Alabama DVCers? -- Got 15?

[photobob]

From Montgomery, we take US231 to I-10. Then I-10 to I-75 to the turnpike to Western Way.

How long does it take you?

 

[photobob]

Photobob, that is the route that we always take. We usually make it from Florence in @10 hours & 30 minutes. The only hang up is Atlanta if you don't time it right. We just got back a couple of weeks ago. It was our longest travel time yet - 16 1/2 hours of straight driving . When we got near Atlanta, I20 was closed due to flooding. We were diverted onto 92 with hundreds of other vehicles. It took 2 hours to go @5 miles. Roads were closed everywhere. We turned around and came back to Alabama. We took 431 out of Oxford/Anniston to the state line. It was quite the drive at midnight.

The Oxford area has changed in the last few years. There are a lot of new shopping areas. We usually stop for gas & food in Oxford.

Ten and 1/2 isn't too bad from Florence, I figured it would take longer than that! What way do you go from Florence towards Oxford? I know about 5 different ways, just wondering what way is the preferred route for someone who lives there. I went to UNA and my DIL's parents live there.

 

[Simba's Mom]

How many of Alabama DVCers drive to our second home? If so what is your route and how long does it take you?

Living in Oxford I am five miles to I-20 so we always jump on there and then head towards Atlanta. We take 285 south to 75 south and then take the Florida Turnpike. I forget the road and exit number we take but it's the rather new toll road that brings you in from the backside of WDW, so no dealing with I-4! Total miles around 540 and we have done it in 8 hours and 15 minutes with just potty breaks and a drive thru lunch. Normal stops we are more around 9 hours.

Thanks so much for that info, photobob. And your timing on posting it was perfect. DH just came back from Oxford, AL on Tuesday with realty info-he's loves Cider Ridge golf course there. Of course, my first thought is-exactly how far would we be from Disney World?
So do different parts of Alabama have preferences of Tide vs. Tigers, or do they cross geographical lines?

 

[MScott1851]

Ten and 1/2 isn't too bad from Florence, I figured it would take longer than that! What way do you go from Florence towards Oxford? I know about 5 different ways, just wondering what way is the preferred route for someone who lives there. I went to UNA and my DIL's parents live there.

Honestly, it depends on what time of day you leave Florence, and what part of Florence you leave from! (I know you didn't ask me, but I was born and raised there, along with DH, and all our family is still there. )

We usually take 157 to Cullman, hit 65 South, then I-20 east from Birmingham over to Oxford.

But if we're leaving from my parent's house, we cut over to 72 East and take it to Athens, then I-65 South to Birmingham, then I-20 East over to Oxford, then on to Atlanta.

That being said, I haven't driven to WDW since I went with my parents when I was 5...we've always flown. But now we have a little one, so we're seriously considering driving down next year. We'll be leaving from Memphis and headed to Florence to pick up the grandparents, then hit the road.

 

[5kwallace]

Ten and 1/2 isn't too bad from Florence, I figured it would take longer than that! What way do you go from Florence towards Oxford? I know about 5 different ways, just wondering what way is the preferred route for someone who lives there. I went to UNA and my DIL's parents live there.

We take 157 to Cullman, 65 South to I-20 East. My DH drives a little on the fast side. I hate stopping, so we try to take Potty Breaks / Food / Gas all at the same time. If we can get thru Atlanta, then it is smooth sailing from there. My Dh and I are also UNA Grads.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

How long does it take you?

It usually takes us 8-9 hours but we stop several times on the way, usually at the state line, Tallahassee, and Lake City.

 

[photobob]

We take 157 to Cullman, 65 South to I-20 East. My DH drives a little on the fast side. I hate stopping, so we try to take Potty Breaks / Food / Gas all at the same time. If we can get thru Atlanta, then it is smooth sailing from there. My Dh and I are also UNA Grads.

That's the way we always go as well, seems to be the path of least resistance. When I live there 157 was two lane from Cullman to Muscle Shoals except for the couple of miles in Moulton. It's a much better ride now that it is four laned the whole way.

 

[5kwallace]

I was so glad when 157 was finally finished. That road project lasted for years and years. We have tried going other ways, but this route is by far the fastest.

 

[photobob]

Thanks so much for that info, photobob. And your timing on posting it was perfect. DH just came back from Oxford, AL on Tuesday with realty info-he's loves Cider Ridge golf course there. Of course, my first thought is-exactly how far would we be from Disney World?
So do different parts of Alabama have preferences of Tide vs. Tigers, or do they cross geographical lines?

I live just a few miles from Cider Ridge, as a matter of fact my DD's boyfriend lives just off of a fairway on the back nine. My son played on Oxford High School's golf team and Cider Ridge was their home course. I've played there a few times and have friends who are members but have been playing a Robert Trent Jones course (Silver Lakes) more this year, it is between Anniston and Gadsden on 431.

Alabama/Auburn fans are not really geographic though Birmingham tends to be a Bama town and Montgomery an Auburn town due mainly to geographics, but you can find Bama fans anywhere in the State as well as Auburn.

 

[poohj80]

It used to take us ~10 hours from Huntsville, but having a child (especially a potty training child) slowed us down by at least an hour if not 2 (always stop about 1/2 way at a McDs with a play area for about 30 mins).

 

[MScott1851]

Dh and I are UNA grads as well, 5kwallace and Photobob.

Have you guys been back for tailgating on Spirit Hill? We've really enjoyed the few times we've went and wondered why we didn't do that when we were in school!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Dh and I are UNA grads as well, 5kwallace and Photobob.

Have you guys been back for tailgating on Spirit Hill? We've really enjoyed the few times we've went and wondered why we didn't do that when we were in school!

I'm a UNA grad too!

I tried to go to a UNA game in mid-September, but my sister decided that we really wanted to go to Regency Square mall instead.

 

[Melani]

How many of Alabama DVCers drive to our second home? If so what is your route and how long does it take you?

Living in Oxford I am five miles to I-20 so we always jump on there and then head towards Atlanta. We take 285 south to 75 south and then take the Florida Turnpike. I forget the road and exit number we take but it's the rather new toll road that brings you in from the backside of WDW, so no dealing with I-4! Total miles around 540 and we have done it in 8 hours and 15 minutes with just potty breaks and a drive thru lunch. Normal stops we are more around 9 hours.

We take I-10 to 75 to Turnpike.
9 hours w/ 1 hour lunch

I have to get out my notes, we found that toll road leaving on our last trip & I wrote it down somewhere so we could take it in next trip. (I-4 always has some kind of wreck/construction ). You get on someplace west of WWoS

I want to find another place to eat other than Cracker Barrel in Tallahassee.
Any suggestions?


I can't find my notes
Does this look like the one?
http://www.floridasturnpike.com/maps/UpdatedMaps2007/westernbeltway.pdf

 

[MScott1851]

I'm a UNA grad too!

I tried to go to a UNA game in mid-September, but my sister decided that we really wanted to go to Regency Square mall instead.

You're kidding!! That mall is dying a slow, painful, death. It's been going downhill for years.

We haven't made it to a game this year, we had our first baby in September and she's still too little to take out yet, and by the time she can go, it will be too cold. So we have high hopes for next year.

 

[Melani]

From Montgomery, we take US231 to I-10. Then I-10 to I-75 to the turnpike to Western Way.

Is that the same as State Road 429 (SR 429), also known as the Daniel Webster Western Beltway or Western Expressway?

 

[photobob]

Is that the same as State Road 429 (SR 429), also known as the Daniel Webster Western Beltway or Western Expressway?

I'm not sure what it is called, i just know where it is and it is the only way I'll go now. It has very little traffic and it is by far the easiest way to get to our special place.

***Just saw the PDF of the map you linked, yes that is the highway!! and it is wonderful!****

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

You're kidding!! That mall is dying a slow, painful, death. It's been going downhill for years.

We haven't made it to a game this year, we had our first baby in September and she's still too little to take out yet, and by the time she can go, it will be too cold. So we have high hopes for next year.

I just wish Sis would have understood that I drove 3 1/2 hours TO GO TO A UNA BALLGAME! To make matters worse...she called me from the Homecoming Game to rub it in!

Maybe next year. Dh may not ever want to go to a UNA game again.

 

[tidefan]

How many of Alabama DVCers drive to our second home? If so what is your route and how long does it take you?

Living in Oxford I am five miles to I-20 so we always jump on there and then head towards Atlanta. We take 285 south to 75 south and then take the Florida Turnpike. I forget the road and exit number we take but it's the rather new toll road that brings you in from the backside of WDW, so no dealing with I-4! Total miles around 540 and we have done it in 8 hours and 15 minutes with just potty breaks and a drive thru lunch. Normal stops we are more around 9 hours.

We are in Chelsea, so Hwy 280 to Phenix City, then the 80 bypass N of Columbus to I-85 (avoids all Phenix City/Columbus traffic lights), pick 280 back up, go to Albany, then 82 to Tifton, then hit 75 all the way to the Turnpike, then Western Way or I-4 depending on where we are going...

 

[Tara]

I'm a UNA grad too!

I tried to go to a UNA game in mid-September, but my sister decided that we really wanted to go to Regency Square mall instead.

Go Lions!! UNA c/o 1992

Poor Regency Square. It was a lost cause the day Parisian went away. IT wasn't always so pitiful - Parisian, Castner Knott and Pizitz (then McRae's). Heck, I still remember Record Bar...Dill's Wood and Wax...my grandmother used to always want to take us to Morrison's for dinner...

 

[starstruck93]

Hey! Checkin in!! Originaly from Scottsboro, went to college at UAB, now I reside in Washington D.C.!! Great thread BTW!!