Chicago to WDW

[vf161d8]

Actually, Northwest Indiana...A.K.A. Da Region.

I know the whole 65 vs 57 thing has been beaten pretty soundly but I was wondering if anyone doing this trip has ever diverted off of 65 in Indy and done the Knoxville routing vs. Nashville routing? Google maps adds about 45 minutes and about 40 miles but I was wondering more about the congestion, driveability, etc.

Thanks a bunch!
Mike

 

[cemeb4dk]

I have done the trip many times. and Indy has never been a problem. Maybe in the heart of rush hour, a slight slow down but nothing I have ever come across. Its nothing like Atlanta. I also have never taken the 465 bypass I just stay on 65 I think there is still construction on 465.

 

[vf161d8]

Thanks a bunch I appreciate the response. I've driven Indy many times and it's never been a problem, especially since I drove the Dan Ryan from NWI for a while.

My real question is about the differences between the Indy-Cincy-Knoxville route vs. the Indy-Louisville-Nashville route...what's the terrain like, traffic like, etc.

Thanks again
Mike

 

[LilyWDW]

Thanks a bunch I appreciate the response. I've driven Indy many times and it's never been a problem, especially since I drove the Dan Ryan from NWI for a while.

My real question is about the differences between the Indy-Cincy-Knoxville route vs. the Indy-Louisville-Nashville route...what's the terrain like, traffic like, etc.

Thanks again
Mike

I can only talk about the Indy/Cincy/Knox route because we take this route multiple times a year. I have family in Indy (Fishers actually) and I live in NE TN.

Lexington can get congested if you hit it at the wrong time. However, if you are used to Indy traffic, you will have no problem with it!

The only other thing I can suggest is to go AROUND Knoxville and not through it. Knoxville is set up horribly and I hate, hate, hate driving through there... and I am from Chicago originally. I would rather drive through Chicago then through Knoxville.

 

[catho72]

We take I-65 but leave Chicago (Orland Park) around 10pm and drive straight through. It takes us 18 hours from doorstep to doorstep. Leaving at 10pm gets you into Indy at 2am, Louisville around 3:30-4:00am, Nashville at 6am and Atlanta around 11am. We have never encountered any traffic congestion by leaving so late and driving through the night. Good luck and happy driving!

 

[cemeb4dk]

we do exactly as Catho.

Sorry I misunderstood your original post. I have never gone the route toward Cinci. I have it louisville at Rush hour and I think it took me about 10-15 minutes to get thru it, not bad at all. And Nashville is never a problem either. We have done a lot of different leaving times but 9:30 at night seems to be the magic time to avoid all major traffic, plus kid(s) wife can sleep while I drive. It gets us to WDW about 7pm or so, we sleep at the Hampton Inn just outside of downtown disney we get a room for about $80 wake up fresh and begin our trip by checking into our hotel and then hitting the parks.

 

[vf161d8]

Thanks a bunch for the info...

We are thinking of leaving in the afternoon, early evening and driving the night through. Kinda also gives us an option if we get a little too tired to make a stop. If we can go all the way through, we're looking at getting into Orlando early afternoonish. We did the trip a couple of years ago with the traditional route but was wondering if it would be better/worse/same by changing it up a little. We're also considering the 57/24/75 route...a little out of the way but not bad since we're literally right at the border. Wondering what the thoughts are?

Thanks
Mike

 

[quirty30]

I've never driven all the way to WDW, but used to drive to the FL panhandle every year. I much preferred taking 57/24/40 to Nashville over 65. Virtually no major cities and heavy traffic to deal with. I had such issues with bad traffic jams around Indy and Louisville when I took 65.

 

[cemeb4dk]

Thanks a bunch for the info...

We are thinking of leaving in the afternoon, early evening and driving the night through. Kinda also gives us an option if we get a little too tired to make a stop. If we can go all the way through, we're looking at getting into Orlando early afternoonish. We did the trip a couple of years ago with the traditional route but was wondering if it would be better/worse/same by changing it up a little. We're also considering the 57/24/75 route...a little out of the way but not bad since we're literally right at the border. Wondering what the thoughts are?

Thanks
Mike

We have done it both ways 57 and 65. From me western burbs of Chicago 57 is 25 miles shorter i think but takes me longer. Maybe because I live in Illinois, I prefer to get out of IL. as fast as possible. PLus 65 is 70mph once you get outside Merriville. For us also 65 breaks up the trip as you hit Indy, Louisville and so on, makes it for an easier drive IMHO. 57 is just long straight and flat. I can be to Louisville before I get out of IL. so in my head in makes me think I making more progress...

 

[vf161d8]

We have done it both ways 57 and 65. From me western burbs of Chicago 57 is 25 miles shorter i think but takes me longer. Maybe because I live in Illinois, I prefer to get out of IL. as fast as possible. PLus 65 is 70mph once you get outside Merriville. For us also 65 breaks up the trip as you hit Indy, Louisville and so on, makes it for an easier drive IMHO. 57 is just long straight and flat. I can be to Louisville before I get out of IL. so in my head in makes me think I making more progress...

That's probably why I'm looking at all options cause I want to get out of Indiana as soon as possible

 

[LadyBeBop]

If you go the 65-74-75 route, you know you can bypass Cincinnati completely. Pick up the Cincinnati bypass (I-275) about five miles into Ohio, and take it south into Kentucky. One thing...you'll be going back into Indiana for about two miles (the way the expressway is set up). But it's still much quicker than taking 74 into Cincinnati and picking up 75.

If you really want a shortcut, which will cut down miles and minutes, you can get off I-74 while still in Indiana and take St Rt 1 down to Lawrenceburg, IN. There, you can pick up I-275 into Kentucky.

Take Exit 164, the St Leon/Lawrenceburg exit, (IN-1). Follow IN-1 south until you reach I-275. I think IN-1 ends at I-275. That is the small part of I-275 which is in Indiana.