county by the early 1980s.
At some point, SR 44 from US 441 east of Leesburg to State Road 19 north of Eustis was given to the county and numbered County Road 44; the route via US 441 and SR 19 south of Lake Eustis became SR 44. CR 44 has since been realigned to bypass Eustis to the north.
SR 44 was realigned around downtown Eustis in 2005, taking over what had been County Road 44B between US 441 and SR 44 east of Eustis. The Florida Department of Transportation
gave SR 44 west of CR 44B to Lake County. CR 44B had been marked from US 441 as a bypass to SR 44 east and from SR 44 as a bypass to US 441 south, as part of a longer bypass of Eustis also including County Road 44 north and west to SR 19.
. The latest GIS
data has it listed as SR 44 even though there are two signs which have "business" tabs on them. Business 44 was the old alignment of SR 44 through downtown New Smyrna Beach.
in Lake County
in the U.S. state
of Florida
. It runs from U.S. Route 441 near Leesburg
in the west to State Road 44 near Mount Dora
in the east.
The western terminus County Road 44 is at an intersection with the concurrency
of U.S. Route 441, State Road 44, and State Road 500
at the eastern edge of Leesburg
, near Leesburg Regional Airport. From there, it heads northeast past Silver Lake
, then east past Lake Eustis
, before arriving in the town of Eustis
.
In Eustis, CR 44 intersects State Road 19. There, CR 44 splits into two branches. The northern branch heads east from the intersection to its terminus at County Road 44A. The southern branch continues south from the intersection, concurrent with SR 19, before turning east on East Orange Avenue. It then passes by Lake Joanna
before terminating at State Road 44 between the towns of Eustis and Mount Dora
.
County Road 44 Leg A is a short spur near CR 44's western terminus in Leesburg. It serves as an alternate route for northbound US 441 traffic to reach eastbound CR 44.
in the U.S. state
of Florida
. Its western terminus is at State Road 19 in Umatilla
, and its eastern terminus is at State Road 44 about 10 miles (16.1 km) east of Mount Dora
.
The western terminus of County Road 44A is at an intersection with State Road 19 in the town of Umatilla
. CR 44A heads out of Umatilla eastward on Rose Street before turning south. Then in Dalhousie Acres (near Lake Dalhousie), it intersects County Road 450A before continuing south towards Eustis
.
On the eastern edge of Eustis, CR 44A intersects one of the eastern termini of County Road 44 before turning east once again on Deland Road. It then continues east on Deland Road for approximately 9.4 miles (15.1 km), passing by Black Bear Golf Club, before reaching its eastern terminus at State Road 44.
and US 98(SR 55
). As with the majority of these type of 'coastal spur' routes, in West Central Florida, it is county maintained.
, and instantly intersects with Sumter CR 225, which runs north and south, while CR 44A runs directly east and west until it curves slightly to the right and becomes Kilgore Street. The road then moves south onto Central Avenue running parallel to the CSX line until reaching Lynum Street, and crosses the tracks until Lynum Street terminates at US 301. County Road 44A then not only crosses US 301 to enter Huey Street, but the wye for the former Leesburg and Tavares railroad line. One block away, CR 44A breaks away from Huey Street and curves south before running along the north side of the right-of-way of the previously mentioned abandoned railroad line. The line contained a series of abandoned freight cars until the first decade of the 21st Century, and the road and railroad line followed each other until CR 44A terminates at a recreational vehicle park in Orange Home.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Florida
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...
. It runs from Crystal River
Crystal River, Florida
Crystal River is a city in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,485 at the 2000 census. . According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 3,539. The city was incorporated in 1903 and is the self professed "Home of the Manatee"....
on the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
east to New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
New Smyrna Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,048 according to the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 23,161.-History:...
on the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
, passing through Inverness
Inverness, Florida
Inverness is a city in Citrus County, Florida, United States. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,210. It is the county seat of Citrus County.-Geography:...
, Wildwood
Wildwood, Florida
Wildwood is a city in Sumter County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,924 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 3,598.-Geography:Wildwood is located at ....
, 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....
and DeLand
DeLand, Florida
DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, Florida. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population to be 24,375. It is part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 436,575 in 2006...
.
A section in Lake County
Lake County, Florida
Lake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares...
, between eastern Leesburg and a point north of Mount Dora
Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora is a U.S. city in Lake County, Florida. As of July 1, 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the Mount Dora population at 11,564. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, is concurrent with U.S. Highway 441 (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...
). This concurrency is not signed; signs on US 441 mark it as TO SR 44. The former alignment of SR 44 in that area is now mostly County Road 44, which runs north of Lake Eustis
Lake Eustis
Lake Eustis is located in Central Florida, west of the city of Eustis. It covers approximately 7,000 acres . It is spring feed and is a member of the Harris Chain of Lakes, and is connected to Lake Harris by means of the Dead River. It is also connected to the St. Johns River via Haines Creek to...
, on the other side as US 441 and current SR 44.
A former western extension of SR 44 from Crystal River to the Gulf of Mexico is now Citrus County Road 44. In some locations, it is signed as County Road 44W.
Crystal River to Inverness
State Road 44 begins as Gulf-to-Lakes Highway at the intersection of US 19-98 and 4th Street in Crystal River, a four-lane divided highway. The divider only exists at the intersection, however. The rest of the road is undivided throughout much of Western Citrus County. SR 44 runs directly east, until it leaves the city limits, then makes a sharper southeastern turn prior to the intersection of North Dunkenfield Avenue and West Norvelle Bryant Highway (Citrus County Road 486). It briefly turns east again as it reaches the intersection of Canyon Rock Road, but curves back to the southeast roughly a mile later. The proposed interchange with the Suncoast Parkway Extension will be built just northwest of where the divider begins again near the intersection of Citrus County Road 490 in Lecanto, after which the road turns east again.After crossing Lecanto Highway (Citrus County Road 491), the divider becomes more prominent, The road runs up and down various hills as it runs along the northern border of Withlacoochee State Forest
Withlacoochee State Forest
The Withlacoochee State Forest is in the western central part in the U.S. state of Florida, near Lecanto, Inverness, Floral City, Brooksville, Ridge Manor, and Dade City.-References and external links:* -See also:* Withlacoochee River...
, and though it never stays straight, it still runs mostly east. Near a pair of shopping centers, the divider ends east of Crofft Avenue, and the road resumes its status as an undivided four-lane highway with center-left turn lanes. Entering the Inverness City Limits, the road straightens out again at the intersection of South Pleasant Grove Road(Citrus County Road 581) and Forest Drive, where it becomes Main Street. CCR 581 secretly joins SR 44 as a hidden route. One block before CR 581 leaves SR 44 to become its own route again, southbound US 41 joins SR 44. The two routes continue to move directly east until the intersection of Seminole Avenue, where it curves around the Old Citrus County Courthouse
Old Citrus County Courthouse
The Old Citrus County Courthouse is a historic site in Inverness, Florida located at 1 Courthouse Square. On April 17, 1992 it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The building was designed by Willis R. Biggers....
, and then moves to the southeast before breaking off at East Highland Boulevard, where US 41 continues towards Floral City, Brooksville, Tampa, and points south, while SR 44 moves onto Gulf-Atlantic Highway and becomes a divided highway once again.
Inverness to Leesburg
East of US 41, SR 44 runs over the Withlacoochee State TrailWithlacoochee State Trail
Withlacoochee State Trail is a long paved, multi-use, non-motorized rail trail in Florida located in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties.-The route:The southern terminus is at U.S. 98/301 south of Trilby, then runs north where it crosses over U.S...
with bike ramps on both sides, and then along the southern shore of Henderson Lake. The rest of the road is surrounded by farms, parkland, and boat launching areas, especially as it gets ready to cross the Withlacoochee River at the Citrus-Sumter County Line, where it enters Rutland
Rutland, Florida
Rutland, Florida is an unincorporated community in Sumter County, Florida. The ZIP Code is 33538, which it shares with Lake Panasoffkee over nine miles to the southeast.-Geography:...
. The rural landscape continues even at the northwest end of Sumter County Road 470, which leads to Lake Panasoffkee, Sumterville, and Okahumpka in Lake County.
As the road enters Wildwood, Florida
Wildwood, Florida
Wildwood is a city in Sumter County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,924 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 3,598.-Geography:Wildwood is located at ....
it is lined with truck stops, travel plazas, hotels, and other tourist attractions surrounding the 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...
as well as 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 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...
and Florida's Turnpike Enterprise
Florida's Turnpike Enterprise
Florida's Turnpike Enterprise is a business unit of the Florida Department of Transportation , employing private sector business practices to operate its 460-mile system of limited-access toll highways for the benefit of Florida's traveling public...
are planning to combine the ramps from the turnpike into those of I-75. The road curves to the southeast again, as it approaches the western terminus of Sumter County Road 44A. After straightening out again, it approaches the CSX Wildwood Subdivision, where a new four lane bridge was completed in 2010 spanning the railroad tracks just before the road intersects 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...
. East of US 301, the road takes another slight southeastern curve and later meets the eastern terminus of County Road 44A and then Sumter CR 468 in Orange Home, just before crossing the Lake County Line. A former railroad line running from Wildwood to Leesburg that ran along the south side of CR 44A runs along the north side of the road, when CR 44A ends
Before reaching Downtown Leesburg, SR 44 makes a sharp right turn onto a truck bypass at the intersection of Main Street and Lake County Road 468. The name of this section is South Street and it runs north and south, until it takes a sharp curve at Casteen Road, which it replaces. South Street continues to run in its easterly direction and approaches Venture Avenue, which was built on a former southwest-to-northeast railroad right-of-way, and Carpenter Avenue which runs along the east side of this former ROW. SR 44 approaches the intersection of US 27
U.S. Route 27 in Florida
U.S. Route 27 in Florida is a north–south United States Highway. It runs 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...
, and turns into West Dixie Avenue, where it runs northeast momentarily, and then turns east again. At the intersection of South Palmetto Street and west end of Dozier Circle, West Dixie Avenue turns into East Dixie Avenue. The road curves to the northeast again at Lake Port Boulevard and crosses the same abandoned railroad line that originated in Wildwood. Right after the intersection of East Main Street, SR 44 joins Southbound 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....
, but both continue to run east.
Leesburg to Mount Dora
The US 441-SR 44 segment is a six-lane divided highway with provisions for bicycles. The road serves as the western terminus of Lake County Road 44 then passed by Leesburg Municipal Airport. From here it squeezes between Lake Harris and Lake Eustis where it crosses over the Dead River on a bridge between the two lakes.The southbound wye at Florida State Road 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:...
in Tavares, is also Lake County Road Old 441, and northbound SR 19 joins US 441 and SR 41 through the rest of Tavares into Eustis until it encounters an interchange with Florida State Road 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:...
and part of Lake CR 19.
North of Mount Dora, SR 44 leaves US 441, which curves south towards Orlando and Miami. SR 44 turns north then narrows from four lanes to two lanes before it curves between Lake Joanna and Loch Leven before passing by the Mid Florida Air Service Airport in Eustis. From there the road turns right onto East Orange Avenue, which continues Route 44's status as a two lane rural scenic highway.
Seminole State Forest through DeLand
Before the road curves northeast, an intersection with Lake County Road 46A gives motorists the option of taking a turn towards Florida State Road 46. As the road curves and intersects Lake County Road 44A, it enters Seminole State ForestSeminole State Forest
The Seminole State Forest is in the U.S. state of Florida. The forest is located in Central Florida, near Eustis.-References and external links:*...
. In Crow's Bluff, SR 44 serves as the eastern terminus of County Road (former State Road) 42 and immediately crosses a drawbridge over the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
, where it enters Volusia County and curves back east. West of DeLand, SR 44 is named West New York Avenue and runs along a bridge over an Amtrak line north of DeLand (Amtrak station)
DeLand (Amtrak station)
The DeLand Amtrak station is located several miles west of downtown DeLand, at the location formerly known as DeLand Junction. DeLand Station was originally built in 1918, and stood across from the former Volusia County Fairgrounds...
, but then crosses a grade crossing for a railroad spur leading from the station into Downtown DeLand.
Motorists know they're getting close to Downtown DeLand itself when they intersect Florida State Road 15A, but SR 44 doesn't actually enter downtown until it approaches U.S. Route 17/92. Here, West New York Avenue becomes East New York Avenue. The road begins to move southeast from Talmadge Gardens Road to East Voorhis Avenue then takes a south turn along the west coast of Lake Winnemisett and becomes a four-lane divided highway again at the south end of Lake Winnemisett. It then bypasses a former section of SR 44 just before it approaches 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...
, which contains partial cloverleaf ramps on the southwest and northeast corners of the bridge.
Toward New Smyrna Beach
Besides construction at I-4, FDOT is currently widening SR 44 from I-4 to Volusia County Road 4118 (Pioneer Trail). Just west of the trail, the road goes back to being a four lane divided highway. SR 44 serves as the norther terminus of Florida State Road 415 and the southern terminus of Volusia County Road 415, where the New Smyrna SpeedwayNew Smyrna Speedway
New Smyrna Speedway is an asphalt track that is 0.48 of a mile in length, located near New Smyrna Beach, Florida, that races Florida Association of Stock Car Automobile Racing stock cars every Saturday night. It also has a smaller track, known as "Little New Smyrna Speedway" in the infield...
can be found on the northwest corner. O'Reilly Road, a gateway to a housing development is slated to become Volusia County Road 4009. A partial cloverleaf exists for Interstate 95
Interstate 95
Interstate 95 is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Florida and serving some of the most populated urban areas in the country, including Boston, Providence, New Haven, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore,...
, with separate westbound and eastbound off-ramps for southbond traffic. Northbound traffic uses a half-diamond interchange.
When the road finally arrives within the New Smyrna Beach city limits, Florida State Road 44 Business branches off to the northwest as Canal Street, while SR 44 itself becomes Lytle Avenue. The final segment of SR 44 runs on top of a bridge that goes over the Florida East Coast Railroad Main Line and U.S. Route 1 in Florida
U.S. Route 1 in Florida
U.S. Route 1 in Florida runs along the state's east coast from Key West to its crossing of the St. Marys River into Georgia north of Boulogne, and south of Folkston. US 1 was designated through Florida when the U.S. Highway System was established in 1926.US 1 runs in the state of Florida, and...
where the road suddenly becomes a segment of Florida State Road A1A
Florida State Road A1A
State Road A1A is a Florida State Road that runs mostly along the Atlantic Ocean, with sections from Key West at the southern tip of Florida, to Callahan, just south of Georgia. It is the main road through most oceanfront towns. SR A1A is designated the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Highway, a...
. Access to and from US 1 is only available from SR A1A, unless motorists from SR 44 use side streets within New Smyrna Beach.
History
In Lake County, SR 44 originally passed through downtown LeesburgLeesburg, 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....
on Main Street, merging with US 441 east of downtown. It then split to the north on current County Road 44, passing north of Lake Eustis. North of Eustis
Eustis, Florida
Eustis is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,106 at the 2000 census. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 19,129. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, it turned southeast on present County Road 452, merging with State Road 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:...
into downtown Eustis, where it turned east on Orange Avenue to rejoin current SR 44 east of Eustis.
The current alignment around the south side of Leesburg was taken over ca. 1986. It had previously been State Road 486 from the west end to U.S. Highway 27 (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 State Road 33
Florida State Road 33
State Road 33 is a road running through Lake and Polk counties in Florida.-Route description:State Road 33 begins in Lakeland off US 92 and heads north to Polk City. From there, it traverses through mostly rural farmland into Lake County and Groveland. In Groveland, it intersects and begins a ...
from roughly Canal Street east to Main Street, but was given to the county by the early 1980s.
At some point, SR 44 from US 441 east of Leesburg to State Road 19 north of Eustis was given to the county and numbered County Road 44; the route via US 441 and SR 19 south of Lake Eustis became SR 44. CR 44 has since been realigned to bypass Eustis to the north.
SR 44 was realigned around downtown Eustis in 2005, taking over what had been County Road 44B between US 441 and SR 44 east of Eustis. 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...
gave SR 44 west of CR 44B to Lake County. CR 44B had been marked from US 441 as a bypass to SR 44 east and from SR 44 as a bypass to US 441 south, as part of a longer bypass of Eustis also including County Road 44 north and west to SR 19.
Major intersections
| County | Location | Mile | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citrus Citrus County, Florida Citrus County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 118,085. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county was 141,416 . Its county seat is Inverness, Florida... |
Crystal River Crystal River, Florida Crystal River is a city in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,485 at the 2000 census. . According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 3,539. The city was incorporated in 1903 and is the self professed "Home of the Manatee".... |
0.0 | Western terminus | |
| 2.0 | ||||
| Lecanto Lecanto, Florida Lecanto is a city and suburb of Beverly Hills, Florida, and is part of the Inverness-Beverly Hills Metropolitan Area. It is the smallest city in Citrus County.-Geography:Lecanto is located at .... |
7.0 | |||
| Inverness Inverness, Florida Inverness is a city in Citrus County, Florida, United States. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,210. It is the county seat of Citrus County.-Geography:... |
16.3 | Western end of concurrency | ||
| 17.3 | Eastern end of concurrency | |||
| Sumter Sumter County, Florida Sumter County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 53,345. The 2006 Census estimate puts its population at 68,768 . Its county seat is Bushnell, Florida and the largest incorporated municipality is Wildwood, Florida. The Villages,... |
Wildwood Wildwood, Florida Wildwood is a city in Sumter County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,924 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 3,598.-Geography:Wildwood is located at .... |
32.3 | Exit 329 (I-75) | |
| 35.9 | ||||
| Orange Home | 39.0 | |||
| Lake Lake County, Florida Lake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares... |
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.... |
44.3 | ||
| 46.6 | ||||
| 48.8 | Western end of concurrency | |||
| Tavares Tavares, Florida Tavares is a city in central Florida in the United States. It is the county seat of Lake County. The population was 9,700 at the 2000 census. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 13,746. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area... |
56.9 | Western end of concurrency | ||
| Eustis Eustis, Florida Eustis is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,106 at the 2000 census. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 19,129. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... |
60.1 | Eastern end of concurrency. Interchange with no exit numbers. | ||
| Mt. Dora Mount Dora, Florida Mount Dora is a U.S. city in Lake County, Florida. As of July 1, 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the Mount Dora population at 11,564. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... |
62.7 | Eastern end of concurrency | ||
| Crows Bluff | 85.4 | |||
| Volusia Volusia County, Florida Volusia County is a county located in the state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2010 official county's population was 494,593 . Its county seat is DeLand, and its most populous city is currently Deltona.... |
DeLand DeLand, Florida DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, Florida. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population to be 24,375. It is part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 436,575 in 2006... |
89.6 | ||
| 90.9 | ||||
| Lake Helen Lake Helen, Florida For the high-altitude lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park, see Lake Helen Lake Helen is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,743 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S... |
95.8 | Exit 118 (I-4) | ||
| Samsula | 106.3 | |||
| 109.1 | (future CR 4009) | |||
| New Smyrna Beach New Smyrna Beach, Florida New Smyrna Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,048 according to the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 23,161.-History:... |
111.3 | Exit 249 (I-95) | ||
| 114.1 | SR 44 Business | |||
| 114.5 | ||||
| 115.246 | Eastern terminus |
Florida State Road 44 Business
State Road 44 Business was a state road in New Smyrna Beach, FloridaNew Smyrna Beach, Florida
New Smyrna Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,048 according to the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 23,161.-History:...
. The latest GIS
Geographic Information System
A geographic information system, geographical information science, or geospatial information studies is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data...
data has it listed as SR 44 even though there are two signs which have "business" tabs on them. Business 44 was the old alignment of SR 44 through downtown New Smyrna Beach.
Lake County Road 44
County Road 44 is a county highwayCounty highway
A county highway is a road in the United States and in the Canadian province of Ontario that is designated and/or maintained by the county highway department...
in Lake County
Lake County, Florida
Lake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Florida
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...
. It runs from U.S. Route 441 near 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....
in the west to State Road 44 near Mount Dora
Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora is a U.S. city in Lake County, Florida. As of July 1, 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the Mount Dora population at 11,564. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
in the east.
The western terminus County Road 44 is at an intersection with the concurrency
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...
of U.S. Route 441, State Road 44, and State Road 500
State Road 500 (Florida)
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...
at the eastern edge of 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....
, near Leesburg Regional Airport. From there, it heads northeast past Silver Lake
Silver Lake, Florida
Silver Lake is a census-designated place in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,882 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, then east past Lake Eustis
Lake Eustis
Lake Eustis is located in Central Florida, west of the city of Eustis. It covers approximately 7,000 acres . It is spring feed and is a member of the Harris Chain of Lakes, and is connected to Lake Harris by means of the Dead River. It is also connected to the St. Johns River via Haines Creek to...
, before arriving in the town of Eustis
Eustis
-People:*Abraham Eustis, American Army officer and lawyer*Charles Eustis Bohlen , American ambassador*Dorothy Harrison Eustis, dog breeder and philanthropist*George Eustis Jr...
.
In Eustis, CR 44 intersects State Road 19. There, CR 44 splits into two branches. The northern branch heads east from the intersection to its terminus at County Road 44A. The southern branch continues south from the intersection, concurrent with SR 19, before turning east on East Orange Avenue. It then passes by Lake Joanna
Lake Joanna
Lake Joanna is a spring-fed lake in Lake County, Florida. It occupies an area of 334.74 acres....
before terminating at State Road 44 between the towns of Eustis and Mount Dora
Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora is a U.S. city in Lake County, Florida. As of July 1, 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the Mount Dora population at 11,564. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
.
County Road 44 Leg A is a short spur near CR 44's western terminus in Leesburg. It serves as an alternate route for northbound US 441 traffic to reach eastbound CR 44.
Lake County Road 44A
County Road 44A is an east/west county road in Lake CountyLake County, Florida
Lake County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 210,528. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 307,243. Its county seat is Tavares...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Florida
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...
. Its western terminus is at State Road 19 in Umatilla
Umatilla, Florida
Umatilla is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. It was named after Umatilla, Oregon. The population was 2,214 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 2,502. Umatilla is known as the Gateway to the Ocala National Forest,...
, and its eastern terminus is at State Road 44 about 10 miles (16.1 km) east of Mount Dora
Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora is a U.S. city in Lake County, Florida. As of July 1, 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the Mount Dora population at 11,564. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
.
The western terminus of County Road 44A is at an intersection with State Road 19 in the town of Umatilla
Umatilla, Florida
Umatilla is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. It was named after Umatilla, Oregon. The population was 2,214 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 2,502. Umatilla is known as the Gateway to the Ocala National Forest,...
. CR 44A heads out of Umatilla eastward on Rose Street before turning south. Then in Dalhousie Acres (near Lake Dalhousie), it intersects County Road 450A before continuing south towards Eustis
Eustis, Florida
Eustis is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,106 at the 2000 census. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 19,129. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
.
On the eastern edge of Eustis, CR 44A intersects one of the eastern termini of County Road 44 before turning east once again on Deland Road. It then continues east on Deland Road for approximately 9.4 miles (15.1 km), passing by Black Bear Golf Club, before reaching its eastern terminus at State Road 44.
Citrus County Road 44W
Citrus County Road 44W exists as the western tip of old State Road 44, south of Crystal River. The suffix, "W", was most likely added to not confuse this section with State Road 44, to the north, and to show its location by being west of US 19U.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....
and US 98(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...
). As with the majority of these type of 'coastal spur' routes, in West Central Florida, it is county maintained.
Sumter County Road 44A
Sumter County Road 44A exists along the north side of State Road 44 in Wildwood and Orange Home. The road begins southeast of the interchange with Interstate 75Interstate 75
Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
, and instantly intersects with Sumter CR 225, which runs north and south, while CR 44A runs directly east and west until it curves slightly to the right and becomes Kilgore Street. The road then moves south onto Central Avenue running parallel to the CSX line until reaching Lynum Street, and crosses the tracks until Lynum Street terminates at US 301. County Road 44A then not only crosses US 301 to enter Huey Street, but the wye for the former Leesburg and Tavares railroad line. One block away, CR 44A breaks away from Huey Street and curves south before running along the north side of the right-of-way of the previously mentioned abandoned railroad line. The line contained a series of abandoned freight cars until the first decade of the 21st Century, and the road and railroad line followed each other until CR 44A terminates at a recreational vehicle park in Orange Home.