Are We There Yet? Travel Tips for Visiting Gulf Shores Beaches

Are we there yet is a familiar phrase coming from the backseat (or maybe even the front seat) of your vehicle as you head to your beach destination in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan and Perdido Key. It can be especially frustrating after a long trip from home to get close to the beach only to be slowed down by the traffic in the Foley area on heavy check-in days such as Saturdays and of course during the upcoming July 4th holiday.

So my TRAVEL TIP for you today is the FOLEY BEACH EXPRESS. This alternative route, which eliminates the traffic lights in Foley, is usually thought of as a faster route to Orange Beach utilizing the toll bridge ($3.50 toll). But it can also be a quicker route to Gulf Shores without crossing the toll bridge.

As you travel south on Gulf Shores Parkway a.k.a. Hwy. 59 south of Summerdale you will see large signs directing you to take a left turn at the traffic light to access the Foley Beach Express. Now there is actually a northern extension of the Foley Beach Express called the Baldwin Beach Express that will eventually connect to Interstate 10 and ultimately connect to Interstate 65. To access this extension turn left in Summerdale at County Road 32 and travel two miles then turn right on the Baldwin Beach Express which connects to the Foley Beach Express.

So at this point you may be wondering how to get to Gulf Shores from the Foley Beach Express without crossing the toll bridge. There are a couple of options.

Traveling south (toward the beaches) you can exit the Foley Beach Express by turning right at the traffic light at County Road 12 and traveling two miles, then turning left at the traffic light at Highway 59. Then you are back on course to continue south to your destination.

Or you can travel even further south on the Foley Beach Express and exit to your right just prior to the toll bridge when you see a sign pointing to Gulf Shores. From this road one left turn and then another right turn places you on County Road 4 and you will soon find yourself back at Highway 59 with Publix on the corner where you will turn left near the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge and soon be at your destination.

EXPRESS CHECK-IN TIP - If you want to avoid check-in at our office search for your next coastal condo or beach house by selecting an "Express Check-In" property. Using an electronic, keyless entry system for our express check-in properties we provide you an entry code valid for 3 p.m. check-in. And if the property becomes available sooner than 3 p.m. we will actually email or text an early entry code to you.

So I believe taking the Foley Beach Express can lessen your driving frustration and using our Express Check-in for your next Meyer Vacation Rental coastal condo or beach house can start your vacation sooner by eliminating the stop at our office. See you at the beach.