Unsure which airport to use? Want to know how to get to The Beach House from the airport you'll be using? Read on...

The Pensacola Regional Airport (PNS) is most convenient. It requires a drive of between 70 and 90 minutes, depending on traffic. The Mobile Regional Airport (MOB) is second best: it requires an additional half-hour in the car. The airports in Gulfport/Biloxi (GPT) and Ft. Walton Beach (VPS) each require a drive of 2.5 to 3 hours. The New Orleans airport (MSY) is 3.5 to 4 hours away.

For private pilots, Gulf Shores' Jack Edwards Airport (JKA, 251-968-6380) is only 20 minutes away; the Foley Municipal Airport (FBO, 251-943-5214) requires a 35 minute drive.

Here are driving directions from each of the airports mentioned above:

The Pensacola Regional Airport (PNS) is the most convenient airport offering commerncial service. At the airport exit, turn left at the light. Continue on 12th Ave. as it changes name to "Fairfield Dr". Stay on Fairfield (FL-727) for 25-30 minutes, through urban, suburban and semi-rural areas until you reach Gulf Beach Blvd (FL-292). This is not a major intersection, so keep your eyes peeled: there is a traffic light at the intersection, and a Shell station on the near right corner. Turn right onto Gulf Beach Blvd (FL-292) and continue west to the Alabama state line, where FL-292 becomes AL-182. Continue west on AL-182, through Orange Beach (straight through the light at AL-161) and through the Gulf State Park (straight through the light at AL-135), and enter Gulf Shores. In Gulf Shores turn right at the AL-59 traffic light and head north. See directions from Gulf Shores, below. Total driving distance from the Pensacola Airport is about 50 miles. Total driving time is between 70 and 90 minutes, depending on traffic and personal driving habits.

For private pilots, Jack Edwards Airport (JKA) serves Gulf Shores. From the airport, go west to AL-59. Turn left (south) on AL-59 and continue across the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. See directions from Gulf Shores, below. Total driving time is about 20 minutes.

For private pilots, the Foley Munipal Airport (FBO) also serves the area. From the airport, take Airport Rd to Fern Ave, turn left and head east to AL-59. Turn right on AL-59 and continue south to Gulf Shores. See directions from Gulf Shores, below. Total driving time is about 35 minutes.

The Mobile Regional Airport (MOB) is on the west side of Mobile. From the airport, take Airport Blvd. east to I-65, then take I-65 south to I-10. Go east on I-10 to Exit 44 in Alabama. Take AL-59 south to Gulf Shores. See directions from Gulf Shores below. Total driving time is 1.75 to 2 hours (depending on driving habits and traffic).

The Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport (GPT) is close to the casinos on the Mississipi Gulf Coast. From the airport, go west on Airport Rd to US-49. Turn right on US-49 and go north about a mile to I-10. Go east on I-10 to Exit 44 in Alabama. Take AL-59 south to Gulf Shores. See directions from Gulf Shores below. Total driving time is 2.5 to 3 hours (depending on driving habits and traffic). An alternative is the auto ferry from Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan, which will save miles but not time; be sure to verify ferry schedule (251-540-7787).

The Okaloosa Regional Airport (VPS) is located at Eglin AFB. Upon exiting the airport, turn left on FL-85. After a mile, turn right on to FL-189 and continue east about 5 miles to "Mary Esther" (FL-393). Turn right on FL-393 to US-98. Turn right on US-98 and continue east to Pensacola. After crossing the "three mile bridge" from Gulf Breeze into Penscola, stay left on Bayfront Pkwy (its name changes to "Main St.") to Barrancas Ave. Turn left (west) on Barrancas, which soon becomes FL-292. Continue west on FL-292 to the Alabama state line. Along the way, FL-292 changes names to Gulf Beach Blvd, to Sorrento Blvd, then back to Gulf Beach Blvd. At the state line, FL-292 becomes AL-182. Continue west on AL-182 to Gulf Shores. Turn right (north) onto AL-59. See directions from Gulf Shores, below. Total driving time is 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic and personal driving habits.

The New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is west of New Orleans. Exiting the airport, turn left (east) on Airline Hwy. Go a few blocks, turn left (north) on Williams Blvd, and continue several blocks to I-10. Go east on I-10. Take the I-610 short-cut (to avoid I-10's dip to downtown New Orleans) which will return you to I-10. Continue east on I-10 to Exit 44 in Alabama. Take AL-59 south to Gulf Shores. See directions from Gulf Shores below. Total driving time is 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on driving habits and traffic. An alternative is the auto ferry from Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan, which will save miles but not time; be sure to verify ferry schedule (251-540-7787).

If arriving from the north via the AL-59 bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway, continue to the 4th traffic light south of the bridge, then turn right (west) on to AL-180, "Fort Morgan Parkway".

If arriving from the south via AL-59 from Al-182 ("the beach road"), continue north about a mile from AL-182, and turn left (west) on to AL-180.

Once heading west on AL-180 from AL-59, continue approximately 11 miles. When you pass the "10 mile" marker on the left side of the road, continue another 7/10 of a mile, pass the entrance to "Martinique", and take the next left on to "Veterans Rd." Head south on Veterans Rd for about 7/10 of a mile and take the the second left, "Dacus Lane". At the end of Dacus Lane, The Beach House is the last house on the right, high atop the dunes. Park at the bottom of the dunes, use the stairs up to the house and follow the boardwalk around the back of the house and up to the porch. Enter the house via the double doors that will be to your left as you enter the large screened porch. Driving time from the intersection of AL-59 and AL-180 in Gulf Shores is about 15 minutes.

If arriving from the west via the auto ferry from Dauphin Island, you will debark at Fort Morgan. From Fort Morgan, continue east on Ft. Morgan Rd (AL-180) about 9 miles. About a mile after passing "Kiva Dunes" and "Gulf Shores Plantation", look for a small store ("The Pines") and restaurant ("The Round-back Oyster Bar") on the right. Take the next right: Veterans Rd. (If you get to the entrance to "Martinique", you've gone just a bit too far.) Head south on Veterans Rd for about 7/10 of a mile and take the the second left, "Dacus Lane". At the end of Dacus Lane, The Beach House is the last house on the right, high atop the dunes. Park at the bottom of the dunes, use the stairs up to the house and follow the boardwalk around the back of the house and up to the porch. Enter the house via the double doors that will be to your left as you enter the large screened porch. Driving time from Fort Morgan is about 12 minutes.