By Rental Car, what is the fastest route from Ocho Rios (scenic would be a nice plus) to Mandeville (over-nighting), continuing afterwards on the way to Treasure Beach?
Would it be through Fern Gully towards Spanish Town, connecting with the toll road heading west (following signs to Mandeville)?

Anyone have any experience with Kariba Guest House in Mandeville?

From Ochos Rios go via the A1 highway to Montego Bay to Reading. In Reading take the B8 highway to Montpelier on to Haddo to Ferris Cross. From there take the A2 highway to Black River. Once in Black River, it will be better to ask for directions to TB, because there are no posted signs to Treasure Beach.
This is the fastest and most direct route from Ochos Rios to TB. It will take about 3-4 hours.
http://jamaicancaves.org/jamaica-road-map.htm
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

I believe there is a shorter way through the hills. either through Browns Town or Trelawny

Here are directions from Montego Bay to Treasure Beach.

Word to the wise, do not follow a GPS. We've had go many persons get very lost on very bad roads following GPS directions.

Another great way to go is to head up into the hills from Runaway Bay, Brown's Town, Alexandria, (could take a left in Alexandria and so see 9 Mile where Bob Marley was born - about 45 minutes out of your way) Spaulding, Mandeville, Junction and on to Treasure Beach. This is a very scenic drive through the middle of the island and the mountains. One of my favorite drives.

Takes about 3 - 3 1/2 hours.

My route would be via St Anns Bay, Runaway Bay, Browns Town, Alexandria, Cave Valley, Aneon Town, Borobridge, Alston, Spauldings, Walderston, Shooters Hill, Kendal to Mandeville. Its been along time since I travelled that way so I am not certain of the condition of the road surface, but it's definitely more scenic and more direct.

I agree with Rebecca and Calabash Man...the route over the mountains is beautiful and gives the traveler an opportunity to see the countryside. Longer, maybe more challenging, but definitely something worth doing.

I do believe that my directions are better, simply because the roads are much better on that route. The roads via the mountains (yes scenic) can be in very bad condition.
It is just a matter of beauty are convenience.
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

MikeyMike..you are off the mark. How do your wayward directions get my friends, unacquainted with J'can roads, from Ochie to Mandeville?

Rebecca/Calabash Man...the Browns Town/Alexandra routing is actually my favourite way to cross over the mountainous spine of the Island (the Cockpit country off to the west), from Ochie to Mandeville, taking in the Gourie Caves near Christiana along the way.
In the past, I have hit some slow traffic along that way (maybe it was a market day). That's why we were contemplating sending our guests through Fern Gully (which they're dying to see) to the fast toll road, around Spanish Town, then proceding to Mandeville as though you were coming from Kingston.

Good or bad idea?

It's not a bad idea, if you don't mind driving an extra 35-40km more and paying a few hundreds JA. dollars,for using the toll roads. (about five,I think). you will also get to see the flat bridge that was built manually by slave labour, two hundred years ago. Enjoy your stay.

I agree with Calabash Man. This too is a very scenic route through the mountains.

Irie MapQuester
Their final destination is Treasure Beach, not Mandeville.
Even if it was Mandeville, it would still be easier to drive the route I gave.
If you are looking for scenery, then yes take the mountain roads, but if you are looking for an easier drive, then take the route I said.
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

Mike your route is way out, the Fern Gully route is much easier and the roads are not bad. They are overnighting in Mandeville, remember?

Irie Archie
I agree with your route by way of the Fern Gully road to Spanish Town to Mandeville. However, the route over the mountains via Browns Town cannot be better as far as driving conditions and time.
My route is about 1.5 hours from Ochie to MoBay, and about 3 hours from MoBay to TB.
Yes I know they are overnighting in Mandeville, but if this is because of the drive, then it would be better to go directly to TB.
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

I have done all of them hundreds of times and timed every one. The fastest way to Mandeville is up Fern Gully, through the gorge, and Mt. Diablo and then take the highway to Mandeville. Not the most scenic but the easiest and fastest. The Browns Town, Alexandria route is beautiful but parts of the road are bad now and it is very very windy. Time wise it is not the shortest.

Thanks All you Road Warriors. Annabelle's confirmation of the Fern Gully-Mt Diablo-Flat Bridge route for the highway to Mandeville was the icing on the cake. Her fearless knowledge of the back-roads of JamRock...by any manner of coach or motorcycle is supreme.

How soon after crossing Flat Bridge should my peeps be looking for signage to access the toll highway to Mandeville. Would it be by following signs to Spanish Town or Old Harbour, or does the toll road direction become pretty clear when approaching the Spanish Town turn-off?
How often is Flat Bridge washed out. What's the odds of that occurring within the next 2 to 3 weeks of travel?

Has anyone stayed recently at Kariba Guest House (Derek O'Conner's place) just off the highway around Mandeville, & would you recommend it for someone exploring their childhood home around Knockpatrick?

This thread is hilarious, when driving in Jamaica 90% of the fun is getting there! You can't get lost, evetually you'll come to the sea! You ain't in Kansas any more baby.

MapQuester, the odds of Flat Bridge washing out soon is very long. The bridge has been there for over two hundred years, and that has happened only once or twice. I would say 999999 to 1. However roads in the vicinity, before and after, has been blocked a few times more by land slippage due to extreme weather conditions. You should check the weather forecast before starting out. Have a good time.

It takes me 12 minutes from Flat Bridge to the roundabout onto the toll road highway. Directions are very clear.