Dothan, AL to Orlando

[firecracker]

Could you driving experts please look at your maps and give us your best route from Dothan Alabama to Orlando? We've done 231 to I10 to I75, but we're thinking about going over into Georgia before going down to I10 on 19 or even taking the small roads all the way to Orlando and avoid the interstate.

We would love your feedback. What do you think?

 

[Sammie]

231 to I-10 at Marianna, up I-10 to Tallahasse, then take Hwy 27 to Ocala and then at Ocala get on I-75 for a very short distance and then Florida Turnpike.

 

[bradisgoofy]

We do I-65 all the way I-85 to US-231. Then I-10 to US-19 South. This is our favorite part of the trip, US-19 to Chiefland where we pick up Alt US-27 back to I-75. Now, if you're not in any real hurry you could continue down US-19 to Crystal River and catch Rt 44 east back over to I-75 just north of the Turnpike.

In the past we have taken US-127 to US-27 all the way down to Georgia where we picked up US-19 to avoid Atlanta. This is very scenic country but it does take more time to get to WDW because of the back roads and lower speed limit.

 

[clkelley]

I'm not sure what to tell you because I'll go 50 - 70 miles out of my way to get to an Interstate ASAP.

For me it would be 231 to I-10, then I-10 to I-75.

I'll take Atlanta at 10pm any day versus the 45 MPH lots of stop lights through Dothan and all those other towns to get to I-10.

 

[MattM]

DO NOT TAKE US 27 FROM TALLAHASSEE TO OCALA. It will easily add a minimum of 30 minutes to your drive. From Dothan, get to I-to however you do that (not from the area, so im not sure). Take I-10 East to I-75 Southbound. From the I-10/I-75 interchange its about 115-120 miles to the Turnpike (Its a toll road, I think its $2-3). Take the Turnpike SOUTH to SR 429 - The Western Expressway (also a toll road, another $2-3). Get off of SR 429 at Hartzog Rd. and follow the signs to whatevery park/resort you are going to.

But trust me, the small roads DO NOT save you time. Take the interstate. Everyone says they're quicker because...they are. If your not staying on Disney property, let me know, and I'll amend my directions for you. Hope this helps!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

DO NOT TAKE US 27 FROM TALLAHASSEE TO OCALA. It will easily add a minimum of 30 minutes to your drive. From Dothan, get to I-to however you do that (not from the area, so im not sure). Take I-10 East to I-75 Southbound. From the I-10/I-75 interchange its about 115-120 miles to the Turnpike (Its a toll road, I think its $2-3). Take the Turnpike SOUTH to SR 429 - The Western Expressway (also a toll road, another $2-3). Get off of SR 429 at Hartzog Rd. and follow the signs to whatevery park/resort you are going to.

The US27 routing has a few towns with stop lights; speed limit is also lower than on I-10 & I-75. There are long stretches with no towns or services.

Turnpike toll is $2.50. The Western Expressway that Matt refers to is not labeled that way; the sign refers to "TOLL 429". The toll on that road between the Turnpike and Hartzog Road/Disney World is just $1.00.

BobK/Orlando

 

[bradisgoofy]

I like to use back roads, that is why I suggested US-19 to ALT US-27. These roads are four lanes at 65mph with very little traffic and only a few small towns. I despise the interstates and would rather take a back road or a US route to avoid the heavy traffic of I-10 and I-75 even if it adds a few miles and adds a little extra time to the trip. Mileage wise, US-19 is a little shorter.

I will take my 38' coach down dirt roads before I will travel on I-75 through Atlanta, and my sister lives in that town.

This is just MHO.

 

[donaldseeyore]

Are you wanting to get on the interstate pass Tallahassee or before?

 

[MattM]

I would get on before. I-10 runs closer to Dothan/Alabama line on the Western side of Tallahassee. Once you get east of TLH, the distance between I-10 and other major E-W roads gets longer.

 

[donaldseeyore]

I would get on before. I-10 runs closer to Dothan/Alabama line on the Western side of Tallahassee. Once you get east of TLH, the distance between I-10 and other major E-W roads gets longer.

That is what I am thinking too. They could take US84 (wiregrass parkway) from Dothan to Bainbridge, GA get on US hwy 27 south and meet up with I-10 just passed Lake Jackson. They would be getting onto I-10 at exit #199 but adding about an hour to travel time. Only good if you want to avoid the construction between the Dothan exit and exit 199. Then from 199 to my exit at 209 there is still construction, but it doesn't get backed up bad until about 4:00 pm between 199 and 203

 

[MattM]

When are they driving through Tallahassee? The construction going on really isnt that bad, and especially will not be more than the extra hour it would take by using US 84, regardless of what time you're traveling through. Im in Tally all the time for work, its really not that bad (Tally isnt nearly as big of a city as most people think, but you probably know that too!)

Hope that helps!

 

[firecracker]

The reason we're taking I-65 in the first place is because half of Indiana, Michigan, and Canada will be driving to Florida NASCAR-style on I-75 at the same time we're traveling (April 4-11). Then there will be a huge pileup south of Macon where we'll sit for 6 hours while they clean up the mess (speaking from experience!)

Hearing that there is construction on I-10 in Tallahassee makes me want to take the 84 to 27 to Ocala route in order to avoid it. I know that one poster said NOT to take 27, but another said that it's double-lane, there are long stretches with no towns, and that the speed limit is 65 mph. That doesn't sound too bad. If it is bad or if there's alot of construction on 27, please advise.

Thanks again for all your advice!

 

[firecracker]

bumping for any more comments.

 

[MattM]

Sure. I can only reiterate what I said about the construction on I-10 in Tallahassee. IF (and thats a huge if) I-10 were to be remotely busy, it would be during Tallahassee's "rush hour" (I use the term VERY lightly). Its less than a 10 mile stretch, they're just widening it to 3 lanes, and all other lanes are open. Other than that, you're free and clear all the way down to Orlando.

You have to remember, that Tallahasssee is a very isolated town with not many towns of any population around it, so its not like its a major metro area with congested interstates at all hours of the day. It would take you much longer to take 27 through town than to go I-10, much longer.

Its your choice, Im just trying to help you save time.