Anyone driven to the World from Houston?

[cdollaz]

We are doing it is August and I was wondering what your route was. Also, we are probably going to stop somewhere along the way for the night. Probably Pensacola or does anyone have any other suggestions where to stop along the way.

 

[ShaneV]

Ive done it around 6 times. It usually takes us between 14-16 hours of drive time (add in more for lots of stops or breaks).


Its a really straight-forward drive.
Go East on I-10 to I-12 E
Go I-12E to I-10 E
Go I-10E to 75S
Go 75S to Florida Turnpike S
Florida Turnpike to I-4
I-4 to your exit.

Now I did this from ememory so dont hold me on it

 

[ShaneV]

Oh and we like to make it to Tallahassee on the first day so we dont have very long drive the next day.

 

[cdollaz]

Cool. Thanks.

 

[therealgoofy]

I made that drive a couple of years ago. We stopped in Destin, FL which has BEAUTIFUL beaches (white sand and emerald green water). We got up early the next morning and hung out on the beach for a couple of hours and then headed down to Orlando. From what I remember, it was still light out when we got there. On the way back we stopped in Biloxi, MS, got a cheap hotel and gambled for the night.

I live in Austin now, and the extra 3 hours each way was enough to push me to buy plane tix for our trip in Sept.

Chris

 

[ShaneV]

Were flying for our trip in Sept too. When are you going therealgoofy. Well be there from Spe 20-27 staying at WL!

 

[therealgoofy]

We are going aug 30- Sept 6th.

tRG

 

[FFerret]

Wow--we're making the same trip at the end of September. So it looks like 16 hours then, plus breaks....

Anybody have any good motel recommendations--looking at something cheap but CLEAN

 

[ShaneV]

We usually try to stay at a Sleep Inn/Comofrt Inn/Comfort Suits
they are all the same company just more expensive. Weve never had any problems with them.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by ShaneV
Ive done it around 6 times. It usually takes us between 14-16 hours of drive time (add in more for lots of stops or breaks).


Its a really straight-forward drive.
Go East on I-10 to I-12 E
Go I-12E to I-10 E
Go I-10E to 75S
Go 75S to Florida Turnpike S
Florida Turnpike to I-4
I-4 to your exit.

Now I did this from ememory so dont hold me on it

Why would you get on and off of I-10 like that. Just take I-10 all the way into Florida? I used to live in Houston and the drive from downtown Houston to New Orleans is between 5 and 6 hours as a straight shot. If you can make it past New Orleans I would stop in Slidell for lunch. Don't try stopping in major cities because it is too hard to figure out sometimes how to get back on the interstate. If you want to stop midway in Pensacola there is nice Comfort Suites right on the beach that we like. Micro and fridge in the room. I can look up the specific address if you are interested.

Trying to make it to Tallahassee would be hard on one driver. If you have two willing drivers it is doable.

 

[prncess674]

Also if you are a member of AAA go to the offices just before your trip and request a TripTik. These are great. They break the map down into little pages in a flp book. Each exit is marked and the distance to the next exit is also noted. You will also be able to pick out the next gas stop and rest stop much easier this way. Also AAA will note any construction and detours on their map. TripTiks are invaluable. You can also let the kids in on the fun, they can mark off the exits or landmarks as you go. They can easily see how far it is, so there is none of the "are we there yet?"

 

[cowtownmom]

Staying on I-10 takes you down, around New Orleans. The I-10/I-12/I-10 route is a much straighter route through the area and saves some time!

 

[ShaneV]

Yep I-10 goes south to new orleans , It saves around 2-3 hours to take I-10 to I-12 back to I-10.
Plus you dont have to deal with New Orleans traffic.

Go here to take a look at the map
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.ad...+Orleand&state=La&zipcode=&homesubmit=Get+Map

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by ShaneV
Yep I-10 goes south to new orleans , It saves around 2-3 hours to take I-10 to I-12 back to I-10.
Plus you dont have to deal with New Orleans traffic.

Go here to take a look at the map
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.ad...+Orleand&state=La&zipcode=&homesubmit=Get+Map

I haven't ever thought about taking i-12 before because I suppose I always want to go to New Orleans but going I-12 won't save you 2 to 3 hours but it will cut out some of the traffic especially if you plan on hitting southern Louisiana around rush hour. Baton Rouge traffic can absolutely slow to a stop as well when crossing the Mississippi River. The actual mileage differnece is minimal. The difference between Baton Rouge and Slidell going either i-10 or i-12 is about the same. There is a way to cut some time off the i-10 leg if you skip downtown New Orleans by taking the 610 cut over. You are right time wise (because of traffic) taking i-12 is a better option.

Also, I just drove to Houston a few weeks ago and there is major construction around i-10 in Lafayette that was horrible, it took forever. Traffic went down to one lane. There is no way around this either. We were driving on a Sunday afternoon when you would think it would be quiet on the roads.

 

[ShaneV]

Your right I did a little research and in mileage you only save about 30 miles, so you dont save as much time as I assumed, but you still avoid the big city traffic.

 

[FFerret]

Thanks for the help, y'all

prncess674--
The Comfort Inn there sounds great. How expensive are they?

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by FFerret
Thanks for the help, y'all

prncess674--
The Comfort Inn there sounds great. How expensive are they?

we paid $95 for a weekend night in May, but I would assume rates are cheaper during the week since the crowds are usually larger on the weekend. They are also probably cheaper in the fall.

Comfort Inn
40 Ft. Pickens Rd.
Pensacola Beach, FL, US
(850) 934-5400

You could call and check out rates for your time frame. Check all available including AAA, Entertainment Card, etc.

 

[doubled07]

We just returned from Disney (POR) June 7th after a weeks stay. We took the same route that ShaneV described. We also stayed in Tallahassee the first day (LaQuinta Inn just off I-10) and we stopped at Moss Point, Miss. returning (Comfort Inn about 20 miles from Biloxi). There was construction on I-10 between Lafayette and Lake Charles and also between Lafayette and Baton Rouge. On our return trip we noticed on the eastbound side at the I-10 and I-12 confluence just before entering into Mississippi there was also construction and this had traffic backed up for miles on both I-10 and I-12. This was on the eastbound lanes and was on Sunday June 8th. I'm sure this caused quite a delay for anyone that got caught up in that mess.

doubled07
LaPorte, Texas

 

[bumcat]

We also take the I-10 to I-12 and back to I-10 to miss the traffic.
Also if you're looking for a good price on hotels try priceline.com. We used them for the first time last December and our rates were 35-36. for hotels.

 

[dturner]

Just my 2 cents

I'm also driving in late September to WDW from Dallas, stopping for the night in Pensacola Beach, staying at the Holiday Inn ($100.00 night for gulf view). This is a beautiful beach and I've been staying at this Holiday Inn since the mid 80's and just love it. Personally, I think it's relaxing after a long day drive to just sit and listen to the ocean.

Just another person's opinion on where to stay the first night of your trip.

Have a nice trip!!