Best Direction from Birmingham

[ronniewms]

We are driving down this time from North Mississippi instead of flying in. So my question to you guys is about the best route to take. I'm coming into Birmingham from Tupelo, Ms. around 4PM from Hwy. 78.

My plan right now is to go down thru Montgomery to Dothan, across to Bainbridge, and then down to Tallahassee to spend the night. That puts me about 4 hours from WDW if I did Google maps correct.

Is there a better/quicker way to get to WDW from Birmingham and should I try to push on past Tallahassee and shoot for somewhere closer to spend the night?

I'm traveling with DW(42), DD(17), & DS(3), so there will be a few stops along the way.

Some have told me the Birmingham to Atlanta stretch is the way to go.

Help me out with the best plan of action.

 

[champ5601]

I would say your plan of action is best. Birmingham to Montgomery to Dothan to Marianna, FL, then I-10 thru Tallahassee. Birmingham is actually south of Atlanta, so why go back north then south?

We left WDW at 1PM one afternoon and drove to Marianna to stay the night. I believe that was a 5 hour drive. There were some different choices there.

 

[CS3SONS]

We go Hwy.280 to Tifton Georgia then I-75 to the Florida Turnpike, it's roughly 9 hours from Birmingham to our "happy place"

 

[Day-Day]

We've tried three routes: interstate through Atlanta; Montgomery to Tifton, GA; and Montgomery through Dothan to I-10.

I like the route through Montgomery to I-10 the best; seems a little quicker but not a huge difference. A little traffic in Troy and Dothan but "interstate type" drive for most of the trip.

 

[wiserabbit]

I've driven all three routes suggested - and here's my opinon for what its worth

Definitely agree with PP that going through Atlanta is "backwards" - also if you hit Atlanta during rush hour - that is a whole other problem

I've done the 280E then over through to Tifton, etc....it's a okay drive but you're not going a steady 70 mph (or whatever you like to drive) so it can seem longer (but you get some cute/interesting little towns along the way)

I like the route of Montgomery - Dothan- Bainbridge - then Tallahassee - Once you're at Bainbridge and take the hwy to Tallahassee -it's a pretty quick and easy drive - and I-10 on ramps are right there....

The drive from Tupelo to Tallahassee is going to be a loooooong one though - you'll be on when you finally stop for the night....

Have a great trip!

 

[tallygirl]

We have made the trip from Tallahassee to Arkansas lots of times and have stopped in Tupelo before.

Exit 203 on I-10 has several nice hotels, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn and a very nice small chain Cabot Lodge, and a couple of others I can't recall right now.. There are many restaurants at that exit also-Outback, TGI Friday's, McDonalds, Wendy's, Waffle House, Zaxby's, Village Inn and Steak and Shake (the last two open 24 hours) Going I-10 to I-75 you are about 4 hours from Disney.

If you are in Birmingham at mealtime, there is a place on 78 right at the outskirts called Deerman's BBQ, excellent food (I reccommend the onion rings) It's on the right near a Sonic. Or at one of the Birmingham exits, possibly 256 is Jim and Nick's BBQ, also very good.

Have a good trip.