any Indy cruisers that have driven to port?

[daltonsdodisney]

We're on the May 26 and are planning to drive to the port. How far do you usually get on the first day? I'm looking for an overnight stop. We're leaving around 7 am and my parents will be following us. We want to drive at least 9-10 hrs. Also, it will be Memorial Day weekend, so I'm not sure how bad traffic will be. Any suggestions of places off the interstate?
Thanks!

 

[gduvall]

We just got back from the Magic on Spring Break(Easter Week), we also drove, if you don't have alot of stops, you should be able to make it to Macon, GA in 9-10 hours from Indy.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

I-65 to Nashville (285 miles).
I-24 to Chattanooga (135 miles).
I-75 to I-475 Macon By-pass (179 miles).
I-475 Macon By-pass to I-75 (15 miles).
I-75 to I-10 in North Florida (192 miles).
I-10 to Jacksonville (66 miles).
I-95 to Exit 77A (146 miles).
SR-528 to the port (12 miles).

I would spend the night in Georgia (either Macon or Cordele or Perry or Tifton or Valdosta).

 

[idontknow]

When we drove from NE Ind, I called AAA to see where there would be construction going on. They also told me the cities/towns that were red flagged. (waayyy too many tickets given to outsiders) Valdosta was the only town "red flagged" by AAA. We didn't have any problems, either did a friend that drove down over Easter. Just do not speed thru that town. You can call AAA and they will give you lots of info, and you don't have to be a member to get the info. It took us 16 hours from Fort Wayne to the doorstep of DxL when we drove, but that was nonstop, too.

 

[smjj]

We drove it with two small kid(lots of potty breaks) and made it from just south of Indianapolis to Valdosta in the first day but it was a long haul. We made it the rest of the way the next day(maybe 6 hrs additional). We have flown sence!!..smjj

 

[tkd lisa]

Just have to say hi to fellow Hoosiers! Our family was born and raised there! We moved to Southern Maryland after our Navy base was closed in 96. Hope everyone enjoys their trips! We're on the 11 May Western.

 

[professorandmom]

Wow, this is as good as it gets- I'm hooked on these boards and now know that there are lots of other hoosiers who are too!

I did the drive last year and have a question. I, too have stayed in Macon and would really like to find a reasonable place to stay that is close to the highway. I use Priceline for other trips so I love getting a great rate. (I don't want to use Priceline since I have so little control over location.) I would like a hotel close to the highway (I am a single mom and it is a long drive). I've stayed in a Hampton Inn, which is nice but more than $100. Anyone have any recommendations for a chain (gotta have a pool for the kids to unwind) under $100?

 

[daltonsdodisney]

We're from Bedford, which is about an hour south of Indy and I just booked a Holiday Inn Express in Cordele, GA, which looks to be about 2 hrs. past Atlanta, right off I-75, exit 102, that I got for only $59.95 off their web page. It has a pool and includes free breakfast. That will be about a 10 hr. drive for us.

 

[westjones]

We just got back from Disney and drove it all in one day (yes we were crazy ).

We left Indy at 9:30 pm and got to Orlando at 5:30 pm the next day.

BUT if you want to stop (which we did on the way back), you could look at stopping somewhere in Georgia.

Last September, we got up at 4:00 am and drove to Jacksonville by 11:00 pm that night.

Debra

 

[tkd lisa]

Old country inn and suites is very nice. We stayed about 1 1/2 years ago at a new one in Kings Bay GA. I think the actual address was Kingsland. It had a nice indoor pool. That's going to be more than 1/2 way for you though. We wanted to get the big day of driving out of the way first. If I remember, I think we paid about $60.

 

[KimDisFan]

Driving from SE IND, just outside Cincy. My Brother In Law went to FL in March and got stuck in Bridge construction in TN (between Knoxville & Chattanoga)on I-75 (about 3 hour delay), my other BIL got stuck a couple a weeks ago for 2 hours in same construction. I guess it depends on where you pick up I75 (don't have a map in front of me)We are actually considering going through the Smokies I-75 to I-40 through SC (I-20 or 26 can't remember, which)to I-95. I am going to see what AAA says.

In Feb, we made it to south of Atlanta (HWY 20) in about 8 hours.

We are going in June and driving, and we are going to stay in FL. I don't care where, but I want to be in the state of FL on Friday night or early Sat am, no matter which way we go.

Good Luck!

 

[professorandmom]

Earlier in this thread I requested help in locating an affordable stop somewhere near Atlanta.

I checked out the two suggested hotels without luck. I really need something about half way - near Macon would be great! Could someone make a suggestion? I would like something near the highway with a pool under $100. I have stayed in the Hampton Inn off 75 at exit 169 - very nice but expensive.

Please help me! Thanks!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

professorandmom, how about the Super 8 in Perry?

It's at Exit 136... Perry is the first city past Macon with a abundant selection of gas, food, and lodging establishments. I've found Super 8's to be a good value and a good price. Triple-A gives it 3 diamonds and only one dollar sign (most of the other hotels at that exit have two dollar signs).

www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/hotel_details?p_brand=SE&pid=08602

(Note: Georgia's Interstate exits have been renumbered. The listing above says the hotel is off exit 43. It is, in fact, exit 136.)