Detroit to Orlando - Not Taking 75?

[cariann77]

I was on Google maps trying to find the best city for us to book for an overnight stop and was checking out the alternate route to Orlando. It's I-77 and I-95 South closer to the coast. It's actually less miles than 75, but is a little longer time wise 17h34m vs. 16h59.

Has anyone ever made this drive? I'm not familiar with these roads at all, but know that I HATE driving through Georgia and this would minimize our time in GA by quite a bit. Plus, my kids have never seen the ocean and maybe we could make a pit stop.

I really need some advice on this from anyone that has traveled these roads though. I know that 75 flows pretty well, but not sure if these are two-lane expressways or what they are like.

TIA!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

It will be a bit out of the way and add time to your trip. In my opinion is only worthwhile if you do plan on stopping, and maybe spending the night at a hotel near the ocean.

 

[Bebella]

Obviously you know it will add a bit of time to your travel, but it could be a good change from that never-ending drive down 75. I'm almost positive that the entire drive is expressway now (35 in Ohio & WV used to be partly two lane)…If you take this route, I'd suggest stopping in Savannah, GA The beaches in FL are much nicer though, so if you're going to take your kids to the ocean, stop in FL before getting to Orlando (I've only been to Daytona Beach on the Atlantic side so I can't give much advice, and it's been about 15 years).

 

[Bebella]

Actually, I forgot you pass right by Hilton Head in SC, which would be a nice place to stop for the night and visit the ocean!

 

[cocacolamom]

My husband and I are discussing an alternative route to from 1-75 at Spring Break. We're coming from Michigan and we know the traffic gets crazy in Georgia, especially in Atlanta. Would love any suggestions, also.

 

[rharper1496]

We did 75 down and 77 home. 77 is the winner in my book. It's a prettier drive and it bypasses Atlanta completely.

 

[maxiesmom]

My husband and I are discussing an alternative route to from 1-75 at Spring Break. We're coming from Michigan and we know the traffic gets crazy in Georgia, especially in Atlanta. Would love any suggestions, also.

I have made that drive many times. Any alternate route will take more time than going down on I-75.

 

[tina.tina]

I-77, I-26, and I-95 are all interstates which have 2 or 3 lanes in each direction with speed limits mostly between 65 and 70. I traveled I-77 to Cleveland Clinic in August but I was sick so it's kind of fuzzy but everything seemed to flow smoothly throughout Ohio. I live in Virginia, not far from I-77. I think I live in an exceptionally pretty part of the country. My avatar picture is a photo my DD14 took of a lake near our home. I have lots of experience with I-77 from here to Charleston since I have family on the other side of Charleston Near Huntington off of I-64. I've also been to Myrtle Beach via I-77 multiple times. To me, the worst parts of I-77 are approx. 20 miles of a curvy, mountainous area between Charleston and Beckley, WV and Fancy Gap Mountain near the VA/NC border. Fancy Gap Mtn. is steep and can be foggy in the night or early morning, but the views are fantastic if it's not foggy.

(Gary Cruise, guest blogger for Allears, has pictures and descriptions of Fancy Gap Mountain on his trip reports.)

NC is a relatively short state. Charlotte on the NC/SC border can get heavy traffic (with multiple lanes) during rush hour but, according to my DH, Charlotte is nothing compared to Atlanta. I-95 is straight and flat (and boring) through Georgia. We like to cross into Florida in the morning, stopping at the Florida Welcome Center for free OJ. Savannah and Hilton Head are both a little way of the interstate but Daytona Beach is pretty close so you can hop on and off easily. It costs $5 or so to drive on the beach which is fun. You can arrive with bathing suits on, park your car on the beach, and hop in the ocean. (Just don't get stuck in the sand like my DH!)

 

[finny1981]

My husband hates driving the same way all the time so our second trip we drove and went that route. I prefer it to the I-75 route because it is more scenic and although it is longer it is worth it it in my opinion.