Anyone driving from Central/Northern Alabama?

[mm_ja]

I think I have seen a few other posters from the Bham area on here. I suppose my question could apply to anyone driving to WDW through this part of the country. The question is, do you drive over to Georgia and then down 75 to the Orlando area, and if so what is the travel time like. I have driven down through Dothan to 10 and then gone across the panhandle to 75 more times than I can remember, but never gone the other way. I would love to hear from someone local who has done both.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We haven't driven down that way yet, but we did go back home that way after our trip in December 2006. It is a much better route than going through Dothan. We live in Phenix City, Al on the Al/Ga state line and it took us 7 hours to get home, with a one hour stop for lunch and a couple of quick stops for gas or to use the restroom. If we had not stopped it would have only taken about 5.5 hours. We normally go through Dothan, but we cut through and go to the Vanity Fair/Lee Jean Outlet in Graceville, Fl and it does take longer by about 2 to 2.5 hours. My Dh and I are going to take 75 when we go back to WDW in August. We also took the new Western Beltway instead of going to I-4 and we only passed 2 other cars there, instead of the heavy traffic from I-4. Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Suzanne

 

[5kwallace]

We always drive from North Alabama. I will not fly! I have taken both routes to Orlando. I prefer to go through Atlanta down I75. I hate going down to I10. It always takes longer and I hate going through towns with all the stop lights and 35 mph zones. We take 65 south to I20 to Atlanta - I75 S to the Florida Turnpike. We live in Florence, Alabama (about 2 to 2.5 hours from Birmingham) and usually make the drive in 10 1/2 hours. The only problems we have ever encountered are traffic jams in Atlanta. I hope that you have a great trip.

 

[Poohsmom]

we are from Gadsden and we have started going a new way which I really like. We go down to Opalika and cut across to 75. It is not as boring as interstate and I don't feel as tired when we get to our hotel. We stop around Lake City, FL to spend the night and break up the trip.

 

[mm_ja]

Look at the quick and informative responses from the Bama crowd. We have a little bit of time to iron out the logistics, and since the Cracker Barrel in Lake City is off 75 I win either way.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

we are from Gadsden and we have started going a new way which I really like. We go down to Opalika and cut across to 75. It is not as boring as interstate and I don't feel as tired when we get to our hotel. We stop around Lake City, FL to spend the night and break up the trip.

What route do you take from Opelika to get to I75?

Suzanne

 

[Poohsmom]

Sorry about the spelling. From Opelika to Columbus to Albany to Tifton. You can cut straight across but we wanted to stay off interstate longer.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Sorry about the spelling. From Opelika to Columbus to Albany to Tifton. You can cut straight across but we wanted to stay off interstate longer.

That is the way we go, I was hoping someone had a better/shorter route to I75. I hate the drive from Columbus/Ft Benning to Tifton.

Suzanne

 

[Poohsmom]

But it is still better than interstate! What about that new Western Beltway?
Tell me more

 

[sthnbell19]

We live in Gadsden also. Last time we came home through Atlanta but got stuck in a 2 hour traffic jam. This year we are planning on taking an alternative route and have suggested driving to Opelika (about a 2-2 1/2 hour drive although I have been known to make it in 1 1/2 hours) then cut over to Ga and go that way to avoid Atlanta

 

[MommaTinkerbell]

We are driving down from North Alabama also(small town..Hamilton,Al about 30 min.east of al/ms line). My DH has planned to stop in Tallahassee,Fl on the way there and back? Anyone have a good,reasonable hotel suggestion? What about the another town(lake city,fl?) to spend the night? First time trip with the family and I will do anything to avoid a tired,grumpy husband.

 

[MommaTinkerbell]

I guess everyone has gone to bed..I am going too! We'll talk tomorrow.

 

[ktink]

We're from TN but only about 45 mins from Huntsville. We've driven down to Port Canaveral and Orlando a couple of times. We've always gone through Atlanta down 175.

 

[Praise2Him]

I'm in Jacksonville (Anniston/Oxford area).

We've done both, but prefer to go over to Atlanta and down 75. Timewise, it seems about the same either way, but somehow it just feels faster going interstate. It's about 9 hours for us if you don't stop.

We've never stayed in Tallahassee. Depending on what time we leave, we either stop about halfway in Tifton, GA or in Lake City, FL - only a couple of hours from Orlando! Both have lots of hotels right on the interstate. We try to get one with free breakfast so we don't have to stop again.

 

[Arielsfanmom]

I am from Jacksonville,too. We take the interstate I-20 to I-75. We usually don't stop so I don't have a good suggestions as to when to stay the night. I think it took us about 11 to get home only stopping twice for potty and snack breaks.

 

[darlak]

I'm from Oak Grove, a small town just outside of B'ham, on the Warrior River. When we've driven, we've gone 20 to Atlanta, then 75 south. I HATE it. With my 4 kids, adding in all the restroom stops, it took about 10 hours. The next time we drive, probably September, I'll take any other way, but I will NOT go through Atlanta again. I would love to hear a more detailed account or any other route. My girls and I are flying down April 13th, but I really don't want to spend the money for 6 of us to fly in September.

Darla

 

[Poohsmom]

We are driving down from North Alabama also(small town..Hamilton,Al about 30 min.east of al/ms line). My DH has planned to stop in Tallahassee,Fl on the way there and back? Anyone have a good,reasonable hotel suggestion? What about the another town(lake city,fl?) to spend the night? First time trip with the family and I will do anything to avoid a tired,grumpy husband.

Hi
We like to stop in Lake City. It's only about two or two and 1/2 hours from the World. We stay at Quality Inn Conference Center. It's about $79 in Sept. Not chea, but nothing is thats nice. My cousin stayed at a $39 one and her inlaws found bed bugs! No Thanks.

 

[sthnbell19]

I'm from Oak Grove, a small town just outside of B'ham, on the Warrior River. When we've driven, we've gone 20 to Atlanta, then 75 south. I HATE it. With my 4 kids, adding in all the restroom stops, it took about 10 hours. The next time we drive, probably September, I'll take any other way, but I will NOT go through Atlanta again. I would love to hear a more detailed account or any other route. My girls and I are flying down April 13th, but I really don't want to spend the money for 6 of us to fly in September.

Darla

Off topic but Darla, my grandmother lives in Oak Grove. Its a small world!!

 

[darlak]

Off topic but Darla, my grandmother lives in Oak Grove. Its a small world!!

Not really suprising. All of us here believe that all roads lead to Oak Grove or some other town on the Warrior River. Does your grandmother love it here? Most of us do, in spite of the distance required to get to "town".

Darla

 

[MommaTinkerbell]

DH wants to avoid Atlanta all together. We will be traveling B'ham, Montgomery,Troy, Bambraige GA,Tallahassee. Thanks for the advice Poohsmom! I guess its Tallahassee for us.