Any StL area driving vets?

[cecily318]

We're heading down in less than 2 months from the St. Louis area. This is our first year driving. We're still debating whether to break it up into 2 days or try to push through in one. We'll have 2 drivers (me and DH) and 2 littles in the back.

So for those of you who have done it before from that general area, do you do 1 day or 2? Any tips on favorite places to stop for a break or stop overnight? What's your preferred time for hitting the road?

Any stories/tips/advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mjc05]

We are about an hour and a half south of St. Louis and have driven to Disney three times. Our first trip we stopped and spent the night outside of Atlanta. The second trip we stopped in Jackson, Mississippi and spent the night. By the third trip, we were used to the 55 to 10 route and just alternated drivers and made the trip without stopping to overnight. We are still debating which route we are taking this year (the Nashville/Atlanta route or the 55 to 10 route). If we do the Nashville/Atlanta route, we will probably stop to overnight just to miss the morning rush hour traffic in Atlanta. If we go the 55 to 10 route, we will drive straight through.

If it's your first time driving, I'd suggest making an over night stop somewhere. Especially with two little ones.

 

[TheMorgans]

We live east of the Metro area (about an hour) and have drove to WDW many many times. I like to fly but the DH likes to drive. 90% of our driving trips have been straigh through. We usually leave about 6:30 pm so we arrive the next moring and the kiddos sleep most of the way. IF we do stop it is somewhere south of Atlanta - between Macon and Valdosta.

We have not decided if we will drive or fly for our Sept trip. Waiting to see what air fare and gas prices will be. I'm hoping SW will have some GREAT deals!!

 

[loafer74]

I bought tickers from STL for 149.00 a person total through orbitz flying in late May , I bought them 2 weeks ago so they may be a little higher now , well worth it

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Quick check of the map shows half way is basically Chattanooga and our family LOVES the aquarium there. That still leaves you to tackle Atlanta the next day, unfortunately. OTOH you could press on past Atlanta the first night if you like. One of my co-workers prefers to do it all in one shot & he drives through the night wired up on energy drinks with the kids sleeping in the back. I'm too old for that kind of nonsense though

 

[cecily318]

Thanks all for the responses! Our original plans involved spending the night in Atlanta, but we can't decide if that leaves too much driving the next day so that it'd feel like we were 'wasting' another day. Lots to think about...

 

[disneygrandma]

We're leaving from Nebr & driving around 6 hrs to get to the St Louis area, where we'll spend the night. We plan on leaving at 7 AM the next morning, and drive to Southern Ga to spend the night, and that should get us to WDW by lunch time the following day.

 

[kkendle]

We live in St. Peters and drove to Disney several years ago with 6 kids. We drove to Atlanta and spent 2 nights there as we had season passes to Six Flags so went to the park there. We got up after the 2nd night and drove to Orlando....I can't remember how long it took but it was OK..long trip but do-able. I would NEVER drive straight thru...ever. I just cannot make trips like that.

Now we fly...the last couple of trips. It is way more expensive but driving that long and far to me is just torture.

Good luck!