For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (III)

[Chuckles21]

Originally Posted by WI_DisneyFan

Thanks for this update! I live in the Sheboygan area, and we are planning our first drive next September. (We just booked our room last week, so we are officially going!) I've been planning on about 20 hours on the road, so seeing your 21 hours gives me a good indication that I'm not far off, considering your 1 hour "power nap". We will, however, be stopping for the night somewhere south of Atlanta because i don't think I could handle 20 hours on the road with just a quick nap. Could you tell me what route you took? Right now I am leaning heavily towards taking I-57 all the way down through Illinois and hooking up with I-24 just north of the Illinois/Kentucky Border. But all of the online mapping tools, as well as my GPS, tell me to take I-65 through Indiana and Kentucky, which then turns into I-24 around Nashville. Once I hit Nashville, both routes end the same, with me getting on I-75 at the Tennessee/Georgia border. The I-65 route is what other people I've spoken to have taken as well, so I'm just curious to hear what route you took. Thanks again!

We took I-90/94 straight to I-65 all the way down to Nashville where we then hit I-24 to I-75 as you have described. We didn't have any bad traffic issues going this way so it was not bad at all, but I can see this also being a horrible path if you would hit some of the big cities at bad times.

[angwill]

Originally Posted by WI_DisneyFan

Thanks for this update! I live in the Sheboygan area, and we are planning our first drive next September. (We just booked our room last week, so we are officially going!) I've been planning on about 20 hours on the road, so seeing your 21 hours gives me a good indication that I'm not far off, considering your 1 hour "power nap". We will, however, be stopping for the night somewhere south of Atlanta because i don't think I could handle 20 hours on the road with just a quick nap. Could you tell me what route you took? Right now I am leaning heavily towards taking I-57 all the way down through Illinois and hooking up with I-24 just north of the Illinois/Kentucky Border. But all of the online mapping tools, as well as my GPS, tell me to take I-65 through Indiana and Kentucky, which then turns into I-24 around Nashville. Once I hit Nashville, both routes end the same, with me getting on I-75 at the Tennessee/Georgia border. The I-65 route is what other people I've spoken to have taken as well, so I'm just curious to hear what route you took. Thanks again!

I am right near the WI border in IL and always take I57 vs I65. Our first trip we took I65 and I hated it. It is just so much easier IMO taking I57 there just seemed to be less trucks and traffic. My GPS always tries route me over to 65 but AAA and google maps stear me down 57 as the fastest route. HTH It takes us about 18 hours. If we start early enough we try to make it to Tifton, GA and if not we make it to Macon, GA and stop there for the night.

[WIDisneyFan]

Originally Posted by WI_DisneyFan

Thanks for this update! I live in the Sheboygan area, and we are planning our first drive next September. (We just booked our room last week, so we are officially going!) I've been planning on about 20 hours on the road, so seeing your 21 hours gives me a good indication that I'm not far off, considering your 1 hour "power nap". We will, however, be stopping for the night somewhere south of Atlanta because i don't think I could handle 20 hours on the road with just a quick nap. Could you tell me what route you took? Right now I am leaning heavily towards taking I-57 all the way down through Illinois and hooking up with I-24 just north of the Illinois/Kentucky Border. But all of the online mapping tools, as well as my GPS, tell me to take I-65 through Indiana and Kentucky, which then turns into I-24 around Nashville. Once I hit Nashville, both routes end the same, with me getting on I-75 at the Tennessee/Georgia border. The I-65 route is what other people I've spoken to have taken as well, so I'm just curious to hear what route you took. Thanks again!

We have made the drive twice this year (once to Disney and once to Jacksonville to visit family) and took the I-65/I-24/I-75 route without any major issues. We did leave the Milwaukee area about 4:30AM and stopped off in Dalton, GA for the night making it a 2 day trip. As for the duration of the drive the 20 hour number sounds about right based on my experience.

One thing that has been of great use for us is our GPS with traffic service. It has helped route us around a few backups taking much of the stress of just how bad a back-up is.

[WI_DisneyFan]

Originally Posted by Chuckles21

We took I-90/94 straight to I-65 all the way down to Nashville where we then hit I-24 to I-75 as you have described. We didn't have any bad traffic issues going this way so it was not bad at all, but I can see this also being a horrible path if you would hit some of the big cities at bad times.

Originally Posted by angwill

I am right near the WI border in IL and always take I57 vs I65. Our first trip we took I65 and I hated it. It is just so much easier IMO taking I57 there just seemed to be less trucks and traffic. My GPS always tries route me over to 65 but AAA and google maps stear me down 57 as the fastest route. HTH It takes us about 18 hours. If we start early enough we try to make it to Tifton, GA and if not we make it to Macon, GA and stop there for the night.

Thank you both! I have a feeling my final decision will come down to which route has less construction next September. Or if everything else is equal, I might take one way down and the other way back home so I can experience both. I've heard the "less truck traffic on I57" comment before, and that is very appealing to me since my wife will be doing some of the driving, and she gets white knuckled when she has to follow or pass a semi. Anything to reduce her stress is a definite bonus.

Originally Posted by WIDisneyFan

We have made the drive twice this year (once to Disney and once to Jacksonville to visit family) and took the I-65/I-24/I-75 route without any major issues. We did leave the Milwaukee area about 4:30AM and stopped off in Dalton, GA for the night making it a 2 day trip. As for the duration of the drive the 20 hour number sounds about right based on my experience.

One thing that has been of great use for us is our GPS with traffic service. It has helped route us around a few backups taking much of the stress of just how bad a back-up is.

Hey, I remember you! When I first joined the Disboards, you commented on our similar user names. Anyway, your timeline sounds like what I was planning. I was going to leave home around 4:00 am (or earlier if my usual pre-trip anxiety keeps me awake), and I was looking at a few places to stay in Dalton. Glad to see I'm not far off on my planning.

[sharadoc]

Originally Posted by dvczerfs

thats great!!! i had a feeling you may have been ok with the snow. we got 8 inches. alot of trees and power lines are down. we got lucky, our power goes out in the rain and for some reason, our stayed on this time. tammy and i seen 38 special in epcot a few weeks ago. glad you guys had a good time!!!! i forgot to tell you, tammy got the job!!! now its just to train someone for her job and for her to learn her new job. she has to go into nyc a few times in the next two weeks. its all in h.r. , working for the same person so im sure she will be fine.

That's awesome! Other than the travel to NYC, which can be time consuming. I'm so glad for her. We really need to go out and celebrate!

[WIDisneyFan]

Originally Posted by WI_DisneyFan

Thank you both! I have a feeling my final decision will come down to which route has less construction next September. Or if everything else is equal, I might take one way down and the other way back home so I can experience both. I've heard the "less truck traffic on I57" comment before, and that is very appealing to me since my wife will be doing some of the driving, and she gets white knuckled when she has to follow or pass a semi. Anything to reduce her stress is a definite bonus.



Hey, I remember you! When I first joined the Disboards, you commented on our similar user names. Anyway, your timeline sounds like what I was planning. I was going to leave home around 4:00 am (or earlier if my usual pre-trip anxiety keeps me awake), and I was looking at a few places to stay in Dalton. Glad to see I'm not far off on my planning.

We both have great taste in user names!

As for places to stay in Dalton - we have stayed at the:

Hampton Inn Dalton
1000 Market Street, Dalton, Georgia, USA 30720
Tel: 1-706-226-4333 Fax: 1-706-278-6443

It is right off the interstate with plenty of dining options around including an Outback Steakhouse right across the street. The rooms do have doors to the outside, but rooms were clean and comfortable, and get a nice free hot breakfast to start the day.

If you have any specific questions on our experience on the drive down feel free to drop me a PM. We will be making the drive 2 times next year as well (visiting the in-laws and then our annual trip to see the mouse)

[BC1836]

With the possible elimination of the 40% "bounce back" (booking while one stays at a WDW resport) offers in 2012, the number of times we drive to WDW will be reduced.

We'll never catch up to dvczerfs' all-time drive record (see the first post on page one, which was updated yesterday).

All the best.

[wdwchamp]

Originally Posted by WI_DisneyFan

Thank you both! I have a feeling my final decision will come down to which route has less construction next September. Or if everything else is equal, I might take one way down and the other way back home so I can experience both. I've heard the "less truck traffic on I57" comment before, and that is very appealing to me since my wife will be doing some of the driving, and she gets white knuckled when she has to follow or pass a semi. Anything to reduce her stress is a definite bonus.



Hey, I remember you! When I first joined the Disboards, you commented on our similar user names. Anyway, your timeline sounds like what I was planning. I was going to leave home around 4:00 am (or earlier if my usual pre-trip anxiety keeps me awake), and I was looking at a few places to stay in Dalton. Glad to see I'm not far off on my planning.

The I-65 route at Louisville has a major delay due to the bridge closure. You may have to reroute via I-74 through Cincinnati instead.

[angwill]

Originally Posted by WI_DisneyFan

Thank you both! I have a feeling my final decision will come down to which route has less construction next September. Or if everything else is equal, I might take one way down and the other way back home so I can experience both. I've heard the "less truck traffic on I57" comment before, and that is very appealing to me since my wife will be doing some of the driving, and she gets white knuckled when she has to follow or pass a semi. Anything to reduce her stress is a definite bonus.



Hey, I remember you! When I first joined the Disboards, you commented on our similar user names. Anyway, your timeline sounds like what I was planning. I was going to leave home around 4:00 am (or earlier if my usual pre-trip anxiety keeps me awake), and I was looking at a few places to stay in Dalton. Glad to see I'm not far off on my planning.

Talking truck traffic your wife is right to worry when following a truck. Last year my husband was driving home from Disney behind a truck that had a tire blow and we got hit hard with the flying rubber. That was a very scary experience. I will never drive behind a truck again it is safer to go around.

[WIDisneyFan]

Originally Posted by wdwchamp

The I-65 route at Louisville has a major delay due to the bridge closure. You may have to reroute via I-74 through Cincinnati instead.

I had heard a little about that but not alot of details - do you know if there is any timetable on a fix?

[Kinziepoohsmom]

Just returned from our October stay at AKL and Poly. I got a great deal on airfare but I must say that I am so glad that we are going to be driving in April. I really missed driving and I never thought that I would say that!!!!

[alenushka]

Hello experienced drivers and travelers,
we just opened a new Marriott Visa and got 2 free nights stay, which we want to use during our drive to Fl in November.

I made reservations driving from Fl, Miami, to NY .......in NC, Wilson, and VA, Emporia (will depend how far we get driving from Miami based on traffic).

I also made reservation in Fairfield Inn in Savannah-airport , GA, driving to Fl, but reviews on Tripadviser are very poor. Any recommendations on hotels on I-95 in GA driving south (from Marriott chain, please)??
Thank you very much!

[BC1836]

Originally Posted by alenushka

Hello experienced drivers and travelers,
we just opened a new Marriott Visa and got 2 free nights stay, which we want to use during our drive to Fl in November.

I made reservations driving from Fl, Miami, to NY .......in NC, Wilson, and VA, Emporia (will depend how far we get driving from Miami based on traffic).

I also made reservation in Fairfield Inn in Savannah-airport , GA, driving to Fl, but reviews on Tripadviser are very poor. Any recommendations on hotels on I-95 in GA driving south (from Marriott chain, please)??
Thank you very much!

Most of the hotel/motel chains in any state are satisfactory for a one-night stay (although we experienced something similar to the Bates Motel on our first drive in 2002!). We usually stay at a Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express.

All the best.

[Dis_Dreamin]

Originally Posted by wdwchamp

The I-65 route at Louisville has a major delay due to the bridge closure. You may have to reroute via I-74 through Cincinnati instead.

Are you talking about the bridge on I-64 between Kentucky and Indiana? Here's the latest update that's posted in our state's site:
Update Provided on Sherman Minton Bridge Repairs

If you hit the area off peak hours you should be okay, but if you are going through during typical rush hours I've heard there are significant delays.

Honestly, the recommendation to reroute via i-74 isn't that bad of an idea.

[LadyBeBop]

Originally Posted by Dis_Dreamin

Honestly, the recommendation to reroute via i-74 isn't that bad of an idea.

And you will hit less traffic going the I-74 route. You should take the Cincinnati bypass (I-275 south) from I-74, and you can pick up I-75 from I-275. You'll bypass Cincinnati completely. You also bypass Lexington (I-75 comes within about 5 miles from the center of Lexington). You will go through Knoxville, but it's not nearly as bad as Nashville.

PM me if you have questions about the I-74 route.