Alabama highways?

[colleen costello]

I am curious if anyone has driven to Florida from the north via the Alabama highways. We typically travel through Chattanooga, Atlanta and Gainesville but the whole state of Georgia seems to be under terrible construction. We plan instead to take the slightly longer route through Tennessee and Alabama, passing through Montgomery and over through the Florida panhandle. Has anyone done this? I am preparing for an exciting night in a town called Dothan, AL.

Webmaster Doc? You're a Hoosier but I can't remember if you fly... Anyone? I am nervous now because I don't know the location of every McDonald's, gas station and bathroom...

 

[spiceycat]

Hey - Alabama has very nice reststops - they are clean - even the small one - there is always some one there to help and answer your questions.

the gas prices are higher closer to main town than smaller ones - you could find great gas prices in Dothan - but I am going this Sunday!!! the price for b'ham (well Homewood) is $1.65.

Try not to go to much over the speed limit - even on most of US 231 it is 65 - so try not to go over 72 - the Highway Patrol gives ticket here and you can't talk them out of it.

there is plenty of MacDonald's - don't worry - and anywhere from 1 mile to 10 miles before you get to a reststop there is a sign (blue of course) warning you.

Georgia has much cheaper gasoline prices than Ala - on top of what we already paid - there is talk of raising the gas price in Jefferson County (where Birmingham is located) up around 10 cents more (they have tried several times to pass a higher property tax for the Birmingham and Jefferson county schools and it has been voted down - so this is the only choice that the city council sees)

the school districts with the money - Hoover, Homewood, Vestavia and Mountain Brook have their own city and school system.

I am sure that is more than you wanted to know - but just don't buy gasoline in Jefferson County unless you have no choice.

 

[colleen costello]

SpcieyCat, I had forgotten you are from Birmingham! I am least concerned about gas prices (especially if my pennies help the schools) but worried about the area where you go through "no man's land." We also had trouble deciding where to stay the first night as we were uncertain of travel times. Are we going the best way, in your opinion -- through Alabama down through Dothan then East into Florida, then over to Gainesville and down?

 

[CarolA]

This is going to be a lot longer! Even with the Georgia construction I would opt to drive thur Gerogia. If I am not mistaken down near Montgomery it goes to a two lane road. I know that from Nashville to the panhandle takes almost as long as about 9 to 10 hours and it is a 12 hour drive from Nashville to Orlando so you are adding a LOT of hours in the car.

 

[colleen costello]

CarolA, it will be longer but we feel from recent reports it is the better choice. Friends just returning mentioned being stuck on the Georgia highways for HOURS -- the route is dug up from Chatanooga clear to Valdosta! I would rather move slowly than be stuck. We do realize it will be longer and there is a stretch in southern AL where it is "local roads." If the route is that awful we can try Georgia on the way home.

 

[spiceycat]

I take I65 until Montgomery - then I85 stay on it past the exit that says 231 - the next exit (I think it is 9) is a much straighter way to US 231 (the truck route)-

then stay on US 231 til it hits I10 past Cottondale, Fl (which is past Dothan)

then at Lake City get on I75

then Florida Turnpike - take the first exit US27 - then US 192 - go in the back door of WDW - I think it is around 31 miles (there is a sign) from the first exit on the FT to WDW property.

the rest stop between Fl and Al - on the Fl side was recently redone - last year - so it new and big and very nice - they serve Orange Juice here 8:00 am to 5:00pm or dusk which ever comes first.

It takes me around 3 1/2 hours (sometimes 4 depending upon how often I stop) to get from Birmingham to Dothan - Of course I travel with my mother, who is 80, and my cat - who when we stop and he is up demands a 20 minute walk. so you might be able to do it in 3 hours.

you also have to be careful on I10 - the Florida st is on this section more often than I75 - my brother says that there are more bad wrecks (people go ready fast here - so when they wreck -- it is bad). I can generally get away with 80 - but don't even try to go 90 - you will be ticketed - the last time we were on this section there were 5 state troopers cars and they were giving out tickets. (oh the speed limit posted is 70). Don't be surprise at people in the fast lane going really fast - just get out of the way.

send me an email on March 24 (will be back on the 22nd) and I will tell you about any construction that I see - unless you are going next week too.

 

[RobDoc]

The "western" route to FL is a good way to go. It may be a little linger under normal driving conditions, but if I-75 is torn up and has heavy traffic (like spring break times), the AL route will be a good option.

We haven't driven for awhile now, but have used that route in the past.

Since this isn't a DVC topic, I'll move it to the Transportation Board and see if there are any more comments there.

Enjoy!

 

[colleen costello]

Thanks, Doc! I forgot about the "transportation" board. I turn to DVC'ers for the answers to EVERYTHING!

 

[JulieWent]

We live in Auburn (about 45 miles east of Montgomery). We have to take I-65 South to Pensacola frequently since we have family there. I-65 is experiencing some construction south of Montgomery, but nothing like seems to be going on in Georgia.
That said, I can't imagine going I-65 to Orlando. We always take back roads over to Tifton, GA, where we catch I-75. Yes, there's a bunch of construction going on, but not nearly enough to justify taking more back roads. I do not know what kind of construction is going on north of Tifton, but the construction south of there is significant, but does not cause us to lose much time.

Also, Dothan's not so bad. See if you can time it to make the Peanut Festival!

 

[HookdonWDW]

We live about 20 minutes from Dothan, so the route you're talking about taking is the one we always take. It takes about 6 hours to get to WDW from Dothan.

As far as construction, there's some construction around the Taylor Rd. intersection on 231 (south of Montgomery), but then it's pretty clear to Dothan. You are on a two lane highway all the way to Dothan. When you pass the signs to Fort Rucker, make sure to wave to me .

There are plenty of hotels around Ross Clark Circle in Dothan, and lots of places to grab a bite to eat. It's just not the most... exciting town in the world. But for one night, it's not horrible either.

If you are planning to take this trip during the spring, here is a warning: Dothan is only about an hour from PCB (Panama City Beach), so the road can be VERY CONGESTED with bad drivers until you get on I-10. It's single lane traffic part of the way. Also, no matter what you do, DON'T speed through Cottondale. They are notorious for their speed traps.

I don't know if it's still going on, but there was construction on I-10 around Tallahassee also. HTH, and feel free to e-mail me if you have any other questions .

Lisa

lisab@sw.rr.com

Edit: Julie - we're sending our oldest up your way for college in the fall! She's fallen in love with everything Auburn!

 

[CarolA]

Well my long term boyfriend lives in Atlanta and the route from Atlanta to Chattanooga is not that bad. I did it in the normal amount of time both going to Atlanta and back just last week.

 

[Caskbill]

Hi Colleen:

As you know we're not that far from you, so it'd be the same route we took about 3 years ago when I first retired.

It's definitely longer, both in miles and in time. You kind of forget how much slower several hundred miles of 2-lane road can be when compared to the interstate. It's not just speed limits, but slowing down going through towns, problems with slower traffic, etc.

If you're not in a hurry it's a fine drive. We enjoyed it as something different, and more relaxing. There's definitely more scenery. Interstate scenery all looks the same

Have a great trip.

 

[colleen costello]

Thanks all! I think we are going to do the Alabama route one way, and the Georgia route the other. Then we can compare! I would personally just take my chances through Georgia, but the thought of being "stuck" takes on new meaning with an 8-year old and a 5-year old in the vehicle.

Thanks for the info!

Colleen

 

[SamR]

Several people have made reference to two-lane roads being a downside to this route. However, unless I am misunderstanding the route being discussed (I-65 from Nashville down to Montgomery, then Hwy 231 through Dothan to I-10), there is not a significant amount of two-lane involved. Highway 231, while not a controlled-access road like an interstate, is four-lane for the vast majority (and maybe all) of the route from Montgomery to the Alabama/Florida state line. The stretch from the state line to I-10 (about 20 miles) used to be partially two-lane, but I think that most of it has been widened to four lanes now.

Caskbill's point about there being other factors, most notably traffic lights and lower speed limits as you pass through various towns, certainly applies, but at least with two lanes in each direction you don't have to worry about getting stuck behind slow-moving farm machinery. Traffic flows reasonably well on most of the route, with the biggest exceptions being occasional congestion around the Dothan area, and some marked plunges in the speed limits around a couple of the small towns (Campbellton, Cottondale) just north of I-10.

(While I'm now a North Carolina resident, I'm originally from Alabama, and our family still goes to the Panama City or Destin area most summers. We usually visit family in Birmingham either before or after the beach stay, so this is a path we have traversed on a number of occasions.)

 

[HookdonWDW]

Originally posted by SamR
Several people have made reference to two-lane roads being a downside to this route. However, unless I am misunderstanding the route being discussed (I-65 from Nashville down to Montgomery, then Hwy 231 through Dothan to I-10), there is not a significant amount of two-lane involved. Highway 231, while not a controlled-access road like an interstate, is four-lane for the vast majority (and maybe all) of the route from Montgomery to the Alabama/Florida state line. The stretch from the state line to I-10 (about 20 miles) used to be partially two-lane, but I think that most of it has been widened to four lanes now.

I'm sorry... I don't think I was clear... it is two lanes in EACH DIRECTION through Alabama, and then it goes to single lane in each direction for part of the way to I-10 across the Floriday border. For most of 231, it is a divided highway. The speed limit is mostly 65, but there are areas where it goes down to 25 (through towns). I hope that clears it up .

Lisa

 

[colleen costello]

Oh dear... I literally do not know WHAT to do! I am one of those nuts that frets and obsesses and can not make a decision. I have finally made reservations in TWO Fairfield Inns (one in Dothan AL and one in Macon GA) and I may just flip a coin tomorrow morning! My husband refuses to comment because I keep changing my mind!

I think it is clear that the Alabama roads are OK. The problem is that the Alabama route is not as direct. We would go "down and over" instead of a diagonal line which is shorter. The Georgia route is more "as the crow flies." If the construction is manageable, the Georgia route is faster. Thanks for that CarolAnn!

What I am learning from all this is something I have supected all along: I need to move closer to Orlando!

 

[Wislodgers]

Not an expert by any means, but thought I could add my 2 cents worth! We have driven a number of times on the "Georgia" route. From home to VWL it is about 27 hours driving straight through. We have also driven twice to Tyndale AFB in Panama City, then later continued over and down to Orlando. It takes us 24 hours to drive to Panama City and then another 7 to get to Orlando. I realize part of the 7 hours was getting from Panama City back to the interstate. It definitely will add a little time to your trip. We have talked about doing the Alabama route just to avoid Atlanta but in the end we always opt for the quicker Georgia route. Good luck with your decision!

 

[SamR]

The problem is that the Alabama route is not as direct.

Just out of curiosity, I plugged this problem into the software (MapSource) that generates the routes for my GPS. As expected, when I gave it a starting point of Bloomington, Indiana, and an ending point of World Drive and Buena Vista (seemed as good a choice as any), it chose the route through Nashville, Chatanooga, and Atlanta, and calculated that route to be 964 miles. When I forced it to use Birmingham and Dothan as intermediate points (thereby ending up on the route we have been discussing here), it came in at 1023 miles. So, the "direct" route actually works out to be about 60 miles shorter.

The program also tries to estimate travel time. It estimates 16 hours and 6 minutes for the Atlanta route. But because it assumes a much lower average speed for non-interstate roads, the 'Bama-based route comes in at a whopping 17 hours and 53 minutes! Of course, it doesn't factor in construction delays, Atlanta snarls, or other unpredictable events, so the time difference could be much less. But it certainly appears that you should count on at least an hour extra for the 'Bama scenic route.

Whichever route you chose, have a great trip!

 

[colleen costello]

Thanks, SamR! I don't have access to that technology. The programs we use are funny sometimes. One of the weird things ours does is send us way over EAST to 95, which is way out of the way on either route. I had to force it to use the Florida Turnpike by listing Gainesville as a stop.

My husband has finally said he will drive to Nashville TN tomorrow and then ask me which way he should point the minivan! I will change my mind 100 times before we leave tomorrow!