drive from Chicago?

[Mr. Disney 652]

We drive it 2 times a year from WI/IL border (Lake County). I go straight through and leave at midnight-ish. I can make it (going no more than 10 over S/L) in about 17 hr 30 mins, average. The most was 18.5 hours one time.

You should be good, especially if you are from S suburbs...that'll knock off an hour!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

We drive down from the Indianapolis area and take 65/24/75 most of the time.

The drive down to Nashville is pretty easy and you do not actually go into Nashville very far to get to 24. The only hairy part is Atlanta and we plan it to avoid rush hour and getting through it before stopping for the night is paramount in order for us to make it to DW in a timely manner the next day.

I learned, from the DIS boards, to just keep in the middle lane of 75 and grin and bear it for the 10-15 minutes it takes to get through . A bit of prayer does not hurt either as it all it takes is for one person to do something for all heck to break loose. Of course, that can happen elsewhere on the trip as well.

After you get through Atlanta it is a very easy drive, bypass Birmingham, especially with the new Western Way entrance to get on property. They even put it near OUR resort!!

The one big tip is to rent (Cracker Barrel) or borrow (library) books on tape. They make the miles go so much quicker and keep the fights in the car down to a minimum.

Have a safe and wonderful trip!

Slightly Goofy

 

[tarheelmjfan]

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.

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, our kiddo's 15 now. The grow up too fast. His playground is going to be Grant Park for Lollapalooza, which is why we're going to Chicago. Milwaukee is an add-on. I'm excited, because we've never visited either city. We're also going to Six Flags Great America in between the 2 city stays.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

For those who take either route, where do you suggest as a stopping spot for the reverse drive? We haven't decided which route to take yet. We'll probably plan to leave Tampa around 4am. I know none of you probably leave WDW that early, but a general idea of timing would be very helpful. We want to get as much of the drive behind us the 1st day as possible, without being exhausted when we stop. My hubby hates to drive on vacation & wouldn't consider driving all the way through. We'd also like to avoid any congested traffic. I really appreciate all your help.

OP: I hope you don't think I'm trying to hijack your thread. You've gotten so much good advice already, & I was hoping you wouldn't mind them spreading it around.

 

[tinaluis]

When we're dring home from WDW we try to leave about 6am and we stop just after Nashville, TN about 8pm. The next day we have about 8-9 hours of driving to Chicago (including potty breaks with 3 DDs). We live about 5 miles from downtown Chicago, so your trip may be a few minutes shorter.

BTW, did you decide where you'll be staying -- Palmer House or one of the boutique hotels?

 

[Funwith4kids]

We try to leave WDW by 5 am and stop in Smyrna, Tn, just outside of Nashville.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

When we're dring home from WDW we try to leave about 6am and we stop just after Nashville, TN about 8pm. The next day we have about 8-9 hours of driving to Chicago (including potty breaks with 3 DDs). We live about 5 miles from downtown Chicago, so your trip may be a few minutes shorter.

BTW, did you decide where you'll be staying -- Palmer House or one of the boutique hotels?

We decided on the Chicago Hilton & Towers. It really came down to convenience. Since we'll be spending a large portion of our stay at Grant Park, Hilton Chicago seemed to be the best choice. We should be able to walk back & forth easily. More importantly, I'll be able to walk to the hotel or park alone. They'll be able to stay longer without taking a break than I will. We also have our 4-legged baby girl that's needs to be checked on frequently. I seriously considered booking one of the boutique hotels. I really think we'd like those better. Plus, they were cheaper. In the end, my DH thought it would be better to pay a little more for the more convenient location. I hope we don't end up regretting our choice.

We try to leave WDW by 5 am and stop in Smyrna, Tn, just outside of Nashville.

Sounds like the Nashville area is a popular stopping point. We're actually going to Milwaukee 1st. I would've liked to have gotten a bit closer, but we don't want to overdo it the 1st day. We like to stop in time to freshen up & go out for a relaxing dinner. That way we're refreshed for the drive the following day rather than being worn out & still having a long drive ahead. One concern..... If we stop in the Nashville are for the night, are we going to want to leave the next morning.

 

[Jon99]

On our way home, we like to get up early, head to MK at opening and have an early lunch before leaving around noon.. We then drive until around 9:00, usually gets us to Nashville..

 

[tarheelmjfan]

So, you make it in 9 hrs? If we leave as early as planned, we may be able to get further than Nashville. Any suggestions for a place to stop a couple hours beyond Nashville where we could have a nice relaxing dinner & possibly find something to do afterwards, if we're up to it? Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

[Jon99]

We can usually do it in 9 hours, but that is without stopping for anything but gas.. We push it pretty hard, but then leaves us only about 7 hours in the car the next day.. You might want to try to make it to either Clarksville or Paducah

 

[bradisgoofy]

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!!

We just got back from FW and we used the route I suggested in my earlier post. On the way down we ran into zero delays. There were three major cities on US231 we passed through without any problems. We headed home on Easter weekend but that couldn't be helped. The traffic on US231 was a little heavier and we had a minor slowdown at the first city, Dothan, AL, but after that nothing out of the ordinary. We did get one major jam near Elizibethtown, KY due to a truck rollover. We got off the interstate and took a back road and got around that.
We have been talking about trying a night trip. I work the 11pm to 7am shift so driving all night would not pose a problem for me.

 

[firecracker]

after being at a complete standstill for no less than 4 hours EACH WAY on I-75 in GA, we have wholeheartedly converted to the I65 route thru AL. On our way to FL one year, we were stopped (b/c of a bad accident--7 fatalities) for 5 hours on the way down and 4 hours (due to construction) on the way back! Forget GA!

Altho you do use a smaller highway (231) for an hour or so, the absence of traffic is such a PLUS for my hubby who drives that portion. White-knuckling thru GA at 80 mph (when you aren't stopped in traffic!) isn't his idea of fun!

This summer, we're flying! Less than $110 pp from MDW on a Ding! yesterday! Yippee!!

PS: We do a 20 hr, thru-the-night drive at least once a year, sometimes twice. Coming home is harder...we ususally cat-nap at some rest areas on the way home.

 

[manning]

Great, now everyone will want to go this way resulting in.......slowdowns!!!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

bradisgoofy, I can see where that route works well for you coming from where you are but for us it would be way out of the way. I do sometimes go further east and then south and have taken the 65 route when weather was bad my usual way.

I am sure that if I should get caught in one of those horrible traffic jams I will think of you and your route though.

I attempt to travel on weekends which alleviates some of the pain.

Slightly Goofy