A bit of route advice

[mightyexplorers]

I am excited to say that the time has nearly come once again for our family to jump in the RV and motor down to the Fort for a couple of weeks.

Since we just crossed the 2 digit threshold on our countdown timer (99 DAYS! woo hoo), I thought that it was time that I dust off the ol' disboard login and see if I could get any helpful route advice.

We are coming down from Minnesota (the RV is still well encrusted in snow and cold), and have made the trips several times but we are considering mixing it up a bit this year.

Typically when we come down we will take what I think is the more common route and from Nashville take i24 then pick up i75 through Atlanta and head straight down to the fort.

I have heard though about another route that seems appealing to me and have a few questions.

The second route, would be the same up until Nashville, but then cut down on i65, Through Birmingham and Montgomery to 83 then over to i75 and down into the fort. OR possibly over on 280 our of Birminham.

Even though this route would add a few miles it seems appealing for a few reasons. But having never traveled the route I have no idea of most of the reasons are true.
1. Fewer trucks? less traffic?
2. Fewer grades? ( I would love to miss Monteagle.) The hills really slow us down.
3. No Chattanooga has to be a bonus
4. NO ATLANTA is a HUGE bonus.

The added bonus would be that we get to go through Alabama a state we have yet to drive through.

If anyone has any experience with these stretches of road I would love to hear opinions. Also what about taking 280 from Birmingham or dropping all the way down to i10? The 280 route looks promising as it is one less larger City to go through and also the shortest.

The last part of this question is in regards to a stopping point, we will be looking to stop for the night about 8 hours out of Disney, which I think would put us just south of Birmingham. We only stay at the finest overnight stops, which most often is a Walmart parking lot within a mile of whatever road we are traveling on. If anyone knows a nice little town on that stretch of road with a convenient Walmart I would love to hear about it.

Please also keep in mind that we are lumbering along in our motorhome which seems happiest cruising along at about 65-68 MPH so the interstate won't gain us a ton of time.

Because I am a firm believer in posting pictures, I have included a helpful map of some of the options.
]

 

[bama_ed]

Hiya mightyX. Long time no hear!

Before I answer your question, I hope you approve of the way we have kept your "Kickin' It" thread going. You have really started something.

I live just south of Birmingham in the suburb of Hoover (which shows up on your map). I pull my popup to the Fort annually and we don't go fast either. I usually choose route #3 which is Birmingham-Montgomery-Dothan-I10 via I65 and Hwy 231.

I have never felt compelled, honestly, to try Hwy 82 or 280. You'll note the time for the 280 route is similar to the 231 route I use and offers a little more interstate. Also, leaving Birmingham on 280 headed south/east you go over a few BIG mountains whereas the Interstate cuts through them. Those route options in Google take into account average speed and distance but I prefer running on interstates as much as possible unless traffic or construction is an issue.

Actually, the Atlanta route looks more out of the way and it adds a few more miles but timewise it is on par as it shows. The thing about Atlanta is of course the morning and afternoon rush hour traffic so as long as you approach western Atlanta after probably 9am you are fine to loop around the Beltway (I285) and pick up I75 down by the airport headed south (part of the runway is out OVER the interstate). They are adding a 3rd lane each way to I20 near the GA/AL state line but it doesn't really hurt from a speed perspective.

So the last couple times I have gone via Dothan and occasionally via Atlanta (we go Atlanta especially if it's not a weekday). I like having no traffic lights and being able to just tow even if it's the same amount of time with a little more distance. So I guess your route depends on what day of the week and what time you travel through the areas.

We got plenty of Wal-Marts here that you can overnight at. I'm sure their website has a store locator tool to find ones near your route. I am very close to the Wal Mart Supercenter on Hwy 150 in Hoover (aka John Hawkins Parkway) off of I459 between exits 10-13 (drive past it every day on my 15 minute commute each way). I KNOW they take RV's in the parking lot because they are frequently there when I go by (especially in the fall during college football season). It's only about 2-3 miles out of your way.

I am headed back to the Fort next month so we are both on the countdown clock.

Bama Ed

PS - be aware that Birmingham is in the Central time zone and Atlanta is in the Eastern time zone. They are about 150 miles apart (2.5 hours) so if you leave out of the Birmingham area at 7am you will be in Atlanta around 1030am which helps with avoiding their morning commute traffic.

 

[bjschil]

Mighty explorers, hello neighbors to our west. We travel often from sw Wisconsin to Fort Wilderness, recently last month. We have always taken the normal route you mention, Ilinois to I24, to 75 through Atlanta, etc. When looping in January, we met some wonderful people from Hayward, WI. Almost your neighbors! They shared with us that they always take the route you wish to take, turning south in Nashville, Birmingham, Montgomery, Dotham, and find themselves down into Florida on 10. They also, like you, have a motorhome, and spoke of staying in wonderful campgrounds in Alabama. They left late November, and stay at the Fort until mid March. --- lucky them. We did not take this route home, but when we drive down next late December, this will be our new southbound route, as drive south through Atlanta mat be less miles, you have to time it right, which adds to wasted time, or like us in December, sit in traffic for hours as construction just south of the airport is a real troublesome spot. BamaEd is your best go-to person on this route. Safe travels, and keep us informed as to your thoughts on this new route.

 

[Eyeeore]

We did a modified variation on your route # 3 when we came down from Indiana in January (just ahead of the snow). I'm assuming that your camper is still winterized so the operative question becomes are you parking at a motel on the way down? We stopped in Athens, AL at a Fairfield that had parking for RV's. The deviation we made is to drop off of I-10 onto US-19 & then on to US-27 Alt which took us onto I-75 about 20 miles north of the Florida Turnpike. Speeds were 60-65 most of the way so it really didn't slow us much. We were 2.5 days from Indiana to Ft Wilderness with some stops along the way.

Hope this helps.

BTW, Ft Wilderness looks really nice this time of year. A bit empty at the moment since a fair number of folks pulled out before the rent goes up.

 

[bama_ed]

A couple other things I though of, mightyX:

1. Gas is cheaper in Alabama than in Florida, generally speaking. Stations in Dothan (last big town before the border) are showing $1.45 this morning including the Flying J I like to use there. Here in Hoover the cheapest is $1.39. Into Florida the next cheapest are just before Tallahassee where Hwy 90 crosses I10 at $1.69 (my choice) or in Tallahassee itself where Hwy 27 crosses I10 (same price) but more traffic, crowded, hotels, fast food choices, etc.

2. 8 hours 45 minutes might be the estimated time driving when NOT TOWING or driving slower in an RV. I have made it to the Fort not towing in 8.5 hours. Towing this route and going slower, my best time is 9.5 hrs and I plan for 10 hours usually. This might impact if you want to drive further before stopping for the night.

3. While this route does have a red light here and there along Hwy 231 and several on the Dothan ring highway, it's not too bad. I used a bypass around Dothan the last trip which avoided its lights. There is a Raceway literally just before the state line that I gas up at when I avoid the ring highway and it's showing $1.53 so avoiding the lights in Dothan has its price. But there are fast food choices, Wal-marts, Home Depots, etc along the way that we have made use of in the past.

Bama Ed

PS - south of Birmingham I would try to use the Alabaster Wal-Mart at exit 231 on I65. You'll see it on the left of the interstate as you exit. Easy on/off, big parking lot, but it's not on my daily route to know about RVs but you can check. That WalMart has a Murphy USA gas station showing $1.43 a gallon today.

 

[mightyexplorers]

Before I answer your question, I hope you approve of the way we have kept your "Kickin' It" thread going. You have really started something

I very much approve, I still love looking at that thread, even though I am to lazy to log in and reply. I can't wait to add my own contribution again soon.

leaving Birmingham on 280 headed south/east you go over a few BIG mountains whereas the Interstate cuts through them.

The BIG mountains are exactly what I am hoping to avoid by going this way. Do you know how the grades are between Nashville and Birmingham? I am hoping fewer grades will make up for a few more miles time wise.

the Atlanta route looks more out of the way

We would not take the Atlanta route shown on the map I posted. Typically we would go west when we get to Nashville then down to Altlanta.

I am headed back to the Fort next month so we are both on the countdown clock.

We will just miss you, if you can call two months a near miss. Have a great trip, i look forward to reading about it.

I'm assuming that your camper is still winterized so the operative question becomes are you parking at a motel on the way down?

Since we don't leave for 98 days I am hoping we will be dewinterized by then. Even in northern Minnesota we are usually warm enough by mid may. No we don't stay in hotels or anywhere we have to pay, we are on a B-line for the fort the moment we pull out of the drive way.

Gas is cheaper in Alabama than in Florida

That is a BIG deal when you are getting a whopping 7MPG, we are at $1.39 here now, it sure beats the $3.79 we were paying on our last trip. With the money I save I could almost buy a 6 pack of beer when I get to the fort.

How is the traffic typically in Birmingham and Montgomery? is avoiding the rush hours a big deal? I assume less than Atlanta, at least I would hope so.

Thank you for all the advice.

 

[Eyeeore]

There is a minimal grade from Nashville to Birmingham (relative to I-24 & I-75). One of the reasons we travel that way is to get clear of the big grades. We'll get caught coming home but no reason to do it twice.

We went past Birmingham with no issues (Saturday). Montgomery was equally low. Both at their worst will still be better than Atlanta on a slow day.

Gas here on WDW is $1.61 yesterday.

 

[Goofyseven]

I don't know where your are in MN, but from Gurnee IL, we take 294 to 394 to Exchange St, then 41 S to 24. We have found this is 30 miles shorter than 65, but 10 minutes longer. Once we did the Birmingham 231 route, but found it was much longer than 75 thru Atlanta. In going thru Atlanta you can utilize the HOV lanes as long as you have more than 1 person on board.

 

[mightyexplorers]

you can utilize the HOV lanes as long as you have more than 1 person on board.

More than one person will not be an issue for us. We have 8 kids and they will all be traveling with us.

Thanks everyone for the advice, it sounds like if we do opt for that route that the Dothan, i10 route is the way to go.

We may end up getting to Nashville and flipping a coin. New territory is always fun to cover though.

 

[mightyexplorers]

As you can see we are still all snowed in but can't wait to hit the road.
The snow and ice hasn't stopped us from starting to get loaded up though. We have already started to load certain non parashable snacks and frozen items.

 

[FlyingReese]

I don't have much to say but thank you. We leave in 19 days from central MN so this has been useful!

 

[mightyexplorers]

I don't have much to say but thank you. We leave in 19 days from central MN so this has been useful!

What part of MN? We come our of Brainerd. This is the route we went last time, taking 52 out of Minneapolis through Rochester, while that is the shortest way, there was a lot of 2 lane from Rochester until we were able to pick up 63.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bra...72dc54798d9f!2m2!1d-81.558563!2d28.407431!3e0

The route was nice though, typically we would leave after work and travel to iowa city where there is a nice RV friendly Walmart, the second day we would travel to Dalton, GA, and the third day make fort wilderness. We would leave Dalton early like around 3-4 am and then have very little traffic through Atlanta.

This next trip I think we will stick to 35 until Mason City. It will give us more interstate but still cut the corner a bit to 218. Then after Nashville is anyone's guess. I am leaning toward the new way though through Alabama, it is longer but I think timewise it will be a wash, or faster having fewer grades.
This is kind of what I am thinking.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bra...72dc54798d9f!2m2!1d-81.558563!2d28.407431!3e0

 

[bama_ed]

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bra...72dc54798d9f!2m2!1d-81.558563!2d28.407431!3e0

Yeah, well, I wouldn't follow that route EXACTLY, mightyX.

When I clicked on the link, it showed me coming into the backstage areas of the MK (Ream's Road).

We should probably take the Turnpike to Hwy 429 to the Western Way and into the Fort. Or you can get off 429 early onto Winter Garden-Vineland Road and turn into the WDW property there by the CM softball field.

I went out that way one year and they were widening the road off of Hwy 429 but if that's done I would go in/out that way to the Fort. Although coming in it means a 180-degree turn into the Fort entrance....

Bama Ed

 

[mightyexplorers]

When I clicked on the link, it showed me coming into the backstage areas of the MK (Ream's Road).

HA!, nice catch Ed, well I guess I was more concerned with the broad strokes.
Actually I was was thinking of driving right into the Magic Kingdom and right onto the admiral fowler and having them ferry me to the fort. Just goes to show you, don't put to much faith in Google maps.
Before leaving I usually zoom way in and trace every mile of the route, I have caught google trying to take me up an exit, back 10 miles on a freeway up another exit and then back onto my oridiginal course. GPS is great but still isn't quite a replacement for old fashion map reading.

Maybe this is closer. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bra...0x88dd7dc3139577bb:0x26bb558757a934e5!1m0!3e0

429, to western way, to world Drive, under the arches and to the Fort.

 

[pcstang]

Although I don't have a TT or RV I do enjoy reading the threads. Just a little advice, when coming into Dothan, whether it's on 231 from Montgomery or 431 from Columbus, take a left on Ross Clark circle / 210. That is the tractor trailer route and has much less traffic. The area to the right is just starting the process of widening to 6 lanes and will be a mess for quite some time.

 

[5stljayhawks]

I made this trip out of St. Louis, after 20 something years of dealing with Nashville/ Chat/ Atlanta. One year I said, self lets change it up and went STL to memphis (I'm an elvis fan, with a campsite right across from Graceland) then went tupalo and birmingham. then off to Montgomery and 231 to dotham and hit 10. 231 is 2/3 lane not overly bad, but will take this over 75 ANYDAY. It flows pretty good. We I did this trip, I fell in love with it for a number of reason.

1) Not having to worry about Atlanta is a MAJOR reason, why risk the 2-3 hour traffic jam for 20-30 miles.
2) Second, when you hit 10, you set your speed control to whatever you want to drive, it is easy breezy to lake city. There are also a number of campgrounds along the way, but you will want to make sure you map out .
3) Also when I went this route, I missed all the major hills.
4) This route is also a great alternative if you have to miss snow and ice in the mnts.

 

[FlyingReese]

What part of MN? We come our of Brainerd. This is the route we went last time, taking 52 out of Minneapolis through Rochester, while that is the shortest way, there was a lot of 2 lane from Rochester until we were able to pick up 63.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bra...72dc54798d9f!2m2!1d-81.558563!2d28.407431!3e0

The route was nice though, typically we would leave after work and travel to iowa city where there is a nice RV friendly Walmart, the second day we would travel to Dalton, GA, and the third day make fort wilderness. We would leave Dalton early like around 3-4 am and then have very little traffic through Atlanta.

This next trip I think we will stick to 35 until Mason City. It will give us more interstate but still cut the corner a bit to 218. Then after Nashville is anyone's guess. I am leaning toward the new way though through Alabama, it is longer but I think timewise it will be a wash, or faster having fewer grades.
This is kind of what I am thinking.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bra...72dc54798d9f!2m2!1d-81.558563!2d28.407431!3e0

We are out of St. Cloud. We where looking at staying on 35