drive from Chicago?

[mathgeek]

Has anyone driven from the Chicago area to WDW? We are considering going down on a somewhat last minute trip (in a little over a week) if we can get the AP rate. We normally fly, but with last minute prices RT is $550/person. We've never driven before and are concerned about the length of trip, where/whether to stop on the way, tolls, etc.

Thanks!

 

[disneyfan67]

Has anyone driven from the Chicago area to WDW? We are considering going down on a somewhat last minute trip (in a little over a week) if we can get the AP rate. We normally fly, but with last minute prices RT is $550/person. We've never driven before and are concerned about the length of trip, where/whether to stop on the way, tolls, etc.

Thanks!

I live in the Northern suburbs of Chicago and I drove the trip to WDW in Oct 2002 with 4 adults and two 5 year old boys. It's about a 1200 mile trip one way to the gates of WDW. If you go through Indiana the route is a little shorter 65 to 24 to 75 and you're in Florida. Chattanooga Tennessee is the halfway point and if you leave Chicago by 5 am or so you will reach Chattanooga by 4 or 5pm. Your time may differ due to how many stops you make on the way. I recommend keep driving until about an hour past Atlanta and then stop for the night. The time you save on the next morning avoiding traffic around Atlanta will make you glad you pushed it. If you have any more questions just ask.

 

[Serena]

I totally agree. Just take things easy and it will be alright. Definitly get past atlanta if you can.

 

[WDWLVR]

We drive down once a year and will be doing so this October. We are in the Northern Suburbs but prefer going down 57 in IL instead of 65 in IN. The route is slightly longer but is a much easier drive with less traffic. We usually leave mid-morning and stop just south of Nashville as we have family there. Then the second day we go to WDW and get in late afternoon.

 

[disneyfan67]

We drive down once a year and will be doing so this October. We are in the Northern Suburbs but prefer going down 57 in IL instead of 65 in IN. The route is slightly longer but is a much easier drive with less traffic. We usually leave mid-morning and stop just south of Nashville as we have family there. Then the second day we go to WDW and get in late afternoon.

Your route is the one I'm going to take if I ever drive again. I have driven down 57 before and it's a nice trip. Plenty of rest stops. My first trip I went by what Mapquest recommended.

 

[bradisgoofy]

Do not go through Chattanooga or Atlanta at all costs. We drive down every year and take I-65 all the way to Montgomery, Al. There we take US-231 down to I-10. From there we get off at US-19 and take that to ALT 27 ( these are four lane roads with a 65mph speed limit and very scenic ) to I-75 at Ocala. Then I-75 to the Turnpike and then to the new Western Way toll road into the west entrance to WDW. For us, from Michigan, it is only 100 miles longer then going through Atlanta and well worth the extra time to avoid that nightmare traffic.

 

[LGithens]

Have you priced JetBlue? We are from Des Moines and airfare from here is $1500ish a ticket. We found JetBlue out of O'Hare on Monday for $343 each. Still more than we like to pay ( we usually get in the $200 range) plus we have to drive to Chicago, but much better for us anyway than drving down 24 hours to Orlando.

The worse thing is my oldest works for Comair, so we fly free. But Des Moines flights are so full, there's very little chance of getting out on stand by. I figure it won't hurt us to pay for this trip, we've already had numerous free trips!

Lori

 

[WOODY13]

It shouldn't take you more than 20 hours. Definitely get though Atlanta the first day. Definitely don't hit Atlanta during rush hour. Definitely stop for the night in Ga. after Atlanta. The only tolls are in Illinois and Florida.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

we are from Northeren Indiana and making our first drive this yr, if you do drive would love to hear how it goes.

 

[Terry's Angels]

Do not go through Chattanooga or Atlanta at all costs. We drive down every year and take I-65 all the way to Montgomery, Al. There we take US-231 down to I-10. From there we get off at US-19 and take that to ALT 27 ( these are four lane roads with a 65mph speed limit and very scenic ) to I-75 at Ocala. Then I-75 to the Turnpike and then to the new Western Way toll road into the west entrance to WDW. For us, from Michigan, it is only 100 miles longer then going through Atlanta and well worth the extra time to avoid that nightmare traffic.

This is good advice about how to get around dealing with ATL's traffic. My extended family lives outside of Montgomery, AL and this is the way that we travel to Florida to avoid ATL.

 

[Jon99]

Do not go through Chattanooga or Atlanta at all costs. We drive down every year and take I-65 all the way to Montgomery, Al. There we take US-231 down to I-10. From there we get off at US-19 and take that to ALT 27 ( these are four lane roads with a 65mph speed limit and very scenic ) to I-75 at Ocala. Then I-75 to the Turnpike and then to the new Western Way toll road into the west entrance to WDW. For us, from Michigan, it is only 100 miles longer then going through Atlanta and well worth the extra time to avoid that nightmare traffic.

We took this way home one time because of "expert" advice from a friend, it took us 3 hours longer than taking 57/24/75, I wouldn't suggest that route to my worst enemy.. 120 extra miles, going thru podunk towns and stoplights on 231 etc, awful!!

 

[tinaluis]

We haven't tried the route that takes you through AL, but we have driven 57/24/75 many, many times (as well as the I65 through IN route). We prefer 57/24/75 because it's a lot less congested. We usually leave about 5am and stop overnight just before Atlanta metro. The next morning we take our time getting up, showered and getting our DDs ready because we know there will be traffic out there. We usually leave the hotel about 10am, stop for breakfast and are on the road by 11am. There is still some traffic, but it's not too bad (Sunday morning). We get to WDW anywhere from 5-6pm, unpack, have dinner and good night's sleep and we're raring to go the next morning. Whatever you decide, have a safe trip!

 

[Jon99]

We haven't tried the route that takes you through AL, but we have driven 57/24/75 many, many times (as well as the I65 through IN route). We prefer 57/24/75 because it's a lot less congested. We usually leave about 5am and stop overnight just before Atlanta metro. The next morning we take our time getting up, showered and getting our DDs ready because we know there will be traffic out there. We usually leave the hotel about 10am, stop for breakfast and are on the road by 11am. There is still some traffic, but it's not too bad (Sunday morning). We get to WDW anywhere from 5-6pm, unpack, have dinner and good night's sleep and we're raring to go the next morning. Whatever you decide, have a safe trip!

No offense and to each their own, but I would be on the brink of suicide with that plan...

 

[mathgeek]

Thanks all for the advice on how to get there, but I took LGithens advice and looked at different dates with Jetblue and got the price down on flights - again still more than we like to pay too, but considering we're only a little over a week out that's what happens. Curse those AP's!

 

[LeahA]

We drive every year from Aurora, Illinois. We usually are out the door at 5:00a.m. and we stop overnight at the Hampton Inn in Dalton, Georgia which is right over the TN/GA line. This year we are going to drive to Macon, Georgia so our 2nd day of driving won't be so long.

I-57 is a longer drive than I-65 but going towards Chicago there tends to be more construction and more traffic. We've done both, not sure what we are going to do next week.

It's a long ride, but we can't afford airfare for 5 people. Going there is always more fun than coming home. There is always construction in one state or the other and numerous of accidents here and there, but that's to be expected.

Have fun!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We're going to be doing the opposite this summer. We've pretty much decided to go to Milwaukee 1st, then back down to Chicago. I'm guessing that wouldn't make much difference in which route to choose though. Also, we're leaving from Tampa, but we live less than a mile from I-75, so I pretty sure we can handle that part of the drive. We had planned to take I-65, but your replies are making me 2nd guess that. Are there plenty of places to stop on the 57/24/75 route? I always have to make lots of pit stops, when we travel.

 

[geffric]

We have driven for many many years.. we take the I65 way Indy has never been a problem for us. We leave about 3 am on Saturday, get past the FL/GA line and stop for the night. Lot's of places to stop and streatch your legs. McD's has a map of all the McD's along the way so you can always stop and find a clean(ish) rest room.

 

[disneyfan67]

We're going to be doing the opposite this summer. We've pretty much decided to go to Milwaukee 1st, then back down to Chicago. I'm guessing that wouldn't make much difference in which route to choose though. Also, we're leaving from Tampa, but we live less than a mile from I-75, so I pretty sure we can handle that part of the drive. We had planned to take I-65, but your replies are making me 2nd guess that. Are there plenty of places to stop on the 57/24/75 route? I always have to make lots of pit stops, when we travel.

My father grew up in Southern Illinois as a kid before moving to the Chicago land area and we had a lot of relatives that still lived down there. Trust me when I say that I 57 has more than their fair share of rest stops and a lot of them come equipped with mini play grounds for the kids. That's one of the reasons I wish I had taken the I 57 route instead of the I 65. I 57 is a nice, low key drive with plenty of rest stops and places to eat. I'm going to do that route if I ever drive again.

 

[Paull117]

Have you check Milwaukee for Airfare. Sometimes Midwest has some great deals for last minute travel. I know it is bit of a hike to drive there to fly, but better than driving the distance.

I have driven the route thru IL from Central WI. I love the drive but man IL can get long.

Paul

 

[WOODY13]

We have driven for many many years.. we take the I65 way Indy has never been a problem for us. We leave about 3 am on Saturday, get past the FL/GA line and stop for the night. Lot's of places to stop and streatch your legs. McD's has a map of all the McD's along the way so you can always stop and find a clean(ish) rest room.

I agree with geffric, we always take the I-65 route and don't have any problems. The one time we did take I-57 it took longer. It is very important to hit the area by the ILL./ IN. border at a low traffic time. Early morning is best.