Anyone driven from the Chicago burbs to Orlando?

[classicpooh]

We are strongly considering driving this summer from the Chicago burbs to Orlando...

Would love to hear how long it took, good places to stop and would you do it again? We are traveling with children who will be 2 1/2 and almost 6! Are we crazy to even entertain the thought of driving?

 

[We4mickey]

We have been driving from the Milwaukee area to WDW for many years. We did it with kids when our oldest was 4 months old. ( Now almost 17). Drive very early, 3 or 4 am , kids will sleep . We usually drive down to around Chattanooga or a little further and then stay somewhere. Up early the next day again and usually to disney by around 1. Don't be afraid to stop at a wayside for a picnic instead of a restaurant . Kids can run around and burn off energy. DH usually crashes right after we get to our hotel. I take the kids and let them swim until they have used up all their energy. Wear them out for another day of driving.

 

[Minnie96]

I have an aunt who lives outside of St. Pete, and we drive down at least once a year to see her (from about 35-40 miles north of the city). The first night, we usually stay in Nashville I-57 to I-24), then in Valdosta GA (I-24 to I-75), and we're at her house around noon/1pm on day 3. We usually start at about 7:30-8:00 each morning, and stop for lunches and frequent breaks, and stop for the day around 3:30-4, so it definitely can be done in less time - this allows plenty of time for relaxing. To get to WDW, you'd get off I-75 somewhere on the other side of Ocala - I don't remember the exact distance, but at that point, you'll see all kinds of signs.

 

[YodasMom]

I drove down last month and it took 23 hours of drive time. I live northwest of the city. The first day, I left at 5:30 AM and drove to Monteagle, TN just outside of Chattanooga. Stayed at a Best Western there. The second day, I left at 8:00 AM to miss the Atlanta rush hour and then drove through to WDW arriving around 6:00 PM. I would do it again, but might decrease the daily drive time so that I'm driving more like 500 miles per day. I drove alone and do not have kids, so that may make a difference for you.

Have ressies at WDW on Dec 21-28, but am not sure if I'm going. If I do go, I'm not sure how I'm getting there as I don't have plane ressies. I'm a little concerned about drving in the winter weather, especially through the mountains.

 

[Dodie]

We've driven from Indianapolis (not exactly a Chicago suburb, but only 3 1/2 hours south) several times. The trip takes 18 hours. Last time we drove to Atlanta (10 hours) the first day and then on to WDW the second day. It's a long trip - and the portion through Georgia (or Alabama, depending upon how you go) isn't too visually exciting, but it's do-able.