did the drive from michigan to florida

[redd45]

Hi All: We left on 4-26 at about 9:00am,due to car trouble left 3hrs late.It was a friday and traffic was bad.We stopped in McDonough Ga at about 11pm. Left the next morning about 9am and after several stops and lots of traffic arrived at Marriott Village for our one night stay at about 6pm. Moved to AKL on Sunday. We had hoped to make it to Perry GA. the first night but late start prevented that, we were tired.I have all the boring details about every stop we made and how many miles we drove,in case anyone wants details. I haven't unpacked the papers yet. If there is something specific you would like to know maybe i can answer your ?.We left to come home on Saturday about 9am and stopped in Cleveland Tn.about 8:30pm. Left this morning at 8am and got home at 8:30pm. Drove in 99 and I remember really enjoying the drive,well this time I didn't really enjoy it so much. DD refused to fly. DH wants to drive in January, I think I'll hold out for flying.Susan

 

[mickeyx2]

Hi Susan,
We're driving down from Grand Rapids next month. Our first time driving! Just wondering what part of the state did you start from? Did you take 75 all the way down? We are going to attempt a straight thru drive. Thought that might be easier on the kids with us leaving at 5pm and then that way they can sleep thru the night. Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

 

[redd45]

Mickeyx2: We started out in Fenton just south of flint. We took 23 to 475 to 75.I think you could take 96 to 23 to 75. Try mapquest or AAA.We missed toledo and the constuction going on there. There is a lot of road work along the way. If I can find the paper i took notes on i can let you know where it was at. We left on a friday morning and missed all rush hours. I would not leave on a friday again;the rest of the day there was lots of traffic. Saturday was much better and Sunday was pretty clear. If you could i would not drive through the fog areas at night. In 99 when we drove we went through the moutain area just north of Knoxville during the very early morning and it was so dark and foggy I couldn't see anything.We have stopped in Perry Ga. before and its a nice area and only about 5-6 hrs from Disney. Stop at the Ocala disney center in Florida and they can give you the best route for getting to your resort. We bought the book Along 75 by Dave Hunter and found it to be very helpful. It will tell you what is at every exit,places to eat get gas and places to stay. If you plan on driving with kids I think driving at night is a good idea. Or you could stop somewhere in Ga. and have a couple hours drive the next day and arrive refreshed. Also when its time to eat go somewhere that the kids can get out and move around,picnic at a rest area or McDonalds that has a play area.My DD and I are are both adults and we really found getting out of the car for late breakfast and later dinner really helped to energize us. The only bypass we found necessary was Atlanta on our way home. We didn't use the Atlanta bypass going because it was so late at night, still lots of traffic but not bad. Atlanta buildings were all lit up and very pretty at night.If you decide to stop for the night stop at that states welcome center and pick up the booklets with hotel discounts for the cities along 75,prices range from about 30.00 to 55.00 with the coupons.If there is anything else feel free to ask. Susan

 

[mickeyx2]

Hi Susan,
Thanks for such a wonderful reply! I bought the same book 'Along I-75 too! The way AAA mapped us out we're not actually going to hit 75 until we get to Georgia. I've always driven 75 there and back (in my single days...many,many years ago). I was just debating on whether to go that route again or stay on the one that they recommended. If I can get my husband to take another day off than we'll leave Thursday evening rather than Friday. I'll pass along your tip!
Thanks again,
Jill

 

[mom42860]

mickeyx2, just did the drive from MA about 3 weeks ago, thought my kiddos would sleep thru' the drive so we left @ 9:30 pm, no one slept, could not get comfortable etc. even the 18 month old was awake all night. We drove home during the day and that worked much better for us. The AAA maps and books were a great help. Have a safe trip!

 

[nuthut]

You know tickets on Northwest out of Detroit are only $136.50 a person for your time in May. About $200 out of Grand Rapids. I put a cost of driving like this. 2400 miles at .30 each for $720. Two nights in a motel at $65 each plus lost wages of $100 a day time times 2 lost days of work minus a rental car for $150 equals $900 vs. 300-400 for airline ticket.

720+130+200-150-400=$500 cheaper to fly than drive. Tell me, is something wrong with my numbers. I did not include meals on the road, because you need to eat whatever you do, however meals on the road are sure going to be more than meals at home.

 

[redd45]

The cost of driving wasn't so bad for us,my daughter has a new cavalier and gas there and back was about $100.00. She uses priemium,so it would have been cheaper if she used regular gas. Food except for Bob Evans was free because we had gift certificates from rewards programs. We did pay around $70.00 a night for higher end hotels,we split the cost of everything so pretty cheap ride for each of us.I also think flying with kids would be better but not everyone wants to fly(including my Adult DD amd DH).Susan

 

[mickeyx2]

Thanks for the info on flying....I watch the fares almost daily! My fear of flying is the reason we're driving......my husband does the same figures that you did and he just shakes his head at me! We've flown to WDW 4 times in the last 2 years and I figured this time we could drive and look at it like a big adventure!!! I realize the cost will more than likely total the same but I just won't get on a plane right now! I'm just terrible when it comes to flying. I've done it numerous times but the fear is SO great that I'm finally at peace with this trip BECAUSE we are driving! This may teach me a lesson but I'm hoping for the best. We have a large van with a TV/VCR so I'm sure that will help out with the kids! Thanks everyone for all the recommendations. I'm still stuck as to whether to leave early am or early evening.

 

[taylor1293]

Susan, We will be driving down in July from Illinois. Thanks for posting the tip about visiting the welcome center for hotel info and coupons. We also intend to stop overnight in Georgia.

We are driving because I hate to fly and because it will cost us about 1/2 of what flying would have.

 

[ShariB]

We drive from Michigan every time we go. We have four kids and I have never seen a price on air tickets that would be anywhere near what driving cost us. We always try to leave just after or around suppertime (depends whether you want to eat on the road that quick). Our thought behind this is that the kids are so excited to be on our way, they travel well (few arguments, no "Mom, he's looking at me funny", etc.) at least until it's time to bed them down. I usually try to buy a few new videos (we also travel with a big van with TV/VCR). We let them watch one, then make it seem more like bedtime by changing into jammies, making a stop to brush teeth, etc., whatever you would do at home as part of your bedtime routine. We are very careful during our nighttime gas stops to make them as quick as possible. Sometimes the kids will wake up but they go back to sleep really fast when we get back on the road. I know many can't imagine traveling this way but we think it works out great. The roads are not busy at night and you can make really good time. Of course, my DH is a natural nighttime driver and we do switch off frequently. We stop for breakfast in the morning and get them dressed and by then we have just a short day of driving ahead. We do stop more often this day to let the kids get out and stretch. If you have any questions or I can offer anymore advice or encouragement, I'll be happy to.

 

[mickeyx2]

Hi ShariB,
Thanks for such a great post! Sounds exactly what we are planning on doing, leaving right at dinner time and driving strait thru. I'm still quite sure that's the plan. We may leave a day early just so our option is there if we should deceide to stop. Do you drive 75 straight down too? Just wondered what side of the state you were on?

 

[travelbug]

I've driven down many times in the past from the Detroit area, although I've been flying down for the past 7 years or so. We will be driving down in December again. I've always taken I-75 right straight down, without the Atlanta bypass or anything. Some areas can be like the Indy 500, but I'm very used to that from being a Michigan driver. Know what I mean??

Have always driven right straight through the night, but this time we will stop at a motel on the way down and also on the way back.

The best part of driving is getting out of the car for gas stops in Georgia and Florida, and feeling the air becoming a little warmer each time. Also sighting the first palm tree at a gas station. Love that feeling of "we're getting closer!"

 

[CDisney]

Books on tape are a good tool for keeping the driver awake through the night, if you decide to drive straight through. Music puts me to sleep. But, the taped books keep the mind active.

I borrowed three from my local library. The librarian said they're quite popular with truck drivers.

 

[Minnie96]

Did you run into any construction delays in Georgia? I was driving home from St. Pete in March, and saw a pretty long (3-4 mile) southbound delay when one lane was closed for roadwork. I'm driving back down in September, and want to know what to prepare for.

 

[redd45]

Minnie 96: We saw construction in both Tn. and GA. The only time we experenced delays was in the mountains in tn. we were never stopped just very slow traffic. Around Berea Kentucky there was construction but its suppossed to be completed in July.Susan

 

[danacath]

Another solution to the fly vs. drive question would be to let those family members that want to drive, drive. Those that want to fly, fly. 2 years ago our family did a cross-country trip like this. My DH, MIL, 5-year-old DD, and 10-year-old DS went by car, and I flew with our 2-year-old DD. The older two kids do great in the car. They both love to read, so all they need is a big collection of books/comics and they're happy as clams. Our youngest isn't exactly a "road warrior" yet, so to save us all a lot of grief and frustration, I flew with her. It worked out great! Normally, we like to keep our family together as much as possible, but in certain circumstances, splitting up for the travel portion of a vacation may be an option worth considering.